Reduction of transport emissions, including critical infrastructures like airports, is a consistent part of the European political goals. Introduction of local renewable energy sources into a complicated energy system as a modern airport requires dedicated optimisation tools and methods. The present paper presents results of comparing two modelling tools OSeMOSYS and Integrate applied for configuration of two case airports: Torino (Italy) and Stavanger (Norway) respectively. The results outline optimal paths for sustainable decarbonisation creating integrated energy systems, which rely on utilisations of locally available resources as PV, Wind and biomethane or deployment of a local hydrogen network, the latter a fundamental enabler for a long-term strategy based on hydrogen. The study highlights the importance of dedicated modelling tools for planning and operation phases for integrated energy systems.

Integrated local multi-energy systems are recognized as a promising option to achieve the ambitious energy and climate goals set by the European Commission for 2030. The nature of integrated systems requires a sound combination of interdisciplinary methodologies and complementary tools. Creating an efficient architecture capable of exploiting synergies between tools is therefore crucial for designing, analysing and operating integrated energy systems. The joint application of different tools needed for analysing a local system can be very demanding and time-consuming due to vastly different data structures and functionalities. To address the need for complementary tools, the aim of this paper is to establish and test an integrated modelling architecture allowing the interaction of tools into a modular toolbox for the optimal planning of integrated local multi-energy systems, and also present key preliminary outcomes.

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

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