Digitalizing the Lifecycle of Community-Integrated PV Systems for Smart Grid-Ready and Inclusive Energy Communities

The rapid growth of photovoltaic (PV) technologies and the drive towards renewable energy have accelerated PV deployment and integration into local systems. Many communities and citizens now operate utility-scale PV assets that typically function as passive energy producers. The EU-funded PVSmile project aims to transform these large-scale PV installations into flexible, grid-integrated community assets that support smart-grid operation and empower inclusive energy communities. It will apply advanced ICT tools and decentralised, community-centred models to deliver actionable energy and non-energy services to actors across the energy value chain. The project will strengthen citizen engagement, reinforce cybersecurity, enable interoperable data exchange, expand local flexibility and enhance PV lifecycle planning through multi-level governance structures and interactive methodologies based on social science.