Community Energy
Level 1: Beginner
Let's go!
Introduction
This module introduces the basics of community energy—what it is, why it matters, and how it connects to our daily lives and future. You will explore how local people can come together to produce, share, and manage energy in ways that are more sustainable, affordable, and fair. Whether it's a small village installing solar panels or a group of neighbors starting an energy cooperative, community energy is about working together to create cleaner, smarter, and more independent energy systems.
Start Course
Community Energy Level 1: Beginner
Objectives
Modules
Exercises
Evaluation
Module 1: Introduction
Objectives
What will you learn?
- Understand what community energy is and why it matters
- How community energy connects to everyday life
- Identify simple, real-life examples of community-owned energy systems
- Understand the key components of a community energy project
Modules
Module 3: Why Does Community Energy Matter?
Module 1: Introduction to the objectives
Module 2: What is Community Energy and how it works?
Module 6: Conclusion
Module 4: Key components of a community energy project?
Module 5: Community engagement and sustainability
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
Community energy refers to the delivery of community-led renewable energy, energy demand reduction and energy supply projects, whether wholly owned and/or controlled by communities or through a partnership with commercial or public sector partners. Community energy is about people and communities taking democratic control over their energy future, by understanding, generating, using, owning and saving energy in their communities, as well as working together across regions and nationally. It involves communities working together to produce, manage, and sometimes sell renewable energy—such as solar, wind, or hydro—often with the goal of making energy more sustainable, affordable, and locally beneficial.
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
Key Characteristics of Community Energy Community energy involves projects where people are directly involved in generating and/or using renewable energy. These projects are often led or owned by citizens and aim to promote sustainability and local empowerment. Common features of community energy projects include:
- Involvement of everyday individuals or groups, where participants actively help run or own the project;
- A strong focus on delivering clear local or social benefits for the wider community;
- A structure that supports shared decision-making, often through democratic or cooperative models;
- A key objective of reducing reliance on fossil fuels and supporting the shift to clean energy;
- Benefits—whether financial, environmental, or social—are experienced primarily by people living near the project;
- Any profits made are either reinvested into the project or distributed among its members.
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
Historical Context The concept of community-led energy projects is not new. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, energy cooperatives in the US and Europe electrified rural areas. However, the modern community energy movement, focusing on renewables, gained momentum in the 1980s, with countries like Germany and Denmark pioneering community-owned wind farms. Environmental awareness led to an upsurge in initiatives. According to a 2023 study, communal energy has increased in Europe over the previous 20 years in tandem with "collective action for the low carbon transition." Approximately 2 million people participated in 23,000 community energy initiatives in 30 European countries as of 2020–21.
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
How community energy works: Community energy is when a group of people in a local area work together to create and use energy, usually from renewable sources like solar panels or wind turbines. The energy produced can be shared among the people in that community, helping to reduce costs and make the area less reliant on large energy companies. Sometimes, extra energy is sold back to the national grid, bringing in money to support the community. This system helps the environment by using clean energy and makes the community more independent and resilient in case of power outages or price changes.
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
Take a look at this video:
Module 3: Why Does Community Energy Matter?
How it helps people:
Community energy matters because it gives people more control over how their energy is made and used. Instead of depending on large, distant power companies, local communities can produce their own clean energy from sources like the sun or wind. This can lower energy bills, reduce pollution, and help fight climate change. It also means the money spent on energy stays in the community, supporting local jobs and projects instead of going to outside companies. When people come together to create and manage energy, they learn new skills, make decisions as a group, and become more aware of how energy affects the environment. In times of power outages or emergencies, local energy systems can keep lights on and homes warm, especially if the community has its own backup power like batteries or microgrids.
Module 2: Why Does Community Energy Matter?
Why does it matter to the communities?
Community energy is about designing and developing your own renewable energy project. Communities are being empowered by this approach and can produce, manage and benefit from those projects. This approach particularly matters to communities because it brings the following:- Environmental benefits - Economic advantages - Social impact - Energy Justice and Resilience - Educational and Cultural Benefits
Module 2: Why Does Community Energy Matter?
