At TANDEMS, we believe that energy communities are central to Europe’s just and sustainable energy transition. Today, we are proud to announce that both the Otterbeek Social Housing Project and Sophie Loots, two initiatives closely connected to TANDEMS, have been nominated for the 2025 European Sustainable Energy Awards! Bothnominations embody the spirit of TANDEMS — community-driven innovation, social inclusion, and tangible action on the ground.
In the Otterbeek district of Mechelen, a pioneering initiative is showing how the energy transition can be made truly inclusive. The Energy Community Co-operative Klimaan has teamed up with the City of Mechelen to equip 200 social housing units with solar panels, providing clean energy at stable, affordable prices to vulnerable households. The cooperation has been intensified in the TANDEMS project and their visionary project is now a finalist for the Local Energy Action Award.
Building a Model for the Future
The vision of the project unfolded in two phases. Solar panels will be installed on 70 homes in 2022, with a further 129 homes to follow in 2024. The €1,000,000 investment model, based on citizen contributions, demonstrates how collective action can drive local change. The close collaboration between Klimaan, the city of Mechelen and local residents has created a scalable blueprint for inclusive energy communities across Europe.
The results are impressive: nearly 1,800 solar panels generate around 700 megawatt hours of renewable electricity per year, avoiding more than 130 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year. But the real success of Otterbeek lies in its wider social impact. The project has stabilised energy costs for low-income households, created local jobs and strengthened social cohesion. It has also inspired new initiatives such as volunteer-run e-bike schemes and shared electric vehicles for residents.
Real Impact: Clean Energy, Social Inclusion, and Economic Resilience
Otterbeek’s achievement goes far beyond technology. At its heart, the project is about empowering communities, combating energy poverty, and ensuring that no one is left behind in the transition to clean energy. Through citizen financing, community engagement, and multilingual outreach, residents have become active participants in shaping their own energy future. Tailored strategies — like neighborhood ambassadors and door-to-door outreach — built trust and strengthened local ownership. Otterbeek shows that a just energy transition is not only possible, but that it can serve as a catalyst for stronger, more resilient societies.
Your vote can make the difference!
Both the Otterbeek project but also Sophie Loots are now in the running for the final EUSEW Awards. Voting is open until 1 June 2025, and the winners will be announced on 10 June 2025 during the EUSEW Awards Ceremony.
At TANDEMS, we believe that energy communities are at the heart of Europe’s justand sustainable energy transition. And today, we are thrilled to share some amazing news: Sophie Loots and the Otterbeek Social Housing project, both closely linked to TANDEMS have been nominated for the 2025 European Sustainable Energy Awards! Both nominations highlight what TANDEMS stands for — community-led innovation, social inclusion, and real action on the ground.
If you know TANDEMS, you probably already know Sophie Loots. As the head of the Flemish energy cooperative ZuidtrAnt, active in 16 municipalities around the city of Antwerp and a key contributor to our work, Sophie has been at the forefront of citizen-led renewable energy in Belgium. Now her work has been recognised at the highest level: Sophie is one of three finalists in the Woman in Energy category of the EUSEW Awards 2025!
Challenging Old Structures and Advocating for Fair Access to Energy
Through her leadership, Sophie has helped more than 300 households gain access to clean and affordable energy. But her impact goes much further than that: She is challenging outdated structures in the energy sector, championing gender equality and demonstrating that a just energy transition must put people first. Most notably, 70% of ZuidtrAnt’s leadership team are women – a rare and outstanding achievement in a sector that remains largely male-dominated.
One of the key challenges Sophie addresses – particularly through her work with TANDEMS – is fair access to the energy transition: Who gets the opportunity to produce, share and sell energy in increasingly complex markets and regulatory frameworks? Through TANDEMS, Sophie and her team are working to make participation in the energy system more inclusive, accessible and equitable for all – helping to reshape the energy landscape one community at a time.
Your vote can make the difference!
