New Digital Tools to Transform Renewable Energy Communities Across Europe
A new European project is set to transform the way citizens, businesses, and local authorities produce, consume, and share renewable energy. The Innovative Transactive Renewable Energy Communities (INNO-TREC) initiative will develop a new generation of free, web-based digital tools designed to support the entire lifecycle of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), from creation and system design to daily management, monitoring, and performance optimization.
Renewable Energy Communities are collectives that unite to generate and share 100% renewable energy, typically through shared photovoltaic installations. These communities are central to Europe’s ambitions for a cleaner, more democratic, and sustainable energy system. However, despite their potential, many face significant barriers, including complex legal processes, technical challenges, high costs, and a lack of reliable tools for implementation and operation.
INNO-TREC aims to overcome these obstacles by validating innovative community models and introducing new mechanisms for energy transactions and valuation tailored to local realities. The project will also foster community spirit, encouraging greater participation, autonomy, and profitability within RECs.
“This project represents a unique opportunity to make a qualitative leap in citizens’ access to renewable energy and in how communities organise around it,” said João Catalão, Project Manager and Professor at the Faculty of Engineering of the University of Porto. “By creating intuitive, accessible tools, we are laying the foundations for more efficient, inclusive, and sustainable energy communities that directly contribute to Europe’s carbon neutrality goals,” Catalão added.
With a consortium of 20 academic and industrial partners, INNO-TREC will be piloted in six countries: Greece, Belgium, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Portugal. The project officially launches in January 2026 and runs until June 2029. INNO-TREC is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe program (grant agreement 101230578).
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