In Chapter 3 , we saw the power of a unifying vision like energy independence. It helps to bring communities together and garner support for energy projects. A key part of forming these visions is to develop a strategy that outlines what fossil fuels are currently used for and the options available to replace them with renewable sources. Just like Reinhard Koch did for Güssing or Søren Hermansen prepared for Samsø, any community energy project begins with first developing an understanding of the problem. This chapter details the extensive community engagement process undertaken to develop scenarios for the Dingle Peninsula’s energy system and explore the impact that different measures would have to reduce emissions by 2030 in line with national targets. It provides a short summary of what is involved in an energy plan, creative ways to involve people in the modelling exercise and good practice for researchers seeking to partner with communities. It then outlines the approach taken as part of Dingle Peninsula 2030, highlighting learnings on the challenge decarbonisation poses for rural areas and reflections on how energy system modelling research can support them.