Together, we are building stable Energy Communities

A stable energy community consists of participants (businesses and households) that collaborate locally to share energy. They maintain control over the local energy supply (demand and production) by owning and managing the system (Digital Twin, DT), which regulates the underlying systems (Energy Management Systems, EMS). The community aims for maximum local sustainable energy generation and minimal reliance on the grid operated by network providers. It functions as a (smart) decentralized network with a high degree of independence from the regional and national energy grid.

First and foremost, affordable energy, followed by accessible and reliable energy supply. The community reduces congestion, freeing up more local grid capacity. Additionally, it enhances supply security by balancing local energy demand and generation. Because energy demand is primarily met locally, external disruptions (such as congestion or power failures) have little to no impact on the continuity of the energy supply.

By first simulating different scenarios virtually, unnecessary investments can be avoided. Through simulations using participants’ actual data, a reliable insight is gained into investment needs and the impact of measures at both the business and regional levels. During operations and maintenance, DT technology helps achieve at least 25% more efficiency (lower costs).

The core principle of the community is that locally generated energy should be used locally—”behind the meter,” or behind the virtual connection point. This connection point serves as a backup for external energy supply when local production is insufficient. By managing this flexibly, energy costs remain low. Additionally, by utilizing storage at both the business and regional levels, supply security and availability are safeguarded. Surplus energy (energy that cannot be used immediately) can be converted into heat or hydrogen, depending on the community’s needs.

Sharing energy ensures that no energy is wasted, allowing citizens and businesses to actively contribute to the energy transition. The transport sector, in particular, will require significantly more electricity as trucks shift from fossil fuels to electric power—potentially increasing consumption by a factor of ten. Most companies will need to expand their contracted transport capacity from 1-2 MW, leading to significant costs for network operators (grid reinforcements). By optimizing the network within the community, investments in grid expansion can be reduced by up to 40%. This allows businesses to achieve their sustainability goals much faster by preventing or significantly reducing grid congestion.