The European Commission’s Group of Chief Scientific Advisors (GCSA) provided policy recommendations on how the Commission can contribute, accelerate, and facilitate the clean energy transition at the European and global level - one of which is that a sustainable and fair transition to a climate-neutral energy system requires not only innovative technologies, but also a people-centric approach that actively involves all participants in the energy environment.

In particular, the Advisors recommend developing a flexible, efficient energy system by integrating renewable sources, electrification, and hydrogen, investing in the integration of infrastructures, and supporting research and innovation.

This people-centric approach lies at the heart of the RES4BUILD project, which is developing integrated renewable energy-based solutions that are tailored to the needs and requirements of users and installers. A seperate work package is working on case studies with stakeholder engagement, and in 2020 developed a "Good Practice of Integrated Energy Systems in the built environment in Poland and The Netherlands". In this report it has been argued that a robust and fully integrated IES addresses identified technical, financial, and social barriers (or challenges) of individually implemented energy solutions. This integrated service ideally includes three main components: Technology concept improvement; Financial service innovation; and Social innovation.

For the RES4BUILD Deliverable 4.1 report, see: https://res4build.eu/news-events/news/Deliverable-4-1-Good-Practice-IES/

For more information on the GCSA recommendations see: https://ec.europa.eu/info/news/put-people-heart-energy-transition-policies-eu-chief-scientific-advisors-recommend-2021-jun-29_en