ASSESSING ECONOMIC VIABILITY AND COMMUNITY INTEGRATION IN RENEWABLE ENERGY COMMUNITIES FOR A CASE STUDY IN ITALY

Renewable Energy Communities (RECs) combine environmental responsibility with energy security, while also providing social benefits. Local energy production promotes significant independence from suppliers whose reliability in energy provision may be uncertain. Additionally, RECs play a vital role in fostering and educating social cohesion, which is an increasingly pressing issue. Participation, facilitated by open discussion and resource sharing, is a fundamental principle of REC. Despite the numerous benefits RECs offer in terms of energy, the environment, and social cohesion, their presence in Italy remains limited. The primary obstacle to their widespread adoption is the lack of awareness and understanding of their advantages. To attract interest from potential members, it is crucial to demonstrate that participation in a REC is economically worthwhile. This study aims to develop a method for assessing the economic viability of joining a REC, both as a prosumer (producer-consumer) and as a consumer. The research focuses on determining whether joining such a community is economically beneficial, given specific initial conditions. The proposed approach involves conducting a technical-economic analysis using a user-friendly tool designed for Renewable Energy Communities. The tool was developed for the creation of the first REC in the Municipality of Assisi. In this REC, the Local Authority will participate as prosumer, by installing photovoltaic systems on the roofs of municipal buildings such as offices, schools, gyms, and others. The tool can calculate self-consumed energy, shared energy, and revenue from incentive fees for RECs. This technical-economic analysis tool is a valuable asset for evaluating the feasibility of RECs. Its tailored application in the pioneering REC project in Assisi highlights its effectiveness in computing shared energy within the REC, providing valuable insights into the economic viability and community integration of such initiatives. Additionally, different configurations for the REC can be investigated and compared, as well as assuming the entry of new members and additional renewable production facilities to optimize the REC. This tool represents a versatile and replicable solution, enabling the assessment of the economic attractiveness and adaptability of REC's. It fosters sustainable energy transitions across communities of various sizes and characteristics.