Section: General | DISCOVER the PROJECT - SPECIFIC GUIDEBOOK in Italy with AGENA

Hello AGENA. You are the Italian partner of DISCOVER. Now the project is about to release the Specific Guidebook, the localized version of the General Guidebook. Did you meet any hurdles when going from the General to the Specific Guidebook? In general, what kind of difficulties did you encounter preparing this tool? and why?

Hi AISFOR, we're thrilled to share with you this significant milestone for the DISCOVER project: the launch of our specific guidebook aimed at fostering the development of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) in the Province of Teramo, Italy. This is a crucial output, especially considering the current landscape of energy communities in our province.

Let's be clear: the development of RECs in the province of Teramo is still in its early stages. While there's a demonstrable interest and appetite for community-driven renewable energy, significant hurdles remain in translating this interest into concrete projects. This is precisely where our guidebook comes in. It acts as a tangible support, providing potential REC initiators with a clear, actionable roadmap for implementing their projects from conception to operation.

This isn't just a generic guide; it's built specifically for the context of Teramo. This means each step outlined in the general guidebook is elaborated with the local realities in mind, considering local stakeholders, available resources, and the unique provincial characteristics.

Think of it as a living, breathing document. We envision the guidebook as a constantly evolving resource, regularly updated with new information, practical templates, and a comprehensive directory of service providers operating in the province. These updates will be driven by the real-world experience gained from applying the guidebook within our target municipalities.

Developing this guidebook wasn't without its challenges. We encountered some difficulties in providing comprehensive information, templates, tools, particularly for the execution and operation phases of REC projects, because these advanced phases are still somewhat unknown territory for us. We also found difficulties, for example, with the fiscal aspects which are very complex and with the overlapping of some legislations as regards the simplification of the authorization regimes for PV plants.

Can you tell the main elements of innovation of the Specific Guidebook, according to AGENA?

The Specific Guidebook, whose structure is developed by our partner PIXEL, is designed with accessibility and practicality at its core. It offers a powerful way to help REC initiators respond quickly and accurately to requests, regardless of their project's stage of implementation. Moreover, the dynamic nature of the guidebook allows for constant updates, ensuring users always have access to the most relevant and current information.

The guidebook outlines a step-by-step process, breaking down the REC development journey into 42 manageable steps. Our Specific Guidebook encapsulates in one all useful tools and materials from other initiatives that we have collected during the first months of work for the preparation phase.

This means users benefit from the collective knowledge and best practices coming from numerous successful REC projects. Instead of searching through disparate sources, initiators can find everything they need within this single resource.

Beyond general best practices, the guidebook also recognizes the importance of tailoring approaches to specific contexts. It incorporates territorial specificities, ensuring that the advice and guidance provided are relevant and applicable to local conditions. This attention to detail makes the guidebook a truly invaluable asset for REC initiators looking to build sustainable and impactful communities.

Why such tool is needed in Teramo province and/or in Italy? How would AGENA use it?

Our specific guidebook represents the service portfolio of our OSS, that is going to be set up in the next months. It will help DISCOVER support activities in the coming months, as it will be used by AGENA staff working at the OSS, for example guiding initiators on how to proceed, providing contextualized information (offering templates for the establishment of legal entity, technical and financial preliminary assessment, referring to relevant external professionals and enhancing interconnectivity). Our specific guidebook takes the customer by the hand and create a place (virtual and physical) where energy communities pioneers can get in contact with.

What are the future steps now?

The specific guidebook will also serve for the implementation of the interactive guidebook that will make the information accessible to a wider audience, regardless of their technical expertise.

We are currently working on the development of a personalised tool for a preliminary technical economic feasibility analysis of their investment through an initial cost-benefit assessment. This will be based on an energy autonomy analysis that examines the complementarity between load and generation profiles. which will be our contribution to New and Advanced Services.

Beyond the guidebook, and as our direct contribution to New and Advanced Services, we're currently developing a personalized tool that will enable users to conduct a preliminary technical economic feasibility analysis of their investment through an initial cost-benefit assessment.

This analysis examines the complementarity between an energy consumer's load profile (their energy demand over time) and the prospective generation profile of a renewable energy system (the energy it produces over time). By understanding this relationship, users can accurately assess the potential for energy independence and maximize the incentive for shared energy.

This initial cost-benefit assessment provides a crucial first step in the investment process. It allows users to quickly and efficiently gauge the viability of a project, identifying potential challenges and opportunities before committing significant resources. This empowers them to make data-driven decisions, maximizing their return on investment and contributing to a more sustainable energy future.

Thanks for your time AGENA, and good luck with your work!

Thank you AISFOR! We’ll be happy to share with you our future achievements for DISCOVER Project.