Ferreira, E.Gouveia, J.P.Sequeira, M.M.Autor correspondente: Ferreira, E.2025-04-102025-04-102023-05-08PURE: 114829637PURE UUID: d343062b-0c17-40fe-8ff0-b83b4b06a443ORCID: /0009-0009-9081-0923/work/157098221ORCID: /0000-0002-7360-1363/work/182030736http://hdl.handle.net/10362/182149Collective energy initiatives as Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) play a key role in reducing energy poverty and increasing energy citizenship, associated with various economic, social, and financial benefits for the locals. This paper aims to present a broad view of the concept of a REC focused on the European context, also systematizing a set of study cases to uncover key activities, technologies, advantages, and challenges of implementing this energy entity. In this context, a real world study case is explored in detail through the Telheiras REC development, where the implementation process was followed and is reported, and key outputs include photovoltaic simulations carried out in six buildings of the communit2237205engRenewable energy communityenergy povertyenergy transitionenergy democracyrenewable energySolar photovoltaicSDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energyconference object10.48528/v3b3-fk78