Community Energy
Sustainable energy sooner
As the effects of climate change impact increasingly upon the Earth, the world is crying out to renew the way we generate and use energy. We’re heading in the right direction, but here in Australia we’re still very reliant on a few large fossil-fuelled powered stations to supply our massive grid. It’s unsustainable, costly and unreliable at times.
That’s why Community Energy is so exciting – it will help accelerate the transition into sustainable energy while creating opportunities for businesses, organisations and local governments to fund projects that will benefit their communities.
How does Community Energy work? Here’s an example.
A local sporting club wants to become more sustainable and put in new oval lights. However, the costs are prohibitive. They need to raise $100,000. The club has heard about community energy and approaches Circular Energy to create a Collective. We understand the necessity of becoming a sustainable energy organisation, and we also recognise the benefits proper lighting will bring to the club and the large community that supports it.
So, we ‘match’ the club (Collective) to one of our local generators (say a regional wind farm or a businesses with excess solar). Through Circular Energy, the Collective is then able to offer its supporters a renewable energy source option for their home or business – one that is sustainable, reliable and more affordable.
For every home or business in the Collective, Circular Energy contributes $1 per week (homes) and $3 per week (businesses) towards the new lights through the club’s membership model. This contribution is 100% transparent and can be viewed in real-time on The People’s Grid website. So, if 1000 homes and 50 businesses become Circular Energy members, $100,000 could be raised within two years. Then, other worthwhile projects can be proposed and planned for.
How does Community Energy work? Here’s an example.
A local sporting club wants to become more sustainable and put in new oval lights. However, the costs are prohibitive. They need to raise $100,000. The club has heard about community energy and approaches Circular Energy to create a Collective. We understand the necessity of becoming a sustainable energy organisation, and we also recognise the benefits proper lighting will bring to the club and the large community that supports it.
So, we ‘match’ the club (Collective) to one of our local generators (say a regional wind farm or a business with excess solar). Through Circular Energy, the Collective is then able to offer its supporters a renewable energy source option for their home or business – one that is sustainable, reliable and more affordable.
For every home or business in the Collective, Circular Energy contributes $1 per week (homes) and $3 per week (businesses) towards the new lights through the club’s membership model. This contribution is 100% transparent and can be viewed in real-time on The People’s Grid website. So, if 1000 homes and 50 businesses become Circular Energy members, $100,000 could be raised within two years. Then, other worthwhile projects can be proposed and planned for.
What are the benefits?
The benefits to individuals, organisations and the planet are plain to see (which is not the case with traditional electricity).
Everyone within a Community Energy Collective (like the sporting club supporters) knows exactly where their energy is coming from (the wind farm or local businesses). They are saving money (and the planet) and contributing towards one or many worthwhile projects (like the club lights).
This has a flow on effect to the people who create the energy. Suddenly, their renewable energy generation is more viable, which they reinvest in to provide more renewable energy to the grid, allowing a more decentralised, community focused, energy distribution… our Community Energy Marketplace.
It’s the new circular energy economy, which is why we’ve named ourselves Circular Energy.
