One-stop shops for energy communities: Mapping service design attributes, synergies, and challenges

By Julianna PUETT, Irene PEREZ BELTRAN, Amelie CLEMOT, Vincent GUILLEE, Katya DIAZ SALCEDO

Abstract

This report explores the role and service design of Energy Communities One-Stop-Shops (EC OSSs) within the European Union. The focus is on how these OSSs facilitate energy communities’ establishment, operation, and growth through centralized, tailored services. The paper proposes the creation of a typology for OSS operational models—advice, support, and implementation—to act as a basis for further analysis of the effectiveness of the service design. The research methodology includes semi-structured interviews with stakeholders involved in OSS projects for energy communities and a desk review of relevant literature. The research identifies synergies between OSSs for energy communities and renovation services.

Furthermore, it highlights critical challenges for OSSs for energy communities, mainly due to a lack of consistent legislative and financial support and overlapping functions that lead to inefficiencies. Lastly, the paper proposes policy recommendations for how the EU can help support energy community OSSs and how the OSSs themselves can learn from one another. These recommendations include facilitating national OSSs for energy communities mapping, harmonizing key definitions, supporting energy poverty initiatives, and cooperation between various OSS entities (i.e., renovation).