Case study: Energy communities: addressing energy poverty together

1. Welcome

 

Energy poverty impacts a significant number of people across the world, and in the European Union. As an energy community member or leader, it is likely that energy poverty impacts people in your community, town, city, municipality or region. You may be considering: 

 

• How you can better support those who are experiencing energy poverty.
• How you can ensure that your energy community is addressing local needs and being inclusive.
• Improving your energy community response to energy poverty. 

By reviewing this case study, you will:  

• Deepen your understanding of energy poverty.  

• Understand why it is important to consider energy poverty when running an energy community. 

• Gain an understanding of energy communities’ different perspectives on, and approaches to, energy poverty.  

• Be aware of the key actions an energy community can take to address energy poverty.  

• Understand the challenges and benefits of addressing energy poverty within an energy community context. 

Every1 case studies aim to support conversation, reflection and action on a key topic. Case studies provide key facts, examples, a short video, practical advice and reflective questions.  

2. Factsheet

Energy poverty has become a key issue in recent years due to the increase in the cost of energy, instability and other factors. In this fact sheet you will:

• Explore what energy poverty is, and why it matters.
• Find out why energy communities should engage with, and address, energy poverty.
• Consider how energy communities can support those experiencing energy poverty.

Download Energy communities: Addressing Energy Poverty Together - EN (321.1 KB) (PDF)

Go deeper! Be inspired by examples of how energy communities across Europe have addressed energy poverty:

• Read Exploring the community energy actions to alleviate energy poverty in the Greek context. 
• Find out more about the Cleanwatts (Portugal) approach in Cleanwatts seeks New Members For Febres Renewable Energy Community.
• Explore the work of Flemish initiative ASTER (Access to Sustainability for Tenants through Energy Efficient Retrofit) 
• Read What is the role of energy communities in tackling energy poverty? Measures, barriers and potential in The Netherlands. In particular, Table One explores a range of actions you could take to address energy poverty. 
• There are lots of low-cost or no-cost actions you can take to support those impacted by energy poverty. For example you could hold regular energy advice cafes. Or you might want to consider education campaigns.
• Check out REScoop.eu resources on energy poverty topics. 

3. Video

Coming soon! 

4. Reflective Questions

If you are an energy community leader, you may want to consider these questions with your members. These questions focus on exploring energy poverty in your context, and how you can better support those impacted by energy poverty. 

•  What does energy poverty mean within the context of our energy community? [NB. If your understanding is limited currently: How can we better develop our understanding of energy poverty in our community?] 
• How could our energy community better serve those impacted by energy poverty? 
• Are there community groups and other organisations we could engage/work with to better understand energy poverty in our municipality/region/town/street and how to support people better?  
• How could we facilitate discussions and raise awareness of energy poverty in the wider community? In our energy community?  
• How can we better engage with our community to discuss issues of energy poverty?  
• What actions can we take to better support our local community? How will we reach people that are impacted by energy poverty?  
• What immediate action can we take to support those impacted by energy poverty? What more sustained activities and support can we build into our energy community planning? 

5. Other Every1 Resources

You may find the following learning materials from Every1 useful: 

• The video Digital Inclusion in the Digital Energy Transition. 
• The 30-minute course Energy Anxiety. 
• The slide deck Cybersecurity digital energy myths... busted!   

You can also explore our Every1 Knowledge Hub, which has more than 80 different learning materials on digital energy topics, many available in a range of European languages. 

6. Acknowledgements

This case study and its components were created by the Every1 project and are licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, unless otherwise stated.  

Main case study image: Moss Community Energy Launch by 10 10 is licensed CC BY 2.0.

Factsheet

Icons used (aside from the Every1 logo, funded by the EU logo and related images) are used according to Canva licensing terms. The section What is energy poverty... and why does it matter? incorporates revised and verbatim text from Energy Poverty by The European Commission, which is licensed CC BY 4.0.

Video

Coming soon! 

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) under grant agreement No 101075596. The sole responsibility for the content of this course lies with the Every1 project and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union.