Project Description

Market development, market segment energy cooperatives & community energy

Energy cooperatives and community energy projects are a key driver of the energy transition in Germany. More than 870 energy cooperatives with around 220,000 members have already invested over €3 billion in renewable energy plants and generate several TWh of clean electricity every year.

The aim is to strengthen local value creation, make the energy supply sustainable and actively involve citizens in the energy transition. In addition to the traditional operation of photovoltaic and wind systems, the focus is increasingly shifting to heating projects, storage solutions and digital business models.

Here are the specific challenges:

  • Development of projects beyond traditional PV or wind farms – e.g. local heating networks, tenant electricity models, battery storage, neighborhood solutions.

  • Professionalization of project development with limited voluntary or part-time structures.

  • Ensuring planning security and financing for large, complex projects.

  • Integration of new technologies such as AI-supported energy management, edge computing and grid-friendly battery systems.

  • Overcoming legal and regulatory hurdles in the energy market (EEG, Heat Supply Ordinance, grid connection procedure).

Developments and challenges

  • Legal pressure: Expansion targets for renewable energies, municipal heat planning obligations and climate protection laws are opening up new business areas for cooperatives.

  • Social pressure: High acceptance of local projects – citizens want opportunities to participate, but expect fast and transparent implementation.

  • Economic pressure: Increasing project sizes require more capital, professional project management and access to funding.

  • Technological trends: sector coupling (electricity, heat, mobility), district storage, smart grids, tenant electricity clouds, AI-optimized system control.

  • Funding landscape: grants and low-interest loans from KfW, BAFA and state programs, including for heating networks, storage, tenant electricity.

  • Best practices: Energy cooperatives that successfully combine local heating, PV districts and battery storage retain members and generate stable income.

EXAVY services

EXAVY supports energy cooperatives in scaling and professionalizing their projects – from the idea to operation:

  • Project development and financing

    • Heating grids, district electricity supply, tenant electricity projects, battery storage, edge computing.

    • Turnkey planning including feasibility studies, integration of subsidies and financing.

  • Technology integration

    • Integration of modern technologies: AI-supported operational management, waste heat recovery from data centers, grid-friendly battery systems.

    • Sector coupling for maximum efficiency and CO₂ reduction.

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    Participation and operator models

    • Structures in which cooperatives contribute capital and members, while EXAVY takes over technology, project management and operation.

    • Flexible participation through to joint operator joint venture.

  • Digital platform solutions

      • Billing, member administration, transparency tools for those involved.

      • Monitoring and optimization of energy flows in real time.

Strengthening local value creation: investments remain in the region, proceeds flow to members.

  • Strengthening local value creation: investments remain in the region, proceeds flow to members.

  • Expansion of the portfolio: access to new business areas (heat, storage, digital services) without overburdening the voluntary structures

  • Financial security: integration of subsidies and financing, risk sharing with EXAVY.

  • Technological edge: Use of modern, future-proof solutions to increase efficiency and acceptance.

  • Long-term partnership: EXAVY as a reliable technical, financial and strategic partner.