eNeuron will provide progress to the state of the art in the three following directions:
1. eNeuron will overcome the gaps in current tools and methodologies related to design and operation of local integrated energy systems, by proposing an innovative integrated tool based on two complementary stages dealing with both design and operation optimization of such systems.
2. The philosophy of having an hybrid optimisation strategy based on two operational layers is an innovative approach that will enable the active involvement of the consumers in the ILEC in real applications. Under this approach, the central optimisation on design and operation is done in the ILEC level while the actors have degrees of freedom to apply their own strategy of optimisation and, through peer to peer approach, align the most possible with the central ILEC approach operational objective.
The expected results until the end of the project are indicated below:
·Framework analysis of local multi-carrier energy systems;
·Use cases and business model of local multi-carrier energy systems;
·Development, implementation and validation in software, lab and pilots environmnent of eNeuron toolbox for the optimal design and operation of integrated LEC;
·Software monitoring of operation strategies at substation level;
·Hardware device to facilitate optimized operation at micro Energy Hub level.
The expected impacts of the project are below:
- Validate solutions for decarbonisation of the local energy system while ensuring a positive impact on the wider energy infrastructure, on the local economy and local social aspects.
- Validate approaches, strategies and tools to safely and securely operate an integrated local energy system across energy carriers so that it is able to integrate higher shares of RES.
- Enhance the involvement of local energy consumers and producers, by creating energy communities in the development and the operation of local energy systems and test new business models.
- Provide benchmark technical solutions and business models that can be replicated in many local regions and are acceptable by local citizens.
eNeuron will contribute to the avoidance of the curtailment of RES in the highRES scenario of the EU Energy roadmap 2050, estimated at 217 TWh. Subsequently, additional investments in conventional generation capacity will be avoided, offering significant economic savings estimated at €50B in deferred investment for peak generation capacity. eNeuron will also support the self-consumption model within LEC, by facilitating consumer empowerment and allowing active participation and profit from energy markets, as well as encouraging smarter consumption patterns. In socio-economic terms, the main impact of the proliferation of the eNeuron solution will be observed in employment. It is estimated that for every conventional GWh reduction, about 0.17 to 0.6 jobs are created in the EU29. This could translate to anywhere between 40,000-150,000 jobs created in the long-term (until 2050) in the EU, only by avoiding the curtailment of 217 TWh of distributed RES. eNeuron is also expected to significantly contribute to the tackling of the energy poverty problem around the EU.
