VDE – Virtuell Delning inom Energigemenskaper (Virtual Sharing in Energy Communities)
VDE is a feasibility study that analyses the technical, economic and operational requirements for implementing virtual sharing of locally produced renewable electricity (primarily solar) and other energy resources within energy communities in Sweden. The project applies the Swedish Energy Markets Inspectorate’s (EI) proposed regulatory framework for virtual sharing to a real-world test case of the Hammarby Sjöstad Energy Community in close collaboration with electricity supplier Bixia and grid operator Ellevio. Using the EcoGovernance model, the consortium develops practical solutions that maximise use of existing infrastructure. Results are generalised into guidelines, recommendations and alternative models to facilitate nationwide implementation and scaling of virtual energy sharing.
Background
Energy communities (EGs) were introduced in EU legislation through the “Clean Energy for All Europeans” package in 2016 to promote decentralised energy systems and citizen participation in the energy transition. In Sweden, the Energy Markets Inspectorate (EI) was tasked in 2019 with proposing how these directives should be transposed into national law. EI’s 2020 proposal recommended that energy communities be organised as economic associations and allow both physical and virtual sharing within geographically limited areas.
Aim and Objectives
The project aims to provide evidence-based technical, economic and procedural foundations for implementing virtual energy sharing in Swedish energy communities. The main objectives are:
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Techno-economic assessment of measurement infrastructure, data flows and communication requirements for accurate production and consumption allocation at building and apartment level
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Quantitative evaluation of costs and benefits for all stakeholders (residents, electricity suppliers, DSOs) under EI’s proposed model, including analysis of administrative processes, contracts and billing
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Investigation of alternative incentive structures (e.g. tax exemptions for virtually shared renewable electricity) and their impact on investment attractiveness and grid benefits
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Generalisation of test-case results into scalable models and policy recommendations for different types of energy communities across Sweden, including varying production portfolios, member compositions and price zones
KTH leads the technical and business analyses (WP2 and WP3), performs the techno-economic modelling, develops alternative sharing models, evaluates grid impacts, and generalises results for nationwide applicability.
Project Partners
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ElectriCITY Innovation ekonomisk förening, Sweden (Coordinator)
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Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan (KTH), Sweden
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Ellevio AB, Sweden
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Bixia AB, Sweden
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Bengt Dahlgren Stockholm AB, Sweden
Funding is provided by the Swedish Energy Agency (Energimyndigheten) under the call “Energigemenskaper och energidelning för ett mer robust energisystem”.
Timeframe: February 2026 - August 2027
Keytags: Energy Communities, Virtual Energy Sharing, Regulatory Frameworks, Market Design, Stakeholder Impacts, Local Energy Markets, Distributed Generation
Researchers