Both Sophie and the Otterbeek project are now in the running for the final EUSEW Awards. Voting is open until 1 June 2025, and the winners will be announced on 10 June 2025 during the EUSEW Awards Ceremony.
How can energy communities be fair, inclusive, and accessible to all? This question was at the heart of the Flemish Policy Dialogue, one of a series of policy discussions organized within the TANDEMS project to explore how local and regional policies can support a just energy transition.
These policy dialogues serve as strategic platforms where policymakers, energy cooperatives, social organizations, and technical experts come together to exchange insights, co-develop solutions, and bridge the gap between policy and practice. They are an essential part of TANDEMS’ broader mission: to create scalable and replicable models for energy communities that leave no one behind.
The newly published report provides key takeaways from the Flemish dialogue, offering practical policy recommendations for fostering inclusive collective energy initiatives. It explores how solidarity can be the driving force in community-building and presents a framework to ensure that energy communities are not only financially sustainable but also accessible to vulnerable households.
5 Key Takeaways from the Report
Energy as a Right, Not a Privilege. The report emphasizes a rights-based approach to energy access. This means that access to affordable, high-quality, and energy-efficient housing should be treated as a fundamental right rather than a market-based privilege. Instead of viewing energy as just another commodity, policymakers should design frameworks where every citizen—especially those in vulnerable situations—has a fair opportunity to participate in and benefit from the energy transition.
Targeted Support for Energy-Vulnerable Households. Energy vulnerability varies—some households struggle to pay their bills, while others may not have the means to invest in solar panels or energy-efficient upgrades. The report proposes a proportionate universalism approach: while everyone should have access to energy initiatives, additional support should be provided to those facing the greatest barriers.
Municipalities as Key Facilitators. Local governments are uniquely positioned to initiate and support community energy initiatives. They own data on vulnerable households, have direct contact with local communities, and can bridge the gap between policymakers and citizens. Municipalities can play multiple roles, including facilitators, investors, and policy shapers.
Education & Awareness. Many people want to participate in the energy transition but don’t know how. The report stresses the importance of energy education, integrated into local community activities. Examples include workshops and information sessions for residents, education programs in schools to raise awareness from an early age, newcomer programs in communities to ensure immigrants and low-income families understand their options, and practical guidance for businesses and community organizations.
Stronger Partnerships. No single organization can solve energy poverty or build a fully inclusive energy community alone. The report highlights the need for strong partnerships between municipalities, energy cooperatives, poverty organizations, social housing providers, technical experts, and citizen groups. By working together, these stakeholders can integrate social and energy goals, ensuring that projects benefit the whole community.
Energy transition should be inclusive and community-driven. Download the report and take action yourself!
Local leadership can be the driving force behind meaningful change, especially in the journey toward sustainable energy. At Burenwerf, we’re seeing firsthand how empowering community leaders and embracing adaptability are key to achieving energy transition goals.
In the world of energy communities, success is often measured by how well a project can mobilize local talent and adapt to the unexpected. The Burenwerf initiative recently held a reflexive learning session that shined a spotlight on these very principles. By focusing on community-led initiatives and the power of local leaders, they discovered strategies that can ignite a ripple effect of change across entire neighborhoods.
The Power of Local Leadership
One of the standout insights from Burenwerf’s session was the undeniable impact of local leadership. In this community, leaders aren’t just participants—they’re catalysts who inspire their neighbors and spark grassroots movements that drive the energy transition.
“Local leaders have a unique ability to mobilize their communities because they understand the pulse of the people,” said a project team member at Burenwerf. Empowering these individuals with the right skills and resources was a game-changer, creating a multiplier effect where one leader’s actions could inspire many others to join the cause.
By focusing on training and equipping these leaders, Burenwerf has turned them into ambassadors of change, capable of guiding their communities toward sustainable energy solutions. This approach is not just about knowledge transfer—it’s about building a network of inspired individuals who can take ownership of the energy transition.
