IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/p/rug/rugwps/24-1093.html
   My bibliography  Save this paper

Tracking Demographic and Financial Trends in Renewable Energy Cooperative Membership in Belgium using Survey and Bank Transaction Data

Author

Listed:
  • Melita Van Steenberghe
  • Aislinn D’hulster
  • Johannes Weytjens
  • Marten Ovaere
  • Koen Schoors

Abstract

This study investigates the demographic and financial profiles of members of 25 renewable energy cooperatives (RECs) in Belgium from 2012 to 2022, representing around 100,000 members. Analyzing anonymous transaction data from 1.3 million bank customers, we find that REC members typically have higher wealth, income, and consumption levels than nonmembers, with the gap widening over time. New members closely match the financial and age profiles of existing members, following the same upward, diverging trajectory, and indicating a trend towards a homogeneous and aging membership. To diversify REC membership, we conducted surveys with REC members and non-members. The results reveal that potential new members are typically younger and wealthier residents who have a better knowledge of RECs and a more pro-environmental mindset. These findings highlight the opportunity for RECs to innovate and engage a more diverse membership of citizens participating in the renewable energy transition.

Suggested Citation

  • Melita Van Steenberghe & Aislinn D’hulster & Johannes Weytjens & Marten Ovaere & Koen Schoors, 2024. "Tracking Demographic and Financial Trends in Renewable Energy Cooperative Membership in Belgium using Survey and Bank Transaction Data," Working Papers of Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Belgium 24/1093, Ghent University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration.
    • Handle: RePEc:rug:rugwps:24/1093
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://wps-feb.ugent.be/Papers/wp_24_1093.pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nair, Gireesh & Gustavsson, Leif & Mahapatra, Krushna, 2010. "Factors influencing energy efficiency investments in existing Swedish residential buildings," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 38(6), pages 2956-2963, June.
    2. Brent, Daniel A. & Ward, Michael B., 2018. "Energy efficiency and financial literacy," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 181-216.
    3. David Bidwell, 2016. "Thinking through participation in renewable energy decisions," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 1(5), pages 1-4, May.
    4. Moritz Wussow & Chad Zanocco & Zhecheng Wang & Rajanie Prabha & June Flora & Dirk Neumann & Arun Majumdar & Ram Rajagopal, 2024. "Exploring the potential of non-residential solar to tackle energy injustice," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(6), pages 654-663, June.
    5. Holstenkamp, Lars & Kahla, Franziska, 2016. "What are community energy companies trying to accomplish? An empirical investigation of investment motives in the German case," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 112-122.
    6. Radtke, Jörg & Ohlhorst, Dörte, 2021. "Community Energy in Germany – Bowling Alone in Elite Clubs?," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    7. Maksym Koltunov & Simon Pezzutto & Adriano Bisello & Georg Lettner & Albert Hiesl & Wilfried van Sark & Atse Louwen & Eric Wilczynski, 2023. "Mapping of Energy Communities in Europe: Status Quo and Review of Existing Classifications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-25, May.
    8. Bauwens, Thomas & Eyre, Nick, 2017. "Exploring the links between community-based governance and sustainable energy use: Quantitative evidence from Flanders," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 163-172.
    9. Sanya Carley & David M. Konisky, 2020. "The justice and equity implications of the clean energy transition," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 5(8), pages 569-577, August.
    10. Schwanitz, Valeria Jana & Wierling, August & Arghandeh Paudler, Heather & von Beck, Constantin & Dufner, Simon & Koren, Ingrid Knutsdotter & Kraudzun, Tobias & Marcroft, Timothy & Mueller, Lukas & Zei, 2023. "Statistical evidence for the contribution of citizen-led initiatives and projects to the energy transition in Europe," Publications of Darmstadt Technical University, Institute for Business Studies (BWL) 139030, Darmstadt Technical University, Department of Business Administration, Economics and Law, Institute for Business Studies (BWL).
    11. Radtke, Jörg & Bohn, Nino S., 2023. "Mind the gap: Community member perceptions of shortcomings in diversity and inclusivity of local energy projects in Germany," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    12. Proudlove, Richard & Finch, Sue & Thomas, Sebastian, 2020. "Factors influencing intention to invest in a community owned renewable energy initiative in Queensland, Australia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 140(C).
    13. Anna M. Brockway & Jennifer Conde & Duncan Callaway, 2021. "Inequitable access to distributed energy resources due to grid infrastructure limits in California," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(9), pages 892-903, September.
    14. Patricia Romero-Lankao & Nicole Rosner & Christof Brandtner & Christopher Rea & Adolfo Mejia-Montero & Francesca Pilo & Fedor Dokshin & Vanesa Castan-Broto & Sarah Burch & Scott Schnur, 2023. "A framework to centre justice in energy transition innovations," Post-Print hal-04325791, HAL.
    15. Patricia Romero-Lankao & Nicole Rosner & Christof Brandtner & Christopher Rea & Adolfo Mejia-Montero & Francesca Pilo & Fedor Dokshin & Vanesa Castan-Broto & Sarah Burch & Scott Schnur, 2023. "A framework to centre justice in energy transition innovations," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(11), pages 1192-1198, November.