Communities needs
When people come together to create and manage energy, they learn new skills, make decisions as a group, and become more aware of how energy affects the environment. In times of power outages or emergencies, local energy systems can keep lights on and homes warm, especially if the community has its own backup power like batteries or microgrids.
Module 4: Key components of a community energy project
Funding/Investment
Energy Source
Module 5: Community engagement and sustainability
Sustainability means using resources—like energy—in a way that protects the environment, supports people, and lasts a long time. Community engagement supports this in several ways: Environmental: Engaged communities care more about how energy affects the planet. They may use less energy, recycle more, or support clean energy choices. Social: Working together brings people closer. It strengthens trust and gives people the power to make local change. Economic: Projects with local involvement often keep money in the community. Jobs, savings, and investments stay close to home.
"Preservation of our environment is not a liberal or conservative challenge; it's common sense." — President Ronald Reagan, State of the Union address, 1984
Module 5: Community engagement and sustainability
4 Steps to Community Engagement for Sustainability
3. Listen and Involve Everyone
1. Start the Conversation
2. Share Responsibilities
4. Celebrate and Keep in Touch
CONCLUSION
In Level 1, learners were introduced to the foundations of community energy—what it is, why it matters, and how it empowers individuals and groups to take part in the energy transition. The course explored the environmental, social, and economic benefits of locally owned energy projects, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and shared heating systems. Through real-life examples, simplified explanations, and engaging visuals, participants gained an understanding of how communities can generate, manage, and benefit from renewable energy. By the end of the level, learners developed a positive attitude toward sustainable energy and were equipped with the basic knowledge needed to explore participation in local energy initiatives.
Exercises
Exercise 2
Exercise 1
In this interactive activity, learners will build a meaningful sentence by putting key words in the correct order. The goal is to reinforce the idea that community energy relies on collaboration and shared action. By engaging with this simple exercise, learners strengthen their understanding of community values while practicing energy-related vocabulary in a fun and visual way.
Through these activities, learners will gain a basic understanding of how community energy works and why it is important. They will become familiar with key terms such as solar panel, wind turbine, battery, and community. By filling vocabulary and multiple-choice exercises, students will improve their ability to recognize and use these words in context. This will help them build a strong foundation in clean energy concepts and understand how people can work together to produce and share renewable energy.
Theoretical Exercise: Community Energy Vocabulary
Objective:
Learners will recognize basic community energy terms and their meanings.
Practical Exercise: Sort exercise
Evaluation
Evaluation Quiz
1. This quiz consists of 7 multiple-choice questions related to energy sources, environmental impact, and energy transition.
2. Choose the correct answer for each question (only one per question).
3. The quiz helps reinforce key concepts covered in the course.
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Sources
Clean Energy for All Europeans Package. (2019). European Commission. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/energy COBEN Project. (n.d.). Community Benefits of Renewable Energy – North Sea Region Interreg. Retrieved from https://northsearegion.eu/coben Energy Communities Repository. (n.d.). European Commission. Retrieved from https://energy-communities-repository.ec.europa.eu Energy Saving Trust. (n.d.). Community and Local Energy Projects. Retrieved from https://energysavingtrust.org.uk Friends of the Earth Europe. (2016). Community Energy: A practical guide to reclaiming power. Retrieved from https://friendsoftheearth.eu Heinrich Böll Foundation. (2015). Energy democracy: Reclaiming power in Europe. Retrieved from https://eu.boell.org International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2020). Innovation landscape brief: Community-ownership models. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org REScoop.eu. European Federation of Citizen Energy Cooperatives. Retrieved from https://www.rescoop.eu
Certificate
Congratulations!
Certificate of Completion
To receive an Open Badge for this course, please contact the local project partner: Kaunas University of Technology.
Level completed!
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor National Agency can be held responsible for them.
Energy Source (e.g., Solar panels, Wind turbines, Small hydro) ➤ Where the energy comes from. Community Group ➤ The people or organization that plans and manages the project. Energy Users ➤ Local homes, schools, or buildings that use the energy
Funding/Investment ➤ Money raised by the community or from grants to start the project. Technology/Equipment ➤ Solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and meters used to make and store energy. Energy Storage ➤ Batteries that store extra energy for later use. Connection to the Grid ➤ Link to the main power system to share or sell extra energy.
