News and Events – Power Up

Eeklo’s social cooperative shares scheme recognised by European Social Innovation award

Eeklo is one of the 15 finalists of the European Social Innovation Competition who have been selected for their outstanding energy poverty program. This scheme, which has been developed and launched in the framework of the POWER UP project, will enable low-income households to become members of an energy cooperative.

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.

October 18th in Modena (Italy): Energy for the invisible citizen – in search for lasting renewable & fair solutions

Book your seat for the workshop 'Energy for the invisible citizen: in search for lasting renewable and fair solutions', October 18th in-person from 9:30-12h in the lovely historic city centre of Modena. We will shed light on the diverse reasons and consequences of energy poverty. It's part of Energy Cities' Annual Conference from 18-20 October in Modena.

Workshop 20/06 in Brussels: Inclusive energy services to fight energy poverty and empower citizens

During this workshop, city experts involved in the POWER UP and similar projects will share how they currently design and test business models with a social purpose. Participants will have the chance to ask questions, to practice critical thinking, to adapt to their own setting.

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.

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