Flexibility: The Secret Ingredient to Success
As Burenwerf has learned, adaptability is just as important as leadership. The energy landscape is constantly evolving, and a rigid plan can often be a project’s downfall. Instead, Burenwerf’s approach has been to stay agile, ready to pivot and respond to challenges as they arise.
“Flexibility in our planning allows us to course-correct in real time, ensuring we don’t lose momentum even when faced with unexpected obstacles,” explained a member of the Burenwerf team. This mindset has allowed the community to maintain its forward momentum, despite the inevitable bumps along the way.
By being open to new ideas and continuously refining their strategies based on real-time feedback, Burenwerf has built a model that’s both resilient and adaptable. This ability to adjust on the fly has proven to be a crucial factor in keeping the community’s energy goals on track.
Next Steps: Training and Continuous Support for Leaders
Looking ahead, Burenwerf plans to double down on its investment in local leadership. The focus will be on ongoing training and support, ensuring that these leaders have the tools and confidence they need to guide their communities effectively. By doing so, Burenwerf aims to create a blueprint that other energy communities can follow—one that is rooted in grassroots leadership and built on a foundation of adaptability.
The ultimate goal is to empower these leaders to not just follow the energy transition but to lead it, inspiring others and expanding the impact of their initiatives beyond their own communities.
Conclusion: Building Resilient Energy Communities Through Leadership and Adaptability
The lessons from Burenwerf highlight the transformative power of local leaders in driving the energy transition. By fostering an environment that encourages adaptability and resilience, energy communities can navigate obstacles with confidence and continue making strides toward sustainability.
How do you foster energy-sharing in a community where trust is scarce and skepticism runs high? In Our work in Otterbeek highlights the challenges of fostering energy-sharing in a diverse neighborhood. From building trust to addressing cultural sensitivities, we’re diving into what it takes to engage every resident in the energy transition., the journey to build an inclusive energy community revealed some important lessons on patience, cultural sensitivity, and the power of personal connections.
Creating a successful energy-sharing initiative is no small feat, especially in neighborhoods where social cohesion is low, and mistrust is prevalent. In Otterbeek, the challenge was clear: how to engage residents and earn their trust in a project designed to benefit everyone. During a recent reflexive learning session, the Otterbeek team shared their approach and what they’ve learned about community engagement in these tough settings.
The Slow Path to Building Trust
In Otterbeek, trust isn’t given easily. Residents have faced numerous challenges, from economic pressures to language barriers, making them naturally cautious of new initiatives. The project team quickly realized that building trust in this environment wasn’t going to happen overnight.
“Trust takes time, especially in communities where people have experienced broken promises in the past,” one team member noted. To address this, the Otterbeek initiative adopted a hands-on approach, engaging with residents directly through door-to-door conversations. This personal touch helped to break down barriers, one interaction at a time.
Instead of expecting immediate results, the team embraced a long-term perspective, understanding that patience and persistence are key to earning the community’s confidence.
Cultural Sensitivity is Key
Otterbeek is home to a diverse mix of cultures, which means that a one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work. The project team recognized the need for communication strategies that respect and understand these cultural differences.
“When working with such a diverse community, empathy and cultural awareness are essential,” said a project leader. By tailoring their engagement efforts to reflect the unique backgrounds and traditions of the residents, the team aimed to create a sense of belonging and inclusivity.
This approach wasn’t just about speaking the same language—it was about listening and responding to the community’s concerns in a way that felt genuine and respectful. This cultural sensitivity has proven crucial in breaking down walls of skepticism and encouraging more residents to join the conversation.
Next Steps: Personalized Outreach and Community Ambassadors
Looking ahead, the Otterbeek project will continue its personalized outreach efforts, focusing on one-on-one interactions and deepening its understanding of the community’s needs. An exciting development in their strategy involves the use of community ambassadors—local residents who can help bridge cultural gaps and act as trusted liaisons between the project and the neighborhood.
These ambassadors will play a vital role in creating a more supportive environment where all residents feel valued and included. Their unique perspective and local knowledge will help the project connect more effectively with the community, making the energy transition a shared journey.
