Systematic Review of Software and Algorithms for the Implementation of Renewable Energy Communities (RECs)

Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) have gained traction in recent years as key instruments for the democratization of energy systems and the promotion of localized, sustainable energy production and consumption. The implementation of RECs has been underpinned by a variety of software programs and algorithms. This paper presents a systematic literature review of such methods following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology; moreover, following the PRISMA nomenclature, the review includes 420 reports, grouped into 311 unique studies, evaluating the literature according to REC development phases, methodological approach, software functions, openness, interoperability, and decision-support capabilities. Results show that most contributions focus on the modelling phase, specifically feasibility study and REC design, while stakeholder engagement, construction, and long-term operation remain less developed. Comprehensive software programs are mainly available for simulation and techno-economic analysis, whereas tools developed specifically for REC operation, monitoring, energy sharing, or decision support are often prototypes or case-specific implementations. These findings provide guidance for researchers, REC developers, policymakers, and community stakeholders seeking to select, improve, or regulate digital tools for RECs.