Project description
The Esponellà initiative, located in Esponellà, Spain, supports the development of a local energy community in a small rural municipality, centred on photovoltaic installations on municipal buildings and expanding to include private assets and additional services. The project promotes collective self-consumption, energy sharing and the integration of storage and electric mobility solutions to optimise energy use as well as aiming to strengthen citizen participation and ensure inclusiveness, particularly for vulnerable households.
- Challenges addressed
The initiative addresses common rural challenges, including limited technical capacity, high energy costs and the need for scalable solutions that enhance local energy autonomy and resilience.
- Technology
The initiative integrates solar energy, electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and storage and battery technologies.
- Support received through CEAH
With the support of CEAH, the municipality is assessing the feasibility of integrating privately owned installations, optimising the technical design of the system and defining fair energy allocation mechanisms.
The technical assistance to +Esponellà focuses on optimising energy system performance, enabling the transition to an energy community, and strengthening governance, legal frameworks, and stakeholder engagement through integrated technical, legal, and communication support.
1. Technical Integration and Energy Optimisation
Assesses and improves the performance of the local energy system, including integration of new assets and optimisation of energy flows. Key deliverables include:
- A Viability Study for Private PV Integration, assessing the technical feasibility of integrating a private photovoltaic installation into the existing system
- An Energy Distribution Optimisation Study, identifying opportunities to better match production and consumption
- A Battery Integration and Electric Mobility Study, evaluating the role of storage and EVs in improving self-consumption and system efficiency
2. Energy Community Design and Governance Framework
This workstream supports the transition towards a formal energy community through technical, organisational, and participatory governance design. Key deliverables include:
- A Technical Assessment Report on Becoming an Energy Community, analysing feasibility and suitable governance and business models
- A Participatory Governance Structure, defining roles, decision-making processes, and engagement mechanisms
3. Legal Structuring and Energy Sharing Framework
Ensures legal clarity and robustness for both the creation of the energy community and the integration of assets and members. Key deliverables include:
- A Legal Viability Report for PV Integration, assessing conditions for integrating a private installation into the community
- A Legal Assessment for Energy Community Creation, providing guidance on structure, compliance, and governance
- A Distribution Agreement, defining fair and transparent energy-sharing rules among members
4. Communication, Engagement and Replicability
Strengthens stakeholder engagement, communication, and knowledge transfer to support community participation and replication. Key deliverables include:
- A Communication Plan and Starter Kit, including key messages, materials, and tools for outreach
- An Energy Community Replicability Infographic, summarising processes, results, and lessons learned for wider use
More information on the initiative can be found here on their website: Suma't al projecte de comunitat energètica - MesEsponellà