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Power to the People: On the Role of Districts in Decentralized Energy Systems

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  • Jonas Schnidrig

    (Industrial Process and Energy Systems Engineering Group, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Rue de l’Industrie 17, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
    CIRAIG, Institute for Sustainable Energy, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Rue de l’Industrie 21, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
    CIRAIG, 3333 Queen Mary Rd, Montréal, QC H3V 1A2, Canada)

  • Arthur Chuat

    (Industrial Process and Energy Systems Engineering Group, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Rue de l’Industrie 17, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
    CIRAIG, Institute for Sustainable Energy, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Rue de l’Industrie 21, 1950 Sion, Switzerland)

  • Cédric Terrier

    (Industrial Process and Energy Systems Engineering Group, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Rue de l’Industrie 17, 1950 Sion, Switzerland)

  • François Maréchal

    (Industrial Process and Energy Systems Engineering Group, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Rue de l’Industrie 17, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
    CIRAIG, 3333 Queen Mary Rd, Montréal, QC H3V 1A2, Canada)

  • Manuele Margni

    (CIRAIG, Institute for Sustainable Energy, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland, Rue de l’Industrie 21, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
    CIRAIG, 3333 Queen Mary Rd, Montréal, QC H3V 1A2, Canada)

Abstract

The transition towards renewable and decentralized energy systems is propelled by the urgent need to address climate concerns and advance sustainable development globally. This transformation requires innovative methods to integrate stochastic renewable sources such as solar and wind power and challenging traditional energy paradigms rooted in centralized and continuous energy production. The present study focuses on the Swiss energy system to explore the optimization of energy planning strategies that incorporate decentralized energy production within a centralized framework. Here, we show that a strategic approach to decentralization can significantly reduce annual system costs by 10% to CHF 1230 per capita and increase self-consumption to 68% of the decentralized PV production, emphasizing the need for a hybrid energy-planning model that balances centralized and decentralized models for enhanced system resilience, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. This research underscores the strategic importance of diversifying energy sources, enhancing energy storage, improving grid flexibility, and laying a foundational framework for policy making and strategic planning. It encourages further investigation into climate impacts, technology synergy, and the integration of district heating, aiming to establish a resilient, sustainable, and autonomous energy future.

Suggested Citation

  • Jonas Schnidrig & Arthur Chuat & Cédric Terrier & François Maréchal & Manuele Margni, 2024. "Power to the People: On the Role of Districts in Decentralized Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(7), pages 1-38, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:7:p:1718-:d:1369646
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Moret, Stefano & Codina Gironès, Víctor & Bierlaire, Michel & Maréchal, François, 2017. "Characterization of input uncertainties in strategic energy planning models," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 202(C), pages 597-617.
    2. Gupta, Rahul & Sossan, Fabrizio & Paolone, Mario, 2021. "Countrywide PV hosting capacity and energy storage requirements for distribution networks: The case of Switzerland," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    3. Schlecht, Ingmar & Weigt, Hannes, 2014. "Swissmod - a model of the Swiss electricity market," Working papers 2014/04, Faculty of Business and Economics - University of Basel.
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