Local community as shareholders in clean energy projects: Innovative strategy for accelerating renewable energy deployment in India

The Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs) is a project designed to give local citizens and other stakeholders a voice in planning and determining their energy future. In total, there are seven CERTs operating in seven regions across Minnesota, USA. CERTs connect citizens with technical expertise to facilitate planning and implementation of energy conservation and renewable energy projects. These technical resources are helping the teams identify and prioritize the most appropriate and cost-effective opportunities within their regions. This paper will describe one of these energy teams (the Northeast CERT) and its efforts in promoting clean energy production and conservation. A key product of the Northeast CERT is a strategic energy plan that highlights the region's top energy priorities. As part of its project priorities, the Northeast Minnesota CERT is working to set up demonstration projects at every school and community in the region. Toward this goal, the team is currently collaborating with two schools in the region to set up renewable energy projects such as wind and solar, which in turn would help students to understand that renewables and conservation can and should be an integral part of our energy system.

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Financing renewable energy projects in the Dominican Republic: an empirical study

International Journal of Energy Sector Management ◽

10.1108/ijesm-10-2020-0002 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽

Author(s):

Angelines Daihana Donastorg ◽

Suresh Renukappa ◽

Subashini Suresh

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Empirical Study ◽

Dominican Republic ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Primary Data ◽

Unique Challenge ◽

Content Type ◽

Energy Projects ◽

Financial Aspect

Purpose Currently, renewable energy (RE) sources represent a crucial pillar in obtaining sustainable development, one of the global goals for all countries. However, this presents a unique challenge for emerging and developing countries. As the technical and financial issues remain a significant barrier in implementing RE projects, several mechanisms are available to aid the financial aspect of investing and implementing clean energy projects. This paper aims to discuss new and traditional trends in the financial area of renewable investment, focusing on the Dominican Republic (DR), identifying the gaps in the financial area regarding RE. Design/methodology/approach An empirical study was conducted in the DR. This country is located at the heart of the Caribbean. Given the complexity of RE and developing countries issues and the scarcity of comparable research in the area, an interpretivist research paradigm along with the qualitative methodology was adopted. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviews. The study sample includes: directors, chief executive officers and managers responsible for the implementation of RE strategies in their respective departments/organisations. NVivo software was used for data management and the collected data was analysed using content analysis. Findings The research highlighted several severe financial handicaps regarding RE in the DR: The lack of RE assets recognition; lack of RE investment loans; perceived RE risk; and lack of financial guarantor. After extensive interviews with critical actors in the RE sector in the DR, the possible solutions and recommendations for avoiding locking the energy and economic sector in fossil fuel debt are: (a) diversification of RE technology assets recognition, (b) implementation of government RE fund, (c) RE education on all actors and (d) introduction and adoption of new financial trends such as green bonds, bank pooling, cooperatives and more. Originality/value This paper provides information and knowledge related to financial tools and policies that are available for the RE projects in the DR. The results have a socio-economic impact. This research provides a better understanding of the key financial tools to be explored by RE project developers in the developing countries. This study shows the gaps that exist between the knowledge that the stakeholders should possess and the actual knowledge that exists in the country regarding the financial aspect of an RE project.

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A Business Model for Producing Clean Energy in Developing Countries

WSEAS TRANSACTIONS ON BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS ◽

10.37394/23207.2020.17.9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 ◽

Keyword(s):

Developing Countries ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Business Model ◽

Cash Flow ◽

Chemical Engineering ◽

Profit Maximization ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Industrial Wastes ◽

Waste Tires ◽

Energy Projects

Similar to other business projects, clean energy projects also has orientation for profit maximization in developing countries. Environmental problems caused by industrial wastes have been becoming serious issues in developing countries. Hence, recycling industrial wastes, in order to create more renewable and clean energy, has been recognized as one of ways to reduce adverse impact of global warming and negative effect of greenhouse gases. According to statistics, Viet Nam discharges about 400,000 tons of waste tires annually and this number in the US is estimated about 4,200,000 tons per year (source: vnu.edu.vn). This creates many environmental issues. Hence, this paper aims to propose a business model to solve problems mentioned below in the paper. Building a tire shredding plant in California, USA (for example) to cut the whole tires into small shredded tires then export to developing countries like Vietnam is one method to convert wastes into clean energy and protecting our environment. This is one main objective of this research paper. Another purpose of this study is to find out a financial model to evaluate socio-economic values of renewable energy projects that help to protect our environment, as well as a modern viewpoint of not including or adding (+) new debt issuances to increase net cash flow when estimating FCFE cash flow. Using pyrolysis technology to crack carbon linkage into smaller linkages, and then convert waste tires into renewable energy (FO-R oil, carbon black and steel). This is an application of chemical engineering. Through the economic and technical analysis of this model, we can see the practical benefits of the energy project in terms of economic efficiency, profitability, which bring surplus value for investors, effective solutions for customers and a quality energy product for the society. And it also suggest the relevant government of developing countries to consider proper policies to encourage environment protection and businesses in the field of converting industrial wastes such as tires into clean energy.

