Cost-optimal economic potential of shared rooftop PV in energy communities: Evidence from Austria

• Published in: Renewable energy Vol. 152; pp. 217 - 228
• Main Authors: Fina, Bernadette, Auer, Hans, Friedl, Werner
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2020
• Subjects: Austria; Economic potential; Mixed-integer linear optimisation; PV sharing energy communities; Rooftop PV; Settlement patterns; Austria; Mixed-integer linear optimisation; PV sharing energy communities; Settlement patterns; Economic potential; Rooftop PV
• ISSN: 0960-1481; 1879-0682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.01.031

In this study, a model is developed to estimate the cost-optimal large-scale economic potential of shared rooftop PV systems based on neighbourhood energy communities (ECs). In a first step, an optimisation model determines the cost-optimal rooftop PV capacities for representative neighbourhood ECs in characteristic settlement patterns (SPs). Next, the number of ECs in the large-scale area of investigation is determined by allocating buildings to SPs and ECs. Finally, the optimal large-scale, EC-based rooftop PV potential is determined by upscaling. A case study is provided for Austria, identifying a cost-optimal economic rooftop PV potential of approximately 10GWp. This PV capacity would already be sufficient (in terms of expected PV deployment) to meet the Austrian 2030 policy goal of a 100% renewable electricity generation. However, results also indicate that accommodating the cost-optimal rooftop PV capacity is difficult in cities/towns in contrast to rural areas. Thus, future ECs should be implemented not only on neighbourhood level, but across the boundaries of different SPs. Different sensitivity analyses are conducted, notably in terms of varying retail electricity prices, including a variation of distribution grid tariff structures, and PV system cost. The trade-off between these sensitivity parameters is critically discussed and provides recommendations for future work. •Energy community (EC) based cost-optimal large-scale economic potential of PV systems.•Algorithm to allocate buildings per political district to settlement patterns and ECs.•Determining cost-optimal PV capacities for individual ECs and upscale to large-scale.•Use Case: Application of developed method to the large-scale area of Austria.•Austrian 2030 policy goal in terms of PV capacities is economically feasible.