This article summarises the main results of Deliverable D3.2 “Training materials in national language.” The deliverable describes how all POWER-E-COM partners translated, adapted and prepared the 10-module training curriculum for piloting across six partner countries. For full details, please refer to the PDF available for download below.
Deliverable D3.2 outlines the work carried out under Task 3.3, which focuses on translating and adapting the training modules developed in WP3 to the specific national and regional contexts of each partner country. The materials were updated to reflect national legislation, administrative processes, technical conditions, case studies and stakeholder needs, ensuring they are fully suitable for local training delivery beginning in autumn 2024.
1. Purpose and Context of the Deliverable
The POWER-E-COM training programme, developed collaboratively by all partners between October 2023 and June 2024, consists of 10 training modules covering both community development and technical energy topics. Deliverable D3.2 documents the process of preparing these modules for national roll-out by:
- selecting relevant modules per country,
- adapting content to national conditions (legal, administrative, technical, financial),
- translating materials,
- preparing for piloting from September 2024 onwards.
The training intervention supports local authorities, citizens, public bodies and SMEs in setting up or upgrading energy communities. Over the project duration, 1,200 people will be trained, with 600 participating in WP3 pilot training and another 600 through the Community Energy Training Pack.
2. Adaptation and Translation of Training Modules by Country
Austria
Austria has an established regulatory framework, but frequent changes and the complexity of EC development create high information needs. Participants often require detailed guidance on legal, technical and tax-related issues.
Selected and adapted modules:
- Module 1: EU and National Policy
- Module 2: Introduction to Community Development
- Module 3: Planning and Consultation
Additional national content added: - Grid integration (developed with a regional DSO)
- Tax issues (developed with a tax adviser)
First training seminar took place on 16 July 2024 with 25 participants; next seminar scheduled for 12 December 2024.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria’s REC landscape is still emerging. Legislation was adopted at the end of 2023; therefore, training focuses on foundational knowledge and practical planning and financing topics.
Selected and adapted modules:
- Module 1: EU and National Policy
- Module 3: Planning and Consultation
- Module 4: Project Finance and Organisation (strong tailoring to Bulgarian financial and regulatory barriers)
- Module 5: Project Management
- Module 6 and 7: Understanding Energy & Energy Systems
Adaptations include national legislation, funding schemes, regulatory details and Bulgarian administrative procedures.
Germany
Energy sharing is complex under current German regulations. The training therefore focuses on enabling participants to understand legal limitations and practically plan energy communities under the concepts of Bürgerenergiegesellschaft and Gemeinschaftliche Gebäudeversorgung.
Selected modules:
- Module 1: Policy
- Module 2: Community Development
- Module 3: Planning and Consultation
German-specific content replaces Irish examples; training is designed as an individually bookable programme combining case studies and interactive discussions. First session planned for autumn 2024.
Ireland
Module selection was driven by feedback from the newly created ECTO and by Community Power’s experience working with energy communities.
Selected modules:
- Module 1: EU and National Policy
- Module 2: Community Development
Adaptations consider the upcoming national Small Scale Renewable Generation Scheme, which will influence business models. Each training includes pre and post evaluation; digital badges are awarded upon completion.
Slovenia
Slovenia’s energy community landscape focuses primarily on PV projects supported by public institutions and SMEs. Citizens remain a minority group.
Selected modules:
- Module 1: Policy
- Module 2: Community Development
- Module 4: Finance and Organisation
- Module 9: Renewable Energy for Electricity
Adaptations include:
- updated national administrative and legal procedures,
- country-specific case studies,
- reduced content for technologies or systems not applicable in Slovenia.
Training is scheduled to start by February 2025.
Spain
Spanish RECs typically combine PV installations with e-mobility chargers, energy monitoring systems and other integrations.
Selected modules mirror the Slovenian selection:
- Module 1
- Module 2
- Module 4
- Module 9
Adaptations:
- replacement of Ireland-specific content with Spanish examples,
- removal of non-relevant technologies,
- expanded national regulatory and administrative information.
Training expected to begin January–February 2025.
3. Training Delivery
Most pilot modules will be delivered by December 2024, except Spain and Slovenia, which may implement early 2025 sessions due to local conditions.
Common modules across countries include:
- Module 1: Policy
- Module 2: Community Development
- Module 3: Planning and Consultation
- Module 5: Project Management
- Module 9: Renewable Energy for Electricity
Each partner collects pre and post surveys (translated into national language) and submits results to TUS for analysis and adjustments to the master versions by January 2025.
4. Evaluation Framework: Surveys, MCQs and Digital Badges
Deliverable D3.2 provides a comprehensive evaluation system consisting of:
- Pre and Post Course Surveys to assess learning progress and gather qualitative feedback
- Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) based on a question bank of 50 questions (5 per module)
- Digital Badges, awarded for successfully completing MCQ tests (5/5 recommended)
Digital badges are intended as motivation tools and can be shared publicly, including with the hashtag #PECgraduate (noted on page 18).
5. Conclusion
All partners have successfully adapted and translated their selected modules based on national needs, with strong input from WP2 findings. Pilot trainings will focus on local authorities, citizens and SMEs. Feedback gathered during autumn 2024 will help refine the training programme before full roll-out in 2025 and 2026.
Download the Full Deliverable
Deliverable D3.2 – Training Materials in National Language (PDF)
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