By 2050, up to 45% of renewable energy production in the EU could be generated by citizens, with energy communities playing a pivotal role in achieving this ambitious target. To explore this potential, this two-part workshop will bring together leading experts, researchers, and stakeholders from ten prominent EU-funded projects, offering a comprehensive exploration of the technologies, regulations, and challenges shaping the future of energy communities.
In the first session, we will delve into the critical technologies and strategies that drive user engagement in energy communities, featuring contributions from the LocalRES, MASTERPIECE, DE-RISK, RESCHOOL, and COMMUNITAS projects. These initiatives focus on innovative solutions that empower citizens and enhance their participation in renewable energy production, ranging from digital platforms and smart energy management systems to community-led renewable initiatives. This session will highlight best practices and technological breakthroughs that can enable more citizens to become active contributors to the energy transition.
The second session will address the regulatory frameworks and barriers that energy communities face in scaling up their operations. Representatives from the COMANAGE, SUSTENANCE, BECKON, ACCEPT, and FEDECOM projects will discuss key policy challenges, legal hurdles, and economic constraints that must be overcome to unlock the full potential of energy communities across Europe. Topics will include the alignment of national and EU-level regulations, incentives for citizen-led initiatives, and ways to ensure a just and inclusive transition to renewable energy.
The insights and solutions shared from these ten EU projects are crucial for supporting the growth of energy communities. By fostering collaboration between citizens, policymakers, and innovators, this workshop aims to accelerate the shift towards a more decentralized, citizen-driven energy landscape in Europe. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of the pathways to empower energy communities and overcome obstacles in the renewable energy sector, with practical insights applicable at both local and regional levels.
Workshop Chair: Zia Lennard, R2M Solution France
Part 1: “Technologies and user engagement” 14:00 – 15:30
- LocalRES – Karine Laffont-Eloire; Dowel Innovation, France
- MASTERPIECE – Adelaida Parreño Rodríguez & Juan Sanchez Valverde; University of Murcia, Spain
- DE-RISK – Konstantinos Mamis; QUE Technologies, Greece & Miguel Miñano; MIWenergía, Spain
- RESCHOOL – Adrián Brasero; Bamboo Energy, Spain
- COMMUNITAS – Łukasz Wilczyński; ASM Research Solutions Strategy, Poland
Part 2: “Regulations and barriers” 16:00 – 17:30
- COMANAGE – Bartłomiej “Bartek” Smenda; Kraków Metropolitan Area, Poland
- SUSTENANCE – Frans Coenen; University of Twente, Netherlands
- LIFE BECKON – Iván Aranda; R2M Solution, Spain
- ACCEPT – Antonis Papanikolaou; Hypertech, Greece
- FEDECOM – Stephane Pouffary; Energies 2050, France