Coping with energy poverty during summer
Energy poverty has traditionally been defined by wintertime heating, but it is just as important during the summer months, and the devastating summer heat in 2023 proves this. About 19 % of households in the EU reported being too hot during the summer, and this share is constantly increasing in last decades. In this context, the EU-funded COOLTORISE project aims to establish a framework on summer energy poverty to define common solutions.
Our contribution to Redistributing Power: How can Renewable Energy Communities relieve energy poverty
This report concludes that energy communities are one of several tools in the fight against energy poverty. They can do a lot, but they should not be seen as a silver bullet – especially without the right eneabling frameworks and incentives or be tied to unreasonable expectations.
Eeklo will make energy bills affordable again
As energy prices started to peak in 2022, the Belgian federal government handed out one-off heating premiums to reduce people’s sky-high energy bills. “However, such premiums are like a plaster on a wooden leg,” says Jan De Pauw of energy cooperative Ecopower. “People are only helped temporarily with such a check. Invest that premium in a local energy cooperative and you get a completely different story.”
Valencia’s pathway to involving energy poor people in the first energy community
Arturo Zea from the POWER UP pilot Valencia Climate and Energy Foundation, describes why the topic of community energy is a priority for Valencia. He also takes us back to how everything started with the first energy community in Valencia, in Castellar L’Oliveral. It is the very first energy community where the city makes it possible for energy poor people to be directly involved.
How a national energy advice service could make a difference for people in need
This winter, the number of British citizens struggling to pay their bill has reached undreamed levels. An estimated 9 million people in the country are affected and do not know how to heat or light their home, how to cool their food, how to sleep carefree. Easy hacks on how to reduce energy consumption are nice, but not enough to improve their lives. That is why, in a recent article, POWER UP partner Ami Crowther from University of Manchester, together with energy poverty experts Stefan Bouzarovski and Neil Simcock call for a national energy advice service.
As cost of living crisis mounts, latest report provides local data on energy poverty situation in 6 EU countries
Never before has energy poverty been such a serious threat to so many European citizens as it is now. Since the current energy crisis started, national Parliaments and local governments all over the EU discuss what immediate measures can be taken to help people come through this winter without freezing and starving. The latest POWER UP report may guide decision-making.
New report on business models for poverty-alleviating and inclusive energy services
In this new report, the POWER UP experts have explored the strenghts and weaknesses of five different business models: Energy Communities, Energy Cooperatives, ESCo Model, One-Stop-Shops and Technology leasing.
New report about those who will revolutionise the energy market
The time for big energy utilities is over. Or at least, their time is counted as new players are moving into the energy market. So, who else than tradition corporations can become an energy service provider? What shape can those still very new entities take? The most recent report produced by POWER UP provides an overview of those “social energy market players”. It describes their mission, governance and composition.
Alleviating energy poverty: Cooperatives as interlayers
How can we strengthen consumer empowerment ? And who are these local energy market players with a socio-ecological agenda that could play an important role in it? In this article we take a particular look at one powerful player in the field: citizen cooperatives.
Gender Equality Could be a Step Towards Ending Energy Poverty
The 8th of March every year marks international women’s day. This year’s theme is “Gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow”. For many women all over the world, gender inequality is a daily experience. And when it comes to heating or cooling, cooking and lighting a home, research has shown that women are at greater risk of energy poverty than men because of unequal opportunities.