4.1 Community Energy
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Transcript
Community Energy
Level 1: Beginner
Let's go!
Introduction
This module introduces the basics of community energy—what it is, why it matters, and how it connects to our daily lives and future. You will explore how local people can come together to produce, share, and manage energy in ways that are more sustainable, affordable, and fair. Whether it's a small village installing solar panels or a group of neighbors starting an energy cooperative, community energy is about working together to create cleaner, smarter, and more independent energy systems.
Start Course
Community Energy Level 1: Beginner
Objectives
Modules
Exercises
Evaluation
Module 1: Introduction
Objectives
What will you learn?
Modules
Module 3: Why Does Community Energy Matter?
Module 1: Introduction to the objectives
Module 2: What is Community Energy and how it works?
Module 6: Conclusion
Module 4: Key components of a community energy project?
Module 5: Community engagement and sustainability
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
Community energy refers to the delivery of community-led renewable energy, energy demand reduction and energy supply projects, whether wholly owned and/or controlled by communities or through a partnership with commercial or public sector partners. Community energy is about people and communities taking democratic control over their energy future, by understanding, generating, using, owning and saving energy in their communities, as well as working together across regions and nationally. It involves communities working together to produce, manage, and sometimes sell renewable energy—such as solar, wind, or hydro—often with the goal of making energy more sustainable, affordable, and locally beneficial.
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
Key Characteristics of Community Energy Community energy involves projects where people are directly involved in generating and/or using renewable energy. These projects are often led or owned by citizens and aim to promote sustainability and local empowerment. Common features of community energy projects include:
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
Historical Context The concept of community-led energy projects is not new. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, energy cooperatives in the US and Europe electrified rural areas. However, the modern community energy movement, focusing on renewables, gained momentum in the 1980s, with countries like Germany and Denmark pioneering community-owned wind farms. Environmental awareness led to an upsurge in initiatives. According to a 2023 study, communal energy has increased in Europe over the previous 20 years in tandem with "collective action for the low carbon transition." Approximately 2 million people participated in 23,000 community energy initiatives in 30 European countries as of 2020–21.
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
How community energy works: Community energy is when a group of people in a local area work together to create and use energy, usually from renewable sources like solar panels or wind turbines. The energy produced can be shared among the people in that community, helping to reduce costs and make the area less reliant on large energy companies. Sometimes, extra energy is sold back to the national grid, bringing in money to support the community. This system helps the environment by using clean energy and makes the community more independent and resilient in case of power outages or price changes.
Module 2: What is Community Energy and it how works?
Take a look at this video:
Module 3: Why Does Community Energy Matter?
How it helps people:
Community energy matters because it gives people more control over how their energy is made and used. Instead of depending on large, distant power companies, local communities can produce their own clean energy from sources like the sun or wind. This can lower energy bills, reduce pollution, and help fight climate change. It also means the money spent on energy stays in the community, supporting local jobs and projects instead of going to outside companies. When people come together to create and manage energy, they learn new skills, make decisions as a group, and become more aware of how energy affects the environment. In times of power outages or emergencies, local energy systems can keep lights on and homes warm, especially if the community has its own backup power like batteries or microgrids.
Module 2: Why Does Community Energy Matter?
Why does it matter to the communities?
Community energy is about designing and developing your own renewable energy project. Communities are being empowered by this approach and can produce, manage and benefit from those projects. This approach particularly matters to communities because it brings the following:- Environmental benefits - Economic advantages - Social impact - Energy Justice and Resilience - Educational and Cultural Benefits
Module 2: Why Does Community Energy Matter?
Communities needs
When people come together to create and manage energy, they learn new skills, make decisions as a group, and become more aware of how energy affects the environment. In times of power outages or emergencies, local energy systems can keep lights on and homes warm, especially if the community has its own backup power like batteries or microgrids.
