Techno-economic impact of collective self-consumption on different energy-related investments for a condominium

Abstract

Energy Communities (ECs) are gaining a key role in supporting the transition towards a low carbon economy in EU, since they combine the promotion of efficient energy practices with an expected positive social impact. Legislators are resorting to the concept of collective self-consumption as a tool to favor the electrification of energy needs and the diffusion of renewable energy sources. This work presents the first results in this field of the ENERGYNIUS project, co-funded by Regione Emilia-Romagna, focusing on the economic feasibility of investment decisions that would increase energy efficiency and renewables' penetration in the household sector. To this purpose, a mathematical model has been developed, featuring an hourly time step definition of the internal and external energy exchanges and an accurate modelling of the electricity billing. It has been applied to an Italian condominium case study where the energy requirements of the inhabitants - in terms of electricity, heating, cooling and private transportation - have been considered. Thanks to the model, it is possible to compare increasing levels of electrification (e.g., photovoltaic panels, heat pumps, electric vehicles and batteries) and assess the benefits of collective selfconsumption on the condominium cash flows and environment (fossil CO2 emissions).