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Optimal Investment and Sharing Decisions in Renewable Energy Communities with Multiple Investing Members

Author

Listed:
  • Inês Carvalho

    (ISEL—Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1549-020 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Jorge Sousa

    (ISEL—Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1549-020 Lisboa, Portugal
    INESC-ID, Rua Alves Redol, 9, 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • José Villar

    (INESC TEC, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal)

  • João Lagarto

    (ISEL—Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1549-020 Lisboa, Portugal
    INESC-ID, Rua Alves Redol, 9, 1000-029 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Carla Viveiros

    (ISEL—Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1549-020 Lisboa, Portugal)

  • Filipe Barata

    (ISEL—Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Instituto Politécnico de Lisboa, 1549-020 Lisboa, Portugal
    UnIRE, ISEL, Polytechnic University of Lisbon, 1549-020 Lisboa, Portugal
    Low Carbon Energy Conversion Group (LCEC), Electrical Engineering Department, 1959-007 Lisboa, Portugal)

Abstract

The Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and self-consumption frameworks defined in Directive (EU) 2023/2413 and Directive (EU) 2024/1711 are currently being integrated into national regulations across EU member states, adapting legislation to incorporate these new entities. These regulations establish key principles for individual and collective self-consumption, outlining operational rules such as proximity constraints, electricity sharing mechanisms, surplus electricity management, grid tariffs, and various organizational aspects, including asset sizing, licensing, metering, data exchange, and role definitions. This study introduces a model tailored to optimize investment and energy-sharing decisions within RECs, enabling multiple members to invest in solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind generation assets. The model determines the optimal generation capacity each REC member should install for each technology and calculates the energy shared between members in each period, considering site-specific constraints on renewable deployment. A case study with a four-member REC is used to showcase the model’s functionality, with simulation results underscoring the benefits of CSC over ISC.

Suggested Citation

  • Inês Carvalho & Jorge Sousa & José Villar & João Lagarto & Carla Viveiros & Filipe Barata, 2025. "Optimal Investment and Sharing Decisions in Renewable Energy Communities with Multiple Investing Members," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-23, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:8:p:1920-:d:1631478
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    References listed on IDEAS

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