IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v15y2022i9p3462-d811779.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The State of the Art of Smart Energy Communities: A Systematic Review of Strengths and Limits

Author

Listed:
  • Francesca Ceglia

    (Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

  • Elisa Marrasso

    (Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

  • Giovanna Pallotta

    (Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

  • Carlo Roselli

    (Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

  • Maurizio Sasso

    (Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

Abstract

The Smart Energy Community topic has attracted a lot of interest from policy, research centres, companies and private citizens since 2018, when in Europe the recast of the Renewable Energy Directive, and later in 2019 the Internal Electricity Market Directive, came into force to support the new role of users in energy systems. Following these directives, energy community experimentations, real projects and/or simulations and case studies have been developed and investigated in the literature. In this review paper, an investigation of recent literature about Smart Energy Communities in terms of common characteristics, fundamental scopes, and principal indexes used for their evaluation, has been realized by considering 111 scientific references, 78 of which have been published since 2018. The reference papers have been selected through the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis” methodology. In developing the review, significant barriers to Smart Energy Communities’ diffusion emerged. The main shortcomings concern citizens’ uncertainty about these new projects, due to their poor information and technical skills. These issues often hide energy, economic, environmental, and social benefits of Smart Energy Communities. Therefore, this study wants to be an opportunity for bringing to the attention of citizens Smart Energy Communities’ positive outcomes, especially from the social point of view, thus boosting their spreading and overcoming still existing criticalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Francesca Ceglia & Elisa Marrasso & Giovanna Pallotta & Carlo Roselli & Maurizio Sasso, 2022. "The State of the Art of Smart Energy Communities: A Systematic Review of Strengths and Limits," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-28, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:9:p:3462-:d:811779
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/9/3462/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/15/9/3462/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Bartolini, Andrea & Carducci, Francesco & Muñoz, Carlos Boigues & Comodi, Gabriele, 2020. "Energy storage and multi energy systems in local energy communities with high renewable energy penetration," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 595-609.
    2. Moiz Masood Syed & Gregory M. Morrison & James Darbyshire, 2020. "Shared Solar and Battery Storage Configuration Effectiveness for Reducing the Grid Reliance of Apartment Complexes," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-23, September.
    3. Aberilla, Jhud Mikhail & Gallego-Schmid, Alejandro & Stamford, Laurence & Azapagic, Adisa, 2020. "Design and environmental sustainability assessment of small-scale off-grid energy systems for remote rural communities," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    4. Inês F. G. Reis & Ivo Gonçalves & Marta A. R. Lopes & Carlos Henggeler Antunes, 2021. "Assessing the Influence of Different Goals in Energy Communities’ Self-Sufficiency—An Optimized Multiagent Approach," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-32, February.
    5. Liu, Jia & Chen, Xi & Yang, Hongxing & Shan, Kui, 2021. "Hybrid renewable energy applications in zero-energy buildings and communities integrating battery and hydrogen vehicle storage," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 290(C).
    6. Francesca Ceglia & Elisa Marrasso & Carlo Roselli & Maurizio Sasso, 2021. "Small Renewable Energy Community: The Role of Energy and Environmental Indicators for Power Grid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    7. Emilio Ghiani & Andrea Giordano & Andrea Nieddu & Luca Rosetti & Fabrizio Pilo, 2019. "Planning of a Smart Local Energy Community: The Case of Berchidda Municipality (Italy)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-14, December.
    8. Patrick Devine-Wright, 2019. "Community versus local energy in a context of climate emergency," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 4(11), pages 894-896, November.
    9. Eunice Espe & Vidyasagar Potdar & Elizabeth Chang, 2018. "Prosumer Communities and Relationships in Smart Grids: A Literature Review, Evolution and Future Directions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-24, September.
    10. Johannes Radl & Andreas Fleischhacker & Frida Huglen Revheim & Georg Lettner & Hans Auer, 2020. "Comparison of Profitability of PV Electricity Sharing in Renewable Energy Communities in Selected European Countries," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-24, September.
    11. Pacheco, A. & Monteiro, J. & Santos, J. & Sequeira, C. & Nunes, J., 2022. "Energy transition process and community engagement on geographic islands: The case of Culatra Island (Ria Formosa, Portugal)," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 184(C), pages 700-711.
