eNeuron is a project funded by the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 programme which rolled out from November 2020 until January 2025. It has involved a team of 21 partners, including EPRI Europe, from 10 countries. The eNeuron goal was to set out a practical and evidence-based framework for optimising the design and operation of local energy communities.

The project achieved several key milestones, including the development of innovative tools to dynamically balance energy supply and demand, pilot testing in four locations—Poland, Norway, Portugal, and Italy, contributions to policy and standards at the European level, and extensive knowledge sharing through webinars, events, and various resources. 

EPRI Europe played a crucial role in the success of the eNeuron project, focusing on two main areas: the development of use cases and innovative business models, and the creation of a methodology for a toolbox framework. 

EPRI Europe researchers, Peter Richardson and Alessio Coccia, worked closely with project pilots to identify applicable use cases, developed these use cases using internationally recognized standard templates, and converted them into business models using the business model canvas technique. Furthermore, EPRI conducted analyses to tailor these business models to local opportunities, challenges, and barriers.

In terms of the toolbox framework methodology, EPRI Europe led the design of the overall scheme for the optimal design and operation of integrated local energy communities. This methodology brought together tools from various project partners to create a seamless, integrated solution using the concept of micro and macro energy hubs.

Through participation in the eNeuron project, the EPRI Europe team gained valuable insights into the design and operation of local energy communities. These insights include the importance of analyzing business models considering local political, economic, environmental, social, and technical aspects to ensure the successful integration of energy communities. Additionally, a workflow-based approach is essential for developing an expandable architecture that can grow with the energy system.

As integrated local energy communities are poised to be a key component of the future energy system, the tools and methods developed in the eNeuron project will be beneficial for various research areas at EPRI, including advanced buildings and communities, and distribution operations, planning and resource integration. These innovations will likely be incorporated into future projects, further advancing the field of local energy communities.

The conclusion of the eNeuron project marks not an end, but a new beginning for the development and optimization of local energy communities, with EPRI Europe's contributions laying a strong foundation for future advancements.