The increasing electrification of consumption and the boost towards decarbonization are promoting a more efficient utilization of renewable and small-scale energy resources. To achieve the climate targets set by the European Union, which aim for climate neutrality by 2050, it is evident that not only large-scale investments are required but also an increasing involvement of end-users. In this context, the rising of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) represents an innovative step towards rationalizing energy exchanges on distribution networks and increasing end-users participation.

Within this study, three configurations, through which users (consumers and producers) can exchange energy, are proposed. The first configuration represents a baseline case for comparison with others configurations. It is based on the current regulatory framework and foresees that each user manage its own energy exchanges to minimize their costs arising from the purchase or sale of energy on the wholesale energy market.

The second configuration analyzed is based on the current structure of RECs and it allows for the evaluation of the technical and economic benefits arising from collective self-consumption schemes. Lastly, a third configuration is proposed, outlining a new scheme in which consumers and prosumers can freely exchange energy through a local market (energy consortium) whose price is indexed to the wholesale market price.

For each of the proposed configurations, a mathematical model based on mixed-integer linear programming has been defined to simulate and compare the three configurations over an extended time horizon.

The analysis, developed through a Pyomo software, allows the creation of different case studies that has outlined the potential advantages of the innovative configuration proposed, paving the way for further studies and in-depth investigations.

The document is available on the site in Italian