Regional Energy
Networking
Cross-sectional involvement through
a modular interactive toolbox
Building a modular software tool for energy communities – empowering citizens to create
sustainable, decentralized energy solutions across Europe
RENvolveIT Toolbox
Energy
Community-driven energy solutions accelerate renewable adoption, reduce fossil dependency, and play a key role in fighting climate change.
Toolbox
Flexible toolkit functioning as puzzle pieces - communities select tools that fit their maturity level and organizational requirements.
Localised
Developed by international team, the toolbox reflects local legislation and energy sharing conditions specific to your country and region.
Community
Everything you need in one comprehensive platform: project planning, system optimization, and beginner-friendly community energy guidance.
Project goals
Our solution goes beyond just technical features by following a modular approach with tools that cover organizational, legal, and socioeconomic matters alongside the actual technical operation. The RENvolveIT toolbox connects people by bringing together everyone interested in renewable energy projects.
It provides real examples of how others have tackled technical, legal, and operational challenges. Through integrated planning and management tools RENvolveIT helps to identify ways different renewable energy projects can work together and create synergies.
Applying "one-stop-shop" logic, where you can get everything done in one place. Our platform supports user through every step of getting people involved in renewable energy projects, transcending the legal realm to provide a complete solution for renewable energy development and collaboration.
Who is the future RENvolveIT user?
No matter in which stage of Energy community you are, RENvolveIT covers the whole user journey
1. Orientation
Users get a clear picture of how to participate in energy communities and learn proven methods that work.
2. Networking
Energy community participants connect with each other and with other similar projects. This allows different groups (like small businesses, local governments, and residents) to meet, share experiences, and find opportunities for cooperation
3. Planning
Users receive a step-by-step roadmap for setting up their energy community projects, plus practical information to identify and solve common challenges that energy communities typically face.
4. Implementation
Through our platform, energy community members learn to handle the essential technical, financial, legal, and organizational aspects of renewable energy projects. At this stage they get prepared to successfully manage their energy community.
5. Operation
The toolbox helps energy communities monitor and manage each step of their renewable energy project development, including integrating IT systems and operational technology needed for the energy community to function properly.
6. Optimisation
Once energy communities are up and running, we support them in managing their energy efficiently by optimizing how much energy the community produces and consumes internally
What is community energy?
Community energy is about people coming together to take control of their local energy needs while building stronger, more resilient communities. It's a grassroots movement that puts citizens at the heart of the energy transition, allowing neighborhoods, villages, and local groups to collectively invest in, own, and benefit from clean energy projects. This approach ensures that the economic and social benefits of renewable energy stay within the community rather than flowing to distant shareholders.
The beauty of community energy lies in its incredible diversity and adaptability to local needs and resources. Coastal communities might harness offshore wind, mountain villages could develop small hydroelectric projects, and suburban areas often focus on community solar initiatives. Participants include everyone from individual households and local farmers to schools, community centers, and small businesses. Beyond electricity generation, these communities engage in energy efficiency programs, electric vehicle charging networks, local energy markets, and educational initiatives that spread awareness about sustainable living practices.
Funding Organizations
Pilot areas & Partners
United for Change
The RENvolveIT family consists of 15 passionate institutions and companies spanning four countries. We've brought together brilliant minds from universities, innovative research centers, talented software developers, and committed non-profit organizations – all united by a shared vision of empowering communities in their renewable energy journey.
Built with Communities, for Communities
Every feature of our toolbox grows from genuine conversations with pilot energy communities. These pioneering communities don't just inspire our work – they actively participate in testing and refining our tools, making sure everything we create truly serves the people who need it most. Together, we're not just building software; we're building a movement.
Interactive Map of Pilot Areas
Interactive map of European pilot areas showing project locations in Germany, Austria, and Czech Republic. Hover over dots to see location details.
Project Partners
Supported by
Contact
Get In touch with the RENvolveIT project.
Are you part of an energy community and interested in testing the RENvolveIT Toolbox? Would you like to receive project updates or collaborate with us as a research institution, software developer, or industry partner?
We are happy to hear from you.
Simply get in touch – we will follow up with you personally.
RENvolveIT
RENvolveIT Consortium
c/o Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE
Heidenhofstr. 2
79110 Freiburg
Germany