COMMUNITAS Replication Academy
Pilots

Real-life energy communities across Europe.

The COMMUNITAS pilots are real-life energy communities where citizens, cooperatives, municipalities and local stakeholders test practical solutions for the energy transition. They show how renewable generation, collective self-consumption, flexibility, smart monitoring and citizen engagement can work in different local contexts.

The Replication Academy uses lessons from these communities to help new initiatives understand what can be replicated, what needs to be adapted and which barriers should be anticipated.

Map of Europe marking the locations of the COMMUNITAS pilot energy communities
Why these pilots matter

Different contexts, shared lessons

There is no single model for an energy community. Some pilots build on mature local infrastructure, while others focus on citizen engagement, neighbourhood transition or renewable energy independence — together they show that successful energy communities combine local assets, community participation and practical innovation.

  • Citizen-centred

    Strong participation and local trust are essential.

  • Locally adapted

    Each community responds to its own context and assets.

  • Practical innovation

    Pilots test workable solutions, not only ideas.

  • Replication-ready

    Lessons can inspire other communities across Europe.

Featured pilots

Three communities, three pathways

Aerial view of Crevillent, Alicante, with its hilltop castle above dense town rooftops
Spain ES

Crevillent Energy Community

Alicante, Spain

A mature cooperative distributing energy to around 11,000 members — mostly households, with some schools, small retail and industry. The pilot combines collective self-consumption, demand response, smart metering, EV charging and energy storage across a broad local network.

  • Approx. 10,000 members
  • Over 400 km distribution network
  • 5 PV installations, storage and EV charging
  • Known for scale, flexibility and community-based services
Village in the Primiero Valley, Trentino, with a church spire and the Dolomites rising behind
Italy IT

Primiero Valley Energy Community

Province of Trento, Italy

A renewable energy community supporting about 7,905 members, including households, public buildings and hotels. It builds on hydro, solar and biomass resources together with district heating and EV charging, showing how renewable energy independence can grow from existing local infrastructure.

  • Approx. 7,905 members
  • Hydro, solar and biomass resources
  • District heating and EV charging
  • Known for renewable energy independence and strong local collaboration
Aerial panorama of Groningen, Netherlands, with the Martini Tower and a formal garden among the rooftops
Netherlands NL

Buurtwarmte Groningen

Groningen, Netherlands

An urban, heat-focused community covering three districts with around 2,000 members. The pilot centres on citizen engagement, a local heat network, solar PV, energy education and the transition towards community-managed energy infrastructure.

  • Approx. 2,000 members
  • Three districts
  • Heat network and PV focus
  • Known for neighbourhood engagement and community-led urban transition
Next steps

Looking to start or grow your own energy community?

Explore the Replication Academy to discover tools, guidance and lessons from the COMMUNITAS pilots.

Discover the Academy