Institutional conditions for the development of energy communities in Chile and Brazil

Authors

  • Axel Bastián Poque González Master of Science in Engineering, PhD candidate, Center for Environmental Studies and Research (Nepam), State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1255-8007
  • Amanda Sousa Silvino PhD in Environment and Society, Researcher, National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4341-8461
  • Yunesky Masip Macia PhD in Industrial Engineering, Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), Chile https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4455-1819
  • Lúcia da Costa Ferreira Doctorate in Social Sciences, Researcher, Professor, Center for Environmental Studies and Research ― (Nepam), State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9276-6369

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v14n3.2023.50472

Keywords:

Energy Transition, Just Transition, Energy Communities, Chile, Brazil

Abstract

Energy is an essential factor that must not be overlooked in discussions concerning mitigating and confronting effects associated with human-induced climate change. This work delves into the Chilean and Brazilian energy transitions, scrutinizing just and sustainable aspects, primarily in the local context. The study highlights and compares the experiences of both nations' on-grid energy communities. The methodological pathway comprises three phases: examining regulatory frameworks, assessing on-grid energy communities’ infrastructure in both countries and delving into emerging energy cooperatives. Our findings suggest that on-grid energy communities have the potential to foster a more widespread sustainable energy transition, especially when established as cooperative entities. However, there are no easy solutions to date, as justice and democracy are not guaranteed if stakeholders are not adequately engaged. Although there are fewer cooperative cases in Chile, all show a cross-cutting involvement of different members of society, while some Brazilian cases do not.

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Author Biographies

Axel Bastián Poque González, Master of Science in Engineering, PhD candidate, Center for Environmental Studies and Research (Nepam), State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil

Electrical Engineer, Master of Science in Engineering, Doctoral candidate in environment and society. He holds postgraduate diplomas in the energy industry, education, environment and society. His work is focused on energy policy and interdisciplinary studies related to sustainable energy transition.

Amanda Sousa Silvino, PhD in Environment and Society, Researcher, National Institute for Space Research (Inpe), São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil

Associated researcher at the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). She has a Ph.D. in Environment and Society from the Philosophy and Human Sciences Institute of Campinas (UNICAMP). Master in Functional Ecology and Sustainable Development by Université des Sciences et Techniques du Languedoc, UM2, France. Master in Territorial Development and Integrated Management by UNESCO, in partnership with the National Museum of Natural History, AgroParisTech and the University of Montpellier, France. Degree in Biological Sciences. Her main fields of activity are integrated territorial management, protected areas, landscape ecology, human ecology, biodiversity conservation and environmental policies.

Yunesky Masip Macia , PhD in Industrial Engineering, Professor, School of Mechanical Engineering, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso (PUCV), Chile

Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the "José Antonio Echeverría" Technological University of Havana. PhD in Industrial Engineering from the School of Engineering at the University of Navarra, Spain. He was a researcher in Energy and Fluids at the Materials Science Department of the Guipuzcoa Technical Research Centre in San Sebastian, Spain. He is currently a professor at the School of Mechanical Engineering at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaiso (PUCV), Chile. He has experience in the areas of energy and fluids, computer simulation, and statistical techniques applied to computer simulation, with an emphasis on the design of experiments for the characterisation and optimisation of processes using the response surface methodology.

Lúcia da Costa Ferreira, Doctorate in Social Sciences, Researcher, Professor, Center for Environmental Studies and Research ― (Nepam), State University of Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil

She is a retired professor of the University of Campinas (Unicamp). Bachelor of Ecology, Master of Sociology and Doctorate in Social Sciences, with experience in research and supervising theses and dissertations about social conflicts, social action, biodiversity conservation, and climate change, especially in the Amazon and Atlantic Forest of Brazil.

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Published

2023-12-11

How to Cite

González, A. B. P., Silvino, A. S., Masip Macia , Y., & Ferreira, L. da C. (2023). Institutional conditions for the development of energy communities in Chile and Brazil. Sustainability in Debate, 14(3), 88–121. https://doi.org/10.18472/SustDeb.v14n3.2023.50472

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Vol. 14 No. 3 (2023): Sustainability in Debate / Sustentabilidade em Debate

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