In Italy they are legally recognized since 2020 (Milleproroghe Decree 162/2019 in implementation of the European Directive RED II 2001/2018), with the introduction of CER configurations and groups of self-consumers of renewable energy. In both cases they can be realities made up of private individuals, public entities, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.
Among the main requirements the law establishes the use of production plants from renewable sources with power up to 200 kW, which must be connected to the low voltage electrical network via the secondary substation, with the sharing of energy between the member subjects using the existing local electricity grid and storage systems.
In a few years in Italy the number of renewable energy communities it increased significantly, particularly in the central and northern realities, with a greater diffusion noted in small municipalities.
On this front, a virtuous example is the one that comes from Turano Lodigiano, a reality that does not exceed 1500 inhabitants, where one of the first Italian CERs was built on the initiative of Sorgenia. Today SOLISCA – this is the name of the energy community created by the note green-tech energy company – feeds with self-produced energy from photovoltaics public buildings, parish and some needy families from the small Lombard town.
The diffusion of renewable energy communities: opportunities and critical issues
CERs could play a fundamental role in the creation of sustainable cities, i.e. the so-called smart cities, urban centers with low or no environmental impact, centered on a system of local production and sharing of energy produced from renewable sources.
To monitor its diffusion in our country is Legambiente, through the Renewable Communities report, published annually since 2006.
In particular, in 2022 the environmental association mapped 100 energy communities, of which 39 renewable energy communities e 20 collective self-consumption configurations, with the main projects present in Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy.
However, they are over 3.500 Italian municipalities that use only renewable energy to meet their energy needs, where the energy production capacity is often able to exceed demand and allows local realities to sell the surplus, generating resources useful for the development of the local economy. Energy communities also have a high social value, as they fight energy poverty and promote social inclusion and cohesion.
It is no coincidence that many projects concern Alpine communities, municipalities located in remote areas and economically disadvantaged areas. From the search for IPSOS "CER – Energy communities against the crisis”, it emerged that both individuals and businesses want greater support from local administrations. In detail, while the population tends to see savings opportunities in CERs and a greater energy security, companies are aiming for economic return, image and the link with local communities.
However, there are concerns, especially for the huge economic investments necessary for the construction of the systems and the connection of all users, in addition to regulatory complexity which represents a barrier to the diffusion of renewable energy communities.
Meanwhile in Rome was born the first Syndicate of the CERs, ASSOCER Network, a non-profit organization whose objective will be to protect the interests of the CERs, as a model that creates value for the territories and facilitates the energy transition.
CERs, protagonists of the green transition towards smart cities
Today, renewable energy communities are one efficient solution to the energy and environmental crisis that we are living, towards which there are great expectations and a strong involvement of local communities is developing.
However, citizens are an active part in the CERs, above all for the transformation of energy consumers into prosumers, i.e. subjects who produce and consume energy through an interconnected system based on renewable sources.
According to the report Green Italy 2022, today many companies are also interested in new business models linked to green communities, seeking skills with environmental connotations and investing more and more in technologies linked to renewable energy. There technological challengein fact, it is complex but it can be won, as it is essential to make the production of energy from renewable sources more stable and to favor the circularity of processes.
Either way, it's undeniable how the dissemination of CERs will lead to greater sustainability of cities, especially by accelerating this process thanks to the resources made available by the PNRR: in fact, the sum earmarked for the creation of renewable energy communities amounts to 1,6 billion euros, disbursed in the form of non-repayable contributions, as specified by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security.
Obviously, it is necessary to speed up the approval of the projects, considering that the PNRR provides for the expiry of the interventions by 31 December 2025.
According to the report Global Energy and Climate Outlook of the Joint Research Center of the European Commission, the electrification process plays a crucial role in the energy transition, but at the same time requires an increase in energy efficiency and the share of energy produced from renewables.
The paper indicates that it is essential to start right from the cities, where the majority of the population lives and where 70% of global CO2 emissions are generated, making it clear that the creation of zero carbon cities is a prerequisite for achieving climate neutrality.
Introduced in Europe in 2019 through the Clean Energy Package, the Renewable Energy Communities (CERs) represent a possible solution to the climate crisis.
