By: Elizabeth S.
Image credit: Magliano Alpi
In December 2020, the small town of Magliano Alpi became the first Renewable Energy Community (REC) in Italy. The creation of RECs is one solution given by the European Renewable Energy Directive which, according to the European Commission’s website, “sets rules for the (European Union) to achieve its 32% renewables target by 2030.” Italy adopted this directive in February of 2020.
In the second half of 2020, Italy introduced many incentives for households and communities to switch to renewable energy; for example, municipalities with fewer than 5,000 residents were given EUR 100,000 to spend on renewable energy communities before 2024. The municipality of Magliano Alpi (2,230 inhabitants) jumped at the opportunity.
According to the European Commission website, “Energy communities offer a means to restructure our energy systems by harnessing energy and allowing citizens to participate actively in the energy transition and thereby enjoy greater benefits.” Citizens living in energy communities can become “prosumers”; both energy producers and consumers.
Cities that become RECs can reduce energy poverty in their area as well as take advantage of the incentives and rewards given by the government. Eventually, the goal is for energy communities to be in direct competition with other energy suppliers, creating a “more decarbonized and flexible energy system.”
In May 2020, Magliano Alpi installed a photovoltaic system (solar panels) on the roof of the city hall, which supplies energy for the municipality and two electrical vehicle charging stations which are free for citizens to use. Magliano Alpi is already connecting prosumers living in the community to use the leftover energy harvested.
As the first REC in Italy, Magliano Alpi hopes to use itself as an example to demonstrate the many benefits of energy communities to other municipalities. Magliano Alpi also plans to walk other communities through the process of becoming an REC and plans to join forces with nearby towns to create a series of RECs that would cover the energy needs for half its residents.
“The Municipality of Magliano Alpi represents a ‘Pilot Territory’ where new business models and new financial products can be effectively tested, according to a ‘bottom-up’ approach that starts from the systematic enhancement of the opportunities offered by this post-pandemic moment in the which is imperative to ride the change with courage and determination.”
Renewable energy communities like Magliano Alpi are showing the world a new way to produce and consume energy.
Discussion Questions:
How can people in your country/state promote renewable energy communities?
Do you think this would work on a bigger scale? Or would it only work in smaller towns?
In what other ways are communities coming together to fight climate change?
Works Cited
Balkan Green Energy News. “Italy’s first renewable energy community set up in Magliano Alpi.” Balkan Green Energy News, 18 January 2021, https://balkangreenenergynews.com/italys-first-renewable-energy-community-set-up-in-magliano-alpi/. Accessed 2021.
European Commission. “First Italian Renewable Energy Community created by the end of 2020.” European Commission, 01 March 2021, https://smart-cities-marketplace.ec.europa.eu/news-and-events/news/2021/first-italian-renewable-energy-community-created-end-2020. Accessed 2021.
European Commission. “Renewable energy – directive, targets and rules.” European Commission, https://ec.europa.eu/energy/topics/renewable-energy/directive-targets-and-rules_en. Accessed 2021.
“Magliano Alpi.” Ecosystemic Transition Unit, https://etuinitiative.eu/flagship/magliano-alpi/.
Magliano Alpi. “Who We Are.” Comunità Energetica Rinnovabile Magliano Alpi, 2020, https://cermaglianoalpi.it/index.php/who-we-are/?lang=en. Accessed 2021.
Matalucci, Sergio. “Italy’s first energy community for solar power sharing.” PV Magazine, 2021. PV Magazine, https://www.pv-magazine.com/2021/01/14/italys-first-energy-community-for-solar-power-sharing/. Accessed 2021.
REScoop.eu. “REScoop.eu welcomes new member.” REScoop.eu, 31 March 2021, https://www.rescoop.eu/news-and-events/news/rescoop-eu-welcomes-new-member-6. Accessed 2021.