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A Practical Methodology for Building a Municipality-Led Renewable Energy Community: A Photovoltaics-Based Case Study for the Municipality of Hersonissos in Crete, Greece

Author

Listed:
  • Emmanuel N. Efthymiou

    (MES Energy S.A. Branch Office, 1821 Str. No.76, 71201 Heraklion, Greece)

  • Sofia Yfanti

    (Division of Environment and Agricultural Production, Municipality of Hersonissos, Eleftherias Str. No.50, 70014 Hersonissos, Greece)

  • George Kyriakarakos

    (Institute for Bio-Economy and Agri-Technology (iBO), Centre for Research and Technology-Hellas (CERTH), 6th km Charilaou-Thermi Rd, Thermi, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece)

  • Panagiotis L. Zervas

    (MES Energy S.A., Aiolou Str. No.67, 10559 Athens, Greece)

  • Panagiotis Langouranis

    (MES Energy S.A., Aiolou Str. No.67, 10559 Athens, Greece)

  • Konstantinos Terzis

    (MES Energy S.A., Aiolou Str. No.67, 10559 Athens, Greece)

  • George M. Stavrakakis

    (MES Energy S.A. Branch Office, 1821 Str. No.76, 71201 Heraklion, Greece)

Abstract

This paper presents a practical methodology to facilitate decision-making for the development of a renewable energy community (REC) in the municipality of Hersonissos in Crete, Greece. The impact of energy sharing produced from renewables through direct or indirect citizen participation presents an enormous opportunity to strengthen energy democracy and to alleviate energy poverty. Triggered by the latter being amongst the most essential goals for implementing policies towards low-carbon economies at the local level, the current study presents a step-by-step methodology to facilitate decision-making for building a municipality-led REC. Initially, potential sites and alternative sittings of photovoltaic (PV) plants are explored for detecting the optimal installation with respect to technical and possible legislative restrictions. The best REC business model is then selected based on a SWOT analysis, complemented with a detailed techno-economic analysis of the foreseen investments. According to the design calculations, the optimal PV plants/business-model option that emerged may achieve impressive environmental and economic benefits, i.e., reducing the municipality’s annual electricity-induced CO 2 emissions and electricity expenses by at least 68.40% and 594,461.54 €, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Emmanuel N. Efthymiou & Sofia Yfanti & George Kyriakarakos & Panagiotis L. Zervas & Panagiotis Langouranis & Konstantinos Terzis & George M. Stavrakakis, 2022. "A Practical Methodology for Building a Municipality-Led Renewable Energy Community: A Photovoltaics-Based Case Study for the Municipality of Hersonissos in Crete, Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-31, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12935-:d:938064
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Constantinos A. Balaras & Andreas I. Theodoropoulos & Elena G. Dascalaki, 2023. "Geographic Information Systems for Facilitating Audits of the Urban Built Environment," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-26, May.
    2. Nikolaos Papadakis & Dimitrios Al. Katsaprakakis, 2023. "A Review of Energy Efficiency Interventions in Public Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-34, August.
    3. Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis & Nikos Papadakis & Efi Giannopoulou & Yiannis Yiannakoudakis & George Zidianakis & George Katzagiannakis & Eirini Dakanali & George M. Stavrakakis & Avraam Kartalidis, 2023. "Rational Use of Energy in Sport Centers to Achieving Net Zero—The SAVE Project (Part B: Indoor Sports Hall)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-42, October.
    4. George M. Stavrakakis & Dimitris Bakirtzis & Korina-Konstantina Drakaki & Sofia Yfanti & Dimitris Al. Katsaprakakis & Konstantinos Braimakis & Panagiotis Langouranis & Konstantinos Terzis & Panagiotis, 2024. "Application of the Typology Approach for Energy Renovation Planning of Public Buildings’ Stocks at the Local Level: A Case Study in Greece," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-30, January.
    5. Elisa Moretti & Ettore Stamponi, 2023. "The Renewable Energy Communities in Italy and the Role of Public Administrations: The Experience of the Municipality of Assisi between Challenges and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, August.
    6. George M. Stavrakakis & Panagiotis L. Zervas & Konstantinos Terzis & Panagiotis Langouranis & Panagiota Saranti & Yorgos J. Stephanedes, 2023. "Exploitation of Mediterranean Cooperation Projects’ Tools for the Development of Public Buildings’ Energy Efficiency Plans at Local Level: A Case Study in Greece," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-33, April.

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