Posted on: 6th March 2025
Energy Communities: Pilot Cases
Energy communities are local groups that collaborate and invest in sustainable energy solutions. By operating as a unified entity, these communities gain access to relevant energy markets and are equitable. There are 9,000+ reported energy communities throughout the EU, but their distribution among different countries varies.
Their structures, operations and even goals or purposes differ. Some are smaller, others are bigger in scale. Some receive municipality support, others function as independent NGOs. Some also engage in environmental protection, while others might be interested in developing new technologies.
The wide range of cases available required us to study different communities around Europe and compare their similarities and differences, local challenges and realities, citizen involvement and management methods and more…
Here are some of the case studies, we hope can serve as examples of the range of possibilities available throughout Europe and beyond.
Simply click on the energy community name and access an analysis of them, below.
Bürger*innenKRAFT-werk Schönbühel-Aggsbach is a small but growing energy community founded in the small municipality (Marktgemeinde) of Schönbühel-Aggsbach, situated in the UNESCO protected Wachau Cultural Landscape on the Southern Danube Bank. Their strength lies in local activities focusing on nature, environmental protection and the research of local history. The community envisions that shared values and goals can contribute to regional development and the preservation of the environment, nature, and biodiversity. Read more on them here.
Since the 1980s, Jakobgårdarna has primarily served residential purposes. It enjoys a strategically central location within the city, offering convenient access to both commercial and public services.In collaboration with PED-ACT partners, the municipal authority, ‘Borlänge Kommun,’ through its public construction sector, planning department, and land office, has envisioned a comprehensive development plan for this district. This initiative is driven by the presence of a substantial land reserve, which holds significant potential for the creation of housing units and the integration of various social and economic activities. Read more about this technology and development driven case here.
Ålidhem which is the case district for this project is in south-eastern Umeå, close to the University and the University hospital and consists mainly of multi-residential buildings and student apartments. The buildings in Ålidhem were built in 1970/71 as part of the Swedish Million Programme.
The case study consists of 21 multi-family buildings in Ålidhem. The buildings were refurbished approximately a decade ago (2010-2014), and a package of energy efficiency measures were implemented in the buildings. Read more on this pilor case, here.
The Zübeyde Hanım District in Karşıyaka, İzmir, consists of high-rise residential buildings. Building energy models were developed based on the data collected regarding the buildings and the surroundings, with different scenarios being developed and evaluated accordingly – were assessed based on the electrical and heating/cooling energy use of the buildings, and the ratio of the load met by the renewable energy generation through photovoltaic (PV) systems. Read more about this case here.
The Çamlık District in Ankara, Türkiye is a low-density, low-rise residential area. The buildings mostly utilize two floors, but many buildings have repurposed the attic as a third floor. Even though the residential buildings are alike, there are several differences in their roof geometry and envelope materials due to previous retrofitting and surrounding shading elements. Stakeholder involvement and ownership also emerges as an issue with this case. Read more about it here.
Located in Alcorcón, Spain, the project is an industrial energy community in the park.
This initiative enables local businesses to generate, store, and share renewable energy, fostering energy self-sufficiency and reducing operational costs while promoting sustainability within the industrial sector.
The city has also established a Community Transformation Office (Oficina de Transformación Comunitaria, OTC), which serves as a hub for supporting residents and businesses in adopting renewable energy solutions and improving energy efficiency. Through educational programs, technical assistance, and community outreach, the OTC facilitates the implementation of energy transition measures at the local level. Read more here.
Located in Cesena, the area has been identified by the municipality of Cesena as a target area for the creation of a PED, as part of the POSEIDON project.
This district consists of residential and mixed-use buildings, constructed in the 1950s and 1960s, with 3 to 4-story structures that require deep retrofit interventions to align with modern energy standards.
For more information, visit here.