Community-based Renewable Energy in the Lake District National Park – Local Drivers, Enablers, Barriers and Solutions
Author(s)
Allen, J
Sheate, WR
Diaz-Chavez, R
Type
Dissertation
Abstract
There are local energy solutions that offer the diversity and stability missing in the majority of centralised energy systems. Often, UK policies with top-down targets promote the quick fix rather than the most sustainable scheme and institutional and social barriers inhibit the local action needed to identify, plan and deliver the most valuable and appropriate alternatives. Community-based renewable energy (CRE) schemes promote area-based approaches aimed at simultaneously lowering energy consumption and increasing production.
Interviews and case studies with public, private and community-based stakeholders in the Lake District National Park reveal the drivers, enablers and barriers to CRE schemes. Two solutions designed to catalyse and coordinate local action are proposed: CRE plans and champions. Together from the bottom-up, they help to generate, coordinate and communicate the necessary local knowledge, resources and trust to promote positive datasets on energy capacity, opportunity and need. Thus, planning becomes suitably strategic for achieving sustainable energy futures.
Interviews and case studies with public, private and community-based stakeholders in the Lake District National Park reveal the drivers, enablers and barriers to CRE schemes. Two solutions designed to catalyse and coordinate local action are proposed: CRE plans and champions. Together from the bottom-up, they help to generate, coordinate and communicate the necessary local knowledge, resources and trust to promote positive datasets on energy capacity, opportunity and need. Thus, planning becomes suitably strategic for achieving sustainable energy futures.
Version
Imperial Users only
Date Issued
2012
Date Awarded
2010
Citation
Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability, 2012, available online 7 March 2012, 17 (3), pp.261-280
Publisher
Taylor and Francis
Start Page
261
End Page
280
Journal / Book Title
Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability
Volume
17
Issue
3
Creator
Allan, Joshua
Publisher Department
Centre for Environmental Policy
Publisher Institution
Imperial College London
Subjects
community
renwable energy
Lake District
planning
partnerships
Qualification Level
Masters
Qualification Name
MSc
Course Name
Environmental Technology
Edition
available online 7 March 2012
Publication Status
Published