Investigating mechanisms of collective action initiatives’ development in the energy sector. Report on the comparative case studies, COMETS H2020 project

One of the emergent trends in the sustainable energy transition is the development of distributed power generation. In Europe, it is estimated that up half of citizens of the European Union (EU) could be energy self-sufficient, potentially supplying 45% of Europe’s final energy demand by 2050 (Kampman, et al., 2016). While there are many challenges with a move towards more distributed, citizen-led energy projects, they are nevertheless supported and promoted by the EU in the RED II (EU Renewable Energy Directive as part of the 2016 “Clean Energy of all Europeans” initiative, directive 2018/2001/EU), which secures the right for citizens and communities to produce, store, consume and sell renewable energy, and other rights such as consumer’s protection or access to all energy markets directly or through third parties. Socially, this often takes the form of community energy projects in the form of collective action initiatives (CAI). CAIs, which include energy cooperatives, prosumer networks, and other citizen-led energy projects, are examples of social innovation (Gregg, et al., 2020) in how they organize and gain power through a social movement mechanism. Social innovation is the development of activities and services to meet a social need, and social innovations are primarily social in both their ends and their means. Among other things, energy CAIs are typically characterized by a focus on the community, open and voluntary participation, democratic governance, and autonomy and independence (ICA, 2021). The social benefits of energy CAIs include: developing local economies, addressing energy poverty, raising awareness about sustainable energy, promoting energy justice, giving a voice to the community, developing local skills and promoting social cohesion. Current research on CAIs explores how they are defined and the different ownership structures (Gorroño-Albizu, 2019), and how they mobilize and attain power (Gregg et al., 2020). Other research traces the history of their development within specific contexts or geographical areas, and how they influence or are influenced by national energy policies (Wierling et al., 2018). Still other research uses the lens of organizational and institutional theory to understand the historical development of energy CAIs (Mey and Diesendorf, 2018)

Economical and technological design of a anaerobic fermentation learning complex in Särevere at Järvamaa Kutsehariduskeskus

Eesti biogaasi tootmispotentsiaal on suur, aga puudub koolitusvõimalus kutse- ja kõrghariduse tasemel õppimaks biogaasijaamade projekteerijaks, seadistajaks ja operaatoriks. Magistritöö eesmärgiks on kaardistada Järvamaa Kutsehariduskeskuse (JKHK) biogaasi tootmise algmaterjalid ja välja töötada õppekompleksi tööpõhimõte ja tehniline lahendus ning koostada õppelauda biogaasijaama tehnilis-majanduslik analüüs. Töös kasutatud andmed Eesti biogaasi teoreetilise potentsiaali leidmiseks pärinevad Statistikaametist ning Põllumajanduse Registrite ja Informatsiooni Ametist. Kohapealsete substraatide biogaasi toogi leidmiseks teostati sõnniku ja rohtse biomassi biokeemilise metaanitekke potentsiaali (BMP) katse. Majandusliku analüüsi teostamiseks kasutati andmeid kirjandusallikatest ja hinnapakkumistest. BMP katse tulemuste järgi on JKHK biogaasijaamas kohalike substraatide aastane metaani potentsiaal 106 384 Nm3, millest on võimalik toota elektrienergiat 240 MW·h ja soojusenergiat 488 MW·h. Biogaasijaama rajamisele kuluv investeering on ligikaudu 405 000 eurot. Töös esitatud õppekompleksi tehnoloogilist skeemi saab kasutada projekteerimise lähteülesande koostamisel. Majanduslik analüüs on koostatud kirjandusallikate põhjal, et hinnata JKHK biogaasijaama investeeringu suurust ja opereerimiskulusid, õppevahendite maksumust ei ole majandusanalüüsis arvesse võetud.Estonia has a large potential for biogas production, but there is no opportunity to get profession in biogas plant design, technology or management in any of the universities or vocational schools. Aim of this Master’s thesis is to analyse local substrates for biogas production in Järva County Vocational Training Centre (JKHK), work out principal solution for biogas training centre, and make economic analyses. Potential for biogas production in Estonia is calculated based on data from Statistics Estonia and Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information Board. Biochemical methane potential (BMP) test was carried out in order to determine biogas productivity from local manure and herbaceous biomass. Economic analysis is calculated based on literature review and details from bidding offer. Results of the BMP test showed that biogas plant annual biogas yield is about 106 384 Nm3/a, and 240 MW·h of electricity and 488 MW·h of thermal energy could be generated. Total investment to set up biogas plant is about 405 000 euros. Technological scheme designed in this study can be used as initial task of project. An economic analysis is prepared based on literature review

Investigating mechanisms of collective action initiatives’ development in the energy sector. Report on the comparative case studies, COMETS H2020 project

One of the emergent trends in the sustainable energy transition is the development of distributed power generation. In Europe, it is estimated that up half of citizens of the European Union (EU) could be energy self-sufficient, potentially supplying 45% of Europe’s final energy demand by 2050 (Kampman, et al., 2016). While there are many challenges with a move towards more distributed, citizen-led energy projects, they are nevertheless supported and promoted by the EU in the RED II (EU Renewable Energy Directive as part of the 2016 “Clean Energy of all Europeans” initiative, directive 2018/2001/EU), which secures the right for citizens and communities to produce, store, consume and sell renewable energy, and other rights such as consumer’s protection or access to all energy markets directly or through third parties. Socially, this often takes the form of community energy projects in the form of collective action initiatives (CAI). CAIs, which include energy cooperatives, prosumer networks, and other citizen-led energy projects, are examples of social innovation (Gregg, et al., 2020) in how they organize and gain power through a social movement mechanism. Social innovation is the development of activities and services to meet a social need, and social innovations are primarily social in both their ends and their means. Among other things, energy CAIs are typically characterized by a focus on the community, open and voluntary participation, democratic governance, and autonomy and independence (ICA, 2021). The social benefits of energy CAIs include: developing local economies, addressing energy poverty, raising awareness about sustainable energy, promoting energy justice, giving a voice to the community, developing local skills and promoting social cohesion. Current research on CAIs explores how they are defined and the different ownership structures (Gorroño-Albizu, 2019), and how they mobilize and attain power (Gregg et al., 2020). Other research traces the history of their development within specific contexts or geographical areas, and how they influence or are influenced by national energy policies (Wierling et al., 2018). Still other research uses the lens of organizational and institutional theory to understand the historical development of energy CAIs (Mey and Diesendorf, 2018)