    12. Alexandros-Georgios Chronis & Foivos Palaiogiannis & Iasonas Kouveliotis-Lysikatos & Panos Kotsampopoulos & Nikos Hatziargyriou, 2021. "Photovoltaics Enabling Sustainable Energy Communities: Technological Drivers and Emerging Markets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-21, March.
    13. Ramirez Camargo, Luis & Valdes, Javier & Masip Macia, Yunesky & Dorner, Wolfgang, 2019. "Assessment of on-site steady electricity generation from hybrid renewable energy systems in Chile," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 1548-1558.
    14. Braeuer, Fritz & Kleinebrahm, Max & Naber, Elias & Scheller, Fabian & McKenna, Russell, 2022. "Optimal system design for energy communities in multi-family buildings: the case of the German Tenant Electricity Law," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    15. Lanka Horstink & Julia M. Wittmayer & Kiat Ng & Guilherme Pontes Luz & Esther Marín-González & Swantje Gährs & Inês Campos & Lars Holstenkamp & Sem Oxenaar & Donal Brown, 2020. "Collective Renewable Energy Prosumers and the Promises of the Energy Union: Taking Stock," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-30, January.
    16. Chiara Candelise & Gianluca Ruggieri, 2020. "Status and Evolution of the Community Energy Sector in Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-22, April.
    17. Giuseppe Barone & Giovanni Brusco & Daniele Menniti & Anna Pinnarelli & Gaetano Polizzi & Nicola Sorrentino & Pasquale Vizza & Alessandro Burgio, 2020. "How Smart Metering and Smart Charging may Help a Local Energy Community in Collective Self-Consumption in Presence of Electric Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-18, August.
    18. Sourav Khanna & Victor Becerra & Adib Allahham & Damian Giaouris & Jamie M. Foster & Keiron Roberts & David Hutchinson & Jim Fawcett, 2020. "Demand Response Model Development for Smart Households Using Time of Use Tariffs and Optimal Control—The Isle of Wight Energy Autonomous Community Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-27, January.
    19. Hegazy Rezk & N. Kanagaraj & Mujahed Al-Dhaifallah, 2020. "Design and Sensitivity Analysis of Hybrid Photovoltaic-Fuel-Cell-Battery System to Supply a Small Community at Saudi NEOM City," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-20, April.
    20. Robertson, Bryson & Bekker, Jessica & Buckham, Bradley, 2020. "Renewable integration for remote communities: Comparative allowable cost analyses for hydro, solar and wave energy," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    21. Liu, Xuezhi & Yan, Zheng & Wu, Jianzhong, 2019. "Optimal coordinated operation of a multi-energy community considering interactions between energy storage and conversion devices," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C), pages 256-273.
    22. Roby, Helen & Dibb, Sally, 2019. "Future pathways to mainstreaming community energy," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    23. Luis Ramirez Camargo & Felix Nitsch & Katharina Gruber & Javier Valdes & Jane Wuth & Wolfgang Dorner, 2019. "Potential Analysis of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems for Self-Sufficient Residential Use in Germany and the Czech Republic," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-17, November.
    24. Sun, Wei & Harrison, Gareth P., 2019. "Wind-solar complementarity and effective use of distribution network capacity," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 247(C), pages 89-101.
    25. Lowitzsch, J. & Hoicka, C.E. & van Tulder, F.J., 2020. "Renewable energy communities under the 2019 European Clean Energy Package – Governance model for the energy clusters of the future?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    26. Kim, Min-Hwi & Kim, Deukwon & Heo, Jaehyeok & Lee, Dong-Won, 2019. "Techno-economic analysis of hybrid renewable energy system with solar district heating for net zero energy community," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    27. Karunathilake, Hirushie & Hewage, Kasun & Prabatha, Tharindu & Ruparathna, Rajeev & Sadiq, Rehan, 2020. "Project deployment strategies for community renewable energy: A dynamic multi-period planning approach," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 237-258.
    28. Luthander, Rasmus & Nilsson, Annica M. & Widén, Joakim & Åberg, Magnus, 2019. "Graphical analysis of photovoltaic generation and load matching in buildings: A novel way of studying self-consumption and self-sufficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 748-759.
    29. Barbour, Edward & Parra, David & Awwad, Zeyad & González, Marta C., 2018. "Community energy storage: A smart choice for the smart grid?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 489-497.
    30. Adriana Mar & Pedro Pereira & João Martins, 2021. "Energy Community Flexibility Solutions to Improve Users’ Wellbeing," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-22, June.
    31. Alessandro Liberati & Douglas G Altman & Jennifer Tetzlaff & Cynthia Mulrow & Peter C Gøtzsche & John P A Ioannidis & Mike Clarke & P J Devereaux & Jos Kleijnen & David Moher, 2009. "The PRISMA Statement for Reporting Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Studies That Evaluate Health Care Interventions: Explanation and Elaboration," PLOS Medicine, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(7), pages 1-28, July.
