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'''Community wind energy''' is generated by [[wind turbine]]s that are at least partially owned by local landowners and other community members, and often take the form of '''wind turbine cooperatives''', also known as '''wind energy cooperatives'''.
{{Cleanup|date=June 2008}}
[[As of 2008]], community wind developments have been small-scale.
'''Community wind farms''' are at least partially owned by local landowners and other community members. [[Wind farms]] generate energy with one or more [[wind turbine]]s, and [[as of 2008]], community wind developments have been small-scale. A number of developments are underway in the [[United States]], and community wind co-operatives operated in Europe since the late 20th century.
Community wind co-operatives operated in Europe since the late 20th century, and are the leading form of wind turbine ownership in [[Denmark]].
Cooperatives and other forms of community wind turbine ownership have also developed in other countries.


==Business models==
== Community-based business model ==
<span id="Community-based business model" />
⚫
Financially, community-based wind projects are structured much differently than traditional [[wind farm]]s. In the traditional model, the company that builds and manages a wind farm retains sole ownership of the development. The owners of the land on which the wind turbines were built usually have no stake in development, and are instead are compensated through lease payments or a royalty-based contracts.


===Community shared ownership===
⚫
Financially, community-based wind projects are structured much differently than traditional wind farms. In the traditional model, the company that builds and manages a wind farm retains sole ownership of the development. The owners of the land on which the wind turbines were built usually have no stake in development, and are instead are compensated through lease payments or a royalty-based contracts.


In a community-based model, the developer/manager of a [[wind farm]] shares ownership of the project with area landowners and other community members. Property owners whose land was used for the wind farm are generally given a choice between a monthly cash lease and ownership units in the development. While some community wind projects, such as High Country Energy in southern [[Minnesota]], have issued [[public shares]] after the project’s formation, investment opportunities are usually offered to local citizens before the wind development is officially created. <ref>http://www.nationalwind.us/files/The%20Furrow%20February%202008.pdf</ref>
In a community-based model, the developer/manager of a wind farm shares ownership of the project with area landowners and other community members. Property owners whose land was used for the wind farm are generally given a choice between a monthly cash lease and ownership units in the development. While some community wind projects, such as High Country Energy in southern [[Minnesota]], issued [[public shares]] after the project’s formation, investment opportunities are usually offered to local citizens before the wind development is officially created. <ref>http://www.nationalwind.us/files/The%20Furrow%20February%202008.pdf</ref>

===Cooperative===
A wind turbine cooperative, also known as a wind energy cooperative, is a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise that follows the [[cooperative]] model, investing in wind turbines or wind farms.

The cooperative model was developed in [[wind power in Denmark|Denmark]].

The model has also spread to [[Germany]] and the [[Netherlands]], with isolated examples elsewhere.


== Benefits of community wind ==
== Benefits of community wind ==
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Beyond its obvious environmental impact, advocates of community wind profess that the unique structure directly benefits local economies and populations. Because ownership resides within the community, most revenue generated by the wind farm will remain in the hands of area residents. Due to the fact that many rural areas are financially dependent on local commerce, proponents of the community model highlight its ability to strengthen local economies.
Beyond its obvious environmental impact, advocates of community wind profess that the unique structure directly benefits local economies and populations. Because ownership resides within the community, most revenue generated by the wind farm will remain in the hands of area residents. Due to the fact that many rural areas are financially dependent on local commerce, proponents of the community model highlight its ability to strengthen local economies.


==Industry==
== Community wind industry ==
<span id="Community wind industry" />

Currently, companies following a community model comprise only a small portion of the overall wind energy industry. In comparison to traditional wind companies, community-wind businesses tend to develop smaller-scale projects, often less than 40 [[megawatts]].
Currently, companies following a community model comprise only a small portion of the overall wind energy industry. In comparison to traditional wind companies, community-wind businesses tend to develop smaller-scale projects, often less than 40 [[megawatts]].

