Another step toward the future of Energy Communities

In May, the first part of the Training Program dedicated to Energy Communities took place in Brașov, organised within the DECA - Danube Energy Communities Accelerator project, funded by the Interreg Danube Region Programme. Over two days, 21 participants, representatives of local authorities, technical experts, community project initiators and members of civil society, came together with a common goal: to learn, collaborate and help build real Energy Community models in Romania.

Guided by trainers, PhD. Corina Murafa - an expert in energy policy, sustainability and Energy Community development and Lect. Eng. Alexandru Mureșan - a specialist in green technologies and smart energy solutions- the program combined theory with hands-on experience. Participants explored not only key concepts related to legislation, governance and green technologies but also the deeply human dimension of the energy transition.

The training covered the current legal framework and the challenges it poses, the legal forms an Energy Community can adopt and the strategic role local authorities play in these initiatives.

Participants examined the technical components that can form the backbone of an Energy Community: from photovoltaic panels and storage systems to smart metering and collective self-consumption mechanisms. The course content also included economic modelling tools and real-life examples from Romania and across Europe. During the practical session, participants worked in teams to sketch out ideas for Energy Communities tailored to their local contexts.

What became clear over the course of these days is that beyond technical or legal challenges, the energy transition is, above all, about people. Energy Communities are not just about infrastructure and kWh, they are about trust, open governance and making decisions together for the collective good.

The Energy Communities Training Program will continue in Brașov in September 2025, with a new module focusing on more advanced technical aspects and offering hands-on support for those ready to bring their ideas to life.

Every community deserves access to clean, just and locally produced energy. A fair energy future begins where people join forces for the common good.