Technical Aspects (Technicalities)

Energy Distribution

The ability to use the electricity, heat or cooling energy produced from RES is based on the existence of appropriate infrastructure, through which the transport and distribution of energy from the points of production to the points of consumption (e.g. homes, businesses, schools, industries, etc.) takes place.

Where legislation allows, an EC can invest in infrastructure (transmission lines, substations, distribution lines and/or hydraulic networks ) to develop a system where energy production is located closer to the centers of consumption.

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEMS

• Community microgrids: Distribution networks that include distributed generation units with small rated power (e.g. rooftop PV, small wind turbines, hydro, etc.), energy storage systems and controlled local loads. A key feature of microgrids is their centralised control so that they are presented to the central grid as a single entity and they can be operated as part of the grid or independently. (e.g. autonomous small island networks).
• Smart grids: Microgrids that can be controlled and optimised in real-time. They offer increased potential, as they allow for increased penetration of renewable energy and/or cogeneration while distributing energy efficiently based on consumer needs.
• Self-consumption: Energy Communities can install small RES plants to reduce the cost of energy to meet their needs, benefiting from the implementation of energy production-consumption offsetting schemes (e.g. self-production with virtual energy trading, energy trading, etc.).