In Italy they are legally recognized since 2020 (Milleproroghe Decree 162/2019 in implementation of the European Directive RED II 2001/2018), with the introduction of CER configurations and groups of self-consumers of renewable energy. In both cases they can be realities made up of private individuals, public entities, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.
Among the main requirements the law establishes the use of production plants from renewable sources with power up to 200 kW, which must be connected to the low voltage electrical network via the secondary substation, with the sharing of energy between the member subjects using the existing local electricity grid and storage systems.
In a few years in Italy the number of renewable energy communities it increased significantly, particularly in the central and northern realities, with a greater diffusion noted in small municipalities.
On this front, a virtuous example is the one that comes from Turano Lodigiano, a reality that does not exceed 1500 inhabitants, where one of the first Italian CERs was built on the initiative of Sorgenia. Today SOLISCA – this is the name of the energy community created by the note green-tech energy company – feeds with self-produced energy from photovoltaics public buildings, parish and some needy families from the small Lombard town.
The diffusion of renewable energy communities: opportunities and critical issues
CERs could play a fundamental role in the creation of sustainable cities, i.e. the so-called smart cities, urban centers with low or no environmental impact, centered on a system of local production and sharing of energy produced from renewable sources.
To monitor its diffusion in our country is Legambiente, through the Renewable Communities report, published annually since 2006.
In particular, in 2022 the environmental association mapped 100 energy communities, of which 39 renewable energy communities e 20 collective self-consumption configurations, with the main projects present in Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy.
However, they are over 3.500 Italian municipalities that use only renewable energy to meet their energy needs, where the energy production capacity is often able to exceed demand and allows local realities to sell the surplus, generating resources useful for the development of the local economy. Energy communities also have a high social value, as they fight energy poverty and promote social inclusion and cohesion.
It is no coincidence that many projects concern Alpine communities, municipalities located in remote areas and economically disadvantaged areas. From the search for IPSOS "CER – Energy communities against the crisis”, it emerged that both individuals and businesses want greater support from local administrations. In detail, while the population tends to see savings opportunities in CERs and a greater energy security, companies are aiming for economic return, image and the link with local communities.
However, there are concerns, especially for the huge economic investments necessary for the construction of the systems and the connection of all users, in addition to regulatory complexity which represents a barrier to the diffusion of renewable energy communities.
Meanwhile in Rome was born the first Syndicate of the CERs, ASSOCER Network, a non-profit organization whose objective will be to protect the interests of the CERs, as a model that creates value for the territories and facilitates the energy transition.
CERs, protagonists of the green transition towards smart cities
Today, renewable energy communities are one efficient solution to the energy and environmental crisis that we are living, towards which there are great expectations and a strong involvement of local communities is developing.
However, citizens are an active part in the CERs, above all for the transformation of energy consumers into prosumers, i.e. subjects who produce and consume energy through an interconnected system based on renewable sources.
According to the report Green Italy 2022, today many companies are also interested in new business models linked to green communities, seeking skills with environmental connotations and investing more and more in technologies linked to renewable energy. There technological challengein fact, it is complex but it can be won, as it is essential to make the production of energy from renewable sources more stable and to favor the circularity of processes.
Either way, it's undeniable how the dissemination of CERs will lead to greater sustainability of cities, especially by accelerating this process thanks to the resources made available by the PNRR: in fact, the sum earmarked for the creation of renewable energy communities amounts to 1,6 billion euros, disbursed in the form of non-repayable contributions, as specified by the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security.
Obviously, it is necessary to speed up the approval of the projects, considering that the PNRR provides for the expiry of the interventions by 31 December 2025.
According to the report Global Energy and Climate Outlook of the Joint Research Center of the European Commission, the electrification process plays a crucial role in the energy transition, but at the same time requires an increase in energy efficiency and the share of energy produced from renewables.
The paper indicates that it is essential to start right from the cities, where the majority of the population lives and where 70% of global CO2 emissions are generated, making it clear that the creation of zero carbon cities is a prerequisite for achieving climate neutrality.
