This is Why You Should Be Part of This Community Energy Research

27/06/2018

This is Why You Should Be Part of This Community Energy Research

Help Yourself, Rafael and SmartKlub: this survey is quick, fun and easy! We promise 🙂

SmartKlub is running market research on Community Energy (CE), aiming to characterise the people involved in the sector in the UK. This is an exploratory work that SmartKlub’s Rafael Martins is conducting along with Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), Barcelona. The goal is to know the attitudes and behaviours of its actors in order to have a more accurate understanding of the marketplace.

Community energy covers aspects of collective action to reduce, purchase, manage and generate energy. Community energy projects have an emphasis on local engagement, local leadership and control and the local community benefiting collectively from the outcomes. Examples: community-owned renewable electricity installations such as solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, members of the community collectively switching to a renewable heat source such as heat pumps or biomass boilers or collective switching of electricity/gas suppliers.

Here are some of the reasons why you should be part of this research.

1) If you are a Energy Supplier or Installer

We understand that the energy market is quite competitive right now. In addition, the constant Feed in Tariff cuts have shrunk the market and there is less room for new companies and business models to thrive. This is why we want to look at your perception of Community Energy and unlock new ways for you do to business!

2) If you are a SME

Owning or renting offices might the a hassle, specially with such high electricity bills. What if you could join with a community scheme and become financially efficient at the same time that you are creating a beneficial social impact? Let us know what you are looking for a Community Energy and what your energy problems are!

3) If you are a Landlord

The new energy policy surely has come to bite, the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards are exposing you to fines if you don’t improve the energy performance of your properties. Even worse, you can be forbidden from leasing, thus leading to the shut down your activities. Community Energy could help you share knowledge, reduce energy prices and, most importantly, make you compliant! SmartKlub has addressed this issue before and you can find more about it here.

4) If you are a Community

The existence of in-house expertise does not really translate into success of community projects, according to a study done by the University of Edinburgh. We believe there are other factors which should be taken into account. So let us know about your experience, your successful experiences and frustrations, we hope to clear the path to a smoother project deployment and connect you to the best suppliers in your area.

We are counting on you on this one, understanding the Community Energy market will unlock new opportunities to all the parties involved and shape our energy future! Help us & we promise to help you too! : this survey is quick, fun and easy