Conclusion: Trust and Cultural Sensitivity as Pillars of Engagement
The Otterbeek experience has shown that trust and cultural sensitivity are not just desirable—they’re essential for successful community engagement. Building these foundations may take time and effort, but the payoff is worth it: a community that feels empowered, involved, and ready to embrace the energy transition.
By investing in relationships and understanding the diverse needs of residents, we can create a stronger, more inclusive path to a sustainable energy future.
The energy transition is well underway, and projects like those led by Agem Organisation are committed to involving citizens at every step of the process. However, reaching and motivating a wide audience isn’t always easy—especially when technical details dominate the conversation. In a recent reflexive learning session, Agem shared its strategies on making energy projects more inclusive, ensuring that everyone feels welcome and understood.
Breaking Down Technical Jargon
One of the biggest challenges in energy projects is the complex language often used. Terms like “grid stability,” “photovoltaics,” or “energy balancing” might be second nature to experts, but they can be off-putting and confusing to many people. Agem realized that this barrier prevents potential participants from getting involved and contributing to the discussion.
“It’s not enough for only the technical experts to understand what we’re talking about. We need to speak in everyday language that everyone can relate to,” said a representative from Agem. The team has since made it a priority to translate complex information into simple, relatable terms that resonate with everyone, regardless of their technical background.
More Interaction, Less Lecture
Agem took another crucial step towards making its energy initiatives more inclusive by moving away from traditional presentations in favor of interactive workshops and discussion sessions. “We found that people are much more engaged when they can actively participate rather than just listen,” the team reported.
Workshops that encourage participants to share their own ideas and directly interact with experts have brought a new level of energy to the meetings. These interactive formats are proving to be far more effective at engaging a broader range of people and encouraging diverse perspectives in the project.
Looking Ahead: Inclusivity as a Guiding Principle
The learning session inspired Agem to further refine its communication strategies. The goal is clear: to create an open and welcoming environment where both experienced professionals and newcomers can play an active role in discussions about the energy transition.
Agem plans to implement these lessons in future projects, with a focus on reaching out to all community members, whether they have a technical background or not.
Conclusion: Making Energy Accessible for All
The session with Agem highlighted the importance of making energy initiatives accessible to everyone. Embracing inclusive approaches and clear communication are essential to motivating more citizens to take an active role in their communities’ energy futures. Because only when everyone is involved can we build a truly sustainable and successful energy transition.
Let’s shape the future of energy together—by making it understandable and accessible for all.
As part of its mission to accelerate the clean energy transition, the TANDEMS project is leading a community-driven effort to retrofit multifamily buildings in Gabrovo, Bulgaria. Known for its rich heritage and ambitious climate goals, Gabrovo plays a key role in the TANDEMS project, which fosters collaboration between municipalities and energy cooperatives to improve energy efficiency and promote renewable energy adoption.
One of the most pressing challenges Gabrovo faces is the energy inefficiency of its multifamily residential buildings. Many of these structures, built decades ago, are outdated and consume excessive amounts of energy, resulting in high utility costs for residents. The TANDEMS project steps in to address this by providing pathways for residents to take ownership of the energy transition while benefiting from building retrofits that reduce energy waste and lower costs.
Citizen-Led Renovations: The Heart of the Project
In Gabrovo, the TANDEMS project supports retrofitting efforts through citizen-led initiatives. It engages residents of multifamily buildings in decision-making processes related to energy renovations, empowering them to shape the future of their homes by making informed choices about insulation, solar panel installations, and other energy-saving upgrades.
However, retrofitting multifamily buildings in Bulgaria presents unique challenges. During the 1990s, as part of the country’s privatization process, apartments were sold to individuals, but the buildings themselves were not privatized as a whole. This left ownership fragmented, with decisions about building renovations needing consensus from numerous owners, each with different financial capacities and priorities. Despite these obstacles, TANDEMS is making strides in uniting these stakeholders and pushing energy efficiency upgrades forward.
