This report provides policy recommendations for three levels of decision-making groups - individual consumers, collective decision-making units, and policymakers/energy providers - regarding smart energy technology, electric mobility, and buildings. It finds that one-size-fits-all policies will not work due to differences between countries. Recommendations include regulations, support schemes, empowering local governance, and encouraging public procurement. While groups have distinct contexts, their actions cannot be treated in isolation. A multifaceted approach is needed to reach climate and energy targets, combining regulations, risk reduction, and knowledge sharing.

1. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement
No 727470
Background
This report provides comprehensive policy recommendations addressing three levels of formal social units defined in the
ECHOES project:
1. Policy makers and/or energy providers. Decision-making units with a major influence on energy choice decisions.
2. Collective decision-making units which are more formally structured, with relative lower information and power
asymmetries when compared to the previous formal social units.
3. Individual consumers engaging in joint contracts. These are individuals that engage in group decision-making
processes around energy choices, so that they can increase their negotiation power with other more formal bodies.
Moreover, this report also aims to provide policy recommendations relating to three technological foci addressed in the
ECHOES project, namely smart energy technology, electric mobility, and buildings.
Policy recommendation papers to country-wise perspectives on the
factors driving collective energy choices and energy-related behaviour.

2. This project has received funding from the
European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and
innovation programme under grant agreement
No 727470
• Policymakers can influence individuals through right
incentives, supporting infrastructure establishment,
regulations, market design for small-scale distributed
renewable energy distribution and other smart energy
technologies.
Findings - Results
• There are great differences between the different
countries.
• One-size-fits-all policies will not work.
• Problems, needs and requirements of different countries
need to be identified.
• Policy recommendations can be focused on three basic
themes: regulations and support schemes, cities and
local governance, and public procurement.
• There is a gap between policy directives, and how
individual Member States implement them.
• Impact of regulations and schemes is often unpredictable
due to the complexity of non-linear phenomena.
• The local level often lacks autonomy, budget, and
competence. There is often a mismatch between what
the local level is asked to do, and its capacity.
• Consumers may become fundamental drivers in
technological transition processes as they frequently
have idealistic motives rather than mere financial ones.
Conclusions
• The three decision-making units (formal social units, collective
decision-making units and individual consumers) operate within
their own distinctive context.
• Despite their differences and contradictions, their actions and
goals cannot be treated in isolation.
• Formal social units, for instance, formulate policies that affect
the other groups, and collective decision-making units have the
power to affect policy and legislation.
• Solely relying on the use of regulations and support schemes to
reach the EU’s critical climate and energy targets is insufficient.
• Market regulations and policies directed toward risk reduction
are very important.
• Individuals may also be encouraged to take a longer-term view
by discussion and the sharing of knowledge.