Country: Croatia 

Region: The Urban Agglomeration Zagreb

Partners in charge: Northwest Croatia Regional Energy Agency and the Zagreb County

Highlights:

Aim of the Regional Action Plan
The regional action plan (RAP) for the Zagreb County area summarizes the comprehensive approach taken during the CSSC Lab project resulting with actions in focus for upcoming period 2021-2027 to mitigate the current volatile situation on the market and deal with potential energy security risks due to ongoing global geopolitical situation. Based on detailed overview of current and future legislative framework, financial opportunities and needs, as well as technological aspects in analyzed region, the project partners included interested/relevant stakeholders to define main parts in development of CSSC sector in the Zagreb County, outlined through nine different measures/actions.

Context 
At the national level, the Republic of Croatia is complying legal framework to EU Directive’s obligations through several Acts to achieve long-term goals outlined in strategic documents, but also to take advantage of available EU funds to deal with uncertanties in energy market. A complete alignment with up-to-date request through EU Directives are pending in energy sector. The Zagreb County, as a county surrounding the city of Zagreb is a fast development region which is planning large investments in creating prerequisites for complete decarbonization of the public and private sector in the county boosting renewable energy sources, developing transport and communal infrastructure with a special attention to protection nature and environment that represent the exceptional value of the county. Through various strategic short- and long-term development plans and masterplans, the Zagreb County is aiming to take advantage of its geographic location and RES potential and develop an attractive location for both residential and business/industry sector.

Engagement of stakeholders
Included stakeholders are mostly coming from local/regional authorities, either representatives of municipalities/cities or related public companies. Furthermore, as an associated strategic partner of this project, national district heating company HEP Toplinarstvo Ltd (as an extension of national energy company HEP Group Ltd) collaborated individually with REGEA. This group of stakeholders reflects the overall ecosystem needed to address the issues on legislation, and policy, and set up (roughly) measures that were then developed by facilitators of these interactions (REGEA).

Proposed actions
Action 1  – Integrated climate energy spatial planning
Action 2  –  Energy Efficiency Action Plans for Zagreb County
Action  3 –  CSSC applications in smart village/city concept
Action 4 – CSSC application in (smart) agriculture
Action 5 –  Modernization and decarbonization of district heating systems in the Zagreb County
Action 6 –  Setting up energy communities
Action 7 –  Capacity building in CSSC sector 
Action 8  – One-stop shop for the Zagreb County 
Action 9  –  Replication of demo center concept(s) 

Country: Austria 

Region: Südburgenland

Partners in charge: ConPlusUltra GmbH, Energie Kompass GmbH, solar.one Immo GmbH

Highlights: 
Aim of the Regional Action Plan
The aim of the action plan is to increase the installation and use of distributed renewable energy sources (mainly PV), storage systems and sector coupling solutions by promoting the adaption of Renewable Energy Communities.
Context
The legal framework for RES, sector coupling and storage technologies, as well as the public funding schemes for these technologies is laid forth in the Austrian Renewables Development Act (EAG, Erneuerbaren Ausbaugesetz) from July 2021. It sets Austria’s decarbonization path with the goal to reach climate neutrality by 2040. The legal framework for RES, sector coupling and storage technologies, as well as the public funding schemes for these technologies is laid forth in the Austrian Renewables Development Act (EAG, Erneuerbaren Ausbaugesetz) from July 2021. It sets Austria’s decarbonization path with the goal to reach climate neutrality by 2040. Financing of RES investments will be promoted by using the new organization form of Renewable Energy Communities, thus having a legal framework for communal investments. In addition to the public grant scheme of the EAG, Renewable Energy Communities can generate financial incentives for its participants and will be an important vehicle to finance storage and sector coupling solutions. The forming of REC allows for regional renewable energy systems to be developed and aggregated energy management systems and flexibility utilization to be taken advantage of and thus adding additional incentives to participate in these Energy Communities.
Engagement of stakeholders
The municipalities of the region are part of the Innovation Lab act4.energy, a living lab initiative hosted by the project partner Energie Kompass. As such a good level of cooperation in developing the region towards a regional, renewable energy system has been already established with close ties to the mayors and municipal representatives of the region.