This community-driven approach is essential to the project’s success. By involving residents in the decision-making process, TANDEMS ensures that retrofitting efforts reflect the specific needs of the people who live in these buildings, rather than being imposed from above. This model fosters a sense of ownership and accountability, encouraging residents to maintain improvements and pursue further sustainability initiatives over time.
Financial Models for Accessible Energy Efficiency
One of the main barriers to retrofitting multifamily buildings is the financial burden on individual residents. To make these renovations more accessible, the TANDEMS project in Gabrovo employs an innovative financial model that distributes the costs across multiple stakeholders.
The Municipality of Gabrovo plays a pivotal role by offering administrative support and covering up to 40% of the renovation costs. Homeowners’ associations contribute around 15%, while the remaining funds come from local investors, energy traders, and EU grants. This collaborative financial model ensures that the burden on individual residents remains manageable, making it easier for them to participate in the energy transition.
This approach not only lowers financial barriers but also incentivizes a broad range of stakeholders—from local government to private investors—to get involved in supporting energy efficiency efforts.
Learning from Europe: Best Practices and Knowledge Sharing
Gabrovo is not alone in its quest for more energy-efficient homes. Through the TANDEMS project, the city partners with municipalities and cooperatives across Europe, benefiting from the experiences and best practices of other cities in Austria, Belgium, and the Netherlands. By working closely with partners like Kamp C in Belgium and Agem in the Netherlands, Gabrovo is adopting proven strategies for retrofitting buildings and adapting them to the Bulgarian context.
This cross-border knowledge exchange has been instrumental in overcoming technical, legal, and financial challenges. For example, Gabrovo has drawn inspiration from Dutch energy cooperatives, which focus on creating transparent and citizen-centered energy markets. These successful models show how energy cooperatives can unite residents, local authorities, and investors to drive large-scale energy renovations.
By incorporating these strategies, Gabrovo is creating a sustainable framework for retrofitting that can be replicated in other regions across Bulgaria and beyond.
Reducing Costs, Reducing Emissions
The benefits of retrofitting multifamily buildings extend far beyond lowering energy bills. By improving insulation, upgrading windows, and installing renewable energy sources like solar panels, these renovations significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
This is a key part of Gabrovo’s plan to become a climate-friendly city, contributing to Bulgaria’s national energy efficiency goals and aligning with the European Union’s Green Deal, which aims to reduce Europe’s carbon footprint and promote sustainable development across the continent.
Looking Ahead: A Blueprint for the Future
Gabrovo’s success in retrofitting multifamily buildings through TANDEMS demonstrates the power of community-driven energy projects. By bringing together residents, local authorities, and private investors, the project is creating a replicable model that other cities and regions can follow.
Gabrovo’s approach proves that energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption can be achieved through collaboration, shared ownership, and innovative financial models. The city’s experience will serve as a valuable case study for other municipalities across Bulgaria and Europe that face similar challenges in retrofitting their building stock.
As the TANDEMS project progresses, Gabrovo’s experiences will inspire other communities to pursue their own pathways toward a sustainable future. By fostering community engagement, providing financial support, and creating a replicable framework, TANDEMS is ensuring that no one is left behind in the clean energy transition.
At the heart of the LIFE LOOP project lies a vision for a 100% community-led renewable energy transition. Despite the commendable efforts of citizen energy cooperatives and local authorities, many municipalities face significant challenges in prioritizing clean community energy. These challenges are both internal and external, making it difficult to push forward with such essential initiatives. The LIFE LOOP project aims to break these barriers by raising awareness about the benefits of community energy and equipping municipalities with the capacity to initiate new energy projects, especially in regions where the community approach is undervalued.
Pioneering progress: from pilot sites to replication
LIFE LOOP’s pilot sites are located in Crete, Greece; Zagreb, Croatia; and Bistrița, Romania. These sites serve as testing grounds for the project’s initiatives, which will later be replicated in Sardinia, Italy; Gabrovo, Bulgaria (which is also a pilot site in the TANDEMS project); Tulcea, Romania; and Cyprus.
