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Energy communities – lessons learnt, challenges, and policy recommendations

Neij, Lena LU ; Palm, Jenny LU ; Busch, Henner LU orcid ; Bauwens, Thomas ; Becker, Sören ; Bergek, Anna ; Buzogany, Aron ; Candelise, Chiara ; Coenen, Frans and Devine-Wright, Patrick , et al. (2025) In Oxford Open Energy
Abstract
Energy communities (ECs) are considered important in transitioning the energy system. They are of particular interest due to their potential to empower citizens and support a more just energy transition. However, experiences from ECs remain limited and vary across countries, thus raising questions on potential future advancements. In this article, we explore experiences from ECs in several European countries to inspire discussions on further evolvement and improvements. Insights into lessons learned and key challenges within the selected countries have been collected and analysed, and recommendations for advancing these efforts are provided to policy makers. The results indicate that ECs are making progress in producing and sharing... (More)
Energy communities (ECs) are considered important in transitioning the energy system. They are of particular interest due to their potential to empower citizens and support a more just energy transition. However, experiences from ECs remain limited and vary across countries, thus raising questions on potential future advancements. In this article, we explore experiences from ECs in several European countries to inspire discussions on further evolvement and improvements. Insights into lessons learned and key challenges within the selected countries have been collected and analysed, and recommendations for advancing these efforts are provided to policy makers. The results indicate that ECs are making progress in producing and sharing renewable energy while supporting a more just energy transition by engaging a variety of actors within local communities. The challenges, however, often stem from limited national support and difficulties in fully achieving diversity within engaged local communities. The recommendations stress the importance of building on early learnings in community energy and further strengthening local anchoring to achieve a just transition. This in turn, generates fertile ground for discussions on how to localize energy policy and reinforce a multi-level policy approach beyond the European and national levels. (Less)
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
epub
subject
in
Oxford Open Energy
publisher
Oxford University Press
external identifiers
  • scopus:105002043060
ISSN
2752-5082
DOI
10.1093/ooenergy/oiaf002
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
051ee2fb-0448-453a-8f86-dee2a1358c4f
date added to LUP
2025-03-31 10:40:21
date last changed
2025-05-28 04:03:46
@article{051ee2fb-0448-453a-8f86-dee2a1358c4f,
  abstract     = {{Energy communities (ECs) are considered important in transitioning the energy system. They are of particular interest due to their potential to empower citizens and support a more just energy transition. However, experiences from ECs remain limited and vary across countries, thus raising questions on potential future advancements. In this article, we explore experiences from ECs in several European countries to inspire discussions on further evolvement and improvements. Insights into lessons learned and key challenges within the selected countries have been collected and analysed, and recommendations for advancing these efforts are provided to policy makers. The results indicate that ECs are making progress in producing and sharing renewable energy while supporting a more just energy transition by engaging a variety of actors within local communities. The challenges, however, often stem from limited national support and difficulties in fully achieving diversity within engaged local communities. The recommendations stress the importance of building on early learnings in community energy and further strengthening local anchoring to achieve a just transition. This in turn, generates fertile ground for discussions on how to localize energy policy and reinforce a multi-level policy approach beyond the European and national levels.}},
  author       = {{Neij, Lena and Palm, Jenny and Busch, Henner and Bauwens, Thomas and Becker, Sören and Bergek, Anna and Buzogany, Aron and Candelise, Chiara and Coenen, Frans and Devine-Wright, Patrick and Hoppe, Thomas and Kortetmäki, Ari and Pantazis, Konstantinos and Palaiogiannis, F and Margosi, M and Petrovics, Daniel and Plöchl, Jana and Ruggieri, Gianluca and Ruggiero, Salvatore and Standal, Karina and Scherhaufer, Patrick and Soutar, Ian}},
  issn         = {{2752-5082}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{03}},
  publisher    = {{Oxford University Press}},
  series       = {{Oxford Open Energy}},
  title        = {{Energy communities – lessons learnt, challenges, and policy recommendations}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ooenergy/oiaf002}},
  doi          = {{10.1093/ooenergy/oiaf002}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}