The energy community explained simply: what it is, benefits and how it works

Are you trying to understand what a energy community But do you keep coming up against incomprehensible expressions and acronyms? Don't worry, we'll explain it to you, without beating around the bush.

‍

‍What is an energy community?

‍An energy community (CER) is made up of a group of people who come together to produce and use clean energy generated from renewable sources at the local level. Local citizens and businesses, institutions and bodies, small businesses and cooperatives can be part of the energy community, which come together through voluntary membership. Until recently, Italian law required each plant to power only the house or building on which it was installed, but with the new legislation on energy communities it is possible to join together and create a plant shared by several subjects. For example, people who live in the same condominium can decide to set up an energy community and build a photovoltaic system that can be used by all the apartments that have chosen to join the community.

The members of the energy community can be of three types:
• Consumer: passive consumers;
• Producer: owners of a production plant:
• Prosumer: consumers equipped with a production facility for self-consumption.
‍
Benefits:
‍
‍• Environmental: Through the use of energy communities, CO2 emissions deriving from fossil sources are reduced, the climate crisis is combated and energy waste is reduced.
• Cheap: The production of energy by the renewable plant produces savings on the bill of about 20%. All members continue to pay the traditional bill to the manager but receive an amount from the community, which in fact constitutes the savings in the bill.
• Social: Increasing the production of electricity from renewable sources helps to lower the wholesale price of energy, and allows the redevelopment of unused land. In addition, the construction of sustainable plants promotes and educates citizens in environmental sustainability, the good use of energy resources and social aggregation.

‍How do you create an energy community?

‍First of all, you create a legal entity (cooperative, association, etc.) that represents the members of the company.
Then you choose thearea where to install the system, which must be in close proximity to consumers, but it does not necessarily have to be their property.
In fact, it is possible that the system belongs even to only one of the consumers, to some of them, or even to an external entity.
Finally, every member of the community can install one Smart meter, that is, a smart meter that keeps track of energy production, consumption, transfer and withdrawal.
Once the plant has been built, the community must request an application to the Energy Services Manager (GSE) to receive the inducements required by law.
The incentives do not apply to the entire production of energy but only to that consumed by the energy community.
‍
If it is produced Excess energy, the community receives economic compensation equal to the economic value of energy alone, without other benefits.
Each energy community decides independently how to distribute the amount deriving from the sale of energy among its members through a private law contract.
Excess energy can be stored in storage systems such as batteries, to be used when production is scarce, such as at night for photovoltaic systems, or when there is a high demand for energy.

‍GridShare

‍With Gridshare, you can be part of an energy community without having to think about anything. We take care of the bureaucracy, construction and maintenance of the plant, while you will only have to take care of saving money.

‍How? With the purchase of a share, which involves only one payment, you will be covered for the 30-year lifespan of the photovoltaic panels. The fee will be used to build the solar park, which once completed will be fully insured against damage and malfunctions.

‍Okay, but what about the bill? By buying a share equal to your annual kWh consumption, you can save at least 25% on your electricity bill. Because your energy still comes from the grid, you'll continue to pay fixed rent costs, but you'll save on electricity by keeping your bills low and stable for 30 years. Find out how it works and calculate your savings.

‍

Written by Sara Moccia