The concept of energy community was designed to meet the climate challenge. As a new way of producing and consuming energy. In society, the desire to get involved seems present. But it is still sometimes difficult to achieve. The question, moreover, is debated on the EDF Pulse & You co-ideation platform.
In a world where the market forenergy still remains highly centralized, the energy community concept surprised. Offsets a little, even. The idea is indeed to allow those who until now were only passive consumers to become real players in the energy market of tomorrow. Because, behind the concept of energy community, there is the idea of producing, exchanging, storing and consuming one’s energy. This now seems within everyone’s reach thanks to the advent of renewable energies and some innovative technologies.
But the concept remains new. And to help you better understand it, the co-ideation platform EDF Pulse & You has launched a campaign on the subject. With the ambition also to support the most interested in their project to create an energy community. Thanks to the sharing not of energy, this time, but of many experiences.
One of the questions that arise is to know how an energy community is created and then organized. The first step is certainly to gather. Information first. On the initiatives already developed in France — there would already be several hundred of them, essentially centered on the production of solar energy, but wind power, hydraulicsbiogas and heat renewable also seem to be able to find a place — and in the rest of Europe. Gather citizens next.
Committed citizens and some supporters
One of the possibilities is to associate with a community. This can help to remove some administrative barriers in particular. Local authorities can also decide to put land or roofs, available to the energy community. They know the local issues and have some useful technical skills. Especially since they can turn out to be very voluntary, because they are concerned with developing their energy resources or creating a local dynamic around sustainable development projects.
Local agencies and unions may be willing to provide funding capacity. To carry out engineering projects or set up support.
Energy communities can also bring together associations and even companies. The legislative framework is indeed broad enough for this. And it is particularly judicious, for example, if the energy community wishes to emphasize changes in use, implement energy efficiency actions, control consumption or fight against fuel poverty. It is also a way of promoting the local economic and social fabric.
Finally, it may be interesting to turn to historical energy companies. They can indeed offer technical support and useful services to the energy community. As’installation of solar panels or communicating sockets, the provision of energy management systems or the connection between producers and citizens. And others still to be imagined. Why not by exchanging with the Pulsers on the co-ideation platform EDF Pulse & You?
In a very practical way, it will be necessary to go through the creation of a legal entity. Quite simply from an association under the 1901 law, for example. This entity — and more specifically, the citizens and communities that make it up — will then be able to make the necessary decisions: choose whether or not to produce its energy, choose its electricity supplier or its means of production, sign binding contracts on dates and conditions, imagine intelligent use of electricity distribution and transport networks, etc. All while not losing sight of the primary objective of these energy communities. That of facilitating the deployment of renewable energy production sources and energy savings. And to ensure that everyone can benefit from it equitably.
Subject produced in partnership with EDF teams
What you must remember
- A co-ideation campaign on energy communities was launched on the EDF Pulse & You platform beginning of November.
- You are invited to exchange your ideas and share your experiences of the question until February 28, 2022.
- What do they consist of? How are they organized? Will they need the support of incumbent energy market operators? These are just some of the questions being debated online.
- Of great rewards await the most active and inventive Pulsers.
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