In keeping with the COMMUNITAS project’s promise to co-create innovative, citizen-cantered energy solutions, an extensive series of UX/UI studies was initiated in June 2025. These user experience and interface assessments are aimed at ensuring that the digital tools being developed do not only fulfil technical specifications but also address the actual needs and expectations of the future users.
The first field study was conducted in Crevillente, Spain, where the researchers worked alongside Enercoop—one of the project’s pilot energy cooperatives. The second study followed in early July in Groningen, the Netherlands, with Grunneger Power. Both sessions represented a major milestone, as it enabled the research team to pilot the initial versions of various important digital platforms that are being created within COMMUNITAS.
These platforms are the Demand Response Tool, Communities Well-Hub, Knowledgebase, COMMUNITAS Core Platform, Investment Advisor, and Optimems—a real-time optimisation engine. All the tools were thoroughly studied by the local citizens via interactive exercises, interviews, and real-time use cases.
A unique aspect of the research was the inclusion of biometric eye-tracking technology, which allowed the team to capture detailed information about how users visually interact with the sites. This was supplemented by comprehensive post-study surveys, which provided rich information about user satisfaction, perceived usability, and cognitive load.
Initial results have been positive. Respondents appreciated the ease of use and usefulness of the platforms, and biometric feedback showed patterns that are informing the tuning of interface designs and interaction flows. These inputs are guiding subsequent development iterations.
The UX/UI testing will be carried on in August in Poland and in September in Italy. Notably, there is a plan for a final test with citizens in 2026, making sure the platforms are fully user-tested prior to deployment.
With each session, COMMUNITAS is one step closer to providing an effective set of digital tools enabling communities to take an active role in the energy transition. The encouraging initial findings highlight the potential of human-cantered design for creating resilient, inclusive, and intelligent energy systems for the future.
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