Renewable energy source cooperatives

Researchers:

Benjamin Huybrechts and Sybille Mertens

In the context of:

"REScoop 20-20-20" EU-funded research project

Partners:

EMES (EU), Cooperatives Europe (EU), Ecopower (B), Enercoop (Fr), Avanzi (It), ODE (Nl), Energy4All (UK), EWS (De), Middelgrunden (Dk), Rescoop.be (B), ALIenergy (UK), Confcooperative (It)

Goals:

This research aims to identify the specificity of Renewable Energy Source Cooperatives (REScoops) and their role in the institutionalisation of the renewable energy sector. Starting from the observation of social innovations (in terms of participative and democratic management of wind energy) allowing to root technological innovation in the local social fabric, this research examines the strategies implemented by REScoops to legitimate their specific organizational models and approaches to renewable energies in the eyes of the general public (including potential buyers and investors), of mainstream businesses, of civil society actors (environmentalist movements) and of public authorities.

Main publication:

• Huybrechts, B. et Mertens, S. (2011), "The role of social enterprises in institutionalizing social innovation: the case of renewable energy source cooperatives (REScoops) in Europe", Working Paper, HEC Management School, University of Liege.