Parametrization of self-consumption and self-sufficiency in Renewable Energy Communities: a case study application

Abstract

In 2018, the European Clean Energy Package introduced the concept of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) to promote the use of renewable energy sources and local energy consumption. This initiative also supports increased self-sufficiency and mitigates the negative impact of renewable energy on grid management. RECs consist of groups of members who share energy, and various combinations of REC members can be assessed using different KPIs. The SIMUL-REC simulation code has been developed for these purposes, incorporating an innovative parametrization for self-consumption and self-sufficiency within RECs. This approach enables an analysis of the KPIs’ dependence on the production/consumption ratio, as well as the influence of seasonal and daily effects, thereby guiding the identification of the most suitable configurations. A complex case study in Lignano Sabbiadoro (Italy) is analyzed, involving 88 participants and nearly 50 detailed load profiles. The results, in addition to electricity consumption and production, primarily focus on the self-sufficiency rate (40%), the significant contribution of shared energy (57%) compared to direct self-consumption (19%), and their parametrization. New Italian tariff premiums introduced in 2024 create new scenarios, and initial economic evaluations have been conducted using two contrasting cases.

Keywords

Energy community / Renewable energy sources / Solar energy / REC / RES

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