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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "C: Energy Economics and Policy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2024) | Viewed by 28112

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alessandro Burgio

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R&D Specialist and Independent Researcher, 20124 Milano, MI, Italy
Interests: smart energy; smart cities; renewable energy communities
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Antonio Violi

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Guest Editor

Department of Law, Economics, Management and Quantitative Methods, Università degli Studi del Sannio, Via delle Puglie 82, 82100 Benevento, Italy
Interests: decision support systems; stochastic programming; decision models for energy and financial markets; optimization models for agri-food logistics; risk management
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We expect that submissions to this Special Issue will cover the following: overviews of policy landscapes, regulatory frameworks and trends which highlight the significant rules that accelerate the establishment of energy communities; proposals for innovative models, methods, techniques, and technologies; the current and future applications of hardware and software technologies: peer-to-peer, blockchain, smart contracts, IoT, digital twins, smart metering, and cloud platforms; the real role of energy communities in electricity markets and in the provision of ancillary services; practical problems, successful strategies, and examples of applied research which have resulted in solutions and strategies that, although extremely interesting, have not yet spread widely beyond regional or national borders; business models, costs and risks analysis in energy community financing, and the inclusion of the end user in the capital share; and boosting consumer engagement at the community level, combining technological tools with social science approaches, and leading them to act as prosumers and/or flexsumers.

More generally, the topics can be delineated as follows:

Policy landscapes, regulatory frameworks, trends.
Innovative models, methods and techniques.
Peer-to-peer, blockchain, smart contracts, IoT, digital twins.
Electricity markets and ancillary services.
Renewable energy sources and energy-storage technologies.
Best practices and successful strategies.
Business models, investments and financing risks.
Socio-economic aspects and consumer engagement.
Consumers acting as prosumers, prosumers and flexsumers.

Dr. Alessandro Burgio
Dr. Antonio Violi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

Regulatory frameworks
Innovative models and technologies
Electricity markets
Ancillary services
Best practices
Business models
Consumers engagement
Flexsumers

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Related Special Issue

Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities, 2nd Edition in Energies

Published Papers (13 papers)

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18 pages, 306 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Participation of Energy Communities in Electricity Markets and Ancillary Services: An Overview of Successful Strategies

by Emely Cruz-De-Jesús, Alejandro Marano-Marcolini and José Luis Martínez-Ramos

Energies 2024, 17(18), 4631; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17184631 - 16 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1147

Abstract

Energy communities are a transformative force in the electricity markets and ancillary services, reshaping the energy landscape through collective action. This paper explores the successful strategies adopted by these communities, highlighting real-world cases where they have participated directly in the market, or through aggregators, or sold their energy to retailers, which is of paramount importance because it serves as a foundation for those countries that wish to implement these entities as part of their decarbonization plan. It also serves as a model for the development of future citizen initiatives that aim to turn citizens into active users of the electricity system. The paper examines collaborative dynamics within the energy sector, highlighting how these communities optimize resource sharing and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy system. The study emphasizes the potential of energy communities in driving innovation and fostering a participatory approach to energy management. The results show that some pilot projects are being developed and several electricity cooperatives, one of the most common forms of energy communities, are participating in energy trading with their members and other entities. More efforts are also needed for energy communities to participate more directly in the market and/or through aggregators. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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17 pages, 4377 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Integrating Renewable Energy Produced by a Library Building on a University Campus in a Scenario of Collective Self-Consumption

by Ivo Araújo, Leonel J. R. Nunes, David Patíño Vilas and António Curado

Energies 2024, 17(14), 3405; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17143405 - 11 Jul 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1160

Abstract

Rising fossil fuel costs and environmental concerns are driving the search for new energy sources, particularly renewable energy. Among these sources, solar photovoltaic (PV) is the most promising in southern European countries, mainly through the use of decentralised PV systems designed to produce electricity close to the point of demand and primarily to meet local energy needs. In an urban scenario, a decentralised energy system usually operates in parallel with the grid, allowing excess power generated to be injected into the grid. Solar carports and rooftop systems are excellent examples of distributed photovoltaic systems, which are far more sustainable than large centralised systems because they do not compete for land use. Despite their operational advantages, these decentralised photovoltaic production plants, which are in most cases financed by specific energy efficiency programs, present challenges in a regulated market where the injection of energy into the electricity grid is restricted by law and support programs. The aim of this work is to integrate two different photovoltaic systems within an academic campus where the only PV source currently available is a solar car park, a solution designed both to provide shaded space for vehicles and to produce energy to be consumed within the facilities. Due to legal restrictions, surplus electricity cannot be sold to the national grid, and solar batteries to store the generated energy are expensive and have a short lifespan. Therefore, since the campus has two different grid connections and a 102.37 kWp PV system, the newly designed system to be installed on the library roof must be calculated to support the installed electricity system during the most critical working hours, determining the specific angle and orientation of the solar panels. On this basis, the energy management of a school campus is fundamental to creating a collective self-consumption system, the basis of a local energy community that can meet energy, environmental, and social objectives. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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13 pages, 965 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Role of Energy Cooperatives in Ensuring the Energy and Economic Security of Polish Municipalities

by Daria Kostecka-Jurczyk, Mirosław Struś and Katarzyna Marak

Energies 2024, 17(13), 3082; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17133082 - 22 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 767

