Energy clubs offer a chance to reduce electricity bills by up to 30%. With autumn in full swing, energy costs are rising, but an innovative social enterprise is stepping in to help. Energy Local, a non-profit organisation, has created a way for people to benefit from local clean energy by partnering with renewable energy projects in their area. This could be a wind turbine, solar farm, or hydroelectric scheme, allowing residents to buy renewable electricity at a discounted price.
These clubs work by matching residents' energy usage with locally generated electricity. The club agrees on a price for the electricity used when the local renewable energy is available, encouraging members to use power during peak generation times. For instance, in Bridport, Dorset, a wind turbine installed by Peter Bailey has enabled an energy club to be set up, with almost 60 members already signed up.
The club's impact is evident in how members' behavior changes, such as Malcolm Drew, a semi-retired engineer, who notes that the wind turbine generates power at wind speeds of about 11 mph. The club's online dashboard provides real-time data on wind speed and turbine activity, allowing members to optimize their energy usage.
Richard Toft, a founding member, highlights the savings, which vary depending on personal habits, ranging from 10% to 25% on electricity bills. However, members still pay standing charges. Energy Local's online dashboard helps manage energy use, providing daily forecasts of power from local renewable sources.
The organisation was founded by Dr. Mary Gillie in 2016, inspired by a village's desire to become carbon neutral. She realised the need to show when people were using solar power, which was made possible by smart meters. Energy Local now has 36 clubs across Great Britain, from Scotland to Devon and Dorset, negotiating special tariffs with energy companies to create hyper-local markets.
In Brixton, London, Energy Local has helped unlock a solar project on a social housing block's roof, installed in 2013. The community investment initiative, Repowering London, empowers local people to own a piece of the solar kit. The club's success in Brixton has led to benefits for 18 households, demonstrating the potential for community energy to reduce bills and bring people closer to their energy sources.
Energy Local encourages members to change consumption habits, using more power when local generation is high and cheaper. However, they emphasise that community energy schemes cannot replace the national grid entirely. Infrastructure costs and the need for a robust system to ensure power flow mean that local solutions complement national efforts.
To join an Energy Local club, residents need a smart meter and can find available clubs on the organisation's website. The clubs are legally cooperatives, where residents and local renewable projects collaborate to get better deals. The estimated savings are 10% to 30% on electricity bills, but standing charges remain. Energy Local's online dashboard helps manage energy use, providing valuable insights for members.
