Energy communities, distributed generation, renewable sources: Close relatives or potential friends?

The issue of “energy communities” is increasingly central to public and academic debate. However, the current discourse on energy communities often mixes three different aspects in an unclear manner. The first aspect is the type of energy source: that is, fossil or renewable. The second aspect is the general configuration of energy production: centralised or distributed. The third aspect is the type of prosumers: individuals or communities. These three aspects are not directly related (they concern three different issues), although they may be compatible. This article critically considers these three aspects and the distinctive advantages of the second item in the three pairs: renewable sources; distributed energy production; communities as prosumers. The intention is not merely to provide an overview of the state of the art; it is also to suggest a critical reframing of the discourse. The overall aim is not solely to distinguish different aspects (and advantages); it is also to clarify the real scope and meaning of each of them. Since the three aspects considered (renewables, distributed generation, energy communities) are distinct and conceptually independent from each other, various possible arrangements (i.e., combinations) can be imagined. The article critically considers these various possible combinations and discusses precautions and caveats in terms of policies that should be taken into account in this regard.