Strategies for success: building capacity, raising awareness, and fostering collaboration
To achieve its objectives, LIFE LOOP combines EU-wide and local activities that involve municipalities, energy cooperatives, citizens, and other stakeholders. The project focuses on building capacity by providing training and resources to local authorities and citizen groups, empowering them to start and manage energy projects. Raising awareness is another critical component, with targeted campaigns designed to highlight the benefits of community energy and the potential for local sustainable energy initiatives. At the heart of the LIFE LOOP project stands the community energy accreditation scheme. This program is designed to bridge the knowledge gap by offering municipalities online training sessions on community energy topics and by allowing them to self-assess their current community energy support. By participating, municipalities gain access to valuable online resources and a networking platform that facilitates effective partnerships between municipalities, energy communities, and citizen-led initiatives.
Driving change: catalyzing collaboration for implementing local energy and climate plans
By putting people at the heart of the clean energy transition, LIFE LOOP aims to catalyze significant change. Successful community energy projects and the collaboration between citizens and local authorities can increase social acceptance of renewable energy projects, boost local economies by keeping money within the community and creating jobs, and enhance energy resilience through energy efficiency and sustainable practices.
Navigating challenges, embracing opportunities
However, the journey is not without challenges. Regulatory barriers, funding constraints, and limited awareness among citizens and authorities can hinder progress. Yet, these challenges also present opportunities. Successful pilot projects can provide evidence to shape supportive policies, while raising awareness can drive citizen interest and participation in energy projects. Expanding successful models to new regions can amplify the project’s impact.
Key lessons learned: collaboration, communication, and inclusivity
Key lessons from LIFE LOOP highlight the importance of collaboration, tailored communication, and inclusive practices. Strong partnerships between diverse stakeholders are essential for the success of community energy projects. Effective outreach strategies must consider regional contexts and specific audience needs, and gender-just approaches enhance the effectiveness and reach of energy initiatives. Local engagement from the outset ensures greater acceptance and sustainability, although working with municipalities requires patience and hands-on activities that demand minimal time from local authority representatives.
Europe is undergoing a revolution in energy. Energy Communities (ECs) are at the forefront of this change. They are enabling individuals to play a part in the just energy transition. Imagine generating your own clean power with your neighbours. It’s a game-changer. However, attracting new members and keeping them engaged can be a challenge. That’s where TANDEMS Chatbot steps in to take the lead! This nifty little tool shall help managing those curious crowds without breaking a sweat, all while building trust and fostering a positive experience for everyone.
What is the TANDEMS Chatbot
The TANDEMS Chatbot isn’t magic, but it is powered by impressive technology. It uses Large Language Models, or LLMs for short, to understand questions even if you don’t use technical jargon. Think of it as a mind-reader in training – it can figure out the core meaning (the “intent”) and key details (the “parameters”) of your question. Armed with this understanding, it then taps into its vast knowledge vault of FAQs, reports, and other, sometimes open, sometimes neatly curated resources to provide the most helpful answer for newcomers to Energy Communities, but also to people that have some expert questions. In case the Chatbot is unable to answer or unsure of providing the correct answer or whenever the continuation of a conversation is in need of personal information, it will direct you to the real, human experts in your region.
Tandems chatbot replying to questions on Energy Communities.
Two ways the TANDEMS Chatbot makes life easier for Energy Communities:
Always on duty, never needs a coffee break: Think of TANDEMS Chatbot as your EC’s personal greeter. It can answer basic questions, explain things in a super clear way, and even make the onboarding process a breeze. Unlike its average human pal, the TANDEMS Chatbot is a night owl and an early bird all rolled into one. Newcomers can get their questions answered anytime, anywhere, no matter what time zone they’re in. And – you may ask questions in the language you prefer – the TANDEMS chatbot is multilingual.
