SOCIAREM – SOlar Open Community Instruments for All Residents in Europe and the Mediterranean region

The European energy transition demands a broader deployment of distributed renewable sources and stronger citizen participation. However, the large-scale adoption of photovoltaic systems and Renewable Energy Communities is hindered by technical, social, financial, and regulatory barriers. In many Mediterranean areas, inefficient housing, rigid rental systems, and limited financial incentives exacerbate energy poverty and hinder participation. Bureaucratic complexity and the lack of accessible governance tools further slow down solar integration into local networks. SOCIAREM addresses these challenges through a systemic approach combining technological innovation, social inclusion, and new community-based energy management models.

SOCIAREM introduces a multidimensional approach to the energy transition, integrating research, technological innovation, and social participation. The project combines advanced digital tools for network management and planning with economic and social models ensuring long-term equity and sustainability. Its technological dimension includes secure decentralized energy-sharing platforms, optimization algorithms for coordinated use of batteries and PV systems, and predictive tools for grid operators. At the same time, its social dimension enhances energy awareness and inclusion through shared data spaces and gamified engagement strategies. SOCIAREM thus promotes a new paradigm of Renewable Energy Communities that merge innovation, solidarity, and sustainability.

SOCIAREM will deliver a comprehensive set of tools enhancing the efficiency, resilience, and profitability of Renewable Energy Communities. Key results include blockchain-based peer-to-peer energy trading platforms, real-time optimization tools for batteries and electric mobility, open-source planning and grid management instruments, and a serious game for citizen education and engagement. The developed solutions will be validated in four demonstration sites located in Switzerland, Cyprus, Portugal, and Italy, achieving TRL7 and providing a scalable and replicable model for European and Mediterranean energy communities.