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Cross-Case Analysis of the Energy Communities in Spain, Italy, and Greece: Progress, Barriers, and the Road Ahead

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  • Luisa Losada-Puente

    (Department of Specific Didactics and Research Methods and Diagnosis in Education, Faculty of Educational Studies, University of A Coruña, 15008 A Coruña, Spain)

  • José Antonio Blanco

    (Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, University of A Coruña, 15008 A Coruña, Spain)

  • Adina Dumitru

    (Department of Psychology, Faculty of Educational Studies, University of A Coruña, 15008 A Coruña, Spain)

  • Ioannis Sebos

    (School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 106 82 Athens, Greece)

  • Aggelos Tsakanikas

    (School of Chemical Engineering, National Technical University of Athens, 106 82 Athens, Greece)

  • Ioanna Liosi

    (EUDITI LTD—Energy and Environmental Design, 114 71 Athens, Greece)

  • Stelios Psomas

    (EUDITI LTD—Energy and Environmental Design, 114 71 Athens, Greece)

  • Mariangela Merrone

    (ASSISTAL—Associazione Nazionale Costruttori di Impianti e dei Servizi di Efficienza Energetica—ESCo e Facility Management, 00198 Rome, Italy)

  • Diego Quiñoy

    (Fundación Centro Tecnológico de Eficiencia y Sostenibilidad Energética EnergyLab, 36310 Vigo, Spain)

  • Eduardo Rodríguez

    (Fundación Centro Tecnológico de Eficiencia y Sostenibilidad Energética EnergyLab, 36310 Vigo, Spain)

Abstract

The current regulatory context for the energy sector and in which Energy Communities operate is fragmented and unclear in most EU countries. Although some initiatives have existed in Northern Europe for some time, this concept is considered relatively new. Indeed, EU legislation has only recently recognised Energy Communities through EU Directives 2018/2001 and 2019/944. In the framework of the Erasmus+ EU project EU-NETs (Grant Number KA220-VET-62435110), this qualitative research gathered information regarding the current adaptability and applicability of directives within national legislation, together with the legal and administrative frameworks in Spain, Italy, and Greece. Desk research and semi-structured interviews with 20 key informants from Spain, Italy, and Greece were conducted. Cross-case analysis was focused on the regulatory framework for ECs, its structure, and the models of governance. The results showed that the process of harmonisation of renewable energy legislation has not yet been completed in Southern Europe, with notable differences in the degree of implementation between countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Luisa Losada-Puente & José Antonio Blanco & Adina Dumitru & Ioannis Sebos & Aggelos Tsakanikas & Ioanna Liosi & Stelios Psomas & Mariangela Merrone & Diego Quiñoy & Eduardo Rodríguez, 2023. "Cross-Case Analysis of the Energy Communities in Spain, Italy, and Greece: Progress, Barriers, and the Road Ahead," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:18:p:14016-:d:1244794
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