Section outline

  • Research and innovation projects funded by the EU, such as those under the Horizon 2020 program, have been a crucial laboratory for the development and testing of digital tools for RECs. The paper "Energy Communities: How Tools Can Facilitate Their Enhancement" (Cuneo et al., 2021) presents the results of four major projects, showing different but complementary approaches.

     

    Table 1: Summary of digital tools developed in H2020 projects

    Project Name

    Main Function of the Tool/Platform

    Key and Innovative Aspects

    MUSE GRIDS

    Development of a "multi-objective smart controller" for managing multi-energy systems (electricity, heat, water).

    Integration of multiple energy vectors to maximize synergies (e.g., using PV surplus to pump water). Use of data visualization tools to increase user engagement.

    COMPILE

    Creation of a set of technical and non-technical "toolsets" for creating and managing energy communities, especially in remote or weakly connected areas ("energy islands").

    Enabled the installation of PV capacity 10 times higher than initially planned by the DSO thanks to smart controllers (HomeRule) and curtailment algorithms. First trial in Slovenia of "island mode" operation with a community battery.

    MERLON

    Development of an Integrated Local Energy Management System (ILESEM) combining IoT solutions at the prosumer level with back-end systems for optimization.

    Multi-level approach (prosumer, aggregator, DSO). Allows the REC to provide balancing services and participate in wholesale markets while preserving user comfort.

    IELECTRIX

    Development of innovative technical solutions to accelerate renewable integration in grids that need reinforcement ("energy islands").

    Creation of a low-voltage network "digital twin" based solely on smart meter data. This model allows the DSO to analyze the network, estimate its capacity for additional PV, and develop demand response programs.

      • Analysis of Project Results

        Four key conclusions emerge from these projects (Cuneo et al., 2021):

        1. Flexibility is Essential: Future smart energy systems require high flexibility in end-use consumption to manage the uncertainty of non-programmable renewable sources.
        2. How to Achieve Flexibility: Flexibility is mainly obtained in two ways: maximizing cross-sector integration (sector coupling, e.g., power-to-heat) and actively engaging citizens in flexibility programs, also through aggregators.
        3. Citizen Empowerment is Crucial: Even if technical solutions exist, a strong focus on social aspects (engagement, technology acceptance, etc.) is necessary to make citizens active participants.
        4. Need for Design and Planning: Future energy systems must be designed. Energy planners and local policymakers need tools (such as digital platforms) to anticipate how the current system can be decarbonized through new technologies like storage and electric vehicles.

        These results highlight that digital tools are not just a technical "optional," but a central and strategic element for the success, scalability, and impact of Renewable Energy Communities.