On December 4, 2025, the municipality of Ajdovščina organized a cross-border workshop as part of the CO ADRIA project, where stakeholders exchanged views and solutions regarding the technological requirements that would enable the establishment of energy communities in connection with renewable energy sources. At the workshop, Doc. Dr. Tine Seljak, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, and Darjo Uršič, M.Sc. Eng. Director of the start-up Enedar d.o.o., presented the opportunities and potential for establishing energy communities in the municipality of Ajdovščina and a cross-border perspective and also possibilities for introducing advanced energy management systems. The workshop was held live and interactively online in both Slovenian and Italian.
Based on the presentation of the results of a preliminary survey, in which representatives of Slovenian and Italian companies, economic associations, municipalities, and the interested public participated, the participants then discussed the optimization of energy use and the transition to renewable sources. The discussion focused on various technological and system solutions that would be suitable for the local environment. In addition to solar energy, waste heat, biomass, and water resources were highlighted as the most suitable sources, while wind energy was less prominent. There was a strong emphasis on the use of waste heat within industrial zones or in connection with heat transfer to nearby residential areas. Participants agreed that further development would require greater awareness and involvement of the local community. However, in order to understand the transition to renewable energy, it will be necessary to think more broadly, taking into account not only the financial benefits for individuals or companies, but also other aspects of quality of life and the construction of shared infrastructure.
The workshop concluded with a presentation of the summaries of the work of two groups that assessed possible next steps for the creation of a cross-border participatory model of an energy community.
