"E-REDES" portal to foster collective self-consumption and energy communities

This paper presents and discusses the main features of a Digital Platform developed and maintained by “E-REDES” – the largest Power Distribution Company in Portugal – to enhance the management of Collective and Self-consumption providers recently emerging in the Country's energy market. “E-REDES“ – already counting in Portugal with over six million customers connected to the grid with smart meters installed of the overall power customers in mainland Portugal – also holds the responsibility to guarantee a mutually beneficial relationship with different Managing Entities for Collective Self-consumption. The Portuguese regulatory framework model for Collective Self-consumption is based on the association of consumers and generation units in proximity to share energy. The participants assign the Managing Entity for Collective Self-consumption to represent them before operators such as the power distribution company. To achieve the purpose of answering the needs of market agents more efficiently, “E-REDES” decided, three years ago, to develop a customized digital portal hosted at the Company's website. An improved management of the relationship with market agents in the Collective Self-consumption segment is the aim, upgrading their digital experience and going beyond older and less user-friendly solutions.