In the heart of Italy’s ambitious National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), a groundbreaking project is taking shape at the Rome Technopole, an innovation ecosystem dedicated to energy transition. The RES4TECH project, led by Gianluigi Bovesecchi from the Department of Enterprise Engineering at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, is pioneering a flexible photovoltaic (PV) generation strategy that could redefine how we think about renewable energy integration and self-production.
The project aims to meet the electricity demand of the future Rome Technopole campus through energy-flexible PV systems coupled with battery energy storage systems (BESS). These systems, integrated with smart inverters and remote control, are designed to deliver power reliably under two scenarios: one delivering forecasted generation, and the other matching a continuous demand profile, ensuring a firm generation capability.
“Our goal is to create a system that can reliably meet the energy demands of the Rome Technopole, even under varying conditions,” Bovesecchi explains. “By optimizing the balance between PV and BESS capacity, we can minimize energy costs and maximize self-production.”
The research, published in the journal “Energy Conversion and Management: X,” reveals that oversizing PV capacity and integrating storage can fully cover the campus’s electricity needs. The optimal system includes 9.5 MWp of PV and 16.8 MWh of storage to serve an average daily demand of 9.84 MWh. This approach not only ensures a reliable power supply but also makes economic sense. A financial analysis indicates that 65% self-production is already cost-effective today, with a levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of 112 €/MWh and a payback period of 11 years.
The implications for the energy sector are significant. As Bovesecchi notes, “Achieving higher levels of self-generation, such as 80%, would currently require 28 years, but this could drop to 9 years if 2050 technology costs are reached by 2030.” This suggests that advancements in technology and cost reductions could make large-scale self-production a viable and attractive option for commercial and industrial facilities.
The research also highlights the importance of optimizing PV tilt angles and using accurate solar and climate data for simulations. By identifying the optimal tilt angle of 30° south-facing, the project ensures maximum energy generation efficiency.
This innovative approach to renewable energy integration and self-production could shape future developments in the field. As the energy sector continues to evolve, projects like RES4TECH demonstrate the potential for flexible, reliable, and cost-effective solutions that can meet the demands of modern energy consumers. The findings from this research could inspire similar initiatives worldwide, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient energy future.