TITLE: Integration of Renewable Resources as Prosumers in the Distribution Network

SUMMER ACADEMY PLAN

The main goal of the international summer academy for Energy Engineering is how to deal more specifically with the integration of Renewable Resources as self-producers and self-consumers (Prosumers) in the distribution network.

Prosumers are active energy users who consume and produce energy from renewable sources (RE). The rise of RES prosumerism across Europe challenges current energy market structures and institutions. The summer academy will focus on the challenges of engaging RES Prosumers, such as market regulations, infrastructural integration, technology scenarios and energy policies in Kosovo, the region and across Europe.

The identification and assessment of incentive structures enables the process of integrating RES consumers into the energy transition framework.

A closer look at prosumer technologies shows that all appropriate technologies have their advantages and disadvantages depending on the situation and conditions on which the consumer community is based.

Solar energy is one of the most usable energies, especially because it can be used to produce electricity through solar panels, as well as thermal heating through solar energy. However, suitable roofs or bare ground and solar radiation must be available for implementation.

Wind power can be an efficient way to generate power, but considering the size of the turbines and the distance required from buildings, it is only suitable for energy communities.

For heating and cooling production, heat pumps are on the rise as a highly efficient production technology.

The most established technologies are boilers or combined heat and power plants using biomass. The technologies can also be combined with thermal or battery storage on a small or large scale to increase self-sufficiency.

In addition to economic and regulatory aspects, other factors, such as climatic conditions and energy demand, determine which technologies are most appropriate in which situation.

This mainly depends on the following factors:

The amount of sun radiation

• Amount of wind power density,

• Availability of bare land to be used for energy production,

• The degree of urbanization and geographical distribution,

• Availability of biomass,

• Demand for energy and

• Type of building.

In most Western Balkan countries, including Kosovo, solar energy has the highest potential for consumers to produce their own electricity. For energy transition purposes, the full potential of the roof surface should be used.

Wind technology has not been shown to be a viable option in cities and neighborhoods due to lower wind speeds in cities and space limitations. Small wind turbines are also much less efficient than larger turbines. Wind technology only becomes a significant player when manufacturers form collectives that invest in large wind turbines. By definition, large wind turbines are only seen as an option for the consumer if the turbines are placed within 5 km of populated areas.

Heat pumps have proven to be an efficient technology for reducing the environmental impact of the heating sector, but in many countries they cannot ensure full self-sufficiency, mainly due to the imbalance of solar energy generation in summer and the need for heating in winter. However, by integrating heat pumps with thermal storage technologies the level of self-sufficiency can be increased. In both cases, a significant reduction in CO2 emissions can be achieved. The disadvantage of using a solar power plant is that it reduces the area available for PV panels, which are needed to generate enough electricity for the heat pump. However, it reduces the amount of electricity needed for the heat pump in winter, due to the stored heat. One solution could be the combination of solar power plant with rooftop solar PV and solar PV from solar parks. If households do not have enough land to cover the entire energy demand by themselves, they can form a collective and invest in a solar park or wind turbine located near their homes. Although the energy is not generated on their property, it can still be seen as a consumer technology.

Technologies that use biomass, such as biomass boilers or CHP (Cogeneration) can also be used as options for producers to generate heat and/or electricity, but only if the producers increase their biomass. Due to this limitation, the potential of biomass technologies is quite low and highly dependent on the availability of biomass.

Based on a theme, the Academy is clearly developed for those interested in the development and integration of RES as prosumers. Furthermore, the program is designed for those who intend to pursue an academic or professional energy-related career. This course aims to equip students or graduates, technicians as well as investors who wish to receive a comprehensive introduction to

the energy engineering sector. In addition to the theoretical part, the workshop is ideal for all those who already work in this field and need to deepen their knowledge. The summer school therefore brings together participants from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds.

Participating in the UBT Summer Academy 2024 helps increase competencies while combining practice and knowledge that will help in their future careers.

CALL FOR APPLICATION

Join the 2024 Summer Academy to enhance your skills while combining practice and knowledge that will help you in your future career.

TARGET GROUPS

Based on the characteristics of the sectoral levels of the target groups and stakeholders belonging to the spheres of activities and different disciplines: from the fields of the traditional and renewable energy sector, the sector of the environmental field, to the field of research and education and community work (eg professors-students), including the need for these areas essential to the development of daily life. The overall objective for all participants is to develop knowledge in the entire cycle process of the Summer Academy program in the field of Energy Engineering.

QUALIFICATION AND CRITERIA PROCESS

All participants who will participate in 50% of the summer academy will receive a certificate of participation in Energy Engineering on the topic: Integration of RES as prosumers in the distribution network.

EXPECTED RESULTS

At the end of this event, students will gain knowledge in the Summer Academy in Energy Engineering on the topic: Integration of RES as prosumers in the distribution network.