Prof. Spiros Alexopoulos works in the Faculty of Energy Technology at the FH Aachen University of Applied Sciences, in Germany. He received his PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Siegen, Germany (2003). He worked as a Doctoral Researcher at the Institute of Thermal Thermodynamics, Solar Research, German Aerospace Center, Köln-Porz, before moving to FH Aachen, where he has been a Research Associate at the Solar-Institut Jülich (2005-10), Head of the Regenerative Systems Department (from 2011), and then a Professor since 2014. Prof. Alexopoulos is also Head of the Laboratory for Thermodynamics and since 2015 has been a member of the board of directors of the institute, in which he coordinates international research projects with industrial partners. His research interests include solar thermal systems, (hybrid) solar tower power plants, water desalination using solar energy, and energy solutions for the Mediterranean region. He is an experienced lecturer, teaching in thermodynamics, turbomachinery for energy systems, energy communities, and autarkic island systems.

• Part 1: Overview 1. Introduction to Energy Communities and Self-Sufficient Energy Islands 2. Enabling Technologies and Digital Solutions for Energy Communities and Self-Sufficient Energy Islands 3. Similarities and Differences – Energy Communities and Self-Sufficient Energy Islands 4. Challenges and Limitations of Energy Efficient Communities and Self-Sufficient Islands 5. Grid Impacts - Energy Communities and Self-Sufficient Energy Islands 6. Roadmap to Energy Transition and Global Perspectives - Energy Communities and Self-Sufficient Energy Islands Part 2: Energy Communities 7. Characteristics of Energy Communities 8. Energy Communities - Legal Framework 9. Economic Viability, Business, and Funding Models for Energy Communities 10. Social Impacts of Energy Communities 11. Strategies and Smart Tools for Engagement and Empowerment of Energy Community Members 12. Environmental Impacts of Energy Communities 13. Examples of Energy Communities 14. Sustainability and Energy Communities Part 3: Self-Sufficient Energy Islands 15. Characteristics of Energy Islands 16. Technical Analysis, Overall Energy Balance, and Energy Performance Indicators for Energy Islands 17. Concept Development for Sustainable Energy Islands 18. Software Tools for Sustainable Energy Islands Simulation 19. Examples of Energy Concept Development for Energy Islands 20. Energy Self-Sufficiency with RES 21. Self-Sufficiency in Heating and Cooling for Energy Islands 22. Water Self-Production in Energy Islands 23. Cyclic Economy Implementation in Energy Islands 24. Examples of Self-Sufficient Energy Islands 25. Operational Management of Energy Island Systems Part 4: Conclusion 26. Energy Communities and Self-Sufficient Energy Islands – Executive Summary and Future Development