Design and modelling of Renewable Energy Community: Analysis of the City of Parma

The main goal of this thesis is analysing the feasibility of implementing a Renewable Energy Community (CER, from the Italian words of ‘Comunità Energetiche Rinnovabili’) in the city of Parma, Italy. Only residential buildings were studied, evaluating their potential for the installation of photovoltaics panels and solar collectors. Several simulations of solar radiation and calculation of energy production were realized through QGIS software, whose results were compared with official data from PVGIS and ENEA to name just some checking sources. The analysis was composed of different stages: initially, the useful roof areas were analysed separately for each type of technology (photovoltaic and thermal); later, its combined use was optimized. Also, an economic analysis was performed that allowed to determine the financial feasibility of the project in different case scenarios. Finally, the results were compared with the initial forecasts, providing an integral vision of the energetic and economic benefits of the project. This investigation offers a replicable model for fostering the urban sustainability through the smart use of renewable sources and the creation of local energy communities.