SERENE

SUSTAINABLE AND INTEGRATED ENERGY SYSTEMS IN LOCAL COMMUNITIESSERENE aims to accelerate the energy transition. The project’s objective is to demonstrate cost-effective and customer-centric solutions for the effective integration of different energy system carriers to enable the sustainable development of regional communities via meeting their energy needs from local sources of renewable energy.HOW?• By activating locally available distributed generation, demand response resources, energy flexibility and energy storage technologies in various energy domains e.g., electricity, heat, water treatment and transport, and focusing on attractive citizen-centred business models and local economies.• By demonstrating smart technological, socio-economic, institutional, and environmental solutions to enable the local management of integrated energy systems and networks, which in turn utilise higher shares of local renewable energy and incorporate active consumer engagement in real neighbourhoods across 3 EU countries.• By introducing to the market replicable innovations for other energy communities across Europe and beyond.The specific goal is to establish locally integrated “energy islands” in the different villages of Skanderborg (Denmark), Olst (the Netherlands) and Przywidz (Poland). Such “energy islands” will contribute to the decarbonisation of local energy systems via the optimal integration of multi-energy carriers through smart control and the balancing of systems and grids at the local level.The experiences gained at the demonstration sites will be analysed and evaluated for their replicability across Europe. Technical benchmark models and solutions will be established alongside business models and evaluated against the different challenges identified by the countries involved. The levels of user involvement and their interest in participating will be evaluated from geographical, social, environmental and economic conditions.SERENE is thus seeking synergies with researchers, businesses, experts, policymakers, energy and technology providers as well as local energy communities.Duration: 01 May 2021 – 30 April 2025.