Grid companies and industry organizations want to better equip energy communities

Grid companies and industry organization want to better present energy communities**  
Publication will give citizens and groups insight into the technical and economic aspects of forming energy communities  

Eastern Danish grid companies and the industry organization Energifællesskaber Danmark have published a new guide that will make it easier for citizens to understand the opportunities and challenges of forming local energy communities.  

This is what Cerius-Radius and Energifællesskaber Danmark write in a press release.  

– The whole basic idea behind energy communities is both green and good, but energy communities are also a complex entity. With this publication, Energifællesskaber Danmark and Cerius-Radius share the ambition to provide interested parties with a thorough review of the connection between the electricity grid and energy communities, says Jens Fossar Madsen, CEO of Cerius-Radius.  

The background for the publication Sammen om elnettet is that more Danes are choosing electrification over fossil fuels and investing in solar cells and batteries. This has increased interest in energy communities, where citizens can share and use locally produced electricity.  

– The benefits of energy communities are many, and therefore we are also experiencing growing interest in the subject. Energy communities are a good way to utilize green energy locally, while at the same time minimizing citizens' dependence on more conventional – and often less environmentally friendly – ​​energy sources. In Energy Communities Denmark, we consider it a core task for current and future energy communities to optimize the use of the collective electricity grid and contribute to Denmark achieving a more cost-effective transition for all users of the electricity grid, says Morten Westergaard, representative of Energy Communities Denmark.  

The publication focuses on the role of the electricity grid in a time when electricity consumption is increasing and production is becoming more decentralized. The grid companies are experiencing increased demand from both new and existing customers, which places demands on grid connection and understanding of the technical and economic conditions.  

– As grid companies, we are subject to clear rules, and we cannot offer groups of customers special tariffs or conditions, but that does not mean that we do not want to support them. In Cerius-Radius, we have developed a method for pricing local energy communities, which is currently being approved by the Danish Utilities Authority, and we hope that it can soon be put into use for the benefit of both customers and the electricity grid, says Jens Fossar Madsen.  

According to Energy Communities Denmark, it is crucial that local communities are given the right framework conditions to be able to actively contribute to the green transition.  

– Energy communities are driven by good ambitions and involve citizens in the green transition. We have a constructive dialogue with Cerius-Radius about what opportunities they have to help the energy communities on their way, and of course we also apply political pressure to ensure that the energy communities are given the best possible framework. We believe that it is in everyone's interest when electricity customers come together to relieve the grid locally and reduce peak loads. Or by making new consumption flexible and placing it at times that are beneficial to the electricity grid. In this way, energy communities can actually help postpone and reduce the need to expand and strengthen the electricity grid, even though society is becoming more and more electrified, says Morten Westergaard.  

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