Performance comparison of the energy balance in a renewable energy community

In a renewable energy community the energy demand must be supplied on-site using renewable sources. Energy storage systems and load management are key factors to achieve energy balance. This paper presents the performance comparison, based on software simulations, of two different arrangements of a theoretical renewable energy community in the German city Cottbus. Electricity is generated from photovoltaic panels and small wind turbines. The houses are considered passive houses in order to reduce space heating demand. Energy storage systems are used to stabilize the fluctuating generation and to supply the demand when there is no or insufficient generation. Electric vehicles are considered as an extra storage mean as well as a load.