What is an energy community?

An energy community is a legally independent community that builds its own network for the production, utilisation and sale of energy as is an association of many private and economic actors. Many small energy producers, for example private individuals with solar modules on their roofs, but also public institutions such as schools and universities, are to supply a community with energy in a decentralised and regional manner and separate themselves from the classic role as consumers.

Did you know?

According to 2019/944 & 2018/2001 EU directive individuals and communities have the right to produce, store, consume and sell energy.
A large-scale study showed that 50 % of all EU citizens could generate and thus meet their own energy needs by 2050.
In whole Germany there are currently over 1000 energy communities with more than 200,000 members – also at your place.

How it works Requirements Key figures

How do you set up an energy community?

An energy community is usually created in several steps. First of all, the local initiators have to get together. To attract additional members and possible investors, an initial project plan is drafted. Thereupon it must be determined who wants to participate in the foundation of the community.
As a rule, the founding parties provide added value to the team. This can consist, for example, of capital, personal skills or equipment for the production and storage of energy. In the next step, consumers should also be recruited as members. Information about the energy needs of the members, the capacities of the generation and storage facilities, and about the given local interconnectedness of the consumers is essential.
Creation steps
Association of the initiators
1

Foundation of the energy community
2

Attract additional members
3

Launch regional power marketing
4

Integrate existing systems
5

Implement further plants
6

How do I become part of an energy community?

To participate in an energy community, one does not always have to found a new community. Often there are already existing communities on site. Energy communities always have an open and voluntary character. Individuals, real estate companies, public institutions and any type of company, can participate in energy communities.
When looking for a suitable energy community, for example, the map of the Bündnis Bürgerenergie can help. To get started, it is not necessary to be familiar with the technical details of energy generation and distribution. As a first step, you could participate in an energy community as a consumer or investor and delve deeper into the topic over time.
Opportunities for participation
As an energy consumer:
Instead of purchasing energy from a large corporation, it can be purchased from an energy community.
1

As an energy producer:
If you own a generation/storage facility, you can contribute the excess capacity to the community.
2

As Investor:
Many energy communities are incorporated as cooperatives and allow investment in the community or its projects.
3

What are the issues that energy communities are addressing?

There are different forms in which energy communities operate. Often, some solar and wind parks have already been implemented locally, in which the energy communities are financially involved. These should be integrated if possible into the regional power marketing. Beyond that in many places also new plants are planned.
Another form of the energy community builds on the power production in a smaller framework. Here, private solar systems, heat pumps, charging stations and energy storage systems are often used to feed energy into the grid, use it or store it. Since energy communities have the main motive of using energy more efficiently collectively, car/bikesharing initiatives can also be considered as such.
Possible projects
Planning of solar and wind parks
1

Repurchase and construction of electricity networks
2

Development of local heating networks
3

Network of private energy systems
4

Car/bike sharing and mobility services
5

Further measures for energy efficiency
6

Advantages of an energy community

Green energy from the region

Active contribution to climate protection

Long-term security of supply

Transparency of energy production

Strengthening social cohesion

Energy communities – working together for climate protection

What is an energy community?

Did you know?

Advantages of an energy community

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