This article summarises the core content of Deliverable D3.3 “Community Energy Training Pack”. The deliverable explains the purpose, design and content of the POWER-E-COM self-directed training pack, which supports communities, local authorities and energy citizens in gaining flexible, accessible and high-quality knowledge about energy communities. The full document can be downloaded below.
Deliverable D3.3 describes how partners developed a self-directed, online-based training pack as part of Task 3.4 in Work Package 3. This pack complements the formal POWER-E-COM training modules and supports Europe-wide capacity building by enabling easy access to videos, presentations, readings, tools and national resources. It is designed as a low-threshold training format accessible to citizens, municipalities and interested stakeholders across six partner countries.
1. Purpose of the Community Energy Training Pack
The training pack is designed to:
- facilitate independent learning, offering flexible and self-directed training formats;
- support local authorities and energy communities in developing skills and understanding energy community processes;
- ensure consistent capacity building across the six POWER-E-COM countries;
- complement the formal training module programme and mentoring activities in WP4 & WP5;
- reach a minimum of 1,200 people, with approx. 200 learners per region.
Partners agreed on providing a simple, attractive and freely available set of learning materials via their national ECTO or project websites. This approach ensures ongoing skills development and makes the learning accessible to volunteers, citizens and staff who may not be able to attend classroom-based training.
2. Foundations of the Training Pack
The Community Energy Training Pack builds on:
- WP2 research (landscape analysis, national conditions, barriers),
- WP3 training modules and materials, and
- partner expertise, ensuring local adaptation.
It includes recorded presentations, tools, guides, videos, links to national support services, and case studies. A draft English Pack was created by TUS; regional partners then selected and translated the content relevant for their countries.
The training pack enables:
- self-paced, asynchronous learning
- learner-centred content, tailored to needs
- accessible formats, suitable for non-experts
- use of “flipped classroom” approaches
3. Key Pedagogical Principles
The deliverable emphasises several educational principles:
- Inclusive teaching strategies, ensuring accessibility regardless of background or learning style
- Pedagogy-informed training, using Bloom’s taxonomy and learner-centred design
- Use of self-directed learning, allowing learners to choose preferred formats (video, text, tools)
- Incorporation of the “What’s in it for me?” (WIIFM) principle to motivate learners and ensure personal relevance
These principles aim to increase engagement, accessibility and motivation among emerging or existing energy communities.
4. Design and Structure of the Community Energy Training Pack
Partners agreed on a shared structure for national training pack sections:
- A brief overview of objectives and scope
- A repository of materials (videos, tools, presentations, guides, links)
- A simple contact channel for follow-up questions
Partners were also encouraged to be creative and include:
- blogs,
- local press articles,
- podcasts,
- guest posts,
- case studies,
- links to inspirational content,
- interactive elements.
5. Country-Specific Training Packs
Austria
Austria adapted content based on its advanced EC landscape and high need for detailed information.
The Austrian Pack includes:
- policy and community development modules,
- planning and consultation processes,
- grid integration (developed with a DSO),
- tax issues (developed with a tax adviser).
The Pack is integrated into the ESV website, and first seminars took place in July and December 2024.
Bulgaria
The Bulgarian Pack provides foundational understanding of RECs/CECs and aligns fully with national terminology and legislation.
Modules include:
- policy and regulation,
- community development,
- financing and management,
- renewable technologies,
- energy efficiency.
Materials were presented at national events (IPCC session, national energy conference, training seminar for policymakers). Final materials will be published on the national portal “Energy for Citizens in Bulgaria”.
Germany
Germany prioritises dialogue and flexibility due to a dynamic legal situation.
Key elements:
- 2 online lectures (energy community creation; legal aspects)
- 1 in-person seminar with site visit
- Selected modules focus on policy, community development and planning
Training materials and recordings are hosted on the padlet-based web portal.
Ireland
Ireland integrates the training pack into its Catalyst ECTO platform, offering:
- community engagement and mobilisation content for citizens
- tailored modules for local authorities
The platform also includes a glossary, case studies, and additional support resources.
Slovenia
Slovenia focuses on practical approaches for municipalities, citizens and businesses.
The Pack includes content on:
- policy frameworks,
- community mobilisation,
- financing and legal requirements,
- renewable energy planning,
- technical systems.
ENERGAP delivers workshops, webinars and online materials, with ongoing pilots in Maribor & Selnica ob Dravi.
Spain
Spain’s Pack addresses barriers in understanding RECs vs. collective self-consumption and includes:
- policy and community development content,
- renewable energy for ECs (dimensioning, cost-benefit, bill savings),
- project financing.
Self-learning materials cover explanatory videos, technology guides, bill interpretation, energy efficiency, tools, maps and financing guides.
EU-Wide Pack
An EU-wide version is being added to the POWER-E-COM website, providing:
- case studies,
- English-language PowerPoints,
- videos,
- contacts for each partner.
6. Conclusion
Task 3.4 delivers a creative, flexible and accessible training model that strengthens the visibility, engagement and empowerment of energy communities across six countries. The Community Energy Training Pack will continue to evolve throughout the project, integrating:
- blogs,
- videos,
- recorded webinars,
- reading materials,
- contact opportunities,
- examples of active communities,
- tools for collaborative learning.
The Pack will significantly contribute to the project’s goal of training at least 1,200 people through self-directed and formal learning formats.
Download the Full Deliverable
Deliverable D3.3 – Community Energy Training Pack (PDF)
Leave a Reply