Zhe Zhang works at Aarhus University as a project coordinator for Project AURORA’s demonstration in Denmark. She comes from a background in energy efficiency in the built environment and is interested in citizens’ involvement in the energy transition.

Participants get a better understanding of the different European energy transition scenarios and learn about the benefits of rooftop solar photovoltaic systems despite higher installation costs compared to ground-mounted solar farms. Lastly, participants get to learn first-hand how a community solar project co-owned by students and employees is implemented at Aarhus University using the Danish cooperative spirit.
 
From the meeting: "Rooftop Solar and Energy Communities in the Danish Green Transition"

How can the 150+ year old “andelstanke” (the cooperative idea) be a key ingredient in transforming our current energy system into a sustainable and modern distributed energy solution?

Techno-economic models tell us that, to reach the ambitious climate goals, wind and solar are the most cost-effective strategies. How much wind and solar should be installed and where should they be installed? How do we engage citizens to play a more active role in the green transition, to avoid the local resistance that is usually met when external investors set up wind and solar farms?