Work

Optimal Investment and Sharing Decisions in Renewable Energy Communities with Multiple Investing Members

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and self-consumption frameworks defined in Directive (EU) 2023/2413 and Directive (EU) 2024/1711 are currently being integrated into national regulations across EU member states, adapting legislation to incorporate these new entities. These regulations establish key principles for individual and collective self-consumption, outlining operational rules such as proximity constraints, electricity sharing mechanisms, surplus electricity management, grid tariffs, and various organizational aspects, including asset sizing, licensing, metering, data exchange, and role definitions. This study introduces a model tailored to optimize investment and energy-sharing decisions within RECs, enabling multiple members to invest in solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind generation assets. The model determines the optimal generation capacity each REC member should install for each technology and calculates the energy shared between members in each period, considering site-specific constraints on renewable deployment. A case study with a four-member REC is used to showcase the model’s functionality, with simulation results underscoring the benefits of CSC over ISC.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en18081920

Authors: Inês Carvalho, Jorge Sousa, José Villar, João Lagarto, Carla Viveiros, Filipe Barata

Institutions: Universidade Politécnica de Lisboa, Instituto de Engenharia de Sistemas e Computadores Investigação e Desenvolvimento, INESC TEC

Language: English

Topic: Smart Grid Energy Management

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Climate action, Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137