Enablers
Building an Energy Agency in Modena (Bologna), Emilia- Romagna Region, Italy
AESS is a legally recognised non-profit association working on sustainable energy development at territorial level. Founded in 1999 with EU SAVE II support, it acts as in-house technical body for approximately 180 municipalities. It is located in Emilia-Romagna Region (headquarters in Modena), and conducts activities also in Apulia and Lazio Regions. AESS supports local governments in drafting and monitoring SECAPs, develops climate strategies and provides technical assistance on PPP, EPC and public investments. Stakeholders include municipalities, regions, EU institutions, citizens, utilities and private operators. For example, AESS supports its associates in building financially sustainable transition steps using EU funds, regional funds (FESR, etc), national programmes (PNRR, etc), technical assistance facilities (ELENA, EEEF, EUCF). The thematic areas are energy transition, climate action, energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy communities.
Set Up an Energy Community in the Alto Vicentino Area, Veneto Region, Italy, with Diversified Funding Sources
The Energy Community (or Comunitΰ Energetica Rinnovabile – CER in Italian) has seen the initial engagement of 16 municipalities during its set-up activities. The aim was to create an energy community as a platform of opportunities for an area of around 100.000 inhabitants. in the Alto Vicentino area, with headquarter in Thiene (Vicenza Province). The current CER sees the participation of municipalities, citizens and SMEs across a multimunicipality scale. The project saw the active involvement and guidance by members of the technical team of the Energy and Sustainable Development Agency (i.e. Agenzia per l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Sostenibile – AESS), based in Modena, Italy.
Energy Community in the Valsamoggia Energy Community (Bologna), Emilia-Romagna Region, Italy
CER Valsamoggia is a Renewable Energy Community (REC) established in 2024 in the municipality of Valsamoggia (Emilia-Romagna). The community is organised as a cooperative and is composed exclusively of citizens and SMEs, with no participation of the municipality as a member. At start-up, the CER counted 80 members. The initiative aims to promote local renewable energy production (photovoltaic system) and energy sharing at municipal scale. The REC is now supported by the technical team of the Energy and Sustainable Development Agency (i.e. Agenzia per l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Sostenibile – AESS), among the Citizen Led Renovation (CLR3) initiative, to set up buying clubs for building energy retrofit.
BAOBAP: Coordination and Support to 50 OSS for Public Building Renovation for Small and Medium Sized Municipalities
BAOBAP’s ambition is to accelerate the renovation rate and improve the energy saving gains of public building renovations in small and mid-size municipalities through the deployment of multiple regional units of BAOBAP’s renovation support service. BAOBAP mobilises the existing network of support services established in Auvergne-Rhτne-Alpes and Occitanie in order to develop local units of support services and regional renovation support packages. Thanks to the deployment of BAOBAP, 50 support services have been improved, 390 buildings will be renovated and consequently 23.4 GWh/year of final energy savings will be generated, 6,240 tCO2eq/year will not be emitted, and €168 million has been invested over the course of the project.
AURA-EE – A Regional Energy Agency Supporting Local Authorities: From Vision to Implementation
Auvergne-Rhτne-Alpes Ιnergie Environnement (AURA-EE) is one of the first regional energy agencies created in Europe, established nearly 48 years ago to support local authorities in addressing energy challenges. Initially focused on energy efficiency and renewable energy, the agency has continuously evolved alongside public policies and territorial needs. Today, AURA-EE operates as a regional energy and climate agency, supporting territories in a comprehensive approach that combines mitigation, adaptation, resilience and sustainable development.
A Story about ENERGAP: 20 years of Energy and Climate Agency of Podravje
ENERGAP was founded with a clear mission: to transform energy challenges — sustainability, energy efficiency, decarbonisation, and the deployment of renewable energy sources — into concrete development opportunities. Our journey began as the Energy Agency of Podravje, working closely with municipalities, public institutions, and regional partners to improve energy efficiency, promote renewable energy, and translate strategic goals into tangible actions. From the very beginning, our focus has been on development and implementation. We understand how ideas evolve into well-structured projects, how projects become investments, and how investments generate long-term value. This practical, hands-on approach has shaped ENERGAP into a reliable partner for public authorities and organisations across Europe. isations across Europe.
