Francisco Puente, Managing Director of Escan Energy Consultants, chaired a key session titled “Energy Communities: Legal, Regulatory and Digital Aspects” during Enlit Europe 2025. His participation was part of the LIFE InEExS Project (Innovative Energy Efficiency Service Models for Sector Integration through Blockchain), which promotes digital innovation in the energy sector.
Energy communities are a cornerstone of the EU’s energy transition and are recognized in the Clean Energy for All Europeans package. Two main models define this framework: Renewable Energy Communities (REC) under RED II and RED III, and Citizen Energy Communities (CEC) under the Electricity Market Directive. Recent updates, including RED III (2023) and the review of the electricity market design, have strengthened the role of energy communities in achieving the EU’s renewable targets for 2030 and promoting flexibility services.
Digitalization was presented as a key factor for scaling energy communities and creating innovative business models. The LIFE InEExS project showcased solutions such as blockchain and tokenization to record energy savings, smart energy service models integrating renewables, electric vehicles, IoT, and demand response, as well as pay-for-performance schemes that make savings measurable and tradable. Use cases from Germany, Spain, Greece, and Sweden were also presented.
“The digitalization of energy communities through blockchain will enable innovative business models, extensive data use, and foster citizen empowerment.”
