Empowering Renewable and Citizen Energy Communities

Introduction

POWER-E-COM aims to foster the cooperation between regional/local authorities and citizens so that community energy projects can be realised in regions in six different countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, Slovenia, and Spain. These countries were selected because they represent different stages of the transposition of the EU directives that shall facilitate the emergence of energy communities in Europe.

Country Classification

The selected countries represent:

• Frontrunners: Ireland
• Dynamic movers: Spain
• Ambiguous movers: Germany and Austria
• Waverers: Bulgaria and Slovenia

Regional Differences in Citizen Involvement

The involvement of citizens in Renewable Energy Communities/Citizens Energy Communities (REC/CEC) shows regional differences among the EU. In some countries:

• Widely known: Austria, Germany, Ireland, Spain
• Needs promotion: Bulgaria, Slovenia

These differences will inform our work when preparing the energy community models and supporting the regulatory changes needed in the partner countries.

Stakeholder Engagement

Stakeholders involved in POWER-E-COM, mainly local and regional authorities and citizen groups, will be:

• Trained
• Mentored
• Supported
• Enabled to start, develop, run, and grow energy communities based on adapted and evolving business models.

The functioning of the business models will be disseminated and replicated in the project regions and beyond in Europe.

Expected Outcomes

The setting-up of the energy communities planned within POWER-E-COM, their sustainability and replication, and the communication and dissemination actions will trigger:

1. 21.4 M€ cumulative investment
2. 9.2 GWh/y primary energy savings
3. 37.3 GWh/y RES production during the project lifetime

Moreover, a reduction of 30,700 t CO2/y emissions will be achieved by the proposal.