Exploring sharing coefficients in energy communities: A simulation-based study.

With rising energy prices, it is becoming increasingly attractive for households to form an energy community (EC) and become an active member of the energy system. Therefore, the choice of the right sharing coefficient, which defines how the produced energy is shared, is important for the expected profits. The aim of this paper is to analyse and compare two existing sharing coefficients with two new sharing coefficients. Therefore, we define two EC setups, one with only residential members and one with residential and commercial members, and investigate the impact of the sharing coefficients by using a data driven simulation model. For the analysis, we use a Monte Carlo approach in combination with load profiles of EC members simulated via time series models to account for random variation in electricity demand. The applied methodology gives additional insights on the profitability and the distribution of savings. The analysis shows that sharing coefficients that benefit small consumers are essential to incentivise private members to form an EC with commercial members. It is shown that when such an EC is formed, higher savings, a higher degree of self-sufficiency and a more efficient use of the produced electricity can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]