For the regional action plan in Austria, several stakeholder groups have been identified:
● Mayors and municipal representatives
● Communal services and associations
● Regional small and medium enterprises
● Private citizens

As the legal basis for Renewable Energy Communities has been finalized in 2021 with the Austrian Renewables Development Act (EAG) they main actors and participants – municipalities, SME and private citizens – are clearly defined. These will also be the main stakeholder groups to be addressed with the regional action plan.

Proposed actions
Action 1 – Establishing Renewable Energy Communities in the region
Action 2 – Promoting home battery storage systems to REC participants

Country: Slovenia

Region: Podravje

Partners in charge: Local Energy Agency Spodnje Podravje

Highlights:
Aim of the Regional Action Plan
The main objective of this action plan is to present measures to increase the use of energy from renewable sources, energy storage and the merging of sectors. At the forefront of the use of renewable sources is the production of electricity from photovoltaics and in the case of heat, the use of heat pumps. Energy communities and community self-sufficiency come to the fore. The implementation of measures presented in this action plan together with the development of smart grids enables the implementation and further development of energy communities.
Context
The following legislation, action plans and strategies are responsible for smart grids and communities:
• Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for the period up to 2030.
• Energy concept of Slovenia
• Energy Act
• Act on the Promotion of the Use of Renewable Energy Sources
• Energy Efficiency Act
• Electricity Supply Act
Engagement of stakeholders
For the regional action plan in Slovenia, several stakeholder groups have been identified:
● Mayors and municipal representatives
● Utilities
● Regional small and medium size enterprises
● Households

Proposed actions
Action 1  –  One stop shop for RES projects
Action 2 –  Promoting home battery storage
Action 3  – Energy storage in DH system

Country: Bulgaria 

Region: Varna

Partners in charge: Union of Bulgarian Black Sea Local Authorities – UBBSL

Highlights:
Aim of the Regional Action Plan
The aim of this document is to increase the net zero buildings in Bulgaria, mainly trough BIPV (Building integrated PV), BESS (battery energy storage system), EMS (energy management system) Sector coupling – PV – DHW, PV-EVs, BESS-EVs.

Context
Financing opportunities will be available soon trogh National plan for recovery and sustainability https://www.nextgeneration.bg/14. The energy system today in Bulgaria is linear, however the goal is to create a more integrated energy system, implementing actions in six pillars:
1. A circular energy system, based on efficiency
2. Increased electrification, based on renewable electricity sources
3. Renewable and low-carbon fuels (incl. hydrogen) in hard-to-abate sectors
4. Empowering consumers’ choice
5. Infrastructure integration (mainly gas, electricity, heating and transport)
6. Digitalisation for a smarter interconnection

Engagement of stakeholders
The municipality in the region was signed the EU initiative “Covenantal of mayors”. All of them have higher goals comparing the government goals for sustnable energy. All municipality was developed Sustnable energy an climate ection plans. Last years the PV investment is on rise. Stakeholders: Mayors and municipality admsinitration, Energy agencies, Citizens, SME

Proposed actions
Action 1 – Energy cooperatives in Bulgaria
Action 2  – Introduing the first prosumer municipality

Country: Romania

Region: Alba County

Partners in charge: Alba Local Energy Agency – ALEA

Highlights:
Aim of the Regional Action Plan
Based on the identified current situation of the consumption and production of energy in Alba County, and the wider energy context the measures of the present RAP set out to respond to the current concerns related to the energy domain in the targeted region. The Alba County CSSC Action Plan will accelerate CSSC technology implementation allowing the region to be more energy resilient, reduce negative environmental impacts of fossil fuel-based energy, and save on energy costs.

