The Role of Renewable Gas Energy Communities in Austria’s Energy Transformation

Abstract

Renewable energy communities (RECs) can play a vital role in integrating renewable gases like biomethane into Austria’s energy system. This study examines critical gaps in national regulations for renewable gas RECs (short ‘gas RECs’) and the need for clarification in certification processes. The novelty of this study lies in the development of energy community (EC) variants for renewable gas, focusing on Industrial, Communal, and Agricultural Symbiosis. A case study of Bruck/Leitha evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of gas RECs, showing that while biomethane’s production costs are higher than natural gas by 2.14 cents/kWh in 2021, it offers greater price stability. Although biomethane is economically less competitive, it provides significant ecological benefits. The results underline the importance of policy advancements, including funding mechanisms and regulatory clarity, to support the integration of gas RECs into Austria’s energy system.