Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Bauwens, Thomas
• Devine-Wright, Patrick

Titel

Positive energies? An empirical study of community energy participation and attitudes to renewable energy

Ist Teil von

• Energy policy, 2018-07, Vol.118, p.612-625

Ort / Verlag

Kidlington: Elsevier Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2018

Quelle

PAIS Index

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• It has been suggested that participation in community energy initiatives may play an important role in enabling a transition towards renewable energy (RE) deployment by fostering positive attitudes toward renewables. Yet, little is known about how members of community energy initiatives differ from non-members in terms of energy attitudes and whether different profiles of community energy members exist. This article empirically analyses the relations between community energy membership and attitudes toward RE and onshore wind energy. Based on statistical analyses of a large-scale quantitative dataset from an original survey (N = 3963) conducted with two energy cooperatives in Belgium, it contrasts different groups of cooperative members with each other and a comparison group of non-members. Results show that members have significantly more positive attitudes towards RE than non-members. Results also suggest that non-members tend to be more indifferent or more uncertain, not more objecting, than members to wind power. Finally, significant differences among cooperative members are highlighted, illustrating the contrast between communities of place and communities of interest. The findings suggest a novel perspective on the benefits of community energy membership – to overcome indifference or uncertainty – that is relevant to foster a rapid and socially acceptable low carbon transition. •Analysis of the relations between community energy membership and energy attitudes.•Community energy members have more positive attitudes than non-members.•Non-members are more indifferent or more uncertain, not more objecting, than members to wind power.•Significant differences exist between communities of place and communities of interest.•Novel perspective on the benefits of community energy – to overcome indifference or uncertainty.