Energy Cost Centre-Based Modelling of Sector Coupling in Local Communities
This paper presents an analysis of energy use and sector coupling in a local energy community using a model based on energy cost centres (ECCs), functional units for decentralised responsibility and optimisation of energy use within defined system boundaries. The ECC model enables structured identif...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-05-01
|
| Series: | Energies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2688 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849330856444821504 |
|---|---|
| author | Edvard Košnjek Boris Sučić Mojca Loncnar Tom Smolej |
| author_facet | Edvard Košnjek Boris Sučić Mojca Loncnar Tom Smolej |
| author_sort | Edvard Košnjek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper presents an analysis of energy use and sector coupling in a local energy community using a model based on energy cost centres (ECCs), functional units for decentralised responsibility and optimisation of energy use within defined system boundaries. The ECC model enables structured identification and optimisation of energy and material flows in complex industrial and urban settings. It was applied to a case study involving an energy-intensive steel plant and its integration with the surrounding community. The study assessed the potential for renewable electricity production (7914 MWh annually), green hydrogen generation, battery storage, and the reuse of 11,440 MWh of excess heat. These measures could offset 9598 MWh of grid electricity through local production and savings, reduce natural gas use by 4,116,850 Nm<sup>3</sup>, and lower CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 10,984 tonnes per year. The model supports strategic planning by linking sectoral actions to measurable sustainability indicators. It is adaptable to data availability and stakeholder engagement, allowing both high-level overviews and detailed analysis of selected ECCs. Limitations include heterogeneous data sources, uneven stakeholder participation, and the need for refinement of sub-models. Nonetheless, the approach offers a replicable framework for integrated energy planning and supports the transition to sustainable, decentralised energy systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-fd500f726f54416b92f4fe88b8ec9b3a |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-fd500f726f54416b92f4fe88b8ec9b3a2025-08-20T03:46:48ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-05-011811268810.3390/en18112688Energy Cost Centre-Based Modelling of Sector Coupling in Local CommunitiesEdvard Košnjek0Boris Sučić1Mojca Loncnar2Tom Smolej3Jozef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaJozef Stefan Institute, Jamova Cesta 39, SI-1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaSIJ Acroni, d.o.o., Cesta Borisa Kidriča 44, SI-4270 Jesenice, SloveniaSIJ Acroni, d.o.o., Cesta Borisa Kidriča 44, SI-4270 Jesenice, SloveniaThis paper presents an analysis of energy use and sector coupling in a local energy community using a model based on energy cost centres (ECCs), functional units for decentralised responsibility and optimisation of energy use within defined system boundaries. The ECC model enables structured identification and optimisation of energy and material flows in complex industrial and urban settings. It was applied to a case study involving an energy-intensive steel plant and its integration with the surrounding community. The study assessed the potential for renewable electricity production (7914 MWh annually), green hydrogen generation, battery storage, and the reuse of 11,440 MWh of excess heat. These measures could offset 9598 MWh of grid electricity through local production and savings, reduce natural gas use by 4,116,850 Nm<sup>3</sup>, and lower CO<sub>2</sub> emissions by 10,984 tonnes per year. The model supports strategic planning by linking sectoral actions to measurable sustainability indicators. It is adaptable to data availability and stakeholder engagement, allowing both high-level overviews and detailed analysis of selected ECCs. Limitations include heterogeneous data sources, uneven stakeholder participation, and the need for refinement of sub-models. Nonetheless, the approach offers a replicable framework for integrated energy planning and supports the transition to sustainable, decentralised energy systems.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2688energy communityenergy sector couplingenergy cost centresustainable energy projects |
| spellingShingle | Edvard Košnjek Boris Sučić Mojca Loncnar Tom Smolej Energy Cost Centre-Based Modelling of Sector Coupling in Local Communities Energies energy community energy sector coupling energy cost centre sustainable energy projects |
| title | Energy Cost Centre-Based Modelling of Sector Coupling in Local Communities |
| title_full | Energy Cost Centre-Based Modelling of Sector Coupling in Local Communities |
| title_fullStr | Energy Cost Centre-Based Modelling of Sector Coupling in Local Communities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Energy Cost Centre-Based Modelling of Sector Coupling in Local Communities |
| title_short | Energy Cost Centre-Based Modelling of Sector Coupling in Local Communities |
| title_sort | energy cost centre based modelling of sector coupling in local communities |
| topic | energy community energy sector coupling energy cost centre sustainable energy projects |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/11/2688 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT edvardkosnjek energycostcentrebasedmodellingofsectorcouplinginlocalcommunities AT borissucic energycostcentrebasedmodellingofsectorcouplinginlocalcommunities AT mojcaloncnar energycostcentrebasedmodellingofsectorcouplinginlocalcommunities AT tomsmolej energycostcentrebasedmodellingofsectorcouplinginlocalcommunities |