Discover the DISCOVER Guide for Energy Communities: a comprehensive guide to starting community energy projects
Welcome to DISCOVER Guide, your essential resource to run and manage Community Energy Projects (CEP). As part of the DISCOVER project, this series of guides empowers energy community initiators with tools, strategies and a step-by-step framework to successfully revive their visions, with a special emphasis on Photovoltaic (PV) projects.
Mission DISCOVER project
The DISCOVER project aims to encourage the development of sustainable energy projects in communities by offering integrated support services. Whether you are embarking on a new sustainable energy initiative in your community, working on an ongoing project or planning something in the future, the DISCOVER guide provides a structured approach to simplify your journey. Its services and resources are contained in a comprehensive framework designed to make the complex process of launching and managing CEP more accessible.
The family of guides
The DISCOVER Guide series consists of three key components:
- General guide – A universally applicable manual describing the steps to create a CEP, regardless of location.
- Specific guide – Customised version for individual pilot regions, enriched with localised content.
- Interactive Guide – Online adaptation of a specific guide, accessible via an interactive platform, ideal for a wider audience.
Lifecycle management of energy projects in the community
General guide structuring the entire life cycle of energy projects in communities in three different phases:
- Planning phase – Conceptualisation, feasibility assessment, planning and fulfilment of regulatory requirements.
- Realization phase - Construction and implementation of CEP, including photovoltaic plant.
- Operational phase – Long-term management and maintenance of the energy community.
Within these phases, the guide is categorized into three main areas:
- Construction of photovoltaic power plants – from site selection to technical performance.
- Renewable Energy Community (REC) or Citizen Energy Community (CEC) – Establishing a legal and operational framework for energy trading.
- Community engagement – Building a collaborative environment, fostering teamwork and ensuring long-term participation.
Tackling challenges with practical solutions
The guide addresses the multiple dimensions of CEP development, including: administration, economics, technology i legal requirements. These topics will be addressed separately for each Pilot Region and summarised in country guides. By consolidating contextualised information, the role of stakeholders, potential barriers and practical tools simplifies decision-making and reduces complexity. A special guide also provides references to local providers of individual components of the solution, which further facilitates the path for project initiators.
Why choose a DISCOVER guide?
The general guide will soon be complemented by the creation of specific national and interactive guides. They will provide additional information for:
- Reducing barriers: Addressing and simplifying administrative, technical and legal challenges.
- Promoting cooperation: Through community engagement and team building strategies.
- Simplification of the process: Providing a clear plan, from concept to operation.
How to proceed?
The general guide DISCOVER is just the beginning. Leading CEP initiators through every step of their projects, paves the way for a more sustainable and energy future.
Follow our future announcements for Specific guide the Interactive online platform, which will offer localised and easily accessible resources to further improve the success of your initiatives in building a local energy community!
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English (UK)