In Denmark, families were offered a tax exemption for generating their own electricity within their own or an adjoining commune.<ref name="WW1996">[http://www.wind-works.org/articles/Euro96TripReport.html Community-Owned Wind Development in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands], Paul Gipe, ''Wind Works'', published 1996, accessed 2007-06-21</ref> By 2001 over 100,000 families belonged to wind turbine cooperatives, which had installed 86% of all the wind turbines in Denmark, a world leader in [[wind power]].<ref>[http://www.middelgrunden.dk/MG_UK/news/updated_news.htm Middelgrunden Wind Turbine Co-operative], ''Copenhagen Environment and Energy Office'', published 2001, accessed 2007-06-21</ref>


[[Baywind Energy Co-operative]] was the first [[co-operative]] to own wind turbines in the [[United Kingdom]].
[[Baywind Energy Co-operative]] was the first [[co-operative]] to own wind turbines in the [[United Kingdom]].
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It consists of five 1.3&nbsp;MW turbines, and is described by its promoters as the UK's largest community-owned wind farm.
It consists of five 1.3&nbsp;MW turbines, and is described by its promoters as the UK's largest community-owned wind farm.
It was structured as a [[Consumers' cooperative|consumer co-operative]], whose shares and loan stock were sold to the local community, while other businesses, such as [[Midcounties Co-operative]], also invested.<ref>[[Energy4All]] Press Release, December 5, 2005, ''[http://www.energy4all.co.uk/energy_newsdetails.asp?newsID=31 Westmill Wind Farm Celebrates Success of Public Share Launch]''. Retrieved on November 14, 2006. {{waybackdate|site=http://www.energy4all.co.uk/latestnews.php?nid=36|date=20060104163640}}</ref><ref>[[Energy4All]] Press Release, February 1, 2008. ''[http://www.energy4all.co.uk/energy_newsdetails.asp?newsID=60 Fresh Wind Farm.]'' Retrieved on March 8, 2008.</ref>
It was structured as a [[Consumers' cooperative|consumer co-operative]], whose shares and loan stock were sold to the local community, while other businesses, such as [[Midcounties Co-operative]], also invested.<ref>[[Energy4All]] Press Release, December 5, 2005, ''[http://www.energy4all.co.uk/energy_newsdetails.asp?newsID=31 Westmill Wind Farm Celebrates Success of Public Share Launch]''. Retrieved on November 14, 2006. {{waybackdate|site=http://www.energy4all.co.uk/latestnews.php?nid=36|date=20060104163640}}</ref><ref>[[Energy4All]] Press Release, February 1, 2008. ''[http://www.energy4all.co.uk/energy_newsdetails.asp?newsID=60 Fresh Wind Farm.]'' Retrieved on March 8, 2008.</ref>

==See also==
{{EnergyPortal}}
*[[Wind power in Denmark]]
*[[Wind power in Germany]]
*[[:Category:Energy in the Netherlands|Wind power in the Netherlands]]


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.oti.globalwatchonline.com/online_pdfs/36247MR.pdf?pubpdfdload=05%2F592 Co-operative energy: lessons from Denmark and Sweden]
* [http://nationalwindassessments.com National Wind Assessments] - National Wind's Assessment Division.
* [http://nationalwindassessments.com National Wind Assessments] - National Wind's Assessment Division.
* [http://www.windustry.org/communitywind Windustry]
* [http://www.windustry.org/communitywind Windustry]
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* [http://northstarwindfarms.com Emmet County Energy]- Community Wind Development in Iowa
* [http://northstarwindfarms.com Emmet County Energy]- Community Wind Development in Iowa
* [http://rootriverenergy.com Root River Energy]- Community Wind Development in Minnesota
* [http://rootriverenergy.com Root River Energy]- Community Wind Development in Minnesota

[[Category:Wind power]]
[[Category:Energy cooperatives]]

Revision as of 08:49, 13 August 2008

Community wind energy is generated by wind turbines that are at least partially owned by local landowners and other community members, and often take the form of wind turbine cooperatives, also known as wind energy cooperatives. As of 2008, community wind developments have been small-scale. Community wind co-operatives operated in Europe since the late 20th century, and are the leading form of wind turbine ownership in Denmark. Cooperatives and other forms of community wind turbine ownership have also developed in other countries.

