IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v215y2023ics0960148123008923.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Challenges of renewable energy communities on small Mediterranean islands: A case study on Ponza island

Author

Listed:
  • Corsini, Alessandro
  • Delibra, Giovanni
  • Pizzuti, Isabella
  • Tajalli-Ardekani, Erfan

Abstract

Italy has reconsidered incentives on Renewable Energy Sources (RES) to implement the EU clean energy transition and Renewable Energy Communities (REC). Legislation on RECs shifted the focus of incentives from production to self-consumptions. In this paper, the REC model is studied in a minor island disconnected from the national grid, with strongly seasonal energy load and water demand. This is a typical Mediterranean scenario where energy demand is covered by Diesel gensets and water supply is provided with tankers. The implementation of RES is investigated, exploiting the current REC model of incentives. Two sub-optimal REC configurations were defined using time-dependent simulations on pyRES, an in-house code for energy systems. Results show the economical unfeasibility of REC when there is a poor mix of users. In contrast, REC can achieve economic profitability including industrial demand of a desalination unit (DES). The increase of self-consumption guaranteed from the DES allows to increase the NPV of the community and results in major cuts in CO2 emissions (60% of those related to water supply and 10% of those from Diesel gensets) and a reduction of fuel costs of 22%. This method can be applied to investigate the performance of a REC in a local environment and help stakeholders in planning the expansions of RECs on the territory.