OÖ Energiesparverband (ESV) One-Stop Shops: From Idea to Implementation
OÖ Energiesparverband operates 3 One Stop Shops (OSS) that provide comprehensive support for key aspects of the energy transition in Upper Austria. They focus on building renovation, energy communities, and energy performance contracting (EPC). These One Stop Shops are designed to simplify complex processes and offer coordinated, practical assistance from a single point of contact.
OÖ Energiesparverband (ESV): Shaping the Energy Transition in Upper Austria
The Energiesparverband (ESV) is the regional energy agency of Upper Austria, founded in 1991 by the regional government. ESV has a key role in achieving the region's success in energy decarbonisation and climate neutrality: It drives the energy transition with comprehensive activities on energy efficiency, renewable energy, e-mobility and innovative energy technologies by working with the entire range of stakeholders. With a broad portfolio of information, training and funding programmes, the agency serves households, companies (SMEs and industry) and municipalities. For example, over 10,000 face-toface energy advice sessions are held and over 70 information events (training courses, conferences etc.) for businesses across the energy transition value chain and public bodies are organised annually (2,000+ participants). ESV manages the Cleantech-Cluster Energy, a network of over 150 companies active in sustainable energy.
OÖ Energiesparverband (ESV): Empowering Energy Communities in Upper Austria
The Renewable Energy Directive 2018 introduced a new concept: Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), where citizens, SMEs and public bodies are allowed to produce, consume, store, sell and share renewable energy in local proximity without an electricity retailer. Austria was among the first Member States to fully transpose the relevant articles of the Directive, enabling the establishment of RECs in 2021. In Austria, RECs benefit from reduced grid fees for electricity shared between the members. They have to form a legal entity, in most cases this is an association (which is very easy to set up). There are no bureaucratic requirements (other than the interaction with the DSO) for starting and running a REC. Many of the Energy Communities are developed and managed by volunteers.
Creation of Local Solar Energy Communities on Municipal Buildings in Valladolid
The City Council of Valladolid has granted a concession to install solar panels on municipal rooftops and create local energy communities. These cooperatives will provide shared solar selfconsumption to households within 2,000 meters, benefiting around 390 families. The initiative supports the city’s energy transition, prioritises lower-income households, and offers free energy advisory services. Through the concession model, the awarded company covers all investment and maintenance costs in exchange for the use of municipal rooftops. The City Council receives compensation in kind, amounting to about 10.35% of the energy generated. The concession lasts 15 years, with the option of two additional five-year extensions.
City-led Support for Renewable Energy and Energy Sharing in Prague
Prague Renewable Energy Community (PSOE) was an initiative founded by the City of Prague in 2021 to accelerate the development of renewable energy and make clean electricity more accessible for both municipal organisations and citizens. PSOE provided comprehensive support for the preparation, implementation, and long-term operation of renewable energy projects, especially photovoltaic systems installed on public and private buildings. PSOE ensured the full project cycle, from technical and financial planning to construction and operation, including the supply and sharing of locally produced electricity through the distribution network. In addition, PSOE helped deliver energy-saving projects on city buildings, including RES installations, EPC schemes, and other efficiency measures. It assisted members with the preparation of high-quality documentation such as feasibility studies and grant applications, while reducing transaction costs and administrative burdens.
Regional One Stop Shop Models for Deep Home Retrofits with National Scaling
SuperHomes is a one-stop shop approach supporting homeowners through the end-to-end retrofit journey: assessment, technical design, contractor appointment, grant application support and quality assurance. SuperHomes 2030 (EU H2020, 36 months from June 2020) aimed to scale deliveries via four regional one-stop shops engaging 80 high-performance contractors, with improved technical systems, open data platforms and finance solutions.
Building an Energy Agency in Ireland as Not-for-Profit Social Enterprise
Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA) was established in March 1998 as a partnership between local authorities and a third level institute, TEA provides building and renewable energy services including feasibility, detailed design, public procurement, tendering, project management and grant coordination. Delivery partners include local authorities, public bodies, communities, SMEs and European project consortia. Estimated cumulative impacts including 35 million kWh saved and 12,594 tonnes CO2 reduced across its project portfolio. The funding sources used are: service revenue (engineering, advisory, education), support from national and European grants, as well as collaboration with local authorities. This leads to a diversified income model.
Capacity building for cities and regions | PROSPECT+