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Legal Provisions and Market Conditions for Energy Communities in Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey: A Comparative Assessment

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  • Mehmet Efe Biresselioglu

    (Sustainable Energy Division, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir 35330, Turkey)

  • Siyami Alp Limoncuoglu

    (Faculty of Law, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir 35330, Turkey)

  • Muhittin Hakan Demir

    (Department of Logistics Management, Izmir University of Economics, Izmir 35330, Turkey)

  • Johannes Reichl

    (The Energy Institute, Johannes Kepler University, 4040 Linz, Austria)

  • Katrin Burgstaller

    (The Energy Institute, Johannes Kepler University, 4040 Linz, Austria)

  • Alessandro Sciullo

    (Department of Culture, Politics, and Society, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy)

  • Edoardo Ferrero

    (Department of Law, University of Turin, 10124 Turin, Italy)

Abstract

The Climate Pact and the European Green Deal constitute the main components of the European Union (EU)’s climate change policy. Energy transition, that is, transformation to a zero-carbon global energy system, is one of the main pillars of climate change mitigation policies. This transformation, coupled with the empowerment of individuals within the energy system, shifts citizens from their roles as customers towards a more active role. Within this framework, energy communities stand out as significant facilitators for the participation of individuals and communities in the energy system, promoting self-consumption and contributing to the social acceptance of renewable energy initiatives, among other direct and indirect benefits. The main directives introducing energy communities into the EU legal system are RED II and ED 2019. This study, conducted as a part of a Horizon 2020-funded eCREW project, assessed the adaptability and implementability of these two directives within national legislation, along with the associated legal and administrative frameworks, utilizing evidence from Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey. The comparative analysis also enhances the understanding of the concept of renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities, both in the EU and in nonmember countries. The results of the analysis revealed that none of the countries studied had yet completed the process of harmonizing their legislation concerning energy communities.

Suggested Citation

  • Mehmet Efe Biresselioglu & Siyami Alp Limoncuoglu & Muhittin Hakan Demir & Johannes Reichl & Katrin Burgstaller & Alessandro Sciullo & Edoardo Ferrero, 2021. "Legal Provisions and Market Conditions for Energy Communities in Austria, Germany, Greece, Italy, Spain, and Turkey: A Comparative Assessment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-25, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:20:p:11212-:d:653749
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    2. Bernadette Fina & Miriam Schwebler & Carolin Monsberger, 2022. "Different Technologies’ Impacts on the Economic Viability, Energy Flows and Emissions of Energy Communities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-20, April.
    3. Pagnini, Luisa & Bracco, Stefano & Delfino, Federico & de-Simón-Martín, Miguel, 2024. "Levelized cost of electricity in renewable energy communities: Uncertainty propagation analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 366(C).
    4. Lisa Hanna Broska & Stefan Vögele & Hawal Shamon & Inga Wittenberg, 2022. "On the Future(s) of Energy Communities in the German Energy Transition: A Derivation of Transformation Pathways," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-31, March.
    5. Roberto De Lotto & Calogero Micciché & Elisabetta M. Venco & Angelo Bonaiti & Riccardo De Napoli, 2022. "Energy Communities: Technical, Legislative, Organizational, and Planning Features," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-22, February.

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