    16. Bauwens, Thomas, 2016. "Explaining the diversity of motivations behind community renewable energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 278-290.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Bauwens, Thomas, 2019. "Analyzing the determinants of the size of investments by community renewable energy members: Findings and policy implications from Flanders," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 841-852.
    2. Bauwens, Thomas & Devine-Wright, Patrick, 2018. "Positive energies? An empirical study of community energy participation and attitudes to renewable energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 612-625.
    3. Beate Fischer & Gunnar Gutsche & Heike Wetzel, 2020. "Who wants to get involved? Determinants of citizens’ willingness to participate in German renewable energy cooperatives," MAGKS Papers on Economics 202027, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung).
    4. Romero-Castro, Noelia & Piñeiro-Chousa, Juan & Pérez-Pico, Ada, 2021. "Dealing with heterogeneity and complexity in the analysis of the willingness to invest in community renewable energy in rural areas," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    5. Conradie, Peter D. & De Ruyck, Olivia & Saldien, Jelle & Ponnet, Koen, 2021. "Who wants to join a renewable energy community in Flanders? Applying an extended model of Theory of Planned Behaviour to understand intent to participate," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    6. Taghikhah, Firouzeh Rosa & Taghikhah, Masoud & Marshall, Jonathan Paul & Voinov, Alexey, 2024. "Navigating the community renewable energy landscape: An analytics-driven policy formulation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 362(C).
    7. Zhou, Yuekuan & Lund, Peter D., 2023. "Peer-to-peer energy sharing and trading of renewable energy in smart communities ─ trading pricing models, decision-making and agent-based collaboration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 207(C), pages 177-193.
    8. Cuenca, Juan J. & Daly, Hannah E. & Hayes, Barry P., 2023. "Sharing the grid: The key to equitable access for small-scale energy generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    9. Heutel, Garth, 2019. "Prospect theory and energy efficiency," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 236-254.
    10. Lucas Roth & Özgür Yildiz & Jens Lowitzsch, 2021. "An Empirical Approach to Differences in Flexible Electricity Consumption Behaviour of Urban and Rural Populations—Lessons Learned in Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-31, August.
    11. Lode, M.L. & te Boveldt, G. & Coosemans, T. & Ramirez Camargo, L., 2022. "A transition perspective on Energy Communities: A systematic literature review and research agenda," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 163(C).
    12. Benjamin K. Sovacool & Paul Upham & Mari Martiskainen & Kirsten E. H. Jenkins & Gerardo A. Torres Contreras & Neil Simcock, 2023. "Policy prescriptions to address energy and transport poverty in the United Kingdom," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 8(3), pages 273-283, March.
    13. Guetlein, Marie-Charlotte & Schleich, Joachim, 2024. "Empirical insights into enabling and impeding factors for increasing citizen investments in renewable energy communities," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C).
    14. Chiara Candelise & Gianluca Ruggieri, 2017. "Community Energy in Italy: Heterogeneous institutional characteristics and citizens engagement," IEFE Working Papers 93, IEFE, Center for Research on Energy and Environmental Economics and Policy, Universita' Bocconi, Milano, Italy.
    15. Lanka Horstink & Julia M. Wittmayer & Kiat Ng & Guilherme Pontes Luz & Esther Marín-González & Swantje Gährs & Inês Campos & Lars Holstenkamp & Sem Oxenaar & Donal Brown, 2020. "Collective Renewable Energy Prosumers and the Promises of the Energy Union: Taking Stock," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-30, January.
    16. Jay Sterling Gregg & Sophie Nyborg & Meiken Hansen & Valeria Jana Schwanitz & August Wierling & Jan Pedro Zeiss & Sarah Delvaux & Victor Saenz & Lucia Polo-Alvarez & Chiara Candelise & Winston Gilcrea, 2020. "Collective Action and Social Innovation in the Energy Sector: A Mobilization Model Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-24, February.
    17. Radtke, Jörg & Bohn, Nino S., 2023. "Mind the gap: Community member perceptions of shortcomings in diversity and inclusivity of local energy projects in Germany," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C).
    18. Moritz Ehrtmann & Lars Holstenkamp & Timon Becker, 2021. "Regional Electricity Models for Community Energy in Germany: The Role of Governance Structures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-24, February.
    19. Bauwens, Thomas & Schraven, Daan & Drewing, Emily & Radtke, Jörg & Holstenkamp, Lars & Gotchev, Boris & Yildiz, Özgür, 2022. "Conceptualizing community in energy systems: A systematic review of 183 definitions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    20. Busch, Henner & Ruggiero, Salvatore & Isakovic, Aljosa & Hansen, Teis, 2021. "Policy challenges to community energy in the EU: A systematic review of the scientific literature," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).

    More about this item

    NEP fields

    This paper has been announced in the following NEP Reports:

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:rug:rugwps:24/1093. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Nathalie Verhaeghe (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/ferugbe.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.