Modelling tools for the assessment of Renewable Energy Communities

Abstract

The energy transition is driving the adoption of local renewable energy production. Decentralised renewable plants enable citizens to play an active role in generating and managing energy supplies. In Europe, recent policies are promoting Renewable Energy Communities (RECs), which consist of aggregations of end-users aiming to produce and share renewable energy, generating and managing cost-effective energy supply chains autonomously. A comprehensive analysis of REC potential requires tools that integrate socio-economic, environmental, and spatial evaluations for renewable energy assessment. The objective of this study is to present the current status and capabilities of tools for REC modelling. This paper reviews twelve energy modelling tools which have the potential for the evaluation of RECs. The review structure follows the steps of a REC assessment process, which is structured in background, inputs, simulation or optimisation and outputs. Technical, economic, and environmental aspects of REC projects should be included without leaving behind the spatialisation and geographical planning of the new energy systems. Findings reveal that the co-existence of multiple criteria is not satisfied in any of the current tools, as most of them mainly analyse a few areas of interest and partially consider other aspects. The comparison reveals that the energy and financial outputs are mainly deepened. Meanwhile, environmental and spatial criteria have a marginal role among both inputs and outputs. Finally, software marginally spatializes the workflow steps except for CEA and URBANopt, which are revealed to be the most complete options for REC design.