On August 27th, ETIP SNET hosted a side event during CIGRE 2024 in Paris, focusing on the technical impact of energy communities on the grid, incorporating perspectives from both Distribution System Operators (DSOs) and Transmission System Operators (TSOs). Following the recent paper “Energy communities’ impact on grids” published by ETIP SNET, the session featured an in-depth discussion on the barriers and market-oriented opportunities brought by the deployment of energy communities, which play a crucial role in promoting renewable energy sources (RES) and energy savings.
Key takeaways from the poll amongst the audience and the expert roundtable:
- Energy communities are trusted players in the energy stakeholder landscape
Experts emphasized that energy communities are increasingly seen as reliable players in the energy landscape from a consumer perspective. However, regulatory barriers still need to be addressed to reduce complexities that could hinder their successful deployment. The Clean Energy Package and Electricity Market Reform are pivotal in this regard. Enhanced cooperation and mutual trust with existing energy actors, alongside the adoption of innovative technologies, are essential for optimizing self-consumption and integrating energy communities into the broader energy system.
- TSO and DSO cooperation and mutual trust are pivotal
While energy communities present both opportunities and challenges for DSOs and TSOs, the consensus among experts is clear - cooperation is essential. This includes not only procedural collaboration but also the sharing of key information.
- Adaptation of existing market structures as well as partially redesign of local market structure are needed to promote Energy Communities
The discussion highlighted the need to adapt existing market structures and consider partial redesigns to better accommodate energy communities. Flexibility markets and services must be made more accessible, either directly or through aggregators, to unlock and reward flexibility services. Additionally, there is ongoing work within the European framework, such as the implementation of local flexibility markets (Article 38, Electricity Market Reform). Further research in terms of consumer interests, operational costs, and benefits compared to existing market adaptations is required to evaluate whether localized public marketplaces truly empower energy communities. The present legal framework is promising when it comes to the need of partially redesign market structures. Energy sharing is in fact enabled according to the Electricity Market Forum (Article 58) amongst consumers and prosumers which might create private marketplace within, but not yet across, different energy bubbles. Experts agree that enabling energy sharing and fostering the creation of local flexibility markets are crucial next steps.
Looking ahead:
If you are interested in this topic, make sure to attend the session at Enlit on October 23rd. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with leading experts and deepen your understanding of the future of energy communities in the evolving energy market.
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