The goals of the plan include:
– Foster local renewable energy projects in cities
– Strengthen energy reliability and security
– Accelerate the development of local sustainability projects and plans
– Boost the creation of EC especially among prosumers
– Reduce energy costs – Reduce GES/ improve air quality

Context
The National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate Change (PNIESC) Romania aims to reach a target of at least 30.7% of energy from renewable sources. The PNIESC proposes the development of energy storage capacities in batteries as well indicating the integration in the National Energy System of a capacity in batteries of at least 400 MW. The Romanian Energy Strategy 2019-2030, with the perspective of 2050, is the new programmatic document that defines the vision and establishes the fundamental objectives of the development process of the energy sector. The document also indicates the national, European and global benchmarks that influence and determine policies and decisions in the energy field. Alba County sustainable energy policy is encompassed in Alba County Energy Strategy for 2018 – 2023 – a document elaborated by Alba County Council in 2017 with the technical assistance from Alba Local Energy Agency. Relevant to the sustainable energy at regional level in Alba County are the local Sustainable Energy and Energy Action Plans – part of the Covenant of Mayors Initiative as well as Efficiency Improvement Programmes – developed in compliance with 121/2014 Energy Efficiency Law for municipalities exceeding 5.000 inhabitants. These regional action plans and strategies are strongly increasing the awareness and interest for RES equipment and CSSC-type approaches in multisectoral settings, supporting the development of e-mobility and charging stations, nZeb buildings, green.

Engagement of stakeholders
In Romania the stakeholder involvement was approached by:
– a dedicated workshop
– bilateral meetings

The workshop was attended by representatives of local authorities (technical staff), an ESCO company, consulting companies, companies operating in the energy field, university and research centers.Beside the workshop ALEA kept close contact with local authority representatives through bilateral meetings, either through telecommunication means or face-to- face meeting updating on the project in general and on the regional action planning process in particular.

Proposed actions
Action 1 – Implementation of CSSC applications in Alba Iulia
Action 2 – Introduction of CSSC measures in the energy action plans of LAs in Alba County
Action 3  – Set up of a consultancy service for prosumers in Alba County for installing CSSC technologies

Country: Czech Republic 

Region: South Bohemia / South Moravia

Partners in charge: AgEnDa z.s

Highlights:
Aim of the Regional Action Plan
The main objective of this regional action plan is to initiate and sustainably develop the potential of renewable energy technologies (photovoltaics) with an emphasis on energy storage and sector coupling through an integrated and community-based approach, in line with the purpose of the CSSC Lab project. Specific objectives of the Regional Action Plan:
1. Building a regional platform for a coordinated approach to the establishment of local energy communities.
2. Initiation and establishment of local energy communities to enable the creation and operation of energy sources and local consumption of the energy produced
3. Initiation of dedicated regional funding tool for municipalities
4. Building a knowledge base for the presentation, promotion and education of target groups (municipalities, companies, citizens) in the field of energy storage and sector coupling

Context

he situation in the Czech Republic is complicated in terms of the potential for the development of RES technologies and, consequently, in the field of sector coupling and energy storage, especially in terms of legislative barriers that currently do not allow arbitrary setting of local consumption and sharing of locally produced energy. This is due to the lack of transposition of European directives into the relevant national standards and the lack of updating of the State Energy Concept and the National Energy and Climate Plan and any other statutory and sub-statutory standards. On the other hand, however, the Czech Republic has been allocated a record amount of 16 billion EUR in the new programming period and under the Modernisation Fund, the National Recovery Plan and the national New Green Savings Scheme for the implementation of projects in the field of RES or otherwise fulfilling international climate agreements. This allocation can only be realised if the full potential of community energy is realised, which is where the CSSC Lab project fits in. On the technological side, the preference is clearly towards technologies based on photovoltaics, battery energy storage or water heat storage, and in the follow-up use for recharging electric vehicles or e.g., air conditioning/control. This is based not only on natural conditions, but also on the availability and economic return of proven technologies. Finally, this is confirmed by the outcomes of the thematic interviews in the workshops, trainings and bi-annual technical interviews conducted in the selected pilot municipalities.

