In the heart of the energy transition, a fascinating study led by Alena Coblence, published in ‘Développement Durable et Territoires’ (Sustainable Development and Territories), has shed new light on how photovoltaic (PV) support policies intersect with urban development projects. The research delves into the intricacies of two distinct PV support policies—the feed-in tariffs model and the bill savings model—and their potential to foster sustainable energy communities.
Coblence’s work is a deep dive into the concept of ecological modernization (EM), which seeks to address environmental challenges by integrating renewable energies into the energy mix while maintaining economic growth. The study posits that the bill savings model, which allows consumers to save on their electricity bills by generating their own power, could be a game-changer in creating sustainable energy communities. These communities, the research suggests, could redefine local production and consumption practices, making them more sustainable and resilient.
“Our results show that the installation of PV in situ favored the creation of energy communities,” Coblence notes. “The bill savings model is more favorable for recalibrating the local production and consumption of electricity.” This finding is significant for the energy sector, as it indicates that decentralized, community-based energy systems could be more effective in promoting sustainability than traditional, centralized models.
However, the study also highlights several challenges. Despite careful planning and framing of distributed production-consumption loops, factors such as profitability, the competence of national policymakers, and the specific operational and socio-spatial contexts of urban planning can significantly impact the success of these initiatives. “The profitability criterion, the competences of the national policymakers in the electricity regime, as well as the operational and socio-spatial contexts specific to urban planning, play a critical role in the success of the sustainable approach to EM,” Coblence explains.
For the energy sector, these insights could shape future developments in several ways. Firstly, they underscore the importance of policy design in promoting sustainable energy communities. Secondly, they highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of local contexts and the role of policymakers in driving change. Lastly, they suggest that the bill savings model could be a powerful tool for fostering sustainability, but its success will depend on a range of factors, including profitability and local governance.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, this research provides a compelling case for rethinking how we approach urban development and energy production. By fostering sustainable energy communities, we could not only reduce our environmental impact but also create more resilient and self-sufficient urban environments. The findings of Coblence’s study, published in ‘Développement Durable et Territoires’, offer a roadmap for how this could be achieved, and the energy sector would do well to take note.
