Linda Connor and Rebecca Pearse, both of the University of Sydney, visited Glen Innes last week to study the economic and social consequences of the enormous $400 million White Rock and $550 million Sapphire energy projects, the latter the largest in the state.

"(The benefits are) quite restricted in some ways - obviously people who've got land are beneficiaries," said Dr Connor.

"From what we've heard, people would like to be more active participants in getting cheaper electricity for example - which isn't happening as a result of these projects, (the boom is) not having that impact at all."

Doctor Pearse pointed out the irony that the town faces a relatively high unemployment rate despite nearly a billion dollars' investment ending just last year.

"I can see what is effectively a power station on the ridge line - the electricity grid has arrived in this region in a new way - but it's not translating to cheaper power," said Dr Pearse.

But they said there would be many more chances to get it right, and were hopeful that the renewable sector might actually listen to the concerns of locals contained in their report. They essentially have little choice.

"What can make or break some projects in terms of their viability is their social licence to operate - the extent to which the local community is happy for them to arrive," said Dr Pearse.

As a result, she said the solar and wind industry is much more willing to develop "its techniques of corporate social responsibility" than the mining industry, which she had previously studied in the Upper Hunter and Liverpool Plains.

Wind-funded community grants and a commitment by the companies to hire and contract locally are voluntary, for example. She said they also made efforts to consult with community members in a genuine way.

Dr Connor speculated it's about political power; by comparison the mining industry is "much more powerful", particularly in NSW where it is the biggest export industry.

"I think that the renewable energy companies are being much more careful to take account of objections - they really don't want bad publicity and I guess you can see that from the point of view of being a new industry you want to have a good social licence to operate."

But up to this point, they said, much of the community they had talked to, including at a GLENRAC event organised last week, had seen modest long-term benefit from the multi-billion dollar projects, with by far the biggest benefits outside the construction phase flowing to landowners, with benefits "individualised" and "privatised" .

Linda Connor said she thinks the average resident of Glen Innes should turn to their state and federal member for action.

"They're voters!'

"Obviously if energy is a priority then probably thinking about what the policies are of the different parties they're voting for.

"Even getting a decent energy policy that was upfront (would be a good start)."

They hope to soon meet with the Australia Institute, which is helping fund the research. They hope to win further funding to help develop a report with policy recommendations for future renewable development.