The transition to a climate-neutral energy system is not only a technical challenge, but also a social one. Across Europe, local energy communities are playing an increasingly important role in ensuring that citizens can actively participate in shaping and benefiting from the energy transition. This is why AquaCOM is working closely with energy communities, including our German Early Adopter Energy Community Bürgerenergie Hattingen (BEH) in Germany.
In May 2026, representatives of Bürgerenergie Hattingen attended the annual Bürgerenergie-Konvent, the main German event on community energy, organised by the Bündnis Bürgerenergie (BBEn). The event brought together around 260 participants from energy communities, municipalities, businesses, and research institutions to discuss the future of community -led renewable energy.
This year’s conference was hosted in Hirschaid, Bavaria, at the innovative Energiepark Hirschaid – a former industrial hall that has been transformed into a green energy hub powered by photovoltaic systems and vertical wind turbines. The venue itself served as an inspiring example of how existing infrastructure can be repurposed to support sustainable energy generation and community engagement.
A shared challenge: Making the energy transition inclusive
For Eckhard Holtmann from BEH, one message stood out throughout the conference: the importance of increasing public acceptance of the energy transition while creating more opportunities for people to actively participate in local renewable energy projects.
Many speakers highlighted a key challenge in achieving this goal: how can citizens who do not own property – or who cannot afford to invest in energy cooperatives – still benefit from locally generated renewable energy?
Several promising approaches were discussed, including tenant electricity models, community energy supply schemes, and innovative forms of energy sharing. Participants shared examples of projects that make renewable electricity more accessible and affordable for residents while reducing administrative barriers that have often slowed wider adoption.
Reflecting on these discussions, Michael Hötger from BEH emphasised the importance of local value creation in building strong and inclusive energy communities. The conference reinforced his conviction that citizens are most effectively empowered when they can directly benefit from the renewable energy generated in their own communities and play an active role in shaping local energy systems.
These discussions resonate strongly with AquaCOM’s vision. While the project focuses on unlocking the potential of aquathermal energy, its success ultimately depends on the active involvement and support of local communities. New renewable energy solutions can only be scaled successfully when citizens understand their benefits, have opportunities to participate, and see tangible value for their neighbourhoods.
Learning from energy communities
For AquaCOM, exchanges with organisations such as BEH provide valuable insights into how communities perceive and engage with innovative energy systems.
Energy cooperatives who came together at the Bürgerenergie-Konvent have decades of experience in mobilising local support for renewable energy projects. Their lessons on participation, transparency, and shared benefits are highly relevant as Europe explores new renewable heat sources, including aquathermal energy.
The Bürgerenergie-Konvent demonstrated that technological innovation and citizen engagement must go hand in hand. Whether the energy comes from solar panels, wind turbines, or the untapped thermal potential of waterbodies, communities need to be at the centre of the transition.
We thank BEH for sharing their insights from the conference and for their ongoing contribution to the AquaCOM project. Together, we are exploring how innovative renewable energy systems can deliver not only environmental benefits, but also meaningful opportunities for citizen participation and local value creation.
Photos: ©Bündnis Bürgerenergie/Silke Reents.