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Participation of Energy Communities in Electricity Markets and Ancillary Services: An Overview of Successful Strategies

Author

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  • Emely Cruz-De-Jesús

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Seville, Spain
    Current address: Camino de los Descubrimientos, University of Seville, 41092 Seville, Spain.)

  • Alejandro Marano-Marcolini

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Seville, Spain
    Current address: Camino de los Descubrimientos, University of Seville, 41092 Seville, Spain.)

  • José Luis Martínez-Ramos

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, Universidad de Sevilla, 41092 Seville, Spain
    Current address: Camino de los Descubrimientos, University of Seville, 41092 Seville, Spain.)

Abstract

Energy communities are a transformative force in the electricity markets and ancillary services, reshaping the energy landscape through collective action. This paper explores the successful strategies adopted by these communities, highlighting real-world cases where they have participated directly in the market, or through aggregators, or sold their energy to retailers, which is of paramount importance because it serves as a foundation for those countries that wish to implement these entities as part of their decarbonization plan. It also serves as a model for the development of future citizen initiatives that aim to turn citizens into active users of the electricity system. The paper examines collaborative dynamics within the energy sector, highlighting how these communities optimize resource sharing and contribute to a more resilient and sustainable energy system. The study emphasizes the potential of energy communities in driving innovation and fostering a participatory approach to energy management. The results show that some pilot projects are being developed and several electricity cooperatives, one of the most common forms of energy communities, are participating in energy trading with their members and other entities. More efforts are also needed for energy communities to participate more directly in the market and/or through aggregators.

Suggested Citation

  • Emely Cruz-De-Jesús & Alejandro Marano-Marcolini & José Luis Martínez-Ramos, 2024. "Participation of Energy Communities in Electricity Markets and Ancillary Services: An Overview of Successful Strategies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-18, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:18:p:4631-:d:1479240
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Georgios Yiasoumas & Lazar Berbakov & Valentina Janev & Alessandro Asmundo & Eneko Olabarrieta & Andrea Vinci & Giovanni Baglietto & George E. Georghiou, 2023. "Key Aspects and Challenges in the Implementation of Energy Communities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-24, June.
    2. Maksym Koltunov & Simon Pezzutto & Adriano Bisello & Georg Lettner & Albert Hiesl & Wilfried van Sark & Atse Louwen & Eric Wilczynski, 2023. "Mapping of Energy Communities in Europe: Status Quo and Review of Existing Classifications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-25, May.
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    4. Lowitzsch, Jens & Kreutzer, Kaja & George, Jan & Croonenbroeck, Carsten & Breitschopf, Barbara, 2023. "Development prospects for energy communities in the EU identifying best practice and future opportunities using a morphological approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    5. Maria Rosaria Di Nucci & Michael Krug & Lucas Schwarz & Vincenzo Gatta & Erik Laes, 2023. "Learning from Other Community Renewable Energy Projects: Transnational Transfer of Multi-Functional Energy Gardens from the Netherlands to Germany," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-24, April.
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