Instant “Aha!” moments and picking up where you left off: Whether you’re wondering about the cost savings or the technical nitty-gritty of solar panels, the TANDEMS chatbot is here to shed light on it with brief explanations. It can also adapt to your customers’ knowledge level, providing simple explanations for more basic questions. It is also a tool to educate the public about the opportunities and responsibilities of those who want to set up their own or become a member of an existing energy community. In the end it is like having a personal energy guru at your fingertips!
Tandems chatbot replying to questions on Energy Communities.
A Sneak Peek at TANDEMS Chatbot in Action:
Right now, the bot located on the TANDEMS website relies on information openly accessible on the internet, on a well-curated document about Energy communities (including trusted links provided by the European Commission and aligned projects) and based on a TANDEMS-based knowledge source also including information on selected TANDEMS pilot sites. All information are based on the elaborations of the Austrian communication and dissemination partner OIKOPLUS and the Flamish energy cooperative ZuidtrAnt. You will receive the most reliable answers about Energy communities and a just energy transition, about becoming a Prosumer and about the types of energy installations. Give it a try!
For its 4th consortium meeting, the partnership gathered in Austria’s capital and delved into the Austrian ways of energy sharing.
Often, since the LIFE project kicked off in 2022, the members of the TANDEMs consortium have gathered in front of their webcams. The partnership has also met four times in real life to discuss ways and strategies for collaboration between citizen-led initiatives and city administrations in the establishment and operation of renewable energy communities. Halfway through the project, the consortium met mid-April for its latest physical meeting.
The meeting was held in Living Community Gleis21 (Image: Oikoplus).
Although the TANDEMs pilot sites are located in Belgium, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands, the Austrian capital was chosen as the meeting place. For good reason: Austria’s path to decentralized energy supply offers exciting examples of good practice that the consortium wanted to take a closer look at.
A field visit therefore took the multinational traveling group to St. Pölten, the provincial capital of Lower Austria, just outside Vienna, for an afternoon. There, David Obergruber and Carina Wenda from the city’s Climate Coordination Office (Klimakoordinationsstelle) gave an insight into their work in setting up two municipal energy communities, which should also allow private households to join shortly. Many thanks to the city of St. Pölten at this point. A short walk through the city center then led to the Klangturm in the government district of the provincial capital. There, Dr Herbert Geisberger, Managing Director of the Energy and Environment Agency of Lower Austria (eNu), gave a highly interesting insight into the administrative and economic framework conditions for the operation of energy communities in Austria. He was able to answer numerous questions from the TANDEMs partners about the intricacies of the Austrian energy market and the boom in energy communities in Austria. He emphasized that one of the key elements of energy communities is that they do not just offer an economic model of energy sharing. Still, much more: real communities are created at a local level, with many social aspects. These are just as important for the success of energy sharing as the favorable purchase of energy, he said.
Dr. Herbert Greisberger, Managing Director of Energy- und Umweltagentur NÖ (eNu) gave a stand-up presentation on top of Klangturm (Image: Oikoplus).
The TANDEMs partners were able to deepen their impressions and learnings from the field visit the following day at an inspirational breakfast in an informal atmosphere. Michaela Kaineder from the Nobilegroup, a company that offers technical solutions for the operation of energy communities, and Mika Hasselbring from Urban Innovation Vienna, were able to offer further exciting insights into the implementation of energy-sharing constructions in Austria.
The different framework conditions in various European countries were also recognized. The members of the TANDEMs consortium had the opportunity to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of different legislative regulations. These impressions were important because, not least, the TANDEMs project is also about developing concrete policy recommendations based on examples of good practice from Europe. The meeting in Vienna hopefully provided valuable input for this.
Status updates on every work package were discussed (Image: Oikoplus).
And even though the weather was extremely changeable – typical of April – the friendly working atmosphere certainly helped to ensure that the consortium’s collaboration in the second half of the project continued to be positive and inspiring, not only in terms of content but also on a personal level.
In a public Inspirational Breakfast, Michael Kaineder (Nobile Group), and Mika Hasselbring (Urban Innovation Vienna) shared insight about the Austrian energy sharing models.
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