By providing important benefits such as reducing primary energy consumption, improving environmental conditions, and increasing resilience of energy supply, integrated local energy communities (ILECs) represent a viable option to centralized energy systems for fostering decarbonization, thanks to the exploitation of synergies coming from different energy carries beyond electricity and the active involvement of end-users through a collegial approach. To achieve these benefits, the optimisation of ILECs design and operation is as crucial as it is challenging. This paper presents the results from an activity of the eNeuron H2020 project (Nov 2020-Oct. 2024, ID: 957779), and aims to present an innovative toolbox for the optimal design and operation of ILECs integrating multiple energy carriers at different scales and considering different time horizons from long-term system planning to real-time operation. To achieve the short- and long-term sustainability of this new energy paradigm, a multi-objective economic-environmental approach is proposed, whereby a peer-to-peer market is established to promote end-users’ active involvement while guaranteeing that they are aligned with the overall ILEC’s objectives. This paper is a preprint of a paper submitted to and accepted at conference CIRED2023 and is subject to Institution of Engineering and Technology Copyright. The copy of record is available at IET Digital Library. DOI:.1049/icp.2023.0460

Distribution grids in industrial areas are under pressure to increase the utilization of the existing grid and to build more grid due to electrification of existing industries and new power-intensive industries. Distribution system operators (DSOs) are currently considering if and how they can use power system flexibility, such as demand response, to simultaneously avoid overloading their grid assets and avoid investing in new grid. The DSO may choose to operate an asset, such as  a transformer, beyond its rated load. However,  this accelerates the aging of the transformer, hence decreasing its remaining life. In this work, a methodology is developed which relates the cost of transformer overload to the value of power system flexibility, to determine the DSO’s willingness to pay for a flexibility service. The methodology finds the spatial dependency of a flexibility services’ value by optimizing load shedding in the grid to minimize transformer loss of life (LoL). The methodology is demonstrated in a case study using real grid and load data measured in an industrial area in Norway that includes both medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) transformers.

This paper presents a review study of energy communities (ECs) in Europe, and discusses the future development of such communities in Europe – both related to energy technologies, energy carriers, regional conditions (North, Central and South of Europe), emerging regulatory development etc. From the analysis, it emerged that the future ECs in Europe will focus on utilizing local renewable energy sources (sun, wind, run of river, biogas, biomass), for covering all or part of the energy consumption for end-use customers. The ECs can be a sustainable alternative to large power plants based on fossil fuels. This is also linked to the emerging regulatory developments started when European Commission introduced such concepts in the “Clean Energy for all Europeans” package. The main goal of eNeuron H2020 project is to develop innovative tools for the optimal design and operation of ECs, integrating distributed energy resources and multiple energy carriers at different scales. Paper accepted at  EEM2022 Conference

Integrated local multi-energy systems are recognized as a promising bottom-up alternative to achieve the ambitious energy and climate goals set by the European Commission for 2030. The nature of integrated multi-energy systems presumes a very complex interaction of different aspects from various energy sectors, which historically functioned more or less independently. Therefore, configuration and development of an integrated local energy system under the energy community concept is an extremely demanding task, requiring a sound interdisciplinary knowledge base. The present study shares results from an activity in H2020 project eNeuron aiming to cover this gap, by introducing the Integrated Local Energy Community definition and providing a deep-dive review of multiple factors influencing the future development of these emerging systems, reviewing the three levels: political priorities, technical overview and limitations plus barriers. The paper has been accepted by ISC2 2022 Conference

There is an increasing need for flexibility in power systems worldwide, giving rise to European policy documents outlining how Distribution System Operators (DSOs) should procure flexibility and include flexibility in planning and operation of their electricity distribution grids. This implies a remarkable change from today’s situation where DSOs rely on investments in grid assets that they have full control of, to a new regime where DSOs should rely on flexibility provided by third parties. The objective of this work has been to gain a better understanding of the feasibility of and barriers to wide-spread utilization of flexibility in planning and operation of electricity distribution grids. Building upon a previous literature review and a taxonomy for classifying and characterizing power system flexibility, we propose frameworks for i) classifying flexibility resources and flexibility enablers in grid operation and planning, and ii) classifying and understanding barriers to utilizing them in terms of a flexibility value chain. These theoretical frameworks are tested against empirical data collected in semi-structured in-depth interviews with a representative selection of Norwegian DSOs. Mapping the findings to the frameworks gives a systematic overview of the flexibility situation in Norway and presents both country-specific and general insights about barriers to utilization of flexibility.