Comparing community energy development in Finland and the UK

摘要

This research paper focuses on the development of communityand local energy projects in Finland and the UK. Finlandhas relatively little citizen-led community energy activity, butin the last few years small, innovative local projects havestarted to emerge. UK, on the other hand, has had a surgeof interest in community energy for several years. This paperlooks at community energy in the two countries through theeyes of four case studies, two in each country. These includecitizen-led sustainable energy activities such as replacing fossilfuel based heating with renewables and developing localenergy efficiency activities. Community energy is approachedthrough strategic niche management theory and seen asa niche, a space within which innovative activity can takeplace, develop and potentially diffuse. Data from interviewswith 12 community energy practitioners and 10 intermediaryorganisations are used to answer questions on what is acommunity energy niche and how do projects interact withthat niche. The successful development of community energyprojects is often down to several factors. The community energyprojects analysed for this research have been aided bydedicated leaders, external funding sources and the ability toseek new information, adapt that to each individual circumstanceand learn in the process.