Local Energy Communities and Distributed Generation: Contrasting Perspectives, and Inevitable Policy Trade-Offs, beyond the Apparent Global Consensus

Moroni, Stefano; Antoniucci, Valentina; Bisello, Adriano

doi:10.3390/su11123493

Cited by 39 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 73 publications

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“…Last, but not least, the novelty of this research work is about the thorough analysis of existing big data on REScoops' activity that were acquired and the clarification of various behavioral characteristics of REScoops' members. As a result, after the statistical analysis of these big data, crucial gaps in the existing literature were filled, if someone takes in mind past research works, such as [26][27][28][29][30], which did not utilize such big data to draw their conclusions regarding REScoops and the efficiency of their initiatives.…”

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confidence: 99%

How Much Energy Efficient are Renewable Energy Sources Cooperatives’ Initiatives?

2020

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In this paper is provided a systematic, in-depth, behavioral analysis of renewable energy sources cooperatives' members. The analysis proved that in, on hand, there was a noticeable difference in the portion of affection of each proposed intervention on the actual energy consumption, which may be to even ten times more in some cases, and on the other hand, the difference in energy consumption between the analyzed groups was noticeable as well. So, implementing energy efficiency interventions of various types, such as technical support, special tariffs, energy generation schemes, and smart meters, seems to lead to substantial energy reductions to even more than 10%, cumulatively, and reduces the environmental footprint. Additionally, the majority of energy efficiency interventions applied by the renewable energy sources cooperatives are proved to be effective in achieving their primary goal, sensitizing members, and leading them to a more efficient energy consumption behavior ("greener"). The results of the analysis showed that each proposed intervention had played a different but nonetheless significant role in the diminishing of the energy consumption of the members and that there was a noticeable difference in energy consumption between the analyzed groups. The results of the analysis demonstrated more than 22 GWh totally in green consumption, and almost 4500 tons of CO 2 saved.Energies 2020, 13, 1136 2 of 22 REScoops started to form in the European Union several years ago, offering to their members the opportunity to purchase green energy, such as renewably generated electricity, at reasonable prices. Besides, they were able to become autonomous and independent concerning energy availability. Last, but not least, their members could interact democratically with other members and co-decide the cooperative's future [7,8].Furthermore, REScoops offer to discrete populations and companies the opportunity to become renewable power producers and to actively participate in cooperative energy consumption [9,10]. Additionally, REScoops suggest the established framework in order to implicate citizens with social, political, and nevertheless, financial features of RES distribution [11,12]. Last, but not least, there are several cases where REScoops enhance the effort of other systems relevant to RES systems, such as intelligent transportation one [13].As observed, the members of the contributing REScoops altered their behavior, reducing their final energy consumption, and invested money in order to produce green energy through RES [14,15]. Within the frame of the H2020 REScoop Plus Project, a better understanding is considered, and REScoops fostered this behavioral change employing the actions mentioned above. Energy consumers' dynamic contribution to conservation activities, and in self-production processes as well, seems to be the primary way to meet the European Commission's targets for near-zero carbon footprint, 100% green energy consumption, and energy democracy. As the transition to RES is primarily enforced politi...

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confidence: 99%

How Much Energy Efficient are Renewable Energy Sources Cooperatives’ Initiatives?

2020

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“…The next research step could be the discussion and investigation of the multiple benefits related to positive energy district (PED) projects coupled with the creation of energy communities, which may enable the local energy sharing chiefly to generate environmental, economic or social community benefits rather than financial profits [142,143].…”

Section: Discussion and Concluding Remarksmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing Multiple Benefits of Housing Regeneration and Smart City Development: The European Project SINFONIA

Bisello

2020

Sustainability

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The urban energy transition towards more sustainable energy production and consumption systems is at the top of the European Union political agenda. Several demonstration projects are dealing with the deep-energy retrofit of real-estate assets to show how technological and societal innovation can provide new investment opportunities while enhancing citizens’ quality of life by delivering multiple benefits. In this framework, the EU smart city project SINFONIA has developed and tested a new comprehensive framework to define, identify, and evaluate the main multiple benefits expected from similar initiatives. The present contribution reviews the three assessment exercises carried out in the lighthouse city of Bolzano during the project execution, consisting of an investigation of the users’ stated preferences, an evaluation of consumers‘ revealed preferences and a multicriteria analysis of homeowners’ priorities. It offers an overview of the main achievements and sheds light on further investigatory paths applicable to Positive Energy Districts assessment.

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“…They also mentioned that they will play an important role in DG in the future provided that their current high capital costs will be reduced. Moroni, et al [11] have studied the concepts of local energy communities and distributed energy generation. The authors stated that these two concepts have created a global consensus among scholars and politicians.…”

Section: Distributed Electricity Generation Technologiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Application of Distributed Electricity Generation Systems in Agricultural Greenhouses

Vourdoubas¹

2020

JAC

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Use of distributed electricity generation systems is currently increasing due to their economic and environmental benefits. Agricultural greenhouses require heat and electricity for covering their energy needs while their annual energy requirements vary significantly. Aim of the current work is the investigation of applying various distributed electricity generation systems in greenhouses. A review of different distributed generation systems currently used in various sectors as well as in greenhouses has been implemented. Various technologies are examined utilizing either renewable energies or fossil fuels in very efficient energy systems. Most of them are mature and cost-effective having lower environmental impacts compared with traditional centralized electricity generation technologies. Their use in greenhouses results in many benefits including the creation of an additional income for the farmer, reduction of carbon emissions into the atmosphere and increasing stability of the electric grid. It is suggested that distributed electricity generation systems should be used more in greenhouses when the necessary conditions are favorable.

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Local Energy Communities and Distributed Generation: Contrasting Perspectives, and Inevitable Policy Trade-Offs, beyond the Apparent Global Consensus

Cited by 39 publications

References 73 publications

How Much Energy Efficient are Renewable Energy Sources Cooperatives’ Initiatives?

How Much Energy Efficient are Renewable Energy Sources Cooperatives’ Initiatives?

Assessing Multiple Benefits of Housing Regeneration and Smart City Development: The European Project SINFONIA

Application of Distributed Electricity Generation Systems in Agricultural Greenhouses

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