Four capacity development and transfer workshops reports

Learning from Other Community Renewable Energy Projects: Transnational Transfer of Multi-Functional Energy Gardens from the Netherlands to Germany

“…In the frame of the COME RES project, in total, four best practice transfers were initiated including three cross-national and a domestic one [55]. These were:…”

“…However, the peer learning approach used in the transfer workshops proved to be an appropriate method to motivate "the receiver to actively attend to messages and perceive and interpret the content that is provided by peers. This includes iterative and transactional solicitation of feedback, and activates elaboration of arguments and counterarguments to encourage individuals to move through the process of learning" [55] (p. 10).…”

“…The Dutch case also showed that NGOs as initiators would be perceived as trustworthy and their direct involvement could help to enhance the social and local acceptability of the project [55]. Given the different framework conditions and depending on the location, in Thuringia, it is important that the following groups of stakeholders be involved, e.g., the land owner(s), existing local or regional energy cooperatives or other energy communities, municipal and district authorities, municipal multi-utility companies (Stadtwerke, Gemeindewerke), local citizens, community members, SMEs, installers, nature conservation authorities and environmental NGOs, and permitting authorities.…”

“…Following the identification of potential sites, during the initial phase, questions regarding ownership and financing arise. Dyl ąg et al [82] advised to pursue two different kinds of financial backing, one for planning and initiating the process site and pre-feasibility studies (initial phase) and one for securing land, the installation of the RES technology, and ecological/recreational/educational measures (operational phase) [55,56]. This is in line with the Dutch experience, which also splits the initial conceptual part (e.g., preparation of the concept, feasibility studies, site analysis, expert opinions, participation process, renaturation of the site) from the operational part (the renewable energy infrastructure) of the MFEG project, for which separate types of funding could be sought.…”

“…Some of the energy cooperatives are already active in the vicinity of the former landfill. These parties jointly design, develop, realise, and manage the energy garden [55]. This model and actor constellation could also be activated in the Thuringian case.…”