Engagement of stakeholders

One of the key outcomes of the mapping of the situation in the South Bohemian Region was the initiation of cooperation with the Regional Association of the National Network of Local Action Groups. Its staff usually has direct and exclusive contact with key representatives of municipalities, assists them with the preparation of development projects, deals with networking and financing of local investment and non-investment projects. At the same time, thanks to a nationwide network, they have access to strategic information and current trends. Based on a meeting between AgEnDa and representatives of this regional network, a cooperation consisting of strategic partnership, training and exchange of know-how on CSSC Lab project topics and their application in preparation for the implementation of community-based energy projects was agreed upon around mid-2021.

Proposed actions

Action 1 – Regional Platform for Community Energy Development
Action 2 – Establishing local energy communities
Action 3 –  Initiation of dedicated regional funding tool for municipalities
Action 4 – Knowledge base for CSSC

Country: Slovakia 

Region: Bratislava

Partners in charge: Slovenská technická univerzita v Bratislave

Highlights:

Aim of the Regional Action Plan
The Regional Action Plan presents measures which could help to increase the use of energy from renewable sources, energy storage and the sector coupling. This document is meant to be a strategic guideline for the region of Bratislava Old Borough and Bratislava self-governing region on how to implement CSSC solutions to support the energy transition. The manual helps implementation and discusses options how and with what funding to start projects in the urban planning processes. Besides the legislation and the level of financing of these activities which is mostly conditioned on funds outside the Slovak Republic, Bratislava Old Town Borough must face technically complicated measures to increase energy efficiency resulting from the monument protection of buildings/cultural heritage whose great number fall under its administration.

Context

The Ministry of Economy of Slovakia is increasing the output of local sources, which can be connected to the transmission system this year by an additional 60 MW. The largest part of the newly determined installed capacity of 26 MW is intended for central Slovakia, where the allocated limit has been exhausted so far. As part of the ongoing amendments to energy legislation, the Ministry is also simplifying the rules for issuing certificates of compliance with the construction of facilities to produce electricity from the sun and wind and at the same time proposes further adjustments to support the development of RES in Slovakia. Slovak Innovation and Energy Agency (SIEA) is a contributory organization established by the Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic. Implemented relevant strategic documents in the area

– The Program of economic and social development of the capital of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava
– Program of economic and social development of the Bratislava self-governing region
– The Action Plan for Sustainable Energy Development of the Capital City of the Slovak Republic, Bratislava
– Bratislava Smart City 2030
– Program of Economic and Social Development of The City District of Bratislava Old Town Borough for period 2017 – 2023 with a view to 2040

Engagement of stakeholders

The Slovak Technical University in Bratislava and Bratislava Old Town Borough coordinated the STK involvement campaign in Slovakia. The main event – The regional action planning workshop was followed by several bilateral meetings at the level of boards of directors and advisory bodies of energy organizations, environmental creators, civic association, and city districts. The outcomes of the STK involvement activities further provide input for the strategic action planning of CSSC initiatives in Slovakia.

Stakeholders:
– regional self-government – Office of the Bratislava self-governing region
– local self-government- cities and municipalities, including their associations (eg. micro-regions)
– state administration bodies and institutions business entities, associations of business entities, chambers of commerce and industry
– regional development agencies
– interest associations, civic associations, LAGs
– higher education institutions
– other socio-economic partners

Proposed actions

Action 1 –  Energy audit of buildings in the administration of the municipality and their reconstruction according to the results
Action 2  – Promoting the use of built-up areas for solar energy
Action 3 – Capacity building and raising knowledge in the CSSC Lab domain
Action 4 – Increasing efficiency in energy purchase – central suppliers, energy auction, etc.

Country: Germany 

Region: Baden-Württemberg

Partners in charge: Bodensee-Stiftung and Energieagentur Regio Freiburg GmbH

Highlights:

Aim of the Regional Action Plan
This document is meant to be a strategic guideline for the region of Baden- Württemberg on how to implement CSSC solutions to support the energy transition on a municipal level. Focus is to facilitate the decision-making process in local authorities and municipal councils. The CSSC lab offers various options for CSSC solutions and different issues. To adapt them to the needs in a regional context first a better understanding of the opportunities CSSC solutions offer must be understood by the decision-makers and introduced in their everyday work. The effort is to awaken interest for a non-professional audience, who is in charge of the success of the energy transition and who must transfer governmental objectives on the local level.