Abstract

In recent years, negative phenomena of an external and internal nature have been observed that threaten the security of Polish municipalities. The increase in energy prices had a negative impact on the situations of consumers and companies. Strengthening energy security can be achieved through the development of an energy community based on renewable energy. The aim of the article is to demonstrate that energy cooperatives have a negligible impact on the energy and economic security of Polish municipalities. The article is based on literature studies and analysis of data obtained from the National Center for Agricultural Support and the Central Statistical Office, as well as our own qualitative research. Based on the research, three hypotheses were formulated: Firstly, energy cooperatives participate to a limited extent in building local energy security. Secondly, cooperatives should be treated as a complement to coal power plants. Thirdly, only the involvement of municipal authorities in the energy cooperatives can strengthen local energy security. The research shows that there has been a quantitative development of energy cooperatives, but this has not significantly improved local energy security. Only the active participation of local authorities is a condition for strengthening the role of energy cooperatives in ensuring economic and energy security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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18 pages, 5923 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimizing Thermal Energy Sharing in Smart District Heating Networks

by Anna Dattilo, Francesco Melino, Mattia Ricci and Paolo Sdringola

Energies 2024, 17(12), 2936; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17122936 - 14 Jun 2024

Viewed by 637

Abstract

The constant attention to sustainability aimed at reconciling economic and social development with environmental protection is the driving force of the continuous growth of renewable energy in the energy sector. Among the numerous actions taken by the European Commission (EC) in this direction, an important initiative towards the complete decarbonization is represented by the Renewable Energy Communities (RECs). According to the EC, “energy communities enable collective and citizen-driven energy actions to support the clean energy transition. They can contribute to increasing public acceptance of renewable energy projects and make it easier to attract private investments in the clean energy transition”. At the European level, numerous energy communities are emerging, although they are all based on photovoltaic production and, consequently, focus only on electricity flows. The aim of this paper is to define a thermal energy community in which thermal energy sharing can be achieved by exploiting the concept of the smart district heating network. Starting from a small existing district heating network, its conversion into a smart one will be analyzed and optimized with the aim of studying the sharing of thermal energy between the various prosumer and non-prosumer users connected to the district heating network. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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13 pages, 2885 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Applicability of Solar Tracking Photovoltaic Systems in Commercial Buildings: Case Study in South Korean Climate

by Jaewan Joe, Jinhyung Park, Heewon Choi, Yooseok Park, Jungwhan Oh and Younghoon Kwak

Energies 2023, 16(21), 7338; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16217338 - 30 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1050

Abstract

This study investigated the applicability of a tracking photovoltaic (PV) system installed in the roof area of a commercial building. Because PVWatts is the only PV module with a tracking feature in EnergyPlus, its electricity generation was validated through comparisons with detailed PV modules in EnergyPlus. The tracking PV system generated 26.8–35.5% more electricity annually than a fixed system in the climate of Incheon (S. Korea). The load coverage analysis of the tracking PV system was conducted with the reference commercial building model in EnergyPlus. Approximately 14% of the total building electric demand, including heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning; lighting; and equipment, was met by one PV array. Finally, the life cycle cost analysis of the tracking PV system was conducted by considering the net present value, which includes the initial installation and operation costs. The initial investment was returned after approximately 8 years, assuming between two and six tracking PV arrays were installed. Moreover, up to 26.8% cost savings were achieved in 15 years compared to the case without any PV arrays. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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21 pages, 9935 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An IoT-Based Solution for Monitoring and Controlling Battery Energy Storage Systems at Residential and Commercial Levels

by Alessandro Burgio, Domenico Cimmino, Andrea Nappo, Luigi Smarrazzo and Giuseppe Donatiello

Energies 2023, 16(7), 3140; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16073140 - 30 Mar 2023