Business models

Financially, community-based wind projects are structured much differently than traditional wind farms. In the traditional model, the company that builds and manages a wind farm retains sole ownership of the development. The owners of the land on which the wind turbines were built usually have no stake in development, and are instead are compensated through lease payments or a royalty-based contracts.

Community shared ownership

In a community-based model, the developer/manager of a wind farm shares ownership of the project with area landowners and other community members. Property owners whose land was used for the wind farm are generally given a choice between a monthly cash lease and ownership units in the development. While some community wind projects, such as High Country Energy in southern Minnesota, issued public shares after the project’s formation, investment opportunities are usually offered to local citizens before the wind development is officially created. [1]

Cooperative

A wind turbine cooperative, also known as a wind energy cooperative, is a jointly-owned and democratically-controlled enterprise that follows the cooperative model, investing in wind turbines or wind farms.

The cooperative model was developed in Denmark.

The model has also spread to Germany and the Netherlands, with isolated examples elsewhere.

Benefits of community wind

Beyond its obvious environmental impact, advocates of community wind profess that the unique structure directly benefits local economies and populations. Because ownership resides within the community, most revenue generated by the wind farm will remain in the hands of area residents. Due to the fact that many rural areas are financially dependent on local commerce, proponents of the community model highlight its ability to strengthen local economies.

Industry

Currently, companies following a community model comprise only a small portion of the overall wind energy industry. In comparison to traditional wind companies, community-wind businesses tend to develop smaller-scale projects, often less than 40 megawatts.

In Denmark, families were offered a tax exemption for generating their own electricity within their own or an adjoining commune.[2] By 2001 over 100,000 families belonged to wind turbine cooperatives, which had installed 86% of all the wind turbines in Denmark, a world leader in wind power.[3]

Baywind Energy Co-operative was the first co-operative to own wind turbines in the United Kingdom. Baywind was modelled on the similar wind turbine cooperatives and other renewable energy co-operatives that are common in Scandinavia [4], and was founded as an Industrial and Provident Society in 1996. It grew to exeed 1,300 members, each with one vote. A proportion of the profits is invested in local community environmental initiatives through the Baywind Energy Conservation Trust. As of 2006, Baywind owns a 2.5MW five-turbine wind farm at Harlock Hill near Ulverston, Cumbria (operational since 29 January 1997), and one of the 600kW turbines at the Haverigg II wind farm near near Millom, Cumbria.

Another community-owned wind farm, Westmill Wind Farm Co-operative, opened in May 2008 in the Oxfordshire village of Watchfield. on the site of the former RAF Watchfield near the village. It consists of five 1.3 MW turbines, and is described by its promoters as the UK's largest community-owned wind farm. It was structured as a consumer co-operative, whose shares and loan stock were sold to the local community, while other businesses, such as Midcounties Co-operative, also invested.[5][6]

See also

Template:EnergyPortal

References

  1. ^ http://www.nationalwind.us/files/The%20Furrow%20February%202008.pdf
  2. ^ Community-Owned Wind Development in Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, Paul Gipe, Wind Works, published 1996, accessed 2007-06-21
  3. ^ Middelgrunden Wind Turbine Co-operative, Copenhagen Environment and Energy Office, published 2001, accessed 2007-06-21
  4. ^ http://www.oti.globalwatchonline.com/online_pdfs/36247MR.pdf?pubpdfdload=05%2F592
  5. ^ Energy4All Press Release, December 5, 2005, Westmill Wind Farm Celebrates Success of Public Share Launch. Retrieved on November 14, 2006. Error in Webarchive template: Empty url.
  6. ^ Energy4All Press Release, February 1, 2008. Fresh Wind Farm. Retrieved on March 8, 2008.

External links

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