Energy self-sufficiency in energy communities: expectations, feasibility and obstacles

Energy communities (ECs) offer citizens the opportunity to play an active role in the energy transition. Despite their success, they have so far been largely limited to photovoltaics and simple billing models, meaning that the actual level of self-sufficiency remains low. The exploratory project ‘Autarkity’ investigates how the desire for greater independence (‘self-sufficiency’) within ECs can be achieved from both a technical and economic perspective.

The aim is to assess the potential of various technologies (e.g. seasonal heat storage, sector coupling, building component activation) for increasing the degree of self-sufficiency and to compare this with users’ willingness to pay. This will help determine whether ECs with a high degree of self-sufficiency are feasible in the future and socially desirable.

In addition to technical and economic feasibility, legal, social and environmental framework conditions are analysed. Stakeholders and the business sector are involved through a need-owner inclusion process.

Autarkity contributes to the goals of the energy transition by promoting energy security, sector coupling and the sustainable use of renewable resources, whilst simultaneously strengthening participation, equality and regional value creation