In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, a new study published in the journal Joule sheds light on the potential for energy self-sufficiency in European freestanding homes using rooftop solar power. The study conducted by researchers explores the technical feasibility and economic implications of such a transition.
The research, led by Max Kleinebrahm, an energy economics researcher at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany, aimed to determine how individual residential buildings across Europe could become fully self-sufficient. Unlike previous studies focusing on the continent or national scale, this research offers a groundbreaking analysis at the level of individual buildings.
To identify regions and building types more amenable to self-sufficiency, the researchers curated a database of homes across Europe, encompassing various architectural styles, electricity demands, climate conditions, and local economic factors. They then designed optimal energy systems for each representative home to meet electrical and thermal energy needs while minimizing costs. These systems included rooftop solar panels, small wind turbines, various storage options, heat pumps, and retrofitting for improved insulation.
Results and Findings
The study’s key findings revealed that:
•In 2020, an estimated 53% of European freestanding homes could have technically achieved energy self-sufficiency. This figure is projected to rise to 75% by 2050, primarily due to anticipated advancements in renewable energy and storage technologies.
•Despite the technical feasibility of self-sufficiency, becoming fully self-sufficient was not economically advantageous when compared to staying connected to the grid, both in 2020 and projected 2050 conditions.
•The economic viability of energy self-sufficiency varied by region and was influenced by factors such as solar radiation, energy requirements, and grid electricity costs.
•Homes in sunnier European countries like Cyprus, Malta, and Italy demonstrated higher economic potential for self-sufficiency, while northern European countries with high winter energy needs and less solar radiation showed less potential.
•Regions with larger rooftops, including Denmark, Slovenia, the Netherlands, and France, exhibited greater self-sufficiency potential.
•High grid energy costs made leaving the grid more attractive, and households willing to pay up to 50% more than grid-dependent costs could find self-sufficiency economically feasible.
Policy Implications
The research suggests that while energy self-sufficiency may not be economically advantageous for most homes, partial self-sufficiency – where buildings remain connected to the grid but invest in renewable energy systems – could lower household energy expenses. The degree of self-sufficiency deemed cost-optimal varied among different buildings and regions.
The study highlights the importance of encouraging households to remain connected to the grid to maintain overall grid stability and affordability. When a significant number of households disconnect, grid costs could rise, impacting economically weaker households.
Future Considerations
The study’s authors intend to explore the impact of an increasing number of self-sufficient homes on electricity demand and markets in future research. Additionally, with rising energy costs and the growing affordability of renewable energy technologies, the economic landscape of energy self-sufficiency may evolve over time.
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