Types of energy communities
There are three different models in Austria which allow you to use energy coming from one or more power generation plants. Below you can find an overview and the different types of energy communities compared.
There are three different models in Austria which allow you to use energy coming from one or more power generation plants. Below you can find an overview and the different types of energy communities compared.
The different energy communities in comparison
Regardless of the type of energy community, what they all have in common is that they decentralise the energy supply and enable self-generated electricity to be used jointly at prices that are set by the community. But there are also differences - here is an overview:
The different energy communities in comparison
Regardless of the type of energy community, what they all have in common is that they decentralise the energy supply and enable self-generated electricity to be used jointly at prices that are set by the community. But there are also differences - here is an overview:
Starting Points
Before starting the founding process, you should address the following questions:
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Who will participate, and where are the participants located?
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Are there existing generation facilities to include in the community, or are joint investments planned?
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Do all potential participants have smart meters installed?
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Do the generation and consumption patterns of the participants align?
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Do all participants have access to their network operator’s customer portal? To speed up the process after founding the energy community, we recommend that all participants set up access to their network operator’s customer portal from the beginning. Note that the network operator is not the electricity supplier!
Next you need to determine the type of the energy community: In Austria, there are four different types of energy communities. When deciding which type to set up, consider the following criteria:
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Location of Participants: GEAs and local and regional EEGs are geographically limited, meaning only participants from a specific area can join.
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Desired Savings on Network Costs: Depending on the type of energy community, you may be able to reduce network costs. For an overview, check here.
Additionally, consider the following points:
Electricity Pricing: How should the electricity price be structured?
Distribution Method: Will the electricity be distributed statically or dynamically within the community?
​
Choose the type of the energy community
Starting Points
Before starting the founding process, you should address the following questions:
-
Who will participate, and where are the participants located?
-
Are there existing generation facilities to include in the community, or are joint investments planned?
-
Do all potential participants have smart meters installed?
-
Do the generation and consumption patterns of the participants align?
-
Do all participants have access to their network operator’s customer portal? To speed up the process after founding the energy community, we recommend that all participants set up access to their network operator’s customer portal from the beginning. Note that the network operator is not the electricity supplier!
Next you need to determine the type of the energy community: In Austria, there are four different types of energy communities. When deciding which type to set up, consider the following criteria:
-
Location of Participants: GEAs and local and regional EEGs are geographically limited, meaning only participants from a specific area can join.
-
Desired Savings on Network Costs: Depending on the type of energy community, you may be able to reduce network costs. For an overview, check here.
Additionally, consider the following points:
Electricity Pricing: How should the electricity price be structured?
Distribution Method: Will the electricity be distributed statically or dynamically within the community?
​
Choose the type of the energy community
Before starting the founding process, you should address the following questions:
-
Who will participate, and where are the participants located?
-
Are there existing generation facilities to include in the community, or are joint investments planned?
-
Do all potential participants have smart meters installed?
-
Do the generation and consumption patterns of the participants align?
-
Do all participants have access to their network operator’s customer portal? To speed up the process after founding the energy community, we recommend that all participants set up access to their network operator’s customer portal from the beginning. Note that the network operator is not the electricity supplier!
Choose the type of the energy community
Starting Points
Before starting the founding process, you should address the following questions:
-
Who will participate, and where are the participants located?
-
Are there existing generation facilities to include in the community, or are joint investments planned?
-
Do all potential participants have smart meters installed?
-
Do the generation and consumption patterns of the participants align?
-
Do all participants have access to their network operator’s customer portal? To speed up the process after founding the energy community, we recommend that all participants set up access to their network operator’s customer portal from the beginning. Note that the network operator is not the electricity supplier!