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FAQ - Energy Community

What is an energy community?

Simply put, an energy community is a group of at least two participants for the shared production and use (consumption, storage, or sale) of energy. 

Energy communities are based on the new Renewable Energy Expansion Act (EAG).

In Austria, there are three different models for implementing the shared use of one or more energy generation facilities:

Grid Levels and Energy Communities in Austria

A Citizen Energy Community (BEG) is an energy community where participation is not limited to a specific geographical area. Therefore, BEGs can extend across the concession areas of all grid operators throughout Austria.

A BEG operates only in the electricity sector, and the electricity can come from both fossil and renewable sources. Profit generation is not the primary focus. BEGs are intended to bring ecological, economic, and social community benefits to their members. Participation is voluntary. Companies of all sizes are permitted to participate.

Austrian Citizen Energy Communities are founded based on sections 16b, 16d, and 16e of the Austrian Federal Act “Electricity Industry and Organization Act 2010 (ElWOG 2010).”

Any owner of a metering point (generation or consumption facility) can participate in the Citizen Energy Community:

  • Private households

  • Farmers

  • Companies (of all sizes!)

  • Municipalities

With multiple metering points participating:

  • Participants in GEA

  • Participants in EEG

To create a unique and fair Austrian energy market for all participants. 100% green electricity from photovoltaic, hydro, and wind power plants is supplied directly to our consumers by our regional producers at non-profit prices. Profit generation is not the primary focus.

Our Energy Community AUSTRIA (BEG) is organized as an independent area of activity (sector) within our eco-social cooperative FAMILY OF POWER. (like our areas of activity / sectors e-carsharing, POWER TAXI, etc.)

The Sector Council is the governing body, and the Sector Assembly is the gathering of all participants. The rules of procedure ensure professional and cooperative operations.

The rules of procedure of the Energy Community AUSTRIA (BEG) sector regulate the legal and organizational structure of the BEG within the framework of the provisions of the founding document and statutes of FAMILY OF POWER SCE mbH.

Download, fill out, print, and sign the BEG form “ENERGY AND POWER SUPPLY AGREEMENT” and send to buergerenergie@familyofpower.at

Download, fill out, print, and sign the BEG form
“AGREEMENT on the EXISTENCE and USE of the ENERGY GENERATION FACILITY” and send to buergerenergie@familyofpower.at

For the purpose of energy law, allocation, and billing treatment of energy consumption in connection with the BEG's energy generation facilities, a calculated allocation of a dynamic share of the generated energy to the respective consumption facilities of the participating grid users has been agreed upon with the grid operators.

Yes! Every BEG participant becomes a member of the FAMILY OF POWER cooperative. (in accordance with § 16b Para. 2 ElWOG)

PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS pay a one-time fee of € 24,- (€ 12 for a PRIVATE business share + € 12 activation fee)

BUSINESS OWNERS pay a one-time fee of € 132,- (€ 120 for a BUSINESS business share + € 12 activation fee)

Upon withdrawal from FAMILY OF POWER, membership is terminated, and thus the claim for repayment of the business credit or business share is established: € 12,- for PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS, € 120,- for COMPANIES.

There are no ongoing membership fees.
There are no ongoing metering point fees.

Every BEG participant, as a member of the FAMILY OF POWER cooperative, is liable only for the simple value of their business share(s).

No! – All existing electricity contracts (feed-in or supply contracts) remain unchanged.

During times when the ENERGY COMMUNITY does not receive/supply electricity, I will continue to supply/receive surplus/residual electricity through my existing electricity contracts as usual.

 

If the participant has confirmed the additional agreement in the network operator service portal and a Smart Meter is already installed, then the meter readings will be transmitted to the ENERGY COMMUNITY from the following day.

If no Smart Meter is yet installed, after registering with the ENERGY COMMUNITY, the network operator will install the Smart Meter, establish stable communication, and activate the quarter-hourly readings.

The Credit Notes ( E ) / Invoices ( B ) will be automatically sent via email between the 21st and 30th calendar day of the second following month.

Payment for my electricity consumption from the ENERGY COMMUNITY is made automatically 1 to 5 calendar days after receiving the invoice, through direct debit by the ENERGY COMMUNITY using the SEPA direct debit mandate I provided.

The transfer for my electricity supplies to the ENERGY COMMUNITY is made automatically 6 to 10 calendar days after receiving the credit note, to the account I specified.

Any participant with one or more consumption metering points can terminate their participation with a notice period of 4 weeks, effective at the end of the month.

Any participant with a feed-in metering point can terminate their participation after the 1-year fixed term has expired, with a notice period of 8 weeks, effective at the end of the month.

Couldn’t find the answer you were looking for?

We are happy to help you in person.

FAMILY OF POWER

Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

T: +43 463 20355
M: +43 699 1612 0010

Energy Community AUSTRIA

Monday–Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

M: +43 699 1612 0030

Car Sharing

Emergency Hotline 24/7

M: +43 699 1612 0010

POWER TAXI

Murau, Lungau, Klagenfurt
M: +43 699 1612 0015

Patient Transport
M:+43 699 1612 0016

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