Digital Energy Communities

How can housing associations work together to reduce energy use in their buildings while contributing to a more sustainable society? This is the starting point of the project Digital Energy Communities for Sustainable and Resilient Energy Habits in Housing Associations.

The project is developing a digital platform designed to help housing associations work in a structured and long-term way with energy efficiency improvements. The platform is based on the ElectriCITY model, an established methodology developed in collaboration with housing associations in Hammarby Sjöstad, which supports neighboring housing associations in cooperating on energy-related issues through knowledge sharing, joint procurement, and systematic energy efficiency efforts.

By collecting energy data, supporting collaboration between associations, and providing concrete recommendations, the platform will make it easier for both boards and residents to make well-informed decisions about energy use. Through behavioral science, user-friendly design, and AI-based recommendations, users receive support in gradually changing their energy habits over time.

The project aims to:

• reduce energy use in selected areas by up to 20%

• reduce household energy consumption by 7% and peak loads by 20%

• increase knowledge and engagement around energy issues in housing associations

• develop a solution that can be scaled and implemented in housing cooperatives across the country

Many housing associations want to improve energy efficiency but lack time, resources, or the right tools. At the same time, previous experiences — including those from Hammarby Sjöstad — show that the potential is significant when associations collaborate and learn from one another. The digital platform will help maintain engagement between meetings and create long-term results by connecting associations within a neighborhood and supporting joint decision-making.

The two-year project is carried out in collaboration between LocalLife, ElectriCITY, and the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH). The platform is being developed together with residents in the pilot areas of Hammarby Sjöstad and Finnboda, where several housing associations are participating in testing and further development. The KTH-developed AI tool Spara, which provides personalized energy recommendations, is integrated into the platform. Development, testing, and evaluation are conducted in parallel to enable scaling and national dissemination of the solution.

The project is primarily funded by the Swedish Energy Agency, with support from LocalLife. Implementation takes place in close collaboration between researchers, companies, non-profit organizations, and residents.

The results will be disseminated through seminars, training sessions, social media, and publications. The ambition is to develop a business model and dissemination material that make it easy for more housing associations to join and contribute to the energy transition.