Social and Environmental Assessment of a Solidarity Oriented Energy Community: A Case-Study in San Giovanni a Teduccio, Napoli (IT)

Renewable energy communities (RECs) are alternatives toward sustainable production and consumption pathways. In 2020, Italy implemented the EU Directive 2018/2001, defining a common framework for promoting energy from renewable sources. The Famiglia di Maria, a foundation dealing with social issues in San Giovanni a Teduccio, Napoli (Italy), in collaboration with Legambiente and Con il Sud Foundations, released the first Solidarity Oriented Renewable Energy Community project in Italy. Therefore, by applying social life cycle assessment (s-LCA) and life cycle assessment (LCA) methodologies, this study aims to: (i) promote the dissemination of RECs in the Italian and European contexts, (ii) suggest REC scenarios for the best social and environmental solutions, and (iii) support the policymakers for sustainable local development. Some key results show that the solidarity-oriented project has already produced mature outcomes about community cohesion. In contrast, technical skills and awareness about environmental issues still need to be further developed and shared among the stakeholders. Finally, social and environmental indicators converge on the self-consumption model as a feasible alternative for energy justice, community empowerment, and economic and market competition independence.

Automated summary

Italy has implemented the EU directive to promote renewable energy communities (RECs) and a research project on REC in San Giovanni a Teduccio, Napoli has found that it can enhance community cohesion while further development is needed in technical skills and environmental awareness. The study suggests that self-consumption models in RECs can contribute to energy justice, community empowerment, and economic independence.