The Impact of Energy Communities Virtual Islanding on the Integration of Renewables in Distribution Power Systems
In power distribution networks, the growing integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) presents a challenge for the electricity system and its operators, who need to make the energy sector more flexible and resilient. In this context, this paper proposes a novel flexibilization service for the d...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4084 |
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| author | Andrea Bonfiglio Sergio Bruno Alice La Fata Maria Martino Renato Procopio Angelo Velini |
| author_facet | Andrea Bonfiglio Sergio Bruno Alice La Fata Maria Martino Renato Procopio Angelo Velini |
| author_sort | Andrea Bonfiglio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In power distribution networks, the growing integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) presents a challenge for the electricity system and its operators, who need to make the energy sector more flexible and resilient. In this context, this paper proposes a novel flexibilization service for the distribution system leveraging the role of renewable energy communities (RECs), an emerging entity with the potential to facilitate the sustainable energy transition through Virtual Islanding operation. The concept of Virtual Islanding is investigated in the paper and a methodology for its validation is developed. Its effectiveness is then assessed using an IEEE-standard 33-node network with significant penetration of RESs, considering the presence of multiple RECs to prove its benefits on electrical distribution networks. The results showcase the advantages of the VI paradigm both from technical and sustainability viewpoint. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2c85bbc071a74c0da6336a03429dccd8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-2c85bbc071a74c0da6336a03429dccd82025-08-20T04:00:55ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-08-011815408410.3390/en18154084The Impact of Energy Communities Virtual Islanding on the Integration of Renewables in Distribution Power SystemsAndrea Bonfiglio0Sergio Bruno1Alice La Fata2Maria Martino3Renato Procopio4Angelo Velini5Department of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Electrical and Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Electrical, Electronic, Telecommunications Engineering and Naval Architecture, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, ItalyDepartment of Electrical and Information Engineering, Polytechnic University of Bari, 70126 Bari, ItalyIn power distribution networks, the growing integration of renewable energy sources (RESs) presents a challenge for the electricity system and its operators, who need to make the energy sector more flexible and resilient. In this context, this paper proposes a novel flexibilization service for the distribution system leveraging the role of renewable energy communities (RECs), an emerging entity with the potential to facilitate the sustainable energy transition through Virtual Islanding operation. The concept of Virtual Islanding is investigated in the paper and a methodology for its validation is developed. Its effectiveness is then assessed using an IEEE-standard 33-node network with significant penetration of RESs, considering the presence of multiple RECs to prove its benefits on electrical distribution networks. The results showcase the advantages of the VI paradigm both from technical and sustainability viewpoint.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4084renewable energy communitiesdistribution system operationVirtual Islandinggrid servicesenergy transition |
| spellingShingle | Andrea Bonfiglio Sergio Bruno Alice La Fata Maria Martino Renato Procopio Angelo Velini The Impact of Energy Communities Virtual Islanding on the Integration of Renewables in Distribution Power Systems Energies renewable energy communities distribution system operation Virtual Islanding grid services energy transition |
| title | The Impact of Energy Communities Virtual Islanding on the Integration of Renewables in Distribution Power Systems |
| title_full | The Impact of Energy Communities Virtual Islanding on the Integration of Renewables in Distribution Power Systems |
| title_fullStr | The Impact of Energy Communities Virtual Islanding on the Integration of Renewables in Distribution Power Systems |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Impact of Energy Communities Virtual Islanding on the Integration of Renewables in Distribution Power Systems |
| title_short | The Impact of Energy Communities Virtual Islanding on the Integration of Renewables in Distribution Power Systems |
| title_sort | impact of energy communities virtual islanding on the integration of renewables in distribution power systems |
| topic | renewable energy communities distribution system operation Virtual Islanding grid services energy transition |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/15/4084 |
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