Developing Digital Twins for Renewable Energy Communities: A Case Study in the Pre-alpine Territories
摘要
Given the new requirements introduced by Europe within the Fit for 55 package, it is essential to develop tools that support Public Administrations in energy planning. The concept of Renewable Energy Communities has gathered significant interest due to its potential to reduce energy-related impacts and decrease dependence on foreign fossil fuel supplies. To implement these communities effectively, there is a need to quantify both current energy demand and potential renewable energy production. Geomatic tools can address this by efficiently modelling extensive urban areas, integrating multiple layers that include three-dimensional geometries and building-specific energy demand data. Additionally, these tools can automatically generate crucial information, such as solar radiation levels and photovoltaic potential. The study presents the first outcomes of the DT4Energy.com project aimed at developing a Digital Twin for the Canavese territory, in the pre-alpin region in the North of Italy, to establish Renewable Energy Communities. This project involves creating detailed 3D models enriched with data from authoritative sources (like Energy Performance Certificates) and proprietary information (such as electricity consumption data from utilities). This model is used to calculate total energy demand, which then serves as a key input for assessing photovoltaic potential. The project’s findings underscore the potential of these technologies and outline future enhancements planned for the model.