User Readiness

User readiness addresses the extent to which the (future) members of energy communities are ready to become involved and engaged.

Knowledge and Awareness

It is important that users have or acquire a certain level of knowledge about what P2P entails. Such awareness is most relevant for active users, but for the less-active users/community members it is also important to learn what impacts it can have for themselves, the situation at home, for the community and in terms of the energy transition. When users have no clue what is happening, they do not have a good basis to take decisions on (e.g. about joining in or opting out). So in terms of empowering citizens in the energy transition, it is good that they are informed and engaged.

Values and goals

A P2P arrangement can be organized so as to support diverse values and goals. A distinction can be made between environmental, economic and social values. It is important that users understand the values and goals that a P2P EC initiative aims for, in order to be able to assess if these match their own values and goals. For instance, the goal to maximise local self-consumption may not also favour maximization of financial returns. In other words, not all goals can be maximized and if there is no attention for this, energy community members risk that they participate in arrangements that are not in line with their own values and goals.

Willingness and ability

What do the users need to be able to participate in a P2P EC? Think about the ability to invest financially, to invest time and energy. Even when users are interested and willing to participate, they may need support to be able to actually do so. If willingness and ability do not receive explicit attention, there is the risk that an EC effectively excludes citizens with fewer resources and capabilities, thus undermining fairness in the energy transition.