Renewable Energy Communities as a New Actor in Home Energy Savings

Renewable energy communities (RECs) might be an interesting new stakeholder in stimulating home energy-saving efforts by tenants and homeowners due to their potential of raising awareness locally gaining public support for low-carbon energy-savings projects, because RECs are often sited, close social proximity residents, already part local structures share institutions. This comes with many benefits since they have a reputation locally, history the community, can trusted latter. makes them potentially better suited than other—often less-trusted—parties (i.e., government business companies) use agency encourage sustainable change. The article builds on empirical data from EU Horizon 2020 project REScoop Plus, using mixed-methods research approach, including desk research, expert interviews, validation workshops, multiple surveys among six member states about actions implemented, effectiveness terms awareness, influencing intention save energy, actual behaviour. provides more insight into assessment measures coaching householders achieve savings low carbon goals. In addition, it shows as strategy address current housing stock, options improve performance thereof.