Co-design of community-owned energy projects (Co-E-opt)

This rapid research project supports local people in Manchester to develop and implement two community-based renewable energy projects. It explores how co-design of energy projects with the local communities who use the buildings can help create wider and inclusive local ownership of renewable energy. This focus is in response to the UK government’s recognition of the key role community groups play in achieving Net Zero through initiatives of Great British Energy (GBE) and the Local Power Plan (LPP). 

The project: 

• Reviews national and international examples of community-owned renewable energy projects to recommend suitable adoption models for two sites in Manchester– a community centre and a Victorian public swimming pool. 

• Undertakes a technical and financial feasibility study for both sites to establish a framework.  

• Works with local communities to gather and share knowledge about their energy consumption, costs and environmental consequences and how these factors shape daily life. 

• Collectively establishes ways to measure the social, environmental and financial benefits of community-owned energy renewables on public buildings.   

The project works closely with the two building managers and local people to: 

• Assess the technical and financial potential for small-scale renewable energy systems for the two sites. 

• Use creative ways to involve local people in deciding which renewable energy options meet their individual and community needs now and in the future with an emphasis on hearing from people affected by energy poverty. 

• Explore with residents and other local stakeholders how best to achieve maximum energy and cost benefits from small-scale renewable energy systems on public buildings in the local context. 

• Develop and test a framework to understand technical efficiencies, equipment purchases and operating costs and the social benefits from community-owned energy renewables on public buildings. 

We are currently carrying out initial technical and social assessments of the two sites and developing a strategy to involve local people for the engagement exercises.