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4550

Abstract

Today, increasing numbers of batteries are installed in residential and commercial buildings; by coordinating their operation, it is possible to favor both the exploitation of renewable sources and the safe operation of electricity grids. However, how can this multitude of battery storage systems be coordinated? Using the Application Programming Interfaces of the storage systems’ manufacturers is a feasible solution, but it has a huge limitation: communication to and from storage systems must necessarily pass through the manufacturers’ cloud infrastructure. Therefore, this article presents an IoT-based solution which allows monitoring/controlling battery storage systems, independently from the manufacturers’ cloud infrastructure. More specifically, a home gateway locally controls the battery storage using local APIs via Wi-Fi on the condition that the manufacturer enables them. If not, an auxiliary device allows the home gateway to establish a wired communication with the battery storage via the SunSpec protocol. Validations tests demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed IoT solution in monitoring and controlling ABB, Sonnen and SolarEdge storage systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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18 pages, 2721 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Indicators for Enabling Energy Transition in Industry

by Alessandro Franco, Lorenzo Miserocchi and Daniele Testi

Energies 2023, 16(2), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16020581 - 4 Jan 2023

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2710

Abstract

Energy transition is a fundamental process in the move towards sustainable development, but in industry, it is complicated by the remarkable sectoral heterogeneity. Fostering the realization of energy transition in the industrial sector requires the characterization of its energy dimension, in terms of energy mixes and end-uses as the determinants of transition pathways, and energy solutions and tools as the enablers of this transition paradigm. We observe that the suitability of tools for energy analysis depend on trade-offs between comprehensiveness, ease of use, robustness, and generalization ability. In this regard, we discuss the appropriateness of energy indicators and provide an overview of indicator typologies, methodological issues, and applications for energy performance evaluation and improvement. With reference to the dairy processing industry, selected as a representative industrial branch, we outline current and desirable energy benchmarking applications and exemplify the effectiveness of energy indicators in the quantification of the potential of energy solutions. The obtained results are promising and suggest that researchers should further explore the novel applications of energy indicators for energy performance improvement. To foster the establishment of energy indicators in industrial practice and energy policies, we remark that cooperation between industrial stakeholders is essential. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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29 pages, 7490 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Approach to Achieve MPPT for Photovoltaic System Based SCADA

by Bilal Naji Alhasnawi, Basil H. Jasim, Arshad Naji Alhasnawi, Bishoy E. Sedhom, Ali M. Jasim, Azam Khalili, Vladimír Bureš, Alessandro Burgio and Pierluigi Siano

Energies 2022, 15(22), 8480; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15228480 - 13 Nov 2022

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2238

Abstract

In this study, an improved artificial intelligence algorithms augmented Internet of Things (IoT)-based maximum power point tracking (MPPT) for photovoltaic (PV) system has been proposed. This will facilitate preventive maintenance, fault detection, and historical analysis of the plant in addition to real-time monitoring. Further, the simulation results validate the improved performance of the suggested method. To demonstrate the superiority of the proposed MPPT algorithm over current methods, such as cuckoo search algorithms and the incremental conductance approach, a performance comparison is offered. The outcomes demonstrate the suggested algorithm’s capability to track the Global Maximum Power Point (GMPP) with quicker convergence and less power oscillations than before. The results clearly show that the artificial intelligence algorithm-based MPPT is capable of tracking the GMPP with an average efficiency of 88%, and an average tracking time of 0.029 s, proving both its viability and effectiveness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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26 pages, 5754 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Power Quality Assessment in a Real Microgrid-Statistical Assessment of Different Long-Term Working Conditions

by Anna Ostrowska, Łukasz Michalec, Marek Skarupski, Michał Jasiński, Tomasz Sikorski, Paweł Kostyła, Robert Lis, Grzegorz Mudrak and Tomasz Rodziewicz

Energies 2022, 15(21), 8089; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15218089 - 31 Oct 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2570

Abstract

Power quality (PQ) becomes a more and more pressing issue for the operation stability of power systems with renewable energy sources. An important aspect of PQ monitoring of distribution networks is to compare the PQ indicators in different operating conditions. This paper evaluates the impact of a microgrid implementation in a real distribution network on power quality indicators at the point of common coupling in an LV network. The study includes a classical assessment of the long-term PQ parameters according to the EN 50160 standard, such as nominal frequency deviations, voltage RMS variations, voltage fluctuations (represented by long-term flicker severity), voltage unbalance and total harmonic distortion. The PQ evaluation is extended in statistical assessment based on cluster analysis. The case study contains 5 weeks of power quality observation results obtained at the assessment point in two different working conditions of the distribution system: before and after implementing the microgrid. The study allows establishing general conclusions regarding a microgrid interconnection in order not to exceed power quality limits and considering the influence of photovoltaic generation on power quality parameters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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25 pages, 1960 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Stakeholder Perspectives on Community Energy Contributing to the Use of Renewable Energy Sources and Improving Energy Security in Nigeria

by Olaoluwa Sunday Ogunleye, Frans Coenen and Thomas Hoppe

Energies 2022, 15(19), 7390; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15197390 - 8 Oct 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2962

