Analysis of Economic Benefits from Load Shifting Services in Energy Communities

Establishing energy communities provides a practical and effective approach to balance energy systems and support the green transition. Despite their recognized value, the widespread implementation of energy communities is yet to materialize, demanding a comprehensive understanding of technical, social, and economic aspects. This paper delves into the economic benefits of energy community operations, with a primary focus on load-shifting services. It accomplishes the objective by comparing different demand response strategies implemented in the Energy Community Smart Digital Node concept. Leveraging historical data from the electricity market, the study estimates economic benefits for stakeholders. Additionally, the paper further explores the translation of these economic benefits into sustainable business models for energy community operators while minimizing disruptions to end-users’ energy consumption behavior caused by demand response actions.