COMMUNITY RENEWABLE ENERGY IN AUSTRALIA

In 2015 the Federal Coalition and Labor parties agreed to a 2020 renewable energy target of 33,000 gigawatt-hours for Australia. This would contribute around 23% of the nation’s energy requirements.

In order to reach the target  the Clean Energy Council, the industry body for clean energy, estimates that a further 6000 megawatts of renewable energy generation will be needed – which would require the investment of about $10 billion.

While investment in large-scale projects should provide the major part of the increase, there is the potential for community energy to assist in reaching the target.

What is community energy? 

According to Nicky Ison and Ed Langham (University of Technology, Sydney): “Community energy projects are those in which a community comes together to develop, deliver and benefit from sustainable energy. They can involve energy supply projects such as renewable energy installations and storage, and energy reduction projects such as energy efficiency and demand management. Community energy can even include community-based approaches to selling or distributing energy."

Community energy is an important contributor to the national energy requirements in Germany, Denmark and Britain.  All of these countries are way ahead of Australia in the generation of renewable energy and community energy projects.

In 2015 Germany reached 32% renewable energy. It has a target of 40% to 45% by 2025.  It has around 850 energy cooperatives and almost half of its installed capacity is owned by households, communities and farmers.

Community energy projects are being developed in Australia.

Hepburn Wind is an example of a project that has been in existence for some years.  Established in 2007, it is the nation’s first community wind farm.  Located at Leonards Hill about 100 km north west of Melbourne it is a 4.1 megawatt operation with two turbines which produce enough energy for over 2000 homes.

Another example is Repower Shoalhaven in the Nowra district of NSW. Its first project was a 99 kilowatt community solar system installed on the roof of the Shoalhaven Heads Bowling and Recreation Club. This project was 20% funded by the bowling club and 80% by community shareholders.

In addition to communities becoming involved in renewable energy generation, the first community renewable energy retailer - Enova Energy - is setting up in the NSW Northern Rivers area and should be commencing its retail operation in the next month or so.

In recent years there has been increasing interest in community energy in Australia. The Coalition for Community Energy has further information on its development.

      

ENOVA RAISES SUFFICIENT CAPITAL TO COMMENCE RETAIL OPERATIONS

On December 15, two days before the closing of their share offer, Enova Community Energy announced that it had secured more than the required minimum to commence retail operations in the NSW Northern Rivers area.  So Enova is set to become the first community owned electricity supplier in the country.  Its progress is certain to be watched with interest by people in other parts of Australia who are keen to see the expansion of renewable energy as well as communities taking power over their own energy futures.

Of the $3,238,000 raised by the time of the announcement, nearly 75% of the total of 857 share applicants came from the local community.  "This indicates the high level of local support from the local community, making us determined to take control of our renewable future, providing local jobs, enabling new technologies and community benefit projects across the Northern Rivers Region,"  said Alison Crook, the Enova Chair.

Some background on the establishment of Enova was given on September 19 in a CVCC post Enova: New Northern Rivers Energy Retailer.

For further information:  Enova website.

Founding Partners, L-R Steve Harris, Alison Crook, Melissa Mac Court, Patrick Halliday

 

COMMUNITY ENERGY CONGRESS, CANBERRA JUNE 2014

The Community Energy Congress held in Canberra on June 16-17 brought together about 350 people from around Australia – from Mareeba in North Queensland to Perth in Western Australia.  Many of those attending had experience with community energy projects while others were anxious to learn how to advance them in their own areas.

Community energy projects take many forms.  Many involve energy generation from sources such as wind, the sun or biomass.  Some involve other tools such as energy efficiency, energy storage or demand management.  Some community projects involve connection to the grid while others are stand-alone.

"Community energy projects are collaborately-spirited, as well as being commercially-driven and environmentally beneficial.  They contribute to a bigger picture of regional development, action on climate change and progress towards sustainability, community empowerment and energy advocacy."  (p. 4, Community Energy Congress Program)

One of the most inspiring addresses at the congress was given by Arno Zengle, Mayor of the German village of Wildpoldsried, who spoke about his village's renewable energy achievements

This Bavarian village, with a population of around 2500 people, is situated 100 km from Munich.  It produces more than four times its energy requirements through a mix of renewable technologies.  The excess electricity is fed into the grid, providing the village with an income of around 5 million euros a year.

The move to renewables started in the late 1990s when the mayor and council engaged in consultation with the local community about what was possible for the village in the next 20 years.

Photo-voltaics are a major contributor to Wildpoldsried's  power generation.  Solar panels have been installed on public buildings and on around 250 private residences.  Another important source is wind.  The seven wind turbines were financed by local citizens and there are plans for several more.

Other power sources are biogas digesters and three small hydro systems.

In addition the village has embraced energy efficiency with incentives provided to residents who incorporate passive solar design in their houses.

Examples like Wildpoldsried will inspire many of those who attended the congress to move forward with their plans to promote community energy.

            - Leonie Blain

This article was published in the "Voices for the Earth" column in The Daily Examiner on June 23, 2014.

 More information about the congress and the organisers is available on the Coalition for Community Energy website