Key Aspects and Challenges in the Implementation of Energy Communities

Georgios Yiasoumas (), Lazar Berbakov, Valentina Janev, Alessandro Asmundo, Eneko Olabarrieta, Andrea Vinci, Giovanni Baglietto and George E. Georghiou
Additional contact information
Georgios Yiasoumas: PV Technology Laboratory, FOSS Research Centre for Sustainable Energy, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus
Lazar Berbakov: Institute Mihajlo Pupin, University of Belgrade, Volgina 15, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
Valentina Janev: Institute Mihajlo Pupin, University of Belgrade, Volgina 15, 11060 Belgrade, Serbia
Alessandro Asmundo: Forum per la Finanza Sostenibile ETS (Italian Sustainable Investment Forum), Via Andrea Maria Ampère 61/A, 20131 Milan, Italy
Eneko Olabarrieta: R2M Solution Spain, R&D Department, Av. Manoteras 24, Planta 2, 28050 Madrid, Spain
Andrea Vinci: Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering and Naval Architecture Department, University of Genova, 16145 Genova, Italy
Giovanni Baglietto: Electrical, Electronics and Telecommunication Engineering and Naval Architecture Department, University of Genova, 16145 Genova, Italy
George E. Georghiou: PV Technology Laboratory, FOSS Research Centre for Sustainable Energy, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Cyprus, Nicosia 1678, Cyprus

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-24

Abstract: Energy communities (ECs) are an important tool towards a fair energy transition. Hence, the European Union (EU) has positioned ECs at the centre of its energy strategy and the foreseen transformation of its energy system. This paper aims to give an overview of key aspects and challenges for the implementation of the EC concept. Firstly, the regulatory framework is examined with a focus on the new definitions for ECs introduced by the EU, Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) and Citizen Energy Communities (CECs). Secondly, examples of established ECs and their main objectives are mentioned. Additionally, based on the identified challenges and requirements of establishing ECs, the key technologies that are implemented or have the potential to be deployed in an EC are examined, as well as innovative cross-cutting services that are optimally suited to be integrated in an EC. Moreover, the data management challenges linked to some of these technologies are considered. Finally, an overview of actual or potential financing schemes to support the EC development is given. Overall, the analysis highlighted the regulatory, technical and financial aspects and challenges that ECs are facing and the need to address them so that the EC concept is effective and successful. The main challenges identified for each of these aspects are the regulatory compliance with the legal framework, the data management dimension when innovative technological concepts are adopted and the financing of new projects.

Keywords: energy communities; regulatory barriers; smart grids; technologies; data-driven services; data management; financial barriers (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/12/4703/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/16/12/4703/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:12:p:4703-:d:1170932

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().