“Civic Energy Informer” - Facilitating assistance for actors in civic energy through a modular digital platform

Abstract

Although civil society is a key driver for the energy transition, civic energy initiatives remain a niche competitor within the energy market. Facilitating the active involvement of citizens and communities, and subsequently the uptake of civic energy initiatives, requires a profound source of available information on the underlying processes, benefits, and possible risks such initiatives encompass. Data collected on practical experience from over 20 diverse civic energy pilots in seven European states over the past five years have highlighted the complexity of information demand the civic energy process entails. Due to this diversity and the distinctiveness of each pilot, this paper reports on the development of the “Civic Energy Informer”, a modular digital platform that covers these diverse information demands in order to offer specific advice for various stakeholders. This presents a foundation for promoting the facilitation of civic energy initiatives by providing wellfounded insights and tools for potential adopters.