France
In 2023, around 200 pioneer energy communities already exist in France.
The Nouvelle-Aquitaine region is the largest administrative region in France, covering the west and
southwest of the mainland. So far, less citizens' initiatives have been set up than in other major
regions of the country.
Alec’s contribution in the project is part of a territorial approach to the deployment of Energy
Communities. A group of exchanges representative of the local EC ecosystem is collecting feedback
and needs for the different types of actors.
• The Region is involved in the local network that Alec intends to develop around the project with
other key stakeholders.
• Cirena is a non-profit organisation that offers methodological support to project holders regarding
the creation and prosperity of EC, on Nouvelle Aquitaine region. Cirena is part of the national
network of citizen initiatives.
• Solévent is an existing energy community that will serve as a testing arena for the technologies
developed in the project.
Actors
ALEC – https://www.alec-mb33.fr/ – ALEC is a territorial engineering agency (Non-Profit Organisation) supporting public and private actors in their energy transition processes. It promotes the reduction of GHG emissions through energy efficiency and the development of renewable energies. Its expertise is based on 4 fields of action: energy balance and planning / projects support /
networking / communicating and raising awareness.
Linked activities:
– assisting project owners in improving projects and practices and providing an operational support.
– Identifying potential renewable energy sources and identifying those that deserve priority support.
– Drawing up opportunity reports: a comprehensive, "multi-energy" technical and economic analysis.
– Promoting the development of a local, sustainable and efficient renewable energy sectors (technical, economic and environmental analysis).
– raising awareness: working groups and thematic breakfasts, technical visits and good practices
Main target entities: local authorities, condominium, social housing companies, SMEs.
Site
Solévent is a citizen initiative created in 2018, with 250 people involved, 420 MWh produced per year
and 435k€ of investment. For the moment, they are only working on photovoltaic solar energy.
Solévent is an SAS (simplified joint stock company) with variable capital and cooperative operations.
Citizens, local authorities, companies, and associations can take part in the capital.
A part-time employee has been working for the EC since November 2020. He is responsible for
project development, community organisation and communication.
Relevance on Energy Communities’ framework
Alec’s contribution is part of a territorial approach to the deployment of Energy Communities. Alec will gather a group of exchanges representative of the local EC ecosystem in order to collect feedback and needs for each type of actor. This collective will then serve in the test phase to verify the adequacy of the platform with their prior requirements.
In order not to lose the local dynamics that will be established on the territory, this group will meet regularly to be kept informed of the project’s progress. This will also allow for agile management of the platform’s development.
A good number of producers reinjecting into the network already exist. They will be solicited for the test phase of the platform. They will be able to provide production data to Alec. Future producers of this type will be able to test the platform’s interface.
This type of actor already exists on the territory (e.g. Enercoop). Their contribution to the collective will provide consistent expertise and data. Smaller solutions (e.g. centrales villageoises) will also be addressed.
Again, there are already different models in the territory. After being identified, it will be possible to propose to each of the typologies to test the platform in relation to their expressed needs.
Centrales villageoises allow priority distribution of production to the nearest consumers with an environmental approach.
Energy efficiency is a priority in the development approach of the EC.
Non existent
None
6 PV (27kWp) systems in demo households, and up to 30 PV systems across the municipality being installed. Solar thermal system is considered by municipality to reduce DHW expenses. A wind farm of about 50MW already planned and will be soon installed in the municipality and possible interconnection with the municipal smart- grid will be investigated.
Internally managed by the DSO municipal grid. There are different tariffs with variable pricing for electrical energy provision depending on the time of use and wholesale market indexes.
The typical aim of the energy community is the cooperation to:
– reduce the dependence on the utility grid
– minimize the energy bill enhancement of the self-consumption
– trade the overproduction of the energy with others
There are the electricity meters for each household deployed by the energy supply company.
The main characteristics of the Berchidda residential power grid are presented as follow:
- 17 MV/LV substations, which are equipped with transformers of varying power between 100 kVA and 500 kVA, for a total power installed of about 5000 kVA
- 4 km of MV underground cables, 3.2 km for the meshed network and 0.8 km for the radial network
- 15.4 km of LV aerial cables
- 21.6 km of LV underground cables
Energy Efficiency and Demand Response services are already being deployed to control mainly heat pumps; other services under developmen
EV charging points (public and residential) will be deployed soon, offered through the prepaid energy service and introducing recharging payment tools.
Installation of energy storage units (approx. 80kWh) planned, both community owned and private ones.
Individual AC split systems installed and utilized for heating/cooling purposes in the residential households across the municipality. Biomass-fed heating systems are also used.
| Current situation | MASTERPIECE achievements |
|---|---|
|
Network of RE Cooperatives with more than 30 producers including private households and public institutions on ENERCOOP Cirena association as an instrument to increase energy literacy, raise awareness and help with behavioural change. Solevent as a nascent Energy Community. |
Energy Community Formed - Behavioural change encouragement - Energy literacy tools established - Tools for self-consumption - Integration of simulated P2P marketplaces for energy purchasing.
|
Multidisciplinary Approaches and Software Technologies for Engagement, Recruitment and Participation in Innovative Energy Communities in Europe
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research and Innovation under grant agreement no 101096836.
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