Spyros-Nikitas Tsamichas at EFSYN “Energy Communities for Energy Poverty”

With energy prices soaring, the issue of energy poverty is becoming central to modern societies. However, given the developments in the business fronts with the expansion of many groups internationally, the question is how to ensure the goal of real energy democracy. Against this backdrop, it is obvious that energy communities can offer an effective solution to alleviate energy poverty, in the context of sustainable development, incorporating a collaborative model that allows, at the sub-national level, local communities to produce, consume and manage their own energy, according to their preferences. These communities, in which local government, small and medium-sized enterprises, individual citizens, and even vulnerable households can participate, promote energy independence and empower local communities to make decisions about the energy they use. These mechanisms of decentralization and democratization of energy allow local communities to gain access to green energy at an affordable price, combating energy insecurity. In particular, for vulnerable and low-income households, energy communities can offer access to renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic systems. This access not only reduces energy costs but also offers an economically viable future, reducing dependence on price fluctuations in the global energy market. Examples from abroad, such as the Watt Solidaire program in France, show how surplus energy from photovoltaic systems can be distributed to families in need, helping communities to create a network of solidarity, enhancing their resilience.

Greece is estimated to have the second-largest share of photovoltaics in the EU. (2019-2024), with a capacity of 8.93 GW, exceeding the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) target for 2025, while this development led to savings of €3.1 billion from reduced gas imports. At the same time, the path for energy communities was broadened by Law 5037/2023, which incorporated two European directives, introducing renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities. The new regulations limit the traditional net metering in self-generation projects and introduce net billing, where the offset is based on the value of the energy produced and consumed, ensuring a fairer distribution of energy resources. It should be noted that Electra Energy, based in Athens since 2016, aims to facilitate the understanding of the above regulations and promote the transition to a democratic, sustainable, and participatory energy community system. As of 2024, 1,742 active energy communities had been created. 1,685 of these are under Law 4513/2018, while 40 Renewable Energy Communities (REC) and 17 Citizen Energy Communities (CEC) were established based on the new institutional framework (Law 5037/2023). Indicatively, the energy community “Yperion,” with 128 members, constructed a 500 kW photovoltaic plant in Stymfalia. Nevertheless, energy communities in Greece face serious problems due to the resistance of some energy providers to issue clearing bills, with the result that their members cannot benefit from virtual energy netting. Providers cite gaps in the regulatory framework, mainly in the area of networks and energy netting management.

With energy prices soaring, the issue of energy poverty is becoming central to modern societies. However, given the developments in the business fronts with the expansion of many groups internationally, the question is how to ensure the goal of real energy democracy. Against this backdrop, it is obvious that energy communities can offer an effective solution to alleviate energy poverty, in the context of sustainable development, incorporating a collaborative model that allows, at the sub-national level, local communities to produce, consume and manage their own energy, according to their preferences. These communities, in which local government, small and medium-sized enterprises, individual citizens, and even vulnerable households can participate, promote energy independence and empower local communities to make decisions about the energy they use. These mechanisms of decentralization and democratization of energy allow local communities to gain access to green energy at an affordable price, combating energy insecurity. In particular, for vulnerable and low-income households, energy communities can offer access to renewable energy sources, such as photovoltaic systems. This access not only reduces energy costs but also offers an economically viable future, reducing dependence on price fluctuations in the global energy market. Examples from abroad, such as the Watt Solidaire program in France, show how surplus energy from photovoltaic systems can be distributed to families in need, helping communities to create a network of solidarity, enhancing their resilience.

Greece is estimated to have the second-largest share of photovoltaics in the EU. (2019-2024), with a capacity of 8.93 GW, exceeding the National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) target for 2025, while this development led to savings of €3.1 billion from reduced gas imports. At the same time, the path for energy communities was broadened by Law 5037/2023, which incorporated two European directives, introducing renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities. The new regulations limit the traditional net metering in self-generation projects and introduce net billing, where the offset is based on the value of the energy produced and consumed, ensuring a fairer distribution of energy resources. It should be noted that Electra Energy, based in Athens since 2016, aims to facilitate the understanding of the above regulations and promote the transition to a democratic, sustainable, and participatory energy community system. As of 2024, 1,742 active energy communities had been created. 1,685 of these are under Law 4513/2018, while 40 Renewable Energy Communities (REC) and 17 Citizen Energy Communities (CEC) were established based on the new institutional framework (Law 5037/2023). Indicatively, the energy community “Yperion,” with 128 members, constructed a 500 kW photovoltaic plant in Stymfalia. Nevertheless, energy communities in Greece face serious problems due to the resistance of some energy providers to issue clearing bills, with the result that their members cannot benefit from virtual energy netting. Providers cite gaps in the regulatory framework, mainly in the area of networks and energy netting management.

The solution

Energy communities can offer an effective solution to alleviate energy poverty, in the context of sustainable development, incorporating a collaborative model that allows, at the sub-national level, local communities to produce, consume and manage their own energy.

Solving the problem requires immediate action by the Regulatory Authority for Energy (RAE) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy. Clear regulations are proposed that will oblige providers to implement virtual energy netting, while supervision and transparency in the sector will be enhanced. In this way, energy communities will be able to fully utilize their investments in green energy.

Solution for green roofs for smart cities

Bio-photovoltaic systems, or Biosolar systems, are an innovative approach in the field of green infrastructure that combines the integration of green roofs and photovoltaic systems. This practice has already been successfully implemented in countries such as Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, where photovoltaics are placed on green roofs, which in turn create a microclimate that improves the performance of the panels. The green element of the roof cools the environment, maintaining the temperature around 25∘C, the ideal temperature for maximum solar panel efficiency. In Greece, energy communities could follow this example, utilizing bio-photovoltaic systems to create a form of “smart” green infrastructure in urban centers, for the benefit of less privileged areas. The application of green roofs with solar panels on buildings and residences could offer energy autonomy, while simultaneously enhancing urban sustainability, creating green spaces that support biodiversity and absorb carbon dioxide. In this way, households not only reduce their energy costs but also contribute to the reduction of environmental burden.

Greek representation

In this context, the proposal of Spyros-Nikitas Tsamichas, a lawyer specializing in smart cities and co-founder of Energon Green Solutions, who was selected as a delegate to the European Youth Energy Forum 2024 in Budapest, is interesting. With his team, he presented the proposal “Framework for University-Powered Energy Communities” (UPEC), which aims to address energy poverty in Europe through the cooperation of universities and local communities, providing sustainable energy solutions, mainly to vulnerable households. The framework was successfully presented at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Azerbaijan. “The creation of energy communities in combination with university resources is a necessary step for the energy independence and sustainable development of our cities. The integration of technologically advanced and inclusive practices offers an economically viable, environmentally beneficial, and socially just solution, paving the way for a future where energy will be accessible to all,” explains Spyros-Nikitas Tsamichas. Through the UPEC initiative, students from various European universities have the opportunity to actively participate in the effort to address energy poverty, receiving practical training in real energy projects, applying in practice the knowledge they acquired during their studies. The participation of students in the development of energy communities and green systems, such as bio-photovoltaics, not only contributes to the improvement of living conditions for vulnerable groups but also shapes a new generation of professionals, sensitive to energy and environmental issues.