Advantages of setting up an energy community

What is an energy community

It is a group of people who organise themselves to manage energy production in a collaborative way. Instead of resorting to external suppliers, the aim is to take advantage of renewable sources for the benefit of the community. The community is in charge of generating, maintaining, consuming and managing the whole process of obtaining electricity.

In addition, energy self-sufficiency and #sustainability are promoted by allowing participants to produce part or all of the energy they consume. In this way, they achieve interesting advantages, such as savings on electricity bills, a good hedge against uncertainty and reduced supply risks.

For communities to be functional, technology plays a crucial role in their day-to-day operations. Through digital platforms and smart metering systems, members can monitor energy consumption and production in real time. This also simplifies distribution among participants according to their needs.

‍Advantages of an energy community

By its very nature, being in an energy community gives us important advantages. In this sense, not only do we have access to various sources of #renewable energy, but we are also part of a group. Therefore, we join people with similar goals, which makes it easier for us to achieve ambitious goals.

‍Sense of belonging

A sense of belonging is a key advantage. Communities are not limited to the production and exchange of energy, but promote collaboration and interaction among their members.

This is a social aspect that has a profound impact on participants' relationships with each other and their environment, which is difficult to achieve otherwise.

When people come together in an energy community, they share a common goal: The search for a sustainable and efficient way to manage energy.

In this way, an emotional bond is created between members as they work together for a higher purpose. As they collaborate, they develop a sense of shared responsibility.

‍Sense of community

The ongoing relationship between members plays a vital role in building a sense of community. Through discussions on how to deal with management, participants not only share knowledge, but also get to know each other better on a personal level. This is possible because interactions are not limited to technical aspects only, but gradually opportunities arise to delve deeper into each individual's needs and interests, which creates bonds between them. Over time, members feel integrated into the community as they share common goals and points of view.

‍Energy saving

Clusters are designed to optimise energy use. By doing so, they reduce their electricity costs, while taking advantage of renewable sources. In addition, dependence on fossil fuels and the general distribution network decreases.Greater responsibility for energy consumption is also encouraged, leading to a constant search for optimisation. Whether through efficiency measures in households or through appropriate collective planning, lower costs are achieved.

‍Use of renewable energy

This is one of the most distinctive advantages of energy communities. Their firm commitment to renewables helps them to increase their #sustainability. They are no longer dependent on polluting sources, which makes them progress in #decarbonisation.

As a result of their decisions, there is a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. Energy communities thus contribute directly to mitigating climate change and improving air quality. They also have no difficulty in adopting the latest innovations, as they are a decisive addition to increase efficiency.

‍Boosting decarbonisation

This is a benefit derived from the exclusive use of renewable energies. As they are clean and sustainable, their impact on the environment is zero or reduced. Therefore, these communities do not contribute to polluting their environment, as their carbon dioxide emissions are practically zero.

‍Sustainability

Sustainability is another of the big advantages to be taken into account. Communities are very aware of their environmental impact, which has led their members to come together. This implies that they have deep-rooted convictions towards non-polluting energy solutions.

In the end, opting for a sustainable way of life is a reflection of their commitment and the importance of doing so. For this reason, they integrate #energy-saving technologies, plan optimisation and are committed to smart management.

‍Are there any grants or subsidies for energy communities?

During the last few years, several subsidies for energy communities have been implemented in different schemes. One of these #subsidies was the CE Implementa programme, which was framed within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. The third and fourth calls for proposals ended in February this year, but it is likely to be renewed in the future.

The aim of CE Implementa was to empower energy communities, as the Administration sees them as a key actor in the energy transition. They were therefore provided with resources to enable them to set up and develop. In addition, the CE Offices programme aimed to accelerate the #decarbonisation process of the organisations mentioned above. However, the registration period ended in January 2023.

When significant #energy savings are to be achieved, energy communities are the best solution, as they allow numerous individuals to benefit from the advantages of renewable energies. Moreover, it is very likely that state #support for their #development will be granted again. So if you are interested in taking the step towards a sustainable world, this is a great idea.