Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) play a crucial role in the energy transition, promoting widespread and decentralized energy generation and consumption. However, achieving high self-consumption levels remains challenging due to the production intermittency of the most popular renewable generator - solar photovoltaic panels (PV). This study investigates the integration of biomass-driven micro-cogeneration to improve the electrical self-consumption performance and shared energy within Italian RECs. A simulation model is developed to evaluate the impact of biomass-based micro-cogeneration and PV systems integrations. Different scenarios are analyzed, varying the installed capacities of PV and adjusting the CHP unit installed power in order to meet self-sufficiency targets, reduce CO2 emissions, and leverage economic savings. Results indicate that the inclusion of biomass-driven micro-cogeneration significantly enhances the self-sufficiency ratio of RECs, with annual values that vary from 0.23 to 0.57, mitigating the seasonal and diurnal variability of solar energy. Furthermore, the increase in self-sufficiency of the REC leads to economic benefits, with a yearly saving up to 52416 € (38% of initial costs), and minor environmental impact (up to 58% decrease in CO2 emissions)
BIOMASS-DRIVEN MICRO-COGENERATION MODELING TO ANALYSE ELECTRICAL SELF CONSUMPTION PERFORMANCES AND SHARED ENERGY IN RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMUNITIES
Baldinelli Arianna
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
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2025-01-01
Abstract
Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) play a crucial role in the energy transition, promoting widespread and decentralized energy generation and consumption. However, achieving high self-consumption levels remains challenging due to the production intermittency of the most popular renewable generator - solar photovoltaic panels (PV). This study investigates the integration of biomass-driven micro-cogeneration to improve the electrical self-consumption performance and shared energy within Italian RECs. A simulation model is developed to evaluate the impact of biomass-based micro-cogeneration and PV systems integrations. Different scenarios are analyzed, varying the installed capacities of PV and adjusting the CHP unit installed power in order to meet self-sufficiency targets, reduce CO2 emissions, and leverage economic savings. Results indicate that the inclusion of biomass-driven micro-cogeneration significantly enhances the self-sufficiency ratio of RECs, with annual values that vary from 0.23 to 0.57, mitigating the seasonal and diurnal variability of solar energy. Furthermore, the increase in self-sufficiency of the REC leads to economic benefits, with a yearly saving up to 52416 € (38% of initial costs), and minor environmental impact (up to 58% decrease in CO2 emissions)I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
