On the 30th of October, the EC4RURAL project presented its results and proposals at the University of Vigo in a conference aimed at students at the School of Mining and Energy Engineering. The event, which took place from 13.00 to 14.30 hours, focused on the challenges and solutions for increasing energy autonomy and sustainability in rural areas, with a strong emphasis on the importance of active community participation and the role of future professionals in developing more sustainable and inclusive energy models.
The structure of the conference began with an introduction to the structural issues facing rural areas, such as territorial dispersion and economic constraints, and explored how reliance on centralised electricity supply models affects the viability of these regions. EC4RURAL then discussed the intersection between these issues and the management of electricity supply through two possible models: decentralised and distributed. The latter was highlighted as the optimal solution for rural areas, as it allows the community itself to manage its renewable energy production locally, thereby promoting self-sufficiency.
The regulatory framework supporting distributed generation, and the establishment of Renewable Energy Communities (REC) was also discussed, highlighting the benefits of these models in terms of self-consumption and user cooperation. Several examples of REC models in different rural contexts were discussed, demonstrating the positive impact of these communities on local economies and community sustainability.
The conference also explored EC4RURAL’s contributions to community empowerment and cooperation through the project’s core principles, such as training of trainers, renewable energy production adapted to the local environment, and a direct democracy model that allows active participation of all community members.
Finally, the EC4RURAL team led a reflective exercise in which participants explored the role they could play as future engineers in the energy transition. Through pair and group activities, participants shared ideas on how to promote change towards more equitable and environmentally friendly energy management.
This joint collaboration between the EC4RURAL project and the University of Vigo reinforces a shared commitment to moving towards a sustainable future, promoting energy self-sufficiency in rural areas and inspiring new generations to lead the change.