    32. Brown, Donal & Hall, Stephen & Davis, Mark E., 2019. "Prosumers in the post subsidy era: an exploration of new prosumer business models in the UK," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Wenxin Ding & Qiang Wu & Xuanguo Xu, 2024. "Digital Infrastructure Construction and Improvement of Non-Farm Employment Quality of Rural Labor Force—From the Perspective of Informal Employment," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-24, June.
    2. Marina Bertolini & Gregorio Morosinotto, 2023. "Business Models for Energy Community in the Aggregator Perspective: State of the Art and Research Gaps," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-26, June.
    3. Georgios Yiasoumas & Lazar Berbakov & Valentina Janev & Alessandro Asmundo & Eneko Olabarrieta & Andrea Vinci & Giovanni Baglietto & George E. Georghiou, 2023. "Key Aspects and Challenges in the Implementation of Energy Communities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-24, June.
    4. Giovanni Gino Zanvettor & Marco Casini & Antonio Vicino, 2024. "Optimal Operation of Energy Storage Facilities in Incentive-Based Energy Communities," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-20, May.
    5. Ahmed Abouaiana, 2022. "Rural Energy Communities as Pillar towards Low Carbon Future in Egypt: Beyond COP27," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(12), pages 1-18, December.
    6. Ahmed Y. Hatata & Mohamed A. Essa & Bishoy E. Sedhom, 2022. "Implementation and Design of FREEDM System Differential Protection Method Based on Internet of Things," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-24, August.
    7. Anita De Franco & Elisabetta Venco & Roberto De Lotto & Caterina Pietra & Florian Kutzner & Mona Bielig & Melanie Vogel, 2023. "Drivers, Motivations, and Barriers in the Creation of Energy Communities: Insights from the City of Segrate, Italy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-13, August.
    8. Abderahmane Abid & Abualkasim Bakeer & Laid Zellouma & Mansour Bouzidi & Abderezak Lashab & Boualaga Rabhi, 2023. "Low Computational Burden Predictive Direct Power Control of Quasi Z-Source Inverter for Grid-Tied PV Applications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-20, February.
    9. Hugo Algarvio & António Couto & Fernando Lopes & Ana Estanqueiro, 2024. "Strategic Behavior of Competitive Local Citizen Energy Communities in Liberalized Electricity Markets," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-23, April.
    10. Francesca Ceglia & Elisa Marrasso & Chiara Martone & Giovanna Pallotta & Carlo Roselli & Maurizio Sasso, 2023. "Towards the Decarbonization of Industrial Districts through Renewable Energy Communities: Techno-Economic Feasibility of an Italian Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-23, March.
    11. Francesca Ceglia & Elisa Marrasso & Samiran Samanta & Maurizio Sasso, 2022. "Addressing Energy Poverty in the Energy Community: Assessment of Energy, Environmental, Economic, and Social Benefits for an Italian Residential Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-22, November.
    12. Andrea Sarcina & Rubina Canesi, 2023. "Renewable Energy Community: Opportunities and Threats towards Green Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.
    13. Vittoria Battaglia & Francesca Ceglia & Davide Maria Laudiero & Alessandro Maione & Elisa Marrasso & Laura Vanoli, 2024. "Empowering Energy Communities through Geothermal Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-23, March.
    14. Chen Chen, 2023. "Evaluation Methods and Optimization Strategies for Low-Carbon-Oriented Urban Road Network Structures: A Case Study of Shanghai," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-17, March.
    15. Lowitzsch, Jens & Kreutzer, Kaja & George, Jan & Croonenbroeck, Carsten & Breitschopf, Barbara, 2023. "Development prospects for energy communities in the EU identifying best practice and future opportunities using a morphological approach," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    16. Shoaib Ahmed & Amjad Ali & Antonio D’Angola, 2024. "A Review of Renewable Energy Communities: Concepts, Scope, Progress, Challenges, and Recommendations," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-34, February.
    17. Xiekui Zhang & Baocheng Yu, 2023. "The Impact of Ownership Structure on Technological Innovation and Energy Intensity: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-18, May.
    18. Zheng, Zhuang & Shafique, Muhammad & Luo, Xiaowei & Wang, Shengwei, 2024. "A systematic review towards integrative energy management of smart grids and urban energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    19. Javier Parra-Domínguez & Esteban Sánchez & Ángel Ordóñez, 2023. "The Prosumer: A Systematic Review of the New Paradigm in Energy and Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-44, July.
    20. Francesca Ceglia & Elisa Marrasso & Carlo Roselli & Maurizio Sasso & Guido Coletta & Luigi Pellegrino, 2022. "Biomass-Based Renewable Energy Community: Economic Analysis of a Real Case Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(15), pages 1-24, August.
    21. Sousa, Jorge & Lagarto, João & Camus, Cristina & Viveiros, Carla & Barata, Filipe & Silva, Pedro & Alegria, Ricardo & Paraíba, Orlando, 2023. "Renewable energy communities optimal design supported by an optimization model for investment in PV/wind capacity and renewable electricity sharing," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    22. Marrasso, E. & Martone, C. & Pallotta, G. & Roselli, C. & Sasso, M., 2024. "Assessment of energy systems configurations in mixed-use Positive Energy Districts through novel indicators for energy and environmental analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 368(C).

