This summary report describes the research activity developed by RSE in 2020 as part of the Work Package “Demonstration Project on Energy Communities”, within the project “Models

and Tools to Increase Energy Efficiency in the Electricity Production, Transport and Distribution Cycle”.

This activity is aimed at analyzing and promoting the establishment of pilot projects for Renewable Energy Communities and Collective Self-Consumption schemes, also in light of the early and experimental implementation of EU regulations at a national level, by identifying the critical elements that may influence the development of Energy Communities and Collective Self-Consumption schemes in Italy.

The European Union has set very challenging goals for 2030, foreseeing an even more massive diffusion of distributed generation units from renewable sources, and has identified the active participation of citizens in the electricity production, consumption and sale processes as a key factor in achieving these goals. For this reason, new schemes have been introduced by the RED-II and IEM directives to allow citizens to become active players within the energy system, by producing, storing, consuming and selling self-produced renewable electricity, while maintaining the rights and duties of end consumers.

The research promoted by RSE is aimed at analyzing and promoting the establishment of pilot projects for Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and Collective Self-Consumption schemes, also in light of the early and experimental implementation of EU regulations at a national level, by identifying the critical elements that may influence the development of Energy Communities and Collective Self-Consumption schemes in Italy. To this end, an in-depth analysis of pilot projects was planned to verify the potential impacts caused by the diffusion of these new schemes within the electricity system and market.

The most appropriate Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) were identified in order to conduct an analysis from an energy, environmental and social point of view. For the selected Renewable Energy Community pilot projects, quarterly profiles of electricity production and consumption were analyzed on a perimeter defined by the Primary Cabin. Several KPIs were then identified to assess the performance of the electricity-energy system considered, with particular reference to energy loads generated by local renewable energy plants. Furthermore, in line with the European directives, a territorial analysis methodology based on the concept of bioregion was developed and applied; this approach allows to identify and quantify the resources that can be exploited in a sustainable manner to bring benefits to the energy system of a territory whose perimeter is not defined by geographical borders, but by its ability to “close cycles” (water, energy, waste, ecological networks, etc.)

Regarding Collective Self-Consumption schemes, a technical-economic feasibility study aimed at assessing the financial sustainability of condominium-scale projects was conducted. This study also includes a sensitivity analysis with respect to investment costs (Capex) and maintenance and operating costs (Opex) related to the technologies employed for a proper and robust sizing of the systems serving self-consumption schemes.