POWER-E-COM aims to foster the cooperation between regional/local authorities and citizens, so that community energy projects can be realized 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. The selected countries represent Frontrunners (Ireland), Dynamic movers (Spain), Ambiguous movers (Germany and Austria), and so-called Waverers (Bulgaria and Slovenia). Also, the involvement of citizens in Renewable Energy Communities/Citizens Energy Communities (REC/CEC) shows regional differences among the EU. In some countries (Austria, Germany, Ireland, Spain), the concept is already widely known, while in others (Bulgaria, Slovenia), the concept still needs to be promoted and supported.
These will inform our work when preparing the energy community models and support of the regulatory changes needed in the partner countries. Stakeholders who are involved in POWER-E-COM, mainly local and regional authorities and citizen groups, will be trained, mentored, supported and 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.
TEA has worked with sustainable energy communities and renewable energy community leaders across Ireland to support their plans to energise. The team developed a national platform with training and resources to support sustainable energy communities to become energised. TEA also engaged with national policy makers in the Department of Climate, Energy and Environment and the OECD on policy measures to support the growth of renewable energy communities in Ireland.
POWER-E-COM supports Sustainable Energy Communities (SECs) and Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) to move from initial ideas towards viable community energy projects. In Ireland, the project is delivered by Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA) in partnership with Community Power and Technological University of the Shannon (TUS).
Working directly with communities in Kilcock, Sligo, Claremorris, Barnaderg/Tuam and Sustainable Energy West – Naomh, the partners:
Catalyst is the project’s one-stop platform for SEC training, tools and practical resources. It brings together guidance, templates, learning materials and project experience to help communities understand each stage of development and make informed decisions as their projects progress.
The setting-up of the energy communities planned within POWER-E-COM, their sustainability and replication, and the communication and dissemination actions will:
Trigger €21.4 M cumulative investment
Lead to 9.2 GWh/y primary energy savings
30,700 t CO2/y emissions reduction will be reached by the proposal
Lead to 37.3 GWh/y RES production during project lifetime
This project has received funding from the EU Life Programme.