Energiespenden 2.0
The “Energiespenden 2.0” project takes the impact of electricity donations to a new level through technological and social innovations, with the aim of combating energy poverty in Austria in the long term and significantly improving the utilisation rate of donated energy.
According to a recent EU-SILC survey, 4% of Austrians cannot afford to keep their homes adequately warm. This corresponds to around 360,000 people and shows that energy poverty is widespread even in a wealthy country like Austria. Particularly vulnerable groups are often excluded from the energy transition and are disproportionately affected by energy poverty.
Enixi (with energiespenden.at) and Robin Powerhood are pioneers in the field of energy donations and have already established a nationwide energy community to donate surplus energy to households in need. The current model is successfully in operation: since its launch in 2023, 400 MWh of electricity have been donated, an aid contribution worth around 100,000 euros. In addition, the number of donors has quadrupled in the past eight months. However, structural limitations remain: so far, generation and consumption are balanced in 15-minute intervals. Surpluses cannot be fully utilized, and residual demand is covered by regular electricity suppliers. Full supply is therefore not possible. Energiespenden 2.0 connects the existing platform with OurPower’s marketplace expertise, new regulatory opportunities and social innovation.
Energiespenden 2.0 develops the social, economic, and technological innovations needed to categorically increase the impact of energy donations.
From a social perspective, it is essential to reach people in need more effectively. To this end, accessible registration processes are being developed, and measures for inclusivity and empowerment are designed. Special emphasis is placed on acceptance and multiplier effects in order to achieve the greatest possible impact. In parallel, on the economic level, a service and billing model for municipalities is being developed, new valorization and financing pathways for energy donations are being explored, and a business model for a social energy supply company is being designed.
On the technical level, the project addresses the aggregation of unused energy surpluses to maximize utilization, market participation to pool residual electricity purchases as a buying cooperative and the standardization of interfaces to support automated processes.
The project aims to measurably and sustainably reduce energy poverty in Austria, ensure access to affordable and renewable energy for all, and, concretely, to increase the utilization rate of energy donations from the current 55% to nearly 100% and unlock the potential for participation by tens of thousands of Austrian households and annual donation volumes in the double-digit gigawatt-hour range
