Energy Communities, pathway for the citizens leading a decentralised transition to energy democracy

The aim of this session is to present new roles and pathways that energy communities are currently developing around Europe. The goal is to uncover how, in light of the new definitions in European regulations, energy communities can be used to harness these technologies in a socially innovative way that provides local communities with control, ownership, means to address social needs such as energy poverty, and promotes democratic governance.

In particular, we will discuss the translation of the cooperative model into the new renewable-based decentralized energy system, and what it means for the development of energy communities around Europe. We will also focus on the role of aggregators and the new services that emerge from flexibility to empower citizens and create new business models. This session will take the form of a panel session animated by Pr. Leonardo Meeus of the Vlerick Business School.

Speakers:

• Anna Colucci – Head of the Retail markets, Coal and Oil Unit European Commission – DG Energy
• Fabian Pause – Legal expert SUER / BestRES Project
• Ine Swennen –  Project Manager Ecopower cvba
• Josh ROBERTS – Advocacy Officer REScoop.eu
• Leonardo MEEUS – Associate Professor of Energy Markets Vlerick Business School
• Katrin SCHWEREN – Head of Public Affairs Swisscom Energy Solutions/Tiko
• Theresa GRIFFIN – Member of the European Parliament European Parliament
• Gerard MCGOVERN – Project Coordinator COAST Centre for Environment and Sustainability Research – University of Oldenburg
• Dirk VANSINTJAN – President of the Board REScoop.eu