Abstract:
This study focuses on the emergence of Energy Communities (ECs) in different localities. ECs are socio-technical entities involving various stakeholders, such as municipalities, small-medium enterprises, and other energy end-consumers, at any stage of the energy supply chain by jointly investing in renewable energy infrastructure, generating renewable energy, or providing energy services. ECs are considered a solution to several challenges encountered by the conventional energy system, such as ageing infrastructures, overload of the networks due to the increase of renewable energy sources, changing geopolitical climate, energy security, access, affordability, and climate change.
Furthermore, ECs arguably provide opportunities for democracy by actively involving energy end-consumers in decision-making, thus providing an alternative to the traditional, centralized energy market model. However, ECs are emerging unevenly across time and space and are highly context specific. To help better understand how such innovations emerge and how they can be fostered, Maria studied the driving factors for ECs building on different transition theories and an energy justice framework.
Methodologically, this thesis relies on a systematic literature review, an exploratory spatial data analysis, and participatory multi-criteria analysis (PMCA) and builds on action research conducted during community workshops in eleven case studies in Europe and South America. The systematic literature review results show that geographic conditions (e.g., location, availability of renewable energy sources, a history of energy cooperatives (ECoops), and regional technical/industrial specialization) influence the emergence of ECs. The most studied factors in the context of ECs were policy and supportive laws of decentralized energy markets. The collaboration between incumbent actors (e.g., policy-makers, industrial representatives), research entities, innovators, and intermediaries seems crucial for establishing ECs. On the local level, Maria showed that acceptance and place attachment are the most studied drivers for ECs.
Following the findings of literature review and using the conceptual layers of the Multi-Level Perspective (MLP), namely landscape (non-steerable factors such as climate catastrophes, global crisis, historical factors), regime (factors relating to incumbent systems), and niches (factors relating to innovation networks), an exploratory statistical analysis studies pre-conditions for the emergence of ECs captured by socio-economic indexes (Social Progress Index and the Quality of Life Index).
This analysis of socio-economic indicators showed that access to advanced education, access to information and communication, satisfaction with housing conditions, and trust in authorities correlate the highest with the presence of ECoops (the most common form of ECs). It shows that ECs have an uneven spatial distribution, and geographic regions performing higher on the indicators also show a higher average number of ECs per spatial unit.
To understand if and how ECs can be supported, Maria examined several ECs by applying a PMCA as a tool for transition management, connecting to the niche level of transitions. To this end, Maria participated in eleven case studies in Europe (Belgium, Greece, Spain and the Netherlands) and South America (Argentina, Chile, Colombia).
The results showed that ECs could take various forms and involve different incumbent and emerging stakeholders in the local energy market. While incumbent stakeholders (e.g., distribution system operators, industries) shared main objectives, such as economic advantages, and emission reductions, emergent stakeholders differ more concerning their objectives for their energy supply. The implementation of ECs is still confronted by barriers hindering their roll-out. For instance, in the Spanish case study (Vega de Calcarce), regulatory challenges, funding availability, and access to energy data were among the key barriers.
The case studies in South America replicated similar findings.However, some objectives differed or were added during the participatory workshops. Maria's dissertation showed that strong local guidance focusing on capacity building (e.g., through a structured approach, and information channels) and regional, and national facilitation through available funding, regulatory, academic and educational guidance were essential for the local transitions.
To reflect on sustainability and justice considerations regarding the emergence of ECs, a meta-analysis of the South American case studies was conducted using the energy justice framework.