Reporting Period 1 (December 2024 – February 2026) constituted the foundational phase of ECHO. All planned technical outputs were delivered on schedule or are progressing without critical deviation.
Strategic Foundations (WP1). A Needs and Opportunities Mapping was conducted across all three countries using a Five-Spheres framework covering technological, market, regulatory, operational and societal dimensions, combining desk research with a structured stakeholder questionnaire. More than 200 actors were identified, classified through Mendelow's power–interest matrix and operationalised through a five-level participation spectrum. An international benchmarking analysis of comparable Excellence Hub and energy community models identified transferable critical success factors. These outputs were translated into the ECHO Excellence Hub Launch Playbook — defining mission, governance, KPIs and first-year roadmaps for each Hub — and consolidated in Deliverable D1.1. The three Hubs were formally launched on 25 February 2026, marking the transition from analytical groundwork to active implementation.
Capacity Building and Networking (WP2). A training needs analysis identified six thematic priority areas: Technical, Social, Legal, Economic, ICT/Data and Innovation Management. The training programme reached approximately 80% completion by end of RP1. A modular Moodle-based Networking and Training Platform architecture was defined, with regional Hub instances and links to existing national platforms. The Expert Collaboration Programme was conceptually designed, and draft monitoring and evaluation questionnaires were produced ahead of schedule.
Pilot Portfolio (WP3). Fifteen candidate pilot Energy Communities were identified and assessed across the three countries — five in Greece, four in Portugal and six in Türkiye — spanning all three maturity levels (emerging, early-stage, mature). A consortium-wide MoU template and Participant Consent Form were developed. Pilot-specific service packages were scoped at Hub level, and cross-site learning methodology design was initiated.
Innovation and Exploitation (WP4). A first ECHO IP Assessment and Strategy was produced, classifying technical and social innovations using adapted TRL thresholds tailored to energy community contexts. Structured desktop research on Energy Community business models was initiated to ground future commercialisation pathways.
Governance (WP6). The Project Management Plan and Data and Ethics Management Plan were established, embedding FAIR-compliant data governance and ethical safeguards. Three General Assembly meetings were held and no critical risks or deviations were identified.
