Renewable energy sharing among neighbors

Decentralized grids present a unique opportunity: the generation of renewable energy in close proximity to its consumers. With the imperative shift towards sustainable energy becoming increasingly urgent, decentralized grids promise to serve as a catalyst for this transformative journey by restructuring energy markets. In addition to integrating larger shares of renewable energy sources at a lower cost, this holistic approach advances more resilient and sustainable energy landscapes altogether.

This paper offers insights into different regulatory frameworks in several countries that encourage and support the production of renewable energy close to consumption sites. This includes not only Europe's "Collective Self-Consumption" (CSC) but also the US approach to decentralized electricity grids, which promotes subsidies for solar power and battery storage, and facilitates various microgrid initiatives. Alongside two smaller case studies, the authors discuss the varied implementation in Germany, Austria, Portugal, and Switzerland, as well as in California and New York.