Self-Consumption and Energy Autarky in Energy Communities – simulation and evaluation of scalable ‘Energy Cells’ in Austria, Belgium and Norway

Abstract

The project Regional Renewable Energy Cells (R2EC) aims at developing a scalable system for decentralized, interacting energy ‘cells’ with a high concentration of locally generated renewable energy. A spectrum of various adjacent ‘energy cells’ in three countries – Austria, Belgium and Norway, are analyzed, and recommendations for the development of regional and renewable energy cell system are to be provided. Essentially, energy cells represent Energy Communities (ECs), within the regulatory frameworks of the observed regions. The implemented R2EC system aims at maximizing the utilization of the locally generated renewable energy, by automated control of electrical storage, as well as high electricity use applications like E-heating, Heat Pumps and E-vehicles. To improve the utilization of renewable energy generated locally, the system is also designed to interact with other energy cells. The overall system resilience and optimization are also investigated. The R2EC approach aims at developing tailor-made solutions that satisfy the different local and regional requirements, along with the electrical energy demand of the observed cells. A unique opportunity is created here, as the regional requirements, renewable energy potential, developments in the field of ECs and local conditions in these regions differ significantly. A comprehensive analysis of the simulation model, the technical simulations, results and the evaluation for the observed testbeds are illustrated in the scope of this detailed study. The simulations showed increased Self Consumption Rates (SCRs) of both individual and overall energy cell, and improved Energy Autarky Rates (EARs) in the observed test beds. A brief comparison of the quantified advantages observed in the three regions is also made.