Energy sharing is part of the big trend of the sharing economy. It is a consistent manifestation of the liberalisation of the energy market, which the EU Commission has been pursuing for a long time. Studies at home and abroad suggest that energy sharing reduces energy consumption and increases the acceptance of energy transition measures. The EU Commission has recently pushed the introduction of energy communities in two directives. These directives are to be transposed into national law in all EU countries. An "energy community" is a group, usually an established organisation (cooperative, company), of individual actors (citizens, companies, public institutions) who voluntarily accept certain rules in order to act together in the energy sector.

The project comprises the scientific support of a conception, piloting and guideline development in the context of energy sharing. The objective is to develop and scientifically accompany an energy sharing pilot project in Germany that optimises the collective self-consumption of an energy community through the intelligent use of local flexibilities, while taking into account the market and grid-serving integration into the overall system. 

Based on a broad stakeholder dialogue, a guideline with recommendations for action for the implementation of energy sharing in Germany and its integration into the German energy system is being developed.

Building on the results of the previous study "Analysis of the environment for digital technologies in energy communities"The topic of energy sharing is scientifically prepared and the implementation status in Germany and the EU is analysed. Supported by a stakeholder workshop, the analysis of the implementation of energy sharing is followed by the drafting of objectives and core questions for the following trial phase.

Subsequently, a pilot energy community will be selected from the German landscape along relevant requirements and core questions. Scientific support is provided on the basis of a methodology designed for this purpose and with the help of three workshops with various stakeholders (representatives of different energy communities, associations, energy suppliers and distribution grid operators, digital experts, technology providers, etc.). The results will be incorporated into a guideline for energy sharing in Germany.