Transitioning to a low carbon society through energy communities: Lessons learned from Brazil and Italy

Cunha, Felipe Barroco Fontes; Carani, Claudia; Nucci, Carlo Alberto; Castro, Celso Luiz Braga de; Silva, Marcelo Santana; Torres, Ednildo Andrade

doi:10.1016/j.erss.2021.101994

Cited by 34 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…The GECO project (https://www.gecocommunity.it, accessed on 3 December 2021), promoted by AESS, the National Agency for New Technologies, together with Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA) and the University of Bologna (UNIBO), with the participation of CAAB/FICO and the local development agency Pilastro-District Nord Est, envisages the creation of the first energy community in the Pilastro-Roveri area for distributed generation, energy storage, and consumption optimization through the smart city logic, offering its members a below-market energy cost and energy services [30]. With the support of ENEA, the project aims to stimulate the development of the national regulatory framework, providing support to national stakeholders for the creation of the new regulation of the energy sector in the Italian territory.…”

Section: Discussion and Implementation Of Results In A Pilot Action In Bolognamentioning

confidence: 99%

Designing Collaborative Energy Communities: A European Overview

et al. 2021

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Renewable energy has a crucial role in facing climate change. One promising strategy is the creation of energy communities that require active involvement from a bottom-up perspective. Their implementation is difficult, as they currently rely on local policies, community readiness, and technological availability. The objective of this paper is to provide a qualitative overview of energy community concepts and strategies at the European level. The aim is to identify common approaches that are framing the development of energy communities, and to understand the most successful steps leading to their creation and growth. To achieve this objective, a threefold methodology is provided: (1) an updated review on policies dealing with energy communities at the European and Italian level; (2) a qualitative overview of European-funded projects under the Horizon 2020 work program; and (3) a qualitative overview of some of the most successful existing energy communities in Europe. The results outline a series of considerations and lessons learned that are useful for implementing this transition pathway in a real case, which is also presented in the paper. The conclusions will identify some future directions of this research, particularly in relation to the results coming from the implementation of actions in the real case.

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Section: Discussion and Implementation Of Results In A Pilot Action In Bolognamentioning

confidence: 99%

Designing Collaborative Energy Communities: A European Overview

et al. 2021

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“…Energy poverty refers to a household that is unable to meet its energy needs, and has been identified as a significant problem throughout Europe, including in Mediterranean countries like Spain [29,30]. LECs have been considered from the perspective of energy poverty [25,31], as a tool for mitigating energy poverty [32,33], especially within the Mediterranean, such as in Greece [34,35], Italy [36] and Portugal [37]. From the literature it is clear that LECs are able to identify local energy needs and foster community participation [38], and as such could be utilized as an enduring method to reduce energy poverty.…”

Section: Legally Permitted Activities In Energy Sectormentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards a Just Energy Transition, Barriers and Opportunities for Positive Energy District Creation in Spain

Hearn

Castaño-Rosa

2021

Sustainability

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To mitigate the effects of climate change, the European Commission created a Strategic Energy Technology Plan committing to forming 100 Positive Energy Districts (PEDs) by 2025. These are considered to potentially be major instruments for decarbonization in a just transition. This plan has led to some districts being defined as PEDs, although none have fully met the criteria to be a PED yet. Research shows that new forms of energy ownership and production, as could potentially be found in PEDs, could help reduce energy poverty, which affects a significant segment of the population, as households can reduce their energy expenditure as well as improve their energy behavior. This paper set out to shed light on the PED landscape, investigating the barriers and opportunities to PED creation in Spain and its potential to mitigate energy poverty. We conducted a literature review on community-owned energy in Spain, followed with expert interviews (energy researchers, stakeholders, and NGOs) who focus on sustainability issues in Spain. Results show a number of barriers (lack of knowledge and awareness, and lack of trust from consumers) and opportunities connected with the creation of PEDs. In conclusion, policymaker engagement and support play a key role in successfully implementing PEDs.

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“…Some scholars have proposed models, such as a new dynamic simulation model for thermo-economic analysis and optimization of district heating systems [13], a business model which includes key issues and trends for the energy community [14], a transformation from the smart energy community into smart energy municipality [15] and key points to create further improvements for sustainable city strategies [16]. Similarly, implicit solutions in the form of lessons have also been provided, such as the lessons of transitioning to a low carbon society through energy communities in Brazil and Italy [17], sustainable energy action plans at a city level in Portugal [18] and shared photovoltaics for efficient, effective and fair allocation of costs and benefits in residential energy communities [19].…”

Section: Prior Research On Offices and Residential Buildingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oversized Electrical Appliance Impacts on Condominium Energy Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness Management: Experts’ Perspectives

Buranaaudsawakul

Wisaeng

2021

ASI

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A direct use approach incorporating a cost approach assumed that replacing oversized electrical appliances with those better fit to actual energy consumption can reduce energy consumption, optimizing capacities of the new appliances to the maximum while reducing electricity costs. This study aimed to verify the assumption that the size of appliances has impacts on energy consumption and cost effectiveness. A mixed-method approach included these instruments for data elicitations (i.e., a questionnaire, data records of 485 transformers, two assessments of condominium technical caretakers, and two in-depth interviews of electrical engineering experts). The findings revealed that most condominiums installed electric appliances that are too large for their actual energy usage, which lies between 5.4% and 7.1% of the capacity. This study therefore proposed a total cost reduction of 54% by downsizing these appliances (i.e., MV Switchgear 2 sets, dry type transformer 2 sets 80,000, LV Cable 10 m. (XLPE), main distribution board, Busduct (MDB-DB), generator (20% of Tr.), and generator installation). Even though this analysis is limited to Bangkok, Thailand, this case may contribute decision-making on electrical appliance selection at early stage of investment or to downsize the currently installed appliances for the more energy efficient and cost-effective management of condominiums around the world.

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Transitioning to a low carbon society through energy communities: Lessons learned from Brazil and Italy

Cited by 34 publications

References 66 publications

Designing Collaborative Energy Communities: A European Overview

Designing Collaborative Energy Communities: A European Overview

Towards a Just Energy Transition, Barriers and Opportunities for Positive Energy District Creation in Spain

Oversized Electrical Appliance Impacts on Condominium Energy Efficiency and Cost-Effectiveness Management: Experts’ Perspectives

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