Integrated Community Energy Systems

Abstract

Energy systems across the globe are going through a radical transformation as a result of technological and institutional changes, depletion of fossil fuel resources, and climate change issues. Accordingly, local energy initiatives are emerging and increasing number of the business models are focusing on the end-users. In this context, Integrated community energy systems (ICESs) are emerging as a modern development to reorganize local energy systems allowing simultaneous integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) and engagement of local communities. With the emergence of ICESs new roles and responsibilities as well as interactions and dynamics are expected in the energy system. With this background, this thesis aims to understand the ways in which ICESs can contribute to enhancing the energy transition. This thesis utilizes a conceptual framework consisting of four institutional and three societal levels in order to understand the interaction and dynamics of ICESs implementation. Current energy trends and the associated technological, socio-economic, environmental and institutional issues are reviewed. The developed ICES model performs optimal planning and operation of ICESs and assesses their performance based on economic and environmental metrics. This thesis demonstrates the added value of ICESs to the individual households, local communities, and the society. As the added value of ICESs is impacted by the institutional settings internal and external to the system, a comprehensive institutional design considering techno-economic and institutional perspectives is necessary to ensure effective contribution of ICESs in the energy transition.