Abstract

The need for improved energy security in Nigeria cannot be over-emphasized. Currently, energy security is rather poor, while access to energy is fundamental to socio-economic development and poverty alleviation. Renewable energy could potentially contribute to resolving this because renewable sources such as solar radiation are more available and sustainable, and can be set up in small generation units, meaning that it is suitable for community management and ownership. In theory, a community energy approach could well apply. In this paper, the main research question is: In what ways can community energy initiatives contribute to increasing the use of renewable energy sources and improving energy security in Nigeria according to selected stakeholders and households? A mixed methods research approach was used to answer this question, with stakeholder interviews and survey data from 124 residents in two case studies of selected housing estates in Lagos. The results show that 58% of the households and most of the stakeholders express support for community renewable energy as a viable approach for increasing energy access and greening energy supply. The present study shows that there is a need to raise awareness and support projects for effective and supportive renewable energy policy to encourage local renewable energy community formation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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14 pages, 521 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Economic Conditions for the Development of Energy Cooperatives in Poland

by Daria Kostecka-Jurczyk, Katarzyna Marak and Mirosław Struś

Energies 2022, 15(18), 6831; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15186831 - 19 Sep 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2292

Abstract

One of the important areas of the energy transformation is the citizens involvement in the energy production process. This is a prerequisite for maintaining the security of supply and price stabilization. In order for all citizens to have equal opportunities to use green energy, regardless of financial and housing opportunities, energy cooperatives are established in many countries. In Poland, the first renewable energy cooperatives emerged in 2021 but, unfortunately, their role in the energy transformation process will be rather limited in the near future. This is mainly due to the numerous legal, economic and social barriers that hinder their creation. This article adopts the hypothesis that there are too many barriers in Poland that discourage the creation of energy cooperatives or other forms of collective prosumption. The main obstacle is the limitations of installed power, coerced by the poor condition of the network infrastructure. The aim of the article is to answer the question of whether, given the current legal and economic conditions, a large-scale development of energy cooperatives is possible in Poland, or will the existing barriers make this development limited and not contribute to the country’s energy transformation? To answer this question, primary and secondary sources were used. Primary research relied on interviews in all cooperatives operating in Poland. Based on the literature on the subject, reference was made to the experiences of other EU countries. The research shows that there are strong economic, legal and mental barriers to the development of cooperatives in Poland. Overcoming them requires changes in the law, in the energy policy including decentralization of the energy market and increased public confidence in collective forms of prosumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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16 pages, 2743 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Digital Support Platform for Community Energy: One-Stop-Shop Architecture, Development and Evaluation

by Martin Hill and Annie Duffy

Energies 2022, 15(13), 4763; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15134763 - 29 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1997

Abstract

In the European energy market, the community energy sector is earmarked to make a significant contribution to the transition from fossil fuels to sustainable sources. Based on the diffusion of innovation model, large-scale development of community energy requires that the concept and the success of existing energy communities be widely communicated to potential participants and that user confidence be developed over time. In this paper, we present the architecture, design, prototyping, and testing of a digital support platform, co-designed with EU-wide energy communities, to support this process. The platform has been designed to engage early-stage or ongoing groups to progress projects and to connect and share experiences with other communities. This “community of communities” creates the necessary communication channel defined in the Diffusion of Innovation model. A transactional architecture for such a platform is outlined with clear links to all community energy actors. Based on this architecture, a prototype one-stop-shop (OSS) implementation is presented. Feedback gathered and lessons learned from beta testing with a representative group of end-users are outlined. The OSS architecture shows potential as a communications channel to expand the community energy concept and as a monitoring tool to track the progress of the energy community sector. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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13 pages, 2484 KiB

Open AccessPerspective

Modern Use of Prosumer Energy Regulation Capabilities for the Provision of Microgrid Flexibility Services

by Anna Ostrowska, Tomasz Sikorski, Alessandro Burgio and Michał Jasiński

Energies 2023, 16(1), 469; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16010469 - 1 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2030

Abstract

Due to the prospect of climate change and the challenges posed by the European Union to the modern power grid, a decentralized system based on distributed energy sources is being created from a centralized system based on utility power. It also involves new ideas on the operation and management of power grids, especially at the level of low-voltage distribution networks, where prosumers play a special role. In addition to the transformation of sources to renewables, the aim is to increase the flexibility of power grids by exploiting the regulatory potential of flexible grid components. The issue of grid flexibility assumes particular importance in the case of microgrids and local grids covered by the energy communities. Many posts describe the realization of the task of flexibility through energy storage, e.g., storing storage resources in electric vehicles or the use of energy transformation through conversion to heat, air compression air, or process cooling. However, there seems to be a lack of exploration of the topic, where the photovoltaic inverter could provide a flexible energy source while maintaining the rigor of power quality. This article presents current developments in low-voltage grids and the prospect of using prosumer installations to provide grid flexibility and stability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renewable Energy Systems for Energy Communities)

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