Tools & guidance - Page 2
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Why work with community energy?
Why Work with Community Energy Organisations? As organisations look to cut carbon emissions and reduce energy costs, many face a critical decision: go it alone, work with a commercial provider, or partner with a community energy organisation. While DIY and commercial models may sometimes offer lower price or convenience, partnering with a community energy organisation […] -
Electricity generation
Solar PV As a mature renewable energy technology, well suited to community renewable energy projects, this is one of the most established areas of the community energy sector. Panels capture energy from the sun using photovoltaic cells. These cells do not need direct sunlight to work – they can still generate some electricity on a […] -
Low carbon heat
Heat can be generated by burning biomass (usually wood or sometimes food waste), using ground source or air source heat pumps or by using heat-generating solar panels. These technologies, particularly when coupled with energy efficiency interventions can create huge benefits and increased levels of comfort for people and places. -
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Flexibility & network services
Definition of flexibility (from Project LEO) A flexibility provider is a user who provides flexibility services by making temporary changes to the way they consume, generate, or store electricity when requested, to support a more efficient use of the energy network. Distribution network operators’ (DNOs) requirements and auctions -
Definition, impact and sector potential
Impact What makes it different from other forms of energy ownership and delivery, is that community energy is about maximising social and environmental benefits, rather than just solely focusing on maximising profit. We still trade electricity and heat, and provide other commercial energy services, but they are often a means to bring in income to […] -
Project development tool: Solar Wizard
Rooftop Solar Developed by ELN partners, Centre for Sustainable Energy’s Solar Wizard tool helps you produce building-specific estimates for solar energy generation for rooftops across your neighbourhood and the entire country. -
Regional network: Greater Manchester
The ELN also includes funding to support the establishment of regional community energy support networks in underserved parts of the country. These will enable closer collaboration between neighbouring organisations, in-person networking, and closer coordination with their local authorities and electricity networks operators. Following an application round, the first successful area of England to be supported […] -
Community energy in the UK and around the world
Although England pioneered cooperatives, community energy isn’t just an English thing; it is happening all over the globe. There are a host of other organisations and networks you might wish to connect to and learn from across the UK and internationally. In the UK Outside the UK International development We also support the use of […] -
Wider ethics & justice
To learn more about this, some national resources have been collated for you below. CEE hosted presentation on racism, patriarchy and the climate crisis (watch below from 1 hour 2 minutes 30 seconds). CEE Member South East London Community Energy (SELCE), webinar on South East London action, with guest Camila Barens Racial Justice Network Further […] -
Community engagement & diversity
By actively involving local communities, you can build trust and ensure the project meets the needs of everyone it serves. A core part of this is prioritising diversity by encouraging participation from a wide range of local residents and stakeholders, making sure your project is inclusive and truly representative of your community. Here are some […] -
Wellbeing & teamwork
As your team grows, focusing on the wellbeing of everyone involved is key. A holistic approach encompassing culture, practical benefits, and explicit support for both mental and physical health is essential for teams with a mix of paid employees and volunteers working in diverse settings, sometimes including offices, project sites and remote working. Different permutations […]
