EU Horizon Innotrec

Visit the INNO-TREC LinkedIn page

The vision of INNO-TREC is to create a new generation of renewable energy communities that can set up and operate shared clean energy systemsβ€”reducing costs, enhancing local autonomy and energy security, and supporting the transition to clean energy. Central to the project is the testing and development of new community models and energy-sharing approaches, aimed at identifying practical and cost-effective structures for running sustainable, community-led energy systems.

The €5.4 million project is funded by the European Commission and involves 21 academic and industry partners from ten countries, with demonstration sites in Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Belgium, and the UK. INNO-TREC is demonstrated in the UK by Cranfield University, Electric Corby CIC, and Energise Barnsley.

Through this project we will be:

  • π‘ͺπ’β€‘π’„π’“π’†π’‚π’•π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒖𝒍𝒆𝒔
    We believe communities should shape the systems that impact their lives. INNO-TREC brings citizens, local organisations, and experts together to design guidelines and solutions collaboratively, ensuring they reflect real needs and local realities.
  • π‘¬π’π’ˆπ’‚π’ˆπ’Šπ’π’ˆ π’˜π’Šπ’•π’‰ π’„π’π’Žπ’Žπ’–π’π’Šπ’•π’Šπ’†π’”, 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒋𝒖𝒔𝒕 π’„π’π’π’”π’–π’π’•π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’•π’‰π’†π’Ž
    Our approach goes beyond surveys and workshops. We build long‑term relationships with communities, working alongside them to understand challenges, test solutions, and create models that can be replicated across Europe.
  • Β π‘Ίπ’–π’‘π’‘π’π’“π’•π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒂𝒄𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 π’•π’‰π’“π’π’–π’ˆπ’‰ π’”π’π’„π’Šπ’‚π’ π’•π’‚π’“π’Šffs
    Energy should be accessible to all. INNO-TREC explores inclusive tariff models that help reduce cost burdens on vulnerable households, ensuring that the benefits of renewable energy communities are shared fairly.
  • π‘»π’‚π’„π’Œπ’π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’†π’π’†π’“π’ˆπ’š π’‘π’π’—π’†π’“π’•π’š 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅‑𝒐𝒏
    By empowering local renewable communities and offering tailored support, the project helps households reduce their bills, improve comfort, and gain greater control over their energy usage, a crucial step in addressing energy poverty.
  • Β π‘©π’π’π’”π’•π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’†π’π’†π’“π’ˆπ’š π’π’Šπ’•π’†π’“π’‚π’„π’š 𝒇𝒐𝒓 π’π’‚π’”π’•π’Šπ’π’ˆ π’„π’‰π’‚π’π’ˆπ’†
    Knowledge is power. From workshops to practical guidance, INNO-TREC helps people understand how energy works, why it matters, and how they can take part in shaping a sustainable future.

The new model will contribute to the UK’s net zero goals and fuel poverty agenda, and could roll out in the future more widely, with more communities establishing and running their own renewable energy systems. Energise Barnsley will manage local delivery and tenant engagement, bringing deep community energy expertise and managing the rollout of smart energy technologies across council-owned homes in Barnsley. The UK partners will also contribute to digital tool development, AI-powered decision support, financing schemes, and the evaluation of scale-up and commercialisation pathways.