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Techno-Economic Analysis of an Energy Community Based on PV and Electric Storage Systems in a Small Mountain Locality of South Italy: A Case Study

Author

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  • Daniela Cirone

    (Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department, University of Calabria, V. P. Bucci 46/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy)

  • Roberto Bruno

    (Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department, University of Calabria, V. P. Bucci 46/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy)

  • Piero Bevilacqua

    (Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department, University of Calabria, V. P. Bucci 46/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy)

  • Stefania Perrella

    (Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department, University of Calabria, V. P. Bucci 46/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy)

  • Natale Arcuri

    (Mechanical, Energy and Management Engineering Department, University of Calabria, V. P. Bucci 46/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy)

Abstract

The ecological transition at the centre of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the relevant EU policies are increasingly becoming an emerging issue in the political choices of most countries. It is an important challenge to ensure sustainable development and overcome the issue of energy supply. Italy produces 35% of its electricity consumption, a too low percentage that obligates the nation to purchase abroad to cover the overall needs. Energy communities can represent an interesting and viable option for businesses and citizens struggling with the abrupt rising of energy prices. In community energy systems, the energy demand of a group of households or public services is met by electricity collectively generated through renewable sources and this feature is particularly suggested in small towns to promote social benefits and environmental advantages. In this work, possible scenarios of an implementable energy community were investigated for the small mountain municipality of Soveria Mannelli, located in Southern Italy. A building stock made of four public edifices was used as a reference case for which heating needs were determined by dynamic simulations based on the EN ISO 52016-1 procedure. Other simulations carried out in the TRNSYS environment allowed for implementing different schemes of the energy community considering diverse building interaction modes, in which photovoltaic generators and electric batteries cooperate to supply heat pump systems to assure the maximum share of self-consumed electric energy. Indeed, this paper is targeted at the identification of the best solution in terms of technical and economic performance. Despite an evident study limitation is represented by the exclusive use of PV and electric storage systems, the results demonstrate a potential CO 2 emission reduction of over 80%. The more profitable solution for the Municipality was identified with an NPV of 11 k€ in 20 years with appreciable payback.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Cirone & Roberto Bruno & Piero Bevilacqua & Stefania Perrella & Natale Arcuri, 2022. "Techno-Economic Analysis of an Energy Community Based on PV and Electric Storage Systems in a Small Mountain Locality of South Italy: A Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-14, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:21:p:13877-:d:953072
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Erica Roccatello & Alessandro Prada & Paolo Baggio & Marco Baratieri, 2022. "Analysis of the Influence of Control Strategy and Heating Loads on the Performance of Hybrid Heat Pump Systems for Residential Buildings," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-19, January.
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    2. Omais Abdur Rehman & Valeria Palomba & Andrea Frazzica & Antonios Charalampidis & Sotirios Karellas & Luisa F. Cabeza, 2023. "Numerical and Experimental Analysis of a Low-GWP Heat Pump Coupled to Electrical and Thermal Energy Storage to Increase the Share of Renewables across Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-33, March.
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    5. Francesca Ceglia & Elisa Marrasso & Chiara Martone & Giovanna Pallotta & Carlo Roselli & Maurizio Sasso, 2023. "Towards the Decarbonization of Industrial Districts through Renewable Energy Communities: Techno-Economic Feasibility of an Italian Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-23, March.
    6. Yingyue Li & Hongjun Li & Rui Miao & He Qi & Yi Zhang, 2023. "Energy–Environment–Economy (3E) Analysis of the Performance of Introducing Photovoltaic and Energy Storage Systems into Residential Buildings: A Case Study in Shenzhen, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-25, June.
    7. Elisa Moretti & Ettore Stamponi, 2023. "The Renewable Energy Communities in Italy and the Role of Public Administrations: The Experience of the Municipality of Assisi between Challenges and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-23, August.

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