Implementing collective energy schemes: suggestions for the Italian national legal framework on energy communities

Abstract

New arrangements for aggregation of distributed generation and demand are required to increase flexibility and resilience of the grid and legal frameworks are being reform to enable broad civic participation in the energy markets. This work analyses the reform with focus on the European Clean Energy Package and the Italian legislation, regarding the theme of energy communities and use the GECO project, as case study. The method applied is qualitative, descriptive and exploratory. The findings point out to the importance of regulate both concepts of energy communities in a single national law and reveal a fundamental role for information and specialized technical bodies in the success of a community energy endeavour. Suggestions for the Italian national law on energy communities are presented, like the possibility of integrate existing generation systems, greater consideration to storage and obligation of customized feedback to users on energy savings, promoting behavioural changes and building retrofits.