A school in Madrid now operates with solar panels on its roof, thanks to investments from local residents. Contributions started as low as €20, and together they amassed nearly €150,000.
The crowdfunding initiative for the Palomeras school was part of AURORA, an EU-backed project using a smartphone app to help citizens monitor their energy consumption and invest in local clean energy endeavors.
Since December 2021, thousands in Denmark, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, and the UK have downloaded the AURORA Energy Tracker app. It offers practical methods to reduce personal carbon footprints, like joining community solar panel schemes.
“We are giving power to the people,” said Ana Cristobal, a professor at Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, who led the project.
Turning everyday choices into climate action
As part of its European Green Deal, the EU aims to slash greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 from 1990 levels, with a 90% reduction target by 2040 and climate neutrality by 2050.
Studies, including those by UN climate experts, indicate that individual actions, supported by policy and technology, could cut global emissions by 40 to 70% by 2050. However, progress is uneven, and there’s resistance to perceived constant lecturing.
“Some people feel politicians are always telling them how to behave, and that can turn them against taking action,” Cristobal said, noting the practical challenge that many people lack the flexibility to follow well-meaning advice.
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We need people to participate in the energy transition.
Cristobal commutes ten minutes by car to work. Public transport would take over an hour.
“I have three kids and my life is very complicated, I cannot afford to spend that long on public transport,” she explained. “But I might compensate for this behaviour by doing something else positive.”
The app facilitates this compensation. Users input their electricity, heating, and transport habits and receive an energy label, along with tailored suggestions for emission reductions adapted to their country.
Ambassadors for citizen energy
“This is a way to support ordinary people in reducing their carbon footprint,” said Martin Brocklehurst, a consultant and chair of the Citizen Science Global Partnership, a Vienna-based network connecting citizen science organizations with UN agencies.
Brocklehurst, an AURORA Citizen Science Ambassador, promoted the app, explained its functionality, and encouraged students, residents, and municipalities across the EU and the UK to participate in community energy schemes. The aim is to transform a technical project into a citizen movement.
Unlike many similar apps, AURORA gives an accurate depiction of personal carbon footprints. Brocklehurst tested it himself. After two years of tracking his emissions, he achieved net-zero for his home energy use and travel—excluding international flights.
“It made me ask questions like: do I really need to fly so much? Could more meetings be online?” he said, adding there are ways to cut emissions that can also earn people money.
Solar power, local money
At the Palomeras school, photovoltaic panels now generate on-site electricity, and heat pumps have replaced a less efficient cooling system. This is crucial in Madrid, where climate change is causing more frequent and intense heatwaves.
Over 170 people from the Vallecas neighborhood, a traditionally working-class area in southeast Madrid, invested in the project. After four months of crowdfunding, nearly €150,000 was raised in collaboration with Ecooo, a local solar energy cooperative.
Brocklehurst recalled Sarah Alcantarilla Moreno, head of studies at Palomeras school, saying during an online energy event: “We never thought we could get that amount of money from a working-class area of Madrid.”
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Comments
17 responses to “Energy App Empowers Neighbours as Local Clean Energy Influencers”
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Isn’t it just delightful that a bunch of locals can turn into energy moguls with a few euros and a smartphone app? Who knew saving the planet could be so trendy—next, we’ll be crowdfunding our morning coffee! ☕️💸
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Just what we needed, another app to remind us how to live, because clearly, we’ve been doing it all wrong. 🌍💸 But hey, at least the solar panels are a nice touch for those sunny Spanish days! 😏
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who needs the stock market when you can just crowdfund your way to a solar-powered school, eh? Talk about a bright idea in the middle of a heatwave! 😏🌞
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Can’t wait for my neighbors to start lecturing me about my energy habits while they’re still binge-watching their “eco-friendly” series on Netflix. 😂 Who knew saving the planet could come with a side of social pressure?
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If only being a clean energy influencer paid as well as my last tax return, eh? 😂 Keep slinging those solar panels, lads, and maybe we can retire on a rooftop!
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Isn’t it adorable how we’re empowering our neighbors to become clean energy influencers with an app? Next thing you know, they’ll be giving TED talks on solar panel etiquette while sipping organic lattes! ☕️🌞
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What a brilliant idea—let’s turn every neighbor into a clean energy influencer! 🥳 Because nothing says ‘community spirit’ like getting lectured on your carbon footprint by the guy next door while you’re just trying to enjoy your morning croissant. 🍞
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Who knew being a “local clean energy influencer” would be the next big gig? Forget Instagram, it’s all about solar panels and good ol’ €20 investments now! 😏💰
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Looks like the locals in Madrid are now energy tycoons with their app—who knew saving the planet could be as easy as crowdfunding your way to solar panels? 😂 Bet they’ll be asking for a raise next!
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Local energy influencers? Brilliant! I mean, who needs trained professionals when your neighbour’s second cousin can give you solar advice over a pint? 🍻💡
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Just what we need, another app telling us how to live our lives—because clearly, my neighbour’s opinion on energy consumption is the missing piece in my life puzzle. 🍷 #CheersToTheApp
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Isn’t it just charming how a few euros from the locals can turn them into clean energy influencers? Next thing you know, they’ll be giving TED Talks on solar power while sipping overpriced lattes. ☕️💸
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Seems like the next step in saving the planet is turning my neighbor into a mini Green Peace activist with just a smartphone app. Who knew reducing our carbon footprint could be as easy as collecting euros from the locals? 😂
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Seems like the folks in Vallecas have discovered a new hobby: pooling pocket change to outsmart the grid. Who knew saving the planet could start with just a fiver and a community WhatsApp group? 😂💡
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typical EU initiative, this app is a proper laugh, innit? Who knew that turning your neighbors into clean energy hipsters could be so… enlightening? 🌞💸
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Imagine the neighbours becoming energy moguls with just a few quid! Who needs Wall Street when you’ve got your local café gossiping about solar panels? 🤔☕️
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who knew that turning your neighbours into climate crusaders could be so fashionable? 💰 Next thing you know, we’ll have a campaign to make our cats clean energy influencers too! 🐱⚡️
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