Session: 2-B.

Energy Democracy (Participation,

local ownership and prosumer)
1st World Community Power Conference
Fukushima, Japan
Dr.-Ing. Martin Hoppe-Kilpper
deENet Kompetenznetzwerk dezentrale Energietechnologien e.V.

deENet in brief

The region Northern Hesse is the cradle of innovative energy system technologies
in Germany

Since the 80s the University of Kassel and local companies are working on
integrated solutions for Renewable Energy Sources (RES) and Energy Efficiency
(EE)

As a result many research institutes and spin of companies were founded in

cooperation with the University of Kassel; many of them are today market and
technology leader

Research, industry and local authorities have long term experience in joint
activities in the sector

Northern Hesse became the leading German region for technology development
and innovative projects integrating RES in local energy system
Long term cooperation experience between the key stakeholders
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Decentralization and regional energy economy

The still growing importance of renewable energies will lead to more decentralized
structures

We can differ between 3 different kinds of decentralization:

Technical decentralization: Energy production in many (small) and
distributed power plants close to the place of consumption
Economical decentralization: Power plans are owned and operated by
local citizens. Local / regional power companies have an active role. Citizen
participation is realized. Regional value creation (land lease, trade taxes etc.)
Political decentralization: Local governance and control, cooperatives,
local energy agencies, regional development

Decentralization and regional energy economy

Significant Role of Communities in Energy Transition

Regions are forming the Level of Action for the implementation of RE

(Implementer)
Regions can influence the framework for implementation (Organizer)

Regions can setting speed and direction of transition (Pacemaker)

Regions are Pioneers, both on federal and national level

How to define Community Power

A project can be defined as Community Power if at

least two of following three criteria are fulfilled:
Local stakeholders own the majority or all of the projects shares
Local stakeholders have the majority of the voting rights
concerning the decisions taken on the project
The majority of social and economic benefits are distributed
locally

Decentralization and regional energy economy

Citizens Participation and Community Power

Typical Model for Citizen Participation in RE-Projects

Brger
Ausschttung

Stdtische Werke AG

Mitgliedschaft

Brgerenergiegenossenschaften

prozentuale Beteiligung

Kommunen, Stadtwerke &

regionale Partner
anteilige Ausschttung

Windpark Shrewald/Niestetal GmbH & Co. KG

Windpark
Shrewald

Windpark
Niestetal

PV-Freiflchenanlage
Sandershuser Berg

Typical Model for Citizen Participation in RE-Projects

Decentralization and regional energy economy

Significant Role of Communities in Energy Transition

Goals of Energy Turnaround only achievable with further expansion of RE and Energy Efficiency in
rural areas. This results in
Decentralization of Energy Supply
Increasing the chances of success to exploit Energy Efficiency Potentials
Strengthened political influence of regional and municipal policy makers
Citizens' Participation generates trust and acceptance and increases possibility for economic
engagement
Climate Protection increases Regional Added Value Creation and becomes driving force for
Sustainable Regional Development
Municipalities and Districts (Regions) are becoming most important areas of action and most
important actors for energy transition

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Thank you very much

for your kind attention!

deENet
Competence Network Distributed Energy Technologies
Stndeplatz 15, 34117 Kassel, Germany
Phone +49 561 788 096 10
info@deenet.org

www.deenet.org
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