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Examining the Renewable Energy Investments in Hungarian Rural Settlements: The Gained Local Benefits and the Aspects of Local Community Involvement

European Countryside ◽

10.2478/euco-2018-0005 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 74-88

Author(s):

Patrícia Honvári ◽

Irén Szörényiné Kukorelli

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Community Involvement ◽

Local Community ◽

Local Level ◽

Rural Settlements ◽

Research Project ◽

Low Level ◽

Direct Benefits ◽

Energy Projects

AbstractThe results of the paper are based on a research project which examines the renewable energy investments carried out in Hungarian rural settlements. The study will focus on the municipality-led renewable energy developments, determining the most important local benefits and the aspects of the local community involvement. Altogether 748 rural settlements have been identified, which have implemented at least one renewable energy project through the Environmental and Energy Operative Program between 2007 and 2013. A questionnaire has been sent out to these municipalities, and 159 full answers have been collected and analysed. We have investigated the importance and presence of local benefits deriving from renewable energy investments, and examined what effort is put into the information and involvement of the local community. The study concludes that although several local benefits occur at local level while implementing renewable energy projects, the effect of direct benefits remain at a low level. Furthermore, it can also be stated, that only moderate effort is put into the issue of local community involvement. The study also determines several major threats that can endanger the successfulness of the previous investments, and prevent the further renewable energy developments at local level.

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Barriers for Clean Energy Projects

Journal of Clean Energy Technologies ◽

10.18178/jocet.2021.9.2.256 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (2) ◽

pp. 24-27

Author(s):

Maximilian Bonnici ◽

◽

Henry Greene ◽

Isabelle Bonnici ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Energy Storage ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

New Technology ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Spot Markets ◽

The Sun ◽

Energy Projects ◽

Energy Utilities ◽

And Storage

Clean energy may offer a more environmentally friendly outcome than fossil fuels. However, clean energy is beset by uncertainties when the sun does not shine through and the wind does not blow. Worse still, science has not yet overcome scalability issues that are compounded by lack of technological knowhow on how to store solar and wind energy. The electrical “green-outs” of August 2020 in California are a reminder that without storage facilities for clean energy, utilities are driven to spot markets for electricity rendered from traditional sources of energy as economic setbacks occur due to compromised supplies of electricity. Without means of energy storage, new technology cannot fully replace the old. One can only hope that the dream to build a future based on renewable energy will lead to discoveries that will overcome scalability and storage issues.

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Morocco sets global pace for renewables

Emerald Expert Briefings ◽

10.1108/oxan-db207275 ◽

2015 ◽

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Renewable Energy ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Content Type ◽

Global Force ◽

Energy Projects ◽

Generating Capacity ◽

Electricity Mix ◽

The Government ◽

Do So

Subject Morocco renewables. Significance Morocco showcased the progress it has made with the development of renewable energy at the COP21 climate change conference in Paris. At the conference, Morocco pledged to increase the renewable contribution to its electricity mix to 52% by 2030. The government has already set a target of 42% of its electricity generating capacity based on renewables by 2020: 14% each from hydro, wind and solar plants. Impacts Morocco can derive political and diplomatic benefits by projecting itself as a leading global force in developing clean energy. It will have an even better opportunity to do so when it hosts the COP22 meeting in Marrakech in November 2016. Morocco's renewable energy projects have been underpinned by subsidies, but these are likely to diminish as costs fall. Depending on technology, Morocco could export electricity generated from renewables to Europe and countries in north and west Africa.

