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The Role of Renewable Gas Energy Communities in Austria’s Energy Transformation

Author

Listed:
  • Carolin Monsberger

    (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Vienna, Austria)

  • Stefan Reuter

    (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Vienna, Austria)

  • Franziska Ackerl

    (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Vienna, Austria)

  • Bernhard Mayr

    (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Vienna, Austria)

  • Bernadette Fina

    (AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Giefinggasse 2, 1210 Vienna, Austria)

  • Bernadette Mauthner

    (Biogas Bruck/Leitha GmbH, Szallasweg 1, 2460 Bruck an der Leitha, Austria)

Abstract

Renewable energy communities (RECs) can play a vital role in integrating renewable gases like biomethane into Austria’s energy system. This study examines critical gaps in national regulations for renewable gas RECs (short ‘gas RECs’) and the need for clarification in certification processes. The novelty of this study lies in the development of energy community (EC) variants for renewable gas, focusing on Industrial, Communal, and Agricultural Symbiosis. A case study of Bruck/Leitha evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of gas RECs, showing that while biomethane’s production costs are higher than natural gas by 2.14 cents/kWh in 2021, it offers greater price stability. Although biomethane is economically less competitive, it provides significant ecological benefits. The results underline the importance of policy advancements, including funding mechanisms and regulatory clarity, to support the integration of gas RECs into Austria’s energy system.

Suggested Citation

  • Carolin Monsberger & Stefan Reuter & Franziska Ackerl & Bernhard Mayr & Bernadette Fina & Bernadette Mauthner, 2025. "The Role of Renewable Gas Energy Communities in Austria’s Energy Transformation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-21, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:18:p:4863-:d:1748458
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sandra Corasaniti & Paolo Coppa & Dario Atzori & Ateeq Ur Rehman, 2025. "Renewable Energy Communities (RECs): European and Worldwide Distribution, Different Technologies, Management, and Modeling," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-60, July.
    2. Rafael Gonçalves & Diogo Gomes & Mário Antunes, 2025. "Intelligent Management of Renewable Energy Communities: An MLaaS Framework with RL-Based Decision Making," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-30, July.
    3. Edvard Košnjek & Boris Sučić & Mojca Loncnar & Tom Smolej, 2025. "Energy Cost Centre-Based Modelling of Sector Coupling in Local Communities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-22, May.
    4. Idiano D’Adamo & Claudio Sassanelli, 2022. "Biomethane Community: A Research Agenda towards Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-22, April.
    5. Cristina Sanz-Cuadrado & Luis Narvarte & Ana Belén Cristóbal, 2025. "Energy Valorization Strategies in Rural Renewable Energy Communities: A Path to Social Revitalization and Sustainable Development," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-28, May.
    6. Massimiliano Ferrara & Fabio Mottola & Daniela Proto & Antonio Ricca & Maria Valenti, 2024. "Local Energy Community to Support Hydrogen Production and Network Flexibility," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-20, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shu Tang & Dongphil Chun & Xuhui Liu, 2025. "An Applied Study on Predicting Natural Gas Prices Using Mixed Models," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-22, October.

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