CER Fiemme s.c.
Val di Fiemme | Italy 🇮🇹
CER Fiemme operates in Val di Fiemme, an Alpine valley mostly covered by woods and mountains. Historically, the valley has managed its natural and energy resources independently for centuries – the energy community is a modern version of this tradition. CER Fiemme is set up as a cooperative, has its first members and has already applied for community recognition by the local authorities. Its main goal for AGRICOM is to broaden the membership base and focusing on connecting local farms with tourist accommodations, as they have suitable roofs for solar PVs and consumption profiles that complement each other.
Federazione Trentina della Cooperazione (FTC) helps Italian AGRICOM pilots reach their energy community goals. Founded in 1895, it contributes to the social and economic resilience of communities and territories through cooperative entrepreneurship.
➔ How did the pilot join AGRICOM?
CER Fiemme already collaborated with FTC in the past and has a well-established relationship. Its situation matched the offering of AGRICOM so it immediately applied, hoping that the technical and engagement support would speed up the launch of the energy community.
➔ What made the pilot stand out?
CER Fiemme already has basic structures in place and a defined goal, namely, to turn it into an active regional player. This is a common story for Italian energy communities – FTC and AGRICOM see a clear path towards reaching it with the expertise the project offers.
➔ What does the pilot already have in place?
CER Fiemme already has the statute and a membership base. It initiated the recognition procedure with the National Energy Services Operator and is expecting a positive result. It is common for young Italian energy communities to quickly set up the organization but then get stuck at a pre-operational stage – with AGRICOM’s expertise, CER Fiemme will get the support, necessary to finalize technical and administrative tasks sooner.
➔ How will AGRICOM help?
Outreach and matchmaking: AGRICOM will help broaden the membership base by involving different local business sectors, in particular livestock farmers and dairies, farm holiday resorts, restaurants and local producers, as well as private citizens.
Technical planning: AGRICOM will map the area to find existing installations that meet the requirements to join and identify the most strategic and promising parties to host new installations.
Technical support for new installations: AGRICOM will conduct feasibility studies and system sizing.
➔ Future vision: what will you achieve together?
By the end of the project, CER Fiemme is expected to launch energy sharing on its first substation. It should be able to run the community independently, both in the legal-administrative and technical domains, and involve a wider community from the neighboring areas.
➔ What should the pilot keep in mind?
Public subsidies that farmers receive may be incompatible with access to the energy community incentive – CER Fiemme must be thorough in their selection and clearly inform potential members about the conditions. Building trust and implementing transparent communication from the start is key for a happy community!