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Nima Narjabadifam & Javanshir Fouladvand & Mustafa Gül, 2023. "Critical Review on Community-Shared Solar—Advantages, Challenges, and Future Directions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-25, April.
    2. Hoicka, Christina E. & Lowitzsch, Jens & Brisbois, Marie Claire & Kumar, Ankit & Ramirez Camargo, Luis, 2021. "Implementing a just renewable energy transition: Policy advice for transposing the new European rules for renewable energy communities," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    3. Shubhra Chaudhry & Arne Surmann & Matthias Kühnbach & Frank Pierie, 2022. "Renewable Energy Communities as Modes of Collective Prosumership: A Multi-Disciplinary Assessment, Part I—Methodology," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Volpato, Gabriele & Carraro, Gianluca & Cont, Marco & Danieli, Piero & Rech, Sergio & Lazzaretto, Andrea, 2022. "General guidelines for the optimal economic aggregation of prosumers in energy communities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    5. Horstink, Lanka & Wittmayer, Julia M. & Ng, Kiat, 2021. "Pluralising the European energy landscape: Collective renewable energy prosumers and the EU's clean energy vision," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    6. Javier Parra-Domínguez & Esteban Sánchez & Ángel Ordóñez, 2023. "The Prosumer: A Systematic Review of the New Paradigm in Energy and Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-44, July.
    7. Jakub Jasiński & Mariusz Kozakiewicz & Maciej Sołtysik, 2021. "Determinants of Energy Cooperatives’ Development in Rural Areas—Evidence from Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-19, January.
    8. Gržanić, M. & Capuder, T. & Zhang, N. & Huang, W., 2022. "Prosumers as active market participants: A systematic review of evolution of opportunities, models and challenges," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    9. Binod Prasad Koirala & Ellen van Oost & Henny van der Windt, 2020. "Innovation Dynamics of Socio-Technical Alignment in Community Energy Storage: The Cases of DrTen and Ecovat," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, June.
    10. Bekirsky, N. & Hoicka, C.E. & Brisbois, M.C. & Ramirez Camargo, L., 2022. "Many actors amongst multiple renewables: A systematic review of actor involvement in complementarity of renewable energy sources," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    11. Sima, Catalina Alexandra & Popescu, Claudia Laurenta & Popescu, Mihai Octavian & Roscia, Mariacristina & Seritan, George & Panait, Cornel, 2022. "Techno-economic assessment of university energy communities with on/off microgrid," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 193(C), pages 538-553.
    12. Jenny Palm, 2021. "The Transposition of Energy Communities into Swedish Regulations: Overview and Critique of Emerging Regulations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-15, August.
    13. Dorian Frieden & Andreas Tuerk & Ana Rita Antunes & Vasilakis Athanasios & Alexandros-Georgios Chronis & Stanislas d’Herbemont & Mislav Kirac & Rita Marouço & Camilla Neumann & Esteban Pastor Catalayu, 2021. "Are We on the Right Track? Collective Self-Consumption and Energy Communities in the European Union," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-26, November.
    14. Moritz Ehrtmann & Lars Holstenkamp & Timon Becker, 2021. "Regional Electricity Models for Community Energy in Germany: The Role of Governance Structures," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-24, February.
    15. Josh Eichman & Marc Torrecillas Castelló & Cristina Corchero, 2022. "Reviewing and Exploring the Qualitative Impacts That Different Market and Regulatory Measures Can Have on Encouraging Energy Communities Based on Their Organizational Structure," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-19, March.
    16. Francesca Ceglia & Elisa Marrasso & Carlo Roselli & Maurizio Sasso, 2021. "Small Renewable Energy Community: The Role of Energy and Environmental Indicators for Power Grid," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-21, February.
    17. Herenčić, Lin & Kirac, Mislav & Keko, Hrvoje & Kuzle, Igor & Rajšl, Ivan, 2022. "Automated energy sharing in MV and LV distribution grids within an energy community: A case for Croatian city of Križevci with a hybrid renewable system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 191(C), pages 176-194.
    18. Gjorgievski, Vladimir Z. & Cundeva, Snezana & Georghiou, George E., 2021. "Social arrangements, technical designs and impacts of energy communities: A review," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 169(C), pages 1138-1156.
    19. López, Iraide & Goitia-Zabaleta, Nerea & Milo, Aitor & Gómez-Cornejo, Julen & Aranzabal, Itxaso & Gaztañaga, Haizea & Fernandez, Elvira, 2024. "European energy communities: Characteristics, trends, business models and legal framework," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    20. Andrea Sarcina & Rubina Canesi, 2023. "Renewable Energy Community: Opportunities and Threats towards Green Transition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-21, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:9:p:3462-:d:811779. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.