The Impact of Energy Communities Virtual Islanding on the Integration of Renewables in Distribution Power Systems

Andrea Bonfiglio (), Sergio Bruno, Alice La Fata, Maria Martino, Renato Procopio and Angelo Velini
Additional contact information
Andrea Bonfiglio: Department of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Sergio Bruno: Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy
Alice La Fata: Department of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Maria Martino: Department of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Renato Procopio: Department of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy
Angelo Velini: Department of Electrical and Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126 Bari, Italy

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: In power distribution networks, the growing integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) presents a challenge for the electricity system and its operators, who need to make the energy sector more flexible and resilient. In this context, this paper proposes a novel flexibilization service for the distribution system leveraging the role of renewable energy communities (RECs), an emerging entity with the potential to facilitate the sustainable energy transition through Virtual Islanding operation. The concept of Virtual Islanding is investigated in the paper and a methodology for its validation is developed. Its effectiveness is then assessed using an IEEE-standard 33-node network with significant penetration of RESs, considering the presence of multiple RECs to prove its benefits on electrical distribution networks. The results showcase the advantages of the VI paradigm both from technical and sustainability viewpoint.

Keywords: renewable energy communities; distribution system operation; Virtual Islanding; grid services; energy transition (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: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4084/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4084/ (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:18:y:2025:i:15:p:4084-:d:1715725

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 ().