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Key Success Factors of Renewable Energy Projects Implementation in Rural Areas of Indonesia

STI Policy and Management Journal ◽

10.14203/stipm.2017.122 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 111 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Wati Hermawati ◽

Ishelina Rosaira

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Local Government ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Success Factors ◽

Local Community ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Project Planning ◽

Government Support ◽

Primary Data ◽

Energy Projects

<p>This paper is an exploratory study on renewable energy implementation in the rural areas of Indonesia. The study aim was to investigate the factors contributing to the sustainability of renewable energy projects in the rural areas. It mostly uses a qualitative approach. Primary data was mainly obtained from in-depth interviews conducted in site areas with the project owners, project managers, a key person in each local government, industry representatives, and the local community, including local leaders and users of renewable energy. Secondary data in the form of various official project reports was also used. The results indicated that the success of energy project implementation lay not only in good technology performance and long-term maintenance, but was also highly dependent on six key factors, namely: (1) project planning and development; (2) community participation; (3) active communication and beneficiaries; (4) availability of maintenance program, workshop and technician; (5) project management and institutionalization; (6) local government support and networks. The findings from this study provide useful insights to all stakeholders involved in the implementation of renewable energy technology for the rural areas in Indonesia.</p>

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Local Energy Projects on Islands: Assessing the Creation and Upscaling of Social Niches

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su122410431 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (24) ◽

pp. 10431

Author(s):

Marula Tsagkari

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Scale Up ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Systematic Analysis ◽

Organization And Management ◽

Electricity System ◽

Self Sufficiency ◽

Energy Projects ◽

Decentralized Energy ◽

Set Up

Islands have great potential for renewable energy, and several pilot and experimental projects have been set up on islands globally, aiming to promote clean energy and self-sufficiency. Many of these decentralized energy initiatives oppose the established regimes of centralized electricity generation and introduce new forms of organization and management. Thus, they can be considered social niches. The aim of the present study is to explore the transition potential of renewable energy projects on three islands located in southern Europe. The analysis mobilizes literature on the strategic niche management theory (SNM) with a focus on the role of the various actors and the different management models. Through a systematic analysis of policy documents and the literature, enriched by interviews, the paper identifies different types of renewable energy projects and discusses the potential for scale up. The paper concludes that these projects are currently in the inter-local phase, and decentralization is not only an important innovation for energy production, but also a new form of energy management often dominated by different actors than the established electricity system.

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The Application of Crowdfunding to the Energy Sector

Crowdfunding for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation - Advances in Business Strategy and Competitive Advantage ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-0568-6.ch015 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 266-287

Author(s):

Chiara Candelise

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Business Models ◽

Sustainable Energy ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Energy Investment ◽

Social Mission ◽

Available Energy ◽

Energy Projects ◽

Grass Root ◽

Institutional Finance

Crowdfunding in energy begins as a response to reduced investments (both governmental and private) into the transition to decarbonized energy systems and to the spread of innovative business models and approaches conductive of greater participation of citizens and communities in distributed renewable energy projects. This chapter presents results of a worldwide overview of the use of crowdfunding in the energy industry. Evidence gathered from available energy crowdfunding platforms highlight a very new, but quite dynamic sector. The crowdfunding tool has been applied in most of its forms, ranging from peer-to-business lending to pure donation, with strong environmental and social mission and the explicit aim of increasing participation of citizens in sustainable energy investment. Evidence also shows that, despite maintaining their environmental and clean energy focus, some energy platforms have begun to move from niche, grass root initiatives into larger projects and collaboration with energy private sector and institutional finance.

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Policy and market drivers for advancing clean energy

10.31219/osf.io/hsbry ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Steven Dahlke ◽

John Sterling ◽

Colin Meehan

Keyword(s):

Renewable Energy ◽

Fossil Fuels ◽

Business Models ◽

Clean Energy ◽

Energy Integration ◽

Market Structures ◽

Energy Technologies ◽

Tax Relief ◽

Project Costs ◽

Energy Projects

This chapter reviews important policies and market trends shaping the global development of clean energy technologies. Stimulus policies in the form of feed-in tariffs, tax relief, and renewable portfolio standards along with substantial research & development enabled clean energy projects to overcome early commercialization barriers. As a result, clean energy project costs are now competitive with or lower than conventional fossil fuels in most markets around the world. Policymakers and energy consumers are responding by increasing clean energy targets to high levels approaching 100% in a growing number of jurisdictions. Business models are adapting to this new environment and energy market structures are evolving to enable successful operations of high renewable energy systems. Markets structures, policies, and technologies that enhance system flexibility for efficient renewable energy integration represent the most promising future area of research in this field.

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