Humanity has been through many crises over the last decades, the climate crisis being one of the most pressing. Climate changes due to specific natural processes, together with extensive human activities, especially after the industrialization era have led to disruptions of the Earth’s natural cycles, resulting in extreme phenomena of greater intensity and frequency eg. The European Heatwave of 2003 claimed many lives in Western and Southern Europe with temperatures reaching 47 Degrees Celsius in southern Portugal. Southern Europe, particularly the Balkans and Greece were also hard hit by a heatwave in July of 2007. It almost seems that with every new year, the World Meteorological Organization is predicting a new record for the hottest summer in Europe. The climate crisis has been intensified by the increasing greenhouse gas emissions from human activities such as burning coal, gas, and oil for electricity and transportation, as well as deforestation and extensive agriculture and livestock farming.

Why energy?

The emissions coming from the energy sector represent almost 75% of global emissions. Therefore, a huge transformation is necessary to the energy system if we want to keep the global temperature rise below 1,5ºC. Currently, most countries around the world are dependent on Centralized Energy Systems. Most of which are owned and managed by central governments or the wealthy, dependent upon burning coal, and the extraction of gas and oil to generate electricity for the grid, and are responsible for rising energy prices. An alternative to this Energy System that is more sustainable for our planet and community populations are Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Systems that allow for the relocation of energy production closer to the points of consumption enabling a more efficient production and distribution.

What is the energy transition?

While it is absolutely vital to reduce our global energy consumption, at present, 95% of our global Energy usage and emissions come from just 5% of the global population. Meanwhile, a very large percentage of people living don’t have access to a just and reliable energy supply. According According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the energy transition refers to the shift from fossil fuels to very low or zero carbon energy sources, such as renewables or fossil fuels with Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), demand-side measures and improving energy efficiency. However, the transition cannot be only about technology, it must include many different aspects, such as economy and politics, but most importantly the social aspect. The question that arises is how the transition can be just, so no one is left behind. The dimensions that should be considered are part of the Energy Trilemma, which illustrates the importance of keeping a balance between energy security, energy equity and environmental sustainability. These are often in tension but are all necessary if we want to have healthy and resilient systems. Decentralized Energy Systems can help address challenges related to energy poverty and the climate crisis creating a strong argument for the Energy Transition. 

Why should the community engage?

The transition affects society and communities directly, as we are moving from centralized to decentralized energy systems with social, environmental and economic costs. Communities have a great opportunity to engage in this shift, by playing an active role and ensuring their energy security, the inclusion of fellow citizens and the protection of the environment. Together citizens can design, implement and manage their projects while keeping ownership of the systems and the financial benefits that accrue from such ownership. communities can benefit from new jobs being created, citizens gaining new skills and getting empowered, while the profit from the projects can go back to the community to be invested in ways that the community sees fit.