D2.6: Framework for Community Grid Implementation

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The deliverable 2.6: Framework for Community Grid Implementation was submitted by MPOWER, with contributions from Powel, ESB Networks, IOTA, and NTNU in January 2021. The executive summary of the deliverable is available below and the full deliverable at the end for download:

Community Grid is a local energy community network of consumers, producers, and prosumers connected in a way that they can trade energy and flexibility inside the network without disturbing the power balance outside such a created local network. The Community Grid follows a demand response approach, sets up the infrastructure, and empowers end-users with necessary ICT infrastructure so that they can monitor and manage usage of their flexibility assets in real time with the opportunity to realise certain benefits from the active participation. The report describes an innovative approach to the creation of a disturbance neutral local energy community that will be implemented in +CityxChange lighthouse city of Limerick Ireland) and Trondheim (Norway). It is based on experience from Tallaght Community Energy Living Lab1 enriched with new insights that came from further research and inputs from other project partners involved in this task (POWEL, TrønderEnergi, ESB Networks, and IOTA). The report is formed in a way that can be used for application in any other city, covering all parts that are necessary for the implementation of the Community Grid.

Community Grid concept is an essential part of the +CityxChange initiative for the establishment of Positive Energy Blocks/Districts. Elaboration of the Community Grid concept has led to the establishment of a Community Grid System (CGS). CGS aims to be the solution that will enable citizens to effectively manage energy consumption in their buildings and communities. The Community Grid framework consists of four main segments or pillars: Energy Community Establishment; Community Legal, Grid & Financial Governance Body; Community Grid Smart System Design, and Community Market Places. Each segment deals with different Energy Community aspects that should be taken into consideration for the successful implementation of the Community Grid System. These are technical, regulatory, legal, social, spatial and economic aspects.

A key component in the Community Grid framework is the creation of a new governing support body, a Community System Operator (CSO). It is envisaged that the CSO will be a legal entity that oversees, by franchise, the management and safe operation of a Community Grid System. A CGS comprises participants that operate under specific rules, set by, and agreed with a CSO i.e. Regulation by Contract implemented by way of a system distributed by Franchise Agreement to exacting Community Grid Standards.

1 Tallaght Community Energy Living Lab also known as Tallaght Smart Grid Test Bed project was first supported by the SEAI Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) Funding Programme in 2013 which led to the development and demonstration of a trial of the first community energy grid in Tallaght.

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