Suggested Citation

  • Corsini, Alessandro & Delibra, Giovanni & Pizzuti, Isabella & Tajalli-Ardekani, Erfan, 2023. "Challenges of renewable energy communities on small Mediterranean islands: A case study on Ponza island," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:215:y:2023:i:c:s0960148123008923
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.118986
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148123008923
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2023.118986?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bartolini, Andrea & Carducci, Francesco & Muñoz, Carlos Boigues & Comodi, Gabriele, 2020. "Energy storage and multi energy systems in local energy communities with high renewable energy penetration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 595-609.
    2. Binod Prasad Koirala & José Pablo Chaves Ávila & Tomás Gómez & Rudi A. Hakvoort & Paulien M. Herder, 2016. "Local Alternative for Energy Supply: Performance Assessment of Integrated Community Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 9(12), pages 1-24, November.
    3. Dezhdar, Ali & Assareh, Ehsanolah & Agarwal, Neha & bedakhanian, Ali & Keykhah, Sajjad & fard, Ghazaleh yeganeh & zadsar, Narjes & Aghajari, Mona & Lee, Moonyong, 2023. "Transient optimization of a new solar-wind multi-generation system for hydrogen production, desalination, clean electricity, heating, cooling, and energy storage using TRNSYS," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C), pages 512-537.
    4. Antonelli, Marco & Desideri, Umberto & Franco, Alessandro, 2018. "Effects of large scale penetration of renewables: The Italian case in the years 2008–2015," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P2), pages 3090-3100.
    5. Ang, Yu Qian & Polly, Allison & Kulkarni, Aparna & Chambi, Gloria Bahl & Hernandez, Matthew & Haji, Maha N., 2022. "Multi-objective optimization of hybrid renewable energy systems with urban building energy modeling for a prototypical coastal community," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 201(P1), pages 72-84.
    6. Seyfettin Vadi & Sanjeevikumar Padmanaban & Ramazan Bayindir & Frede Blaabjerg & Lucian Mihet-Popa, 2019. "A Review on Optimization and Control Methods Used to Provide Transient Stability in Microgrids," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-20, September.
    7. Lazzeroni, P. & Olivero, S. & Repetto, M., 2017. "Economic perspective for PV under new Italian regulatory framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 71(C), pages 283-295.
    8. Gjorgievski, Vladimir Z. & Cundeva, Snezana & Georghiou, George E., 2021. "Social arrangements, technical designs and impacts of energy communities: A review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 1138-1156.
    9. Sinsel, Simon R. & Riemke, Rhea L. & Hoffmann, Volker H., 2020. "Challenges and solution technologies for the integration of variable renewable energy sources—a review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 2271-2285.
    10. Emilio Ghiani & Andrea Giordano & Andrea Nieddu & Luca Rosetti & Fabrizio Pilo, 2019. "Planning of a Smart Local Energy Community: The Case of Berchidda Municipality (Italy)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-14, December.
    11. Musolino, Monica & Maggio, Gaetano & D'Aleo, Erika & Nicita, Agatino, 2023. "Three case studies to explore relevant features of emerging renewable energy communities in Italy," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 210(C), pages 540-555.
    12. Abedi, Mahyar & Tan, Xu & Klausner, James F. & Bénard, Andre, 2023. "Solar desalination chimneys: Investigation on the feasibility of integrating solar chimneys with humidification–dehumidification systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 88-102.
    13. Groppi, Daniele & Pfeifer, Antun & Garcia, Davide Astiaso & Krajačić, Goran & Duić, Neven, 2021. "A review on energy storage and demand side management solutions in smart energy islands," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    14. Fuster-Palop, Enrique & Prades-Gil, Carlos & Masip, X. & Viana-Fons, Joan D. & Payá, Jorge, 2021. "Innovative regression-based methodology to assess the techno-economic performance of photovoltaic installations in urban areas," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 149(C).
    15. Alessandro Corsini & Eileen Tortora, 2018. "Sea-Water Desalination for Load Levelling of Gen-Sets in Small Off-Grid Islands," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-18, August.
    16. Tomin, Nikita & Shakirov, Vladislav & Kurbatsky, Victor & Muzychuk, Roman & Popova, Ekaterina & Sidorov, Denis & Kozlov, Alexandr & Yang, Dechang, 2022. "A multi-criteria approach to designing and managing a renewable energy community," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 1153-1175.
    17. Kasaeian, Alibakhsh & Rajaee, Fatemeh & Yan, Wei-Mon, 2019. "Osmotic desalination by solar energy: A critical review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 1473-1490.
    18. Pietrasanta, Ariana M. & Mussati, Sergio F. & Aguirre, Pio A. & Morosuk, Tatiana & Mussati, Miguel C., 2022. "Water-renewable energy Nexus: Optimization of geothermal energy-powered seawater desalination systems," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 196(C), pages 234-246.
    19. Saidi, Sirine & Ben Radhia, Rym & Nafiri, Naima & Benhamou, Brahim & Jabrallah, Sadok Ben, 2023. "Numerical study and experimental validation of a solar powered humidification-dehumidification desalination system with integrated air and water collectors in the humidifier," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 206(C), pages 466-480.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Østergaard, P.A. & Lund, H. & Thellufsen, J.Z. & Sorknæs, P. & Mathiesen, B.V., 2022. "Review and validation of EnergyPLAN," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).
    2. Luca Brunelli & Emiliano Borri & Anna Laura Pisello & Andrea Nicolini & Carles Mateu & Luisa F. Cabeza, 2024. "Thermal Energy Storage in Energy Communities: A Perspective Overview through a Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-27, July.
    3. Sima, Catalina Alexandra & Popescu, Claudia Laurenta & Popescu, Mihai Octavian & Roscia, Mariacristina & Seritan, George & Panait, Cornel, 2022. "Techno-economic assessment of university energy communities with on/off microgrid," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 538-553.
    4. Lorenzo De Vidovich & Luca Tricarico & Matteo Zulianello, 2023. "How Can We Frame Energy Communities’ Organisational Models? Insights from the Research ‘Community Energy Map’ in the Italian Context," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-25, January.
    5. Pinto, Edwin S. & Gronier, Timothé & Franquet, Erwin & Serra, Luis M., 2023. "Opportunities and economic assessment for a third-party delivering electricity, heat and cold to residential buildings," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    6. Dezhdar, Ali & Assareh, Ehsanolah & Agarwal, Neha & Baheri, Alireza & Ahmadinejad, Mehrdad & Zadsar, Narjes & Fard, Ghazaleh Yeganeh & Ali bedakhanian, & Aghajari, Mona & Ghodrat, Maryam & Rahman, Moh, 2024. "Modeling, optimization, and economic analysis of a comprehensive CCHP system with fuel cells, reverse osmosis, batteries, and hydrogen storage subsystems Powered by renewable energy sources," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    7. Andrea Sarcina & Rubina Canesi, 2023. "Renewable Energy Community: Opportunities and Threats towards Green Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    8. Volpato, Gabriele & Carraro, Gianluca & Cont, Marco & Danieli, Piero & Rech, Sergio & Lazzaretto, Andrea, 2022. "General guidelines for the optimal economic aggregation of prosumers in energy communities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    9. Federico De Santi & Matteo Moncecchi & Giuseppe Prettico & Gianluca Fulli & Sergio Olivero & Marco Merlo, 2022. "To Join or Not to Join? The Energy Community Dilemma: An Italian Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-20, September.
    10. Pagnini, Luisa & Bracco, Stefano & Delfino, Federico & de-Simón-Martín, Miguel, 2024. "Levelized cost of electricity in renewable energy communities: Uncertainty propagation analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 366(C).
    11. Zheng, Siqian & Huang, Gongsheng & Lai, Alvin CK., 2021. "Techno-economic performance analysis of synergistic energy sharing strategies for grid-connected prosumers with distributed battery storages," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 1261-1278.
    12. Francesca Ceglia & Elisa Marrasso & Giovanna Pallotta & Carlo Roselli & Maurizio Sasso, 2022. "The State of the Art of Smart Energy Communities: A Systematic Review of Strengths and Limits," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-28, May.
    13. Ceglia, Francesca & Marrasso, Elisa & Roselli, Carlo & Sasso, Maurizio, 2023. "Energy and environmental assessment of a biomass-based renewable energy community including photovoltaic and hydroelectric systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    14. Simoiu, Mircea Stefan & Fagarasan, Ioana & Ploix, Stéphane & Calofir, Vasile, 2022. "Modeling the energy community members’ willingness to change their behaviour with multi-agent systems: A stochastic approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 194(C), pages 1233-1246.
    15. Zapata, Sebastian & Castaneda, Monica & Aristizabal, Andres J. & Dyner, Isaac, 2022. "Renewables for supporting supply adequacy in Colombia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PC).
    16. Pereira da Silva, Patrícia & Dantas, Guilherme & Pereira, Guillermo Ivan & Câmara, Lorrane & De Castro, Nivalde J., 2019. "Photovoltaic distributed generation – An international review on diffusion, support policies, and electricity sector regulatory adaptation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 103(C), pages 30-39.
    17. Wang, Mingtao & Zhang, Juan & Liu, Huanwei, 2022. "Thermodynamic analysis and optimization of two low-grade energy driven transcritical CO2 combined cooling, heating and power systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 249(C).
    18. Vivar, M. & H, Sharon & Fuentes, M., 2024. "Photovoltaic system adoption in water related technologies – A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    19. Eid Gul & Giorgio Baldinelli & Pietro Bartocci, 2022. "Energy Transition: Renewable Energy-Based Combined Heat and Power Optimization Model for Distributed Communities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-18, September.
    20. Bruno Cárdenas & Lawrie Swinfen-Styles & James Rouse & Seamus D. Garvey, 2021. "Short-, Medium-, and Long-Duration Energy Storage in a 100% Renewable Electricity Grid: A UK Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-28, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:215:y:2023:i:c:s0960148123008923. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.