Recent geopolitical tensions and the global energy crisis have highlighted the urgent need to shift from traditional energy supply models towards sustainable solutions involving active participation from citizens, public authorities, and private actors. Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are emerging as a novel form of community-based entrepreneurship grounded in social innovation and participatory governance, capable of generating economic and socio-environmental benefits. This study presents a systematic literature review using the PRISMA methodology, based on a Scopus search until 10 August 2025, to identify key research trends in the social and political dimensions. The final corpus includes 45 peer-reviewed journal articles, classified into two dimensions: 26 addressing the social dimension, centred on acceptance, engagement, trust, and behavioural drivers; and 19 focusing on the political, encompassing regulatory frameworks and governance arrangements. The review reveals that social factors mobilise and sustain collective participation, while political ones reduce coordination costs and support replication. Crucially, the analysis points to the social legitimacy that sustains RECs but cannot ensure their diffusion without institutional support; conversely, enabling frameworks fail to deliver scalable outcomes when not anchored in local acceptance and participation. Furthermore, the review identifies the potential of RECs in addressing energy poverty, distinguishing between empirical evidence and normative expectations. These findings are particularly relevant for territorially fragile areas, where RECs can foster resilience and inclusivity.
Social and Political Dimensions of Renewable Energy Communities: A Systematic Literature Review
Orsitto L.
;Riefolo M.;Taormina V.;Lombardi M.;Faccilongo N.
2026-01-01
Abstract
Recent geopolitical tensions and the global energy crisis have highlighted the urgent need to shift from traditional energy supply models towards sustainable solutions involving active participation from citizens, public authorities, and private actors. Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) are emerging as a novel form of community-based entrepreneurship grounded in social innovation and participatory governance, capable of generating economic and socio-environmental benefits. This study presents a systematic literature review using the PRISMA methodology, based on a Scopus search until 10 August 2025, to identify key research trends in the social and political dimensions. The final corpus includes 45 peer-reviewed journal articles, classified into two dimensions: 26 addressing the social dimension, centred on acceptance, engagement, trust, and behavioural drivers; and 19 focusing on the political, encompassing regulatory frameworks and governance arrangements. The review reveals that social factors mobilise and sustain collective participation, while political ones reduce coordination costs and support replication. Crucially, the analysis points to the social legitimacy that sustains RECs but cannot ensure their diffusion without institutional support; conversely, enabling frameworks fail to deliver scalable outcomes when not anchored in local acceptance and participation. Furthermore, the review identifies the potential of RECs in addressing energy poverty, distinguishing between empirical evidence and normative expectations. These findings are particularly relevant for territorially fragile areas, where RECs can foster resilience and inclusivity.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
