Local energy generation projects: assessing equity and risks

Adams, C.; Bell, S.

Abstract

Micro- and small-scale low-carbon energy generators embedded within villages, towns and cities can provide a valuable income stream for local communities among other potential benefits. There are a range of social, political, technical and environmental factors that may impact upon the success of a planned energy generation project; however, these factors are rarely considered in unison. The aim of this research is to investigate and understand the concerns relating to equity and distributional justice that impact upon local groups interested in developing energy projects and to determine whether a whole systems approach can be used to draw out perceived issues. This has been achieved by working with two small village groups to test a newly developed energy equity assessment tool. This paper reports research findings from two villages in the UK both planning energy projects that intended to benefit their respective villages and examines perceived issues relating to equity and distributional justice associated with the proposed schemes. The research highlights some challenges facing community groups when planning micro- and small-scale energy projects and demonstrates the commitment, tenacity and high levels of personal risk that these groups have to bear in order to bring their projects to fruition and comments as to the type of actions that may be required to more wholly consider equity issues while developing future energy policy.

Citation

Adams, C., & Bell, S. (2015). Local energy generation projects: assessing equity and risks. Local Environment, 20(12), 1473-1488. https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2014.909797

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 25, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Apr 24, 2014
• Publication Date: Dec 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jul 15, 2014
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 16, 2014
• Journal: Local Environment
• Print ISSN: 1354-9839
• Electronic ISSN: 1469-6711
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis Group
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 20
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1473-1488
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13549839.2014.909797
• Keywords: Equity, Risk, Community, Energy, Policy.
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1456375