Multidisciplinary approaches and tools for enabling energy communities

The global energy transition is driven by the necessity to address climate change and promote sustainable development. The pivotal role of energy in sustaining modern societies and powering global economies is undergoing a transformation, with mounting pressure to reduce dependence on fossil fuels, which are responsible for considerable climate-altering emissions. In response to this challenge, a number of international initiatives have been put forth, including the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and several non-binding Climate Agreements. These international agreements have urged states to commit to reducing emissions, increasing the use of renewable energy sources, and adopting cleaner and more efficient technologies. In this global context, the European Union has assumed a pioneering role, proposing ambitious strategies and policies such as the European Green Deal, an action plan that aims to make the EU climate neutral by 2050. The initiatives aimed at achieving this ambitious goal are founded upon principles of equity and sustainability. At the core of these initiatives are Energy Communities, which represent an emerging model of energy production and management that enables citizens, businesses and local authorities to engage actively in resource management. Energy Communities have the potential to play a pivotal role in the decentralised management of the energy system and serve as catalyst initiatives for the direct and active involvement of local communities in the energy transition, thereby creating new opportunities for sustainable development.