Analysis of the Energy Consumption Behavior of European RES Cooperative Members

Nikolaos Sifakis, Nikolaos Savvakis, Tryfon Daras and Theocharis Tsoutsos
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Nikolaos Sifakis: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Lab, School of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Kounoupidiana Campus, 73100 Chania, Greece
Nikolaos Savvakis: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Lab, School of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Kounoupidiana Campus, 73100 Chania, Greece
Tryfon Daras: School of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Kounoupidiana Campus, 73100 Chania, Greece
Theocharis Tsoutsos: Renewable and Sustainable Energy Systems Lab, School of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Crete, Kounoupidiana Campus, 73100 Chania, Greece

Energies, 2019, vol. 12, issue 6, 1-19

Abstract: REScoops are cooperatives of renewable energy producers and/or consumers that are being formed in the developing European Smart Grid. Today, there are more than 2397 REScoops with more than 650,000 members. Their development indicates the necessity of producing and consuming green energy, assists the fight against energy poverty, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions by utilizing smart management systems and self-consumption techniques. An essential objective of the H2020 REScoop Plus project is to stimulate better understanding and promote the cooperatives’ commitment to behavioral change. To achieve such a goal, this paper presents the methodology adopted to assess the energy-saving activities and behavior of the REScoops. In order to obtain relevant conclusions, a detailed statistical analysis was undertaken. Moreover, the analysis led to an effective classification of the various members, providing insights regarding their contribution to consumption reduction according to various specific characteristics. The statistical analysis showed that REScoop members contribute significantly to energy conservation and the reduction of harmful gas emissions, and subsequently, the majority of the energy efficiency (EE) interventions led to achieving more than 20% reductions. Specific practices, already adopted by the REScoops, lead to increased energy efficiency and environmental benefits.

Keywords: REScoops; EE interventions; actual consumption reduction; renewable energy cooperatives; performance analysis (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: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (6)

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