Regional Ecosystem 1: Autonomous Province of Trento
Trentino, with its 533,000 inhabitants and strong economy, boasts high levels of wellbeing and quality of life in Italy and Europe. Its special Statute of Autonomy, in place since 1948, grants the Autonomous Province significant legislative, administrative, and financial powers in key areas such as education, health, and tourism. Recognizing the importance of energy communities in the transition to renewable energy, Trentino has established mechanisms, including a list of energy communities and participation in the provincial energy board. About 20 energy community projects are underway, mainly in the initial feasibility analysis stage. To support these efforts, a Trentino One Stop Shop is proposed to assist in the creation and management of energy communities. Additionally, the ECOEMPOWER project will develop three pilot sites in Trentino to gain practical experience in implementing the One Stop Shop model.
The 3 pilot sites are:
Val di Fassa
Val di Fassa is one of the most characteristic valleys in Trentino and is home to a linguistic minority: the Ladins. A project initiated by local high school students inspired the creation of a renewable energy community (REC), involving the Ladin School of Fassa and a kindergarten. The local electric cooperative, Pozza Electric Consortium, funded and constructed a 160 kW photovoltaic system on the roof of a building. The energy generated is made available to the REC. The community's goal is to generate incentives by involving local educational institutions and families, with all proceeds allocated to purchasing materials for the two schools.
Levico Terme
Levico Terme, a small town in the Valsugana Valley, has a significant historical center and a small industrial/commercial district near residential areas. The municipality of Levico Terme is spearheading an energy community project encompassing public buildings, the industrial/commercial district, and the historical center. The plan involves installing an 80 kW PV plant on a disused school building's roof, along with PV installations in the industrial/commercial district and suburban areas. A local ESCO will assist in realizing the 80 kW PV plant. The primary objective is to generate energy income to combat energy poverty. Notably, the project aims to mitigate the visual impact of renewable energy installations by utilizing large public or industrial/commercial roofs to power historical buildings.
Valle dei Laghi
Valle dei Laghi, located in the midwest of Trentino, connects Trento City to Garda Lake and boasts numerous natural attractions like lakes, biotopes, and mountain ranges. It comprises three municipalities with around 11,000 residents, primarily reliant on agriculture, particularly wine and apple production, along with artisan enterprises and tourism. The energy community initiative involves these municipalities, local enterprises, and citizens, aiming for energy independence and sustainable development. Plans include installing new PV plants on public and industrial building roofs and constructing biogas plants to utilize agricultural waste for electricity generation. Additionally, the community aims to promote electric mobility, transitioning public vehicle fleets to electric and setting up charging stations for electric cars and bikes. Lastly, the project will focus on renovating public buildings to achieve nearly zero-energy building standards.