Context
The high political priority given to sector coupling in today’s energy policy discussion is reflected in the Climate Protection Plan 2050, which summarizes the climate protection policy principles and goals of the German government and describes the path to a largely greenhouse gas- neutral Germany by 2050, and the Green Paper on Energy Efficiency. One of the most important sector coupling principles in the building sector is converting power to heat. The Gebäudeenergiegesetz (GEG, Building Energy Law) establishes guidelines for the substitution of fossil fuel powered heating systems with for example heating pumps as well as a therefore required insulation of the building. Another important technology within sector coupling is combined heat and power generation. The Kraft-Wärme-Kopplungsgesetz (KWKG, Combined heat and power law) is a guideline aimed to regulate the funding of such technology, as it is extremely efficient to create heat and power simultaneously, although being still dependent on gas.

At the regional level in Baden-Wuerttemberg (BW), the so-called Klimaschutzgesetz (climate protection law) aims to achieve the climate protection goals of a carbon neutral BW by 2040 and a carbon neutral state administration by 2030. One of many concrete measures are for example a monitored communal heat planning and the obligation to add on solar panels to newly constructed and/or renovated buildings.

Engagement of stakeholders
Decision-makers to address:
– municipal administration with the focus on small and medium sized municipalities.
– members of regional parliaments, city councils
– administration on federal level, ministries and members of the federal parliament.

The introduction of CSSC solutions on a regional level needs the support of several key stakeholders. It is important to differentiate the role they play in a regional context.
– Regional Energy Agencies
– Chamber of commerce and chamber of crafts
– Association of municipalities
– Civil-society actors like environmental NGOs – Local energy suppliers
– Community energy associations like energy cooperatives

Country: Bosnia and Herzgovina 

Region: Canton Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

Partner in charge: Sarajevo Economic Region Development Agency SERDA

Highlights:
Aim of the Regional Action Plan
Implementation of CSSC solutions requires prerequisites in terms of legislation and support for the establishment of new technological solutions, as well as raising knowledge among public government and institutions, public awareness of citizens about CSSC, energy efficient solutions and their benefits. It would be useful within a transnational project to conduct a similar demo project in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which lags far behind other EU countries in terms of knowledge and application of CSSC solutions. CSSC solutions are important because an alternative is needed, especially due to raising air quality, which is extremely worrying in our country and Sarajevo.

Context
With the entry into force of the Stabilization and Association Agreement, Bosnia and Herzegovina has committed itself to follow the acquis Communautaire and to adapting existing national laws and regulations to the applicable laws of the European Union. Based on its membership in the Energy Community, BiH has undertaken to implement certain aspects of decarbonisation of the energy sector by transposing relevant EU legislation: e.g., by adopting action plans to increase the participation of renewable energy sources (RES) – NREAP12 and to increase efficiency in the final energy use sector – NEEAP13 There is no law on energy efficiency at the central state level in BiH. The current entity EE laws were developed almost in parallel, at a time when the primary goal was to take over the previous acquis in the field of energy efficiency within the EnCT – i.e., the already obsolete Directive 2006/32 / EC on energy services (ESD). Throughout the period of the process of improving energy efficiency in Bosnia and Herzegovina, starting in 2010, with the perspective of implementation within the integrated process of energy and climate until 2030, and further until 2050, we strive to maintain continuity in a single structure of measures to improve these properties. The measures listed in the EE Action Plan in BiH are divided into final consumption sectors. Funds to support the implementation of energy transition programs are or will be available from international financial institutions (acronym IFI), such as the EIB, EBRD, KfW, WB and EU development funds.

