Concept

The BestRES project aimed to develop innovative business models for integration of renewable energy sources by aggregating distributed generation such as wind, PV, biogas, biomass, hydro, Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and combining this with demand side management and energy storage.

European electricity markets were historically designed around centralized and mostly fossil-fuel generation.

The electricity market landscape is however changing because the growth in renewable energy is increasing the share of intermittent electricity and price volatility in the power system.

In this framework, the market integration of intermittent electricity from renewable energy sources cannot be achieved by single individual, commercial or domestic consumers since they would only have a limited impact.

It is only through a coordinated steering of vast amounts and types of consumers and producers in a market that the use of distributed generation, demand side management and energy storage can be effective.

Therefore, there is an important role for renewable energy aggregators who act on behalf of consumers.

“Renewable energy aggregators are legal entities that aggregate the load or generation of various demand and/or generation/production units and aim at optimizing energy supply and consumption technically and/or economically.”

Objectives and Methodology

The main objective of the BestRES project was to improve the role of renewable energy aggregators in future electricity market design. In order to achieve this, the work has been structured for achieving the following objectives:

• Investigate existing European business models for the aggregation of renewable energy sources, gain a deep understanding of their technical, market, environmental and social benefits and legal barriers preventing their implementation

• Improve the current business models considering market designs with a focus on competitiveness and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). These improved business models were then be implemented with real data and monitored in the following target countries: United Kingdom, Belgium, Germany, France, Austria, Italy, Cyprus, Spain and Portugal.

• Replicate the renewable energy aggregator business models across the European Union and increase the integration of the renewable sources

Partners:

• WIP
• EEG – TUW
• 3E
• SUER
• Others

Start date:1 March 2016 - End date- 28 February 2019