2025/06/09 by Tim Wawer, Kai‐Michael Griese, Nils Karschuck +1 · 1 voice
Social Sciences · Engineering · #Social Acceptance of Renewable Energy #Smart Grid Energy Management #Electric Power System Optimization
paper · doi:10.1080/1523908x.2025.2512072
openalex publication_date 2025/06/09 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
In the literature, energy cooperatives are seen to have various ecological, economic and social benefits. Despite their high significance, these benefits have not yet been empirically tested. This paper develops a methodology to examines to which extent the benefits from the literature correspond to the self-perceived benefits of energy cooperatives in operation. For this purpose, a random sample of cooperatives in Germany is analyzed. Benefits listed on their websites and in newspaper articles are compared to the literature findings. On the one hand, the research findings can give policy makers insights on which benefits of energy cooperatives are expected to materialize in practice. In the political discussion these results could be considered when decisions are made about policy support and public funding for energy cooperatives. On the other hand, the comprehensive analysis of self-perceived benefits provides an important indication for cooperatives to improve their public appearance. The study shows widespread and common benefits and those that are still underdeveloped and therefore need to be made aware of in practice. Furthermore, insights can be gained that contribute to a critical perspective of energy cooperatives and a deeper understanding of their benefits and thus to their acceptance.