Module 4: Key components of a community energy project
Funding/Investment
Energy Source
Module 5: Community engagement and sustainability
Sustainability means using resources—like energy—in a way that protects the environment, supports people, and lasts a long time. Community engagement supports this in several ways: Environmental: Engaged communities care more about how energy affects the planet. They may use less energy, recycle more, or support clean energy choices. Social: Working together brings people closer. It strengthens trust and gives people the power to make local change. Economic: Projects with local involvement often keep money in the community. Jobs, savings, and investments stay close to home.
"Preservation of our environment is not a liberal or conservative challenge; it's common sense." — President Ronald Reagan, State of the Union address, 1984
Module 5: Community engagement and sustainability
4 Steps to Community Engagement for Sustainability
3. Listen and Involve Everyone
1. Start the Conversation
2. Share Responsibilities
4. Celebrate and Keep in Touch
CONCLUSION
In Level 1, learners were introduced to the foundations of community energy—what it is, why it matters, and how it empowers individuals and groups to take part in the energy transition. The course explored the environmental, social, and economic benefits of locally owned energy projects, such as solar panels, wind turbines, and shared heating systems. Through real-life examples, simplified explanations, and engaging visuals, participants gained an understanding of how communities can generate, manage, and benefit from renewable energy. By the end of the level, learners developed a positive attitude toward sustainable energy and were equipped with the basic knowledge needed to explore participation in local energy initiatives.
Exercises
Exercise 2
Exercise 1
In this interactive activity, learners will build a meaningful sentence by putting key words in the correct order. The goal is to reinforce the idea that community energy relies on collaboration and shared action. By engaging with this simple exercise, learners strengthen their understanding of community values while practicing energy-related vocabulary in a fun and visual way.
Through these activities, learners will gain a basic understanding of how community energy works and why it is important. They will become familiar with key terms such as solar panel, wind turbine, battery, and community. By filling vocabulary and multiple-choice exercises, students will improve their ability to recognize and use these words in context. This will help them build a strong foundation in clean energy concepts and understand how people can work together to produce and share renewable energy.
Theoretical Exercise: Community Energy Vocabulary
Objective:
Learners will recognize basic community energy terms and their meanings.
Practical Exercise: Sort exercise
Evaluation
Evaluation Quiz
1. This quiz consists of 7 multiple-choice questions related to energy sources, environmental impact, and energy transition. 2. Choose the correct answer for each question (only one per question). 3. The quiz helps reinforce key concepts covered in the course.
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Quiz
Sources
Clean Energy for All Europeans Package. (2019). European Commission. Retrieved from https://ec.europa.eu/energy COBEN Project. (n.d.). Community Benefits of Renewable Energy – North Sea Region Interreg. Retrieved from https://northsearegion.eu/coben Energy Communities Repository. (n.d.). European Commission. Retrieved from https://energy-communities-repository.ec.europa.eu Energy Saving Trust. (n.d.). Community and Local Energy Projects. Retrieved from https://energysavingtrust.org.uk Friends of the Earth Europe. (2016). Community Energy: A practical guide to reclaiming power. Retrieved from https://friendsoftheearth.eu Heinrich Böll Foundation. (2015). Energy democracy: Reclaiming power in Europe. Retrieved from https://eu.boell.org International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (2020). Innovation landscape brief: Community-ownership models. Retrieved from https://www.irena.org REScoop.eu. European Federation of Citizen Energy Cooperatives. Retrieved from https://www.rescoop.eu
Certificate
Congratulations!
Certificate of Completion
To receive an Open Badge for this course, please contact the local project partner: Kaunas University of Technology.
Level completed!
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the National Agency. Neither the European Union nor National Agency can be held responsible for them.
Energy Source (e.g., Solar panels, Wind turbines, Small hydro) ➤ Where the energy comes from. Community Group ➤ The people or organization that plans and manages the project. Energy Users ➤ Local homes, schools, or buildings that use the energy
Funding/Investment ➤ Money raised by the community or from grants to start the project. Technology/Equipment ➤ Solar panels, wind turbines, batteries, and meters used to make and store energy. Energy Storage ➤ Batteries that store extra energy for later use. Connection to the Grid ➤ Link to the main power system to share or sell extra energy.