Large-scale renewable energy projects


Opportunities for large-scale renewable energy projects were discussed at a recent meeting of a community energy network in the West of England. An example would be the buying back into community ownership of a commercial solar farm. This is potentially attractive in the current UK situation where projects suitable for individual CE groups are now hard to find. A large-scale project would, however, exceed the financial means and possibly the expertise of such groups, making a consortium necessary. The legal structure of such a consortium might have to be different from that of any existing CE group, and its activity might also challenge the present concept of local energy. A new kind of business model could be required, making the literature on this subject relevant. A starting point is the article

Business model innovation in electricity supply markets: The role of complex value in the United Kingdom
Stephen Hall, Katy Roelich, Energy Policy 2016
This is an open-access paper in which nine different business models relating to local energy supply are identified and discussed.

In addition, current research work at the Energy Policy Group of Exeter University may be of interest: research projects include 'Local Energy Markets', which uses Cornwall as a prototype. There is a blog at http://blogs.exeter.ac.uk/energy/



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