Proposed actions
 Action 1 – “Meet the CSSC“
Action 2 –  CSSC demo project/site in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo Canton
Action 3  – CSSC in smart villages
Action 4  – Modernization of DHS network in Sarajevo

Country: Montenegro 

Region: Montenegro

Partner in charge: Inovaciono preduzetnički centar Tehnopolis

Highlights:
Aim of the Regional Action Plan
Identification of the current state of of consumption and production of electricity and energy in the area of the Municipality, as well as roughly, define a plan for future energy needs; identification of the potential for more efficient use, distribution, and energy production and energy, as well as the use of its own natural resources to meet energy needs of energy production in the municipality of Niksic; defining activities taking into account the current state of development priorities of the Municipality, potential and planned future consumption, are steps towards a sustainable energy development on the territory of the municipality.

Context
Energy Law – This law determines energy activities, regulates the conditions and manner of their performance for quality and safety supplies end customers with energy, encourages the production of energy from renewable sources and highly efficient cogeneration, and the way of organization and management of the electricity and gas market, as well as other issues of importance for energy. Law on efficient use of energy – This law regulates the manner of efficient use of energy, measures to improve energy efficiency and other issues of importance for energy efficiency in final consumption. Energy Development Strategy of Montenegro until 2025- The Strategy, as one of the highest state, acts, within Montenegro, has a key development dimension, as in the process of defining spatial development, providing conditions for sustainable development of the ecological state. The national action plan for the use of energy from renewable sources until 2020 – defines the dynamics of natural resource use, as well as the planned use of technologies needed to meet the national target of energy consumption.

Engagement of stakeholders
Several stakeholder groups have been identified for the regional action plan: the mayor and municipal representatives, the national energy company (EPCG)-with headquarters in Nikšić, and regional small and medium-sized enterprises and households.

Proposed actions
Action 1  – Solari 3000+ Solari 500+
Action 2 –  Landfill remediation
Action 3 – Sanation of residential buildings
Action 4 – Solar park
Action 5  –  Wind farm Gvozd

Country: Moldova 

Region: Moldova

Partner in charge: Cross-border Cooperation and European Integration Agency

Highlights:
Aim of the Regional Action Plan
The aim of this Action Plan is to aknowledge stakeholders in Moldova, especially in Cahul region but also national stakeholders relevant to the CSSC Lab project topics, on the necessity and opportunities to support and implement RES and CSSC applications. This Regional Action Plan will also offer some best practices from EU member state countries that could be adopted in Moldova as well.

Context
Moldovan legislation is not yet harmonized to the EU directives in the field of RES, EE and CSSC but there are steps already undertaken in that direction. The vision of the Republic of Moldova in the field of energy system development is set out in the Energy Strategy of the Republic of Moldova 2030 (GD no. 102 of 05.02.2013).

The main objectives of this strategic document are:
1. Security of energy supply.
2. Creating competitive markets and their regional and European integration.
3. Environmental sustainability and combating climate change.

There are some funding opportunities in Moldova related to EE and REs although no specific financing instrument exists explicitly for CSSC applications. But some of these applications could be financed as part of a RES or EE investment. It is worth mentioning that many of the funding programs are not continuous but rather one time calls. Some of the credit instruments were created by some of the institutions mentioned above with the partnership of local banks in Moldova.

Engagement of stakeholders
The bilateral meetings and events organised by ACTIE with regional and local stakeholders showed that there is an ever increasing interest in the topics of EE and RES, partially due to the international context of the unfolding energy crisis. Still, there is very little knowldge regarding the energys storage and sector coupling sectors. The national institutions related to the energy sector (such as the Institute of Eneregtics or the Agency for Energy Efficiency) are aware of the CSSC topics although event at their level little has been done so far.

Proposed actions
Action 1 – Local action plan to increase energy efficiency at local level in Cahul District
Action 2  – Promoting sector coupling and energy storage among regional stakeholders in Moldova
Action 3 – Photovoltaic Park at the Cahul water pumping station
Action 4 – Creating energy storage capacities (batteries) at the district hospital in Cahul