Analysis of the Operational Outcomes of an Energy-Sharing System for Low-Carbon Energy Community in South Korea

Abstract

The transition to a net-zero energy system is being promoted in the energy sector, which has led to the creation of energy prosumers. These produce, consume, and trade energy using renewable energy systems installed in buildings or complexes. Here, a community was set as the target to apply the concept of an energy prosumer at the individual building and regional levels. Energy-sharing systems were divided into three categories: energy production, energy storage, and energy management. Energy-sharing systems centered on electrical energy—photovoltaic, battery energy storage, and energy management systems—were installed in two communities located in South Korea, and the energy-sharing effects of the system operation were reported. Monthly power consumption in spring and fall exhibited significant savings of approximately three times that of winter consumption, owing to the energy-sharing systems. Daily hourly power-consumption patterns differed on weekdays and weekends because of the weekday working and building-use hours of the communities. Energy could be shared between communities and buildings because of surplus energy. More surplus power was available for energy sharing on weekends because power consumption was lower. Because energy trading and sharing are restricted, the related laws are being revised. Therefore, a low-carbon community can be realized through surplus energy trading and sharing technology between communities and buildings as renewable energy systems spread owing to low carbonization.