ENERGY
Conceptual introduction
Energy consumption is one of the aspects of our daily life that has the greatest impact on climate change and social justice (as well as on our own personal expenses!).
Focusing on electricity consumption, we also face the reality that we operate within an opaque, complicated model and market controlled by a few companies. This gives the feeling that we do not have much room for action.
However, we can indeed do many things to help reduce our impact and to change the energy model toward one that is more just and sustainable.
A key starting point is to think that the best energy is the one that is not consumed. Therefore, it is important to consume less.
In addition, we can consume better — cleaner energy, sold by more ethical entities, or even produced by ourselves.
We can also demand that the model change, supporting the demands of organizations and platforms.
Some specific recommendations
To consume less, you can do the following::
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Adjust your energy habits, for example by locating and eliminating all “stand-by” and “phantom consumption.”
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Improve the energy performance of your home, for example by improving heating efficiency or choosing appliances well when replacing them.
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Analyze your “energy diet” and invest a bit in having a home that demands less energy, for example by improving insulation.
You have very practical tips and 15 very concrete measures to carry out these three actions in this material.
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Review the contract with your electricity retailer and your consumption pattern.
You can check online the power you have contracted, optimize your tariff, and eliminate services you do not use (your retailer may be selling you things you do not need or under conditions that are not the best for you). Also review when you consume the most.
You have information on how to do this here.
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Check whether your retailer is selling you clean energy (see more below on the Guarantee of Origin Certificate).
If not, choose a retailer that offers 100% renewable energy.
You can use this comparison tool to see retailer offers.
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Remember that many problems in the electricity market are due to the oligopoly (control by a few companies), so the most advisable option is to switch to a responsible retailer.
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There are many retailers that not only sell 100% renewable energy but also support a different energy model and are non-profit cooperatives.
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Switching is much faster and easier than we sometimes think (and, by the way, you have the right to do so even if you live in a rented apartment).
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You have a list of responsible retailers here.
Some are local and only operate in certain towns, but others operate throughout Spain, such as Som Energia
PTo consume what you produce yourself:
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- You can decide to produce your own energy.
You can consult different installation companies about options, prices, and financing methods.
If you decide to install your own system, try to hire responsible, local entities, preferably cooperatives.
For example, in the Valencian Community there is this installer cooperative.
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If you live in a building, you can also reach an agreement with your neighbors to produce your own energy. It is easier than we think!
You can check this guide.
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You may be able to join or promote one of the many emerging energy communities.
This is another collective and community-based way of producing energy together with people around you.
You can see what they are and how to promote them here.
You can demand a change in the energy model:
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You can join local organizations that demand a change in the model or subscribe to and disseminate their demands.
For example, you can see what the Plataforma per un Nou Model Energètic.c does.
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You can request free help and advice at the Energy Office of the Valencia City Council.
In addition to personal assistance, they offer many materials and organize very interesting courses.
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Labels involved
To know whether the energy sold to you by your retailer is 100% renewable, there are “Guarantees of Origin,” an instrument that certifies that a certain amount of electricity has been produced using renewable energies or cogeneration.
Check your bill or your retailer’s website to see if they have it.
It is issued by the National Commission on Markets and Competition (CNMC).
Altres recursos
