Since the Government promoted energy storage for energy communities with the publication of Order TED/764/2024, Toda Energía has explored how to optimize battery usage to reduce the energy surpluses generated by its panels and maximize electricity bill savings for consumers.

During the research, several questions were raised: What percentage of generated energy should be stored to maximize savings? How can the distribution of surpluses be managed fairly among the members? And, above all, how can we ensure that storage is financially viable?

The answer lay in the intensive use of data management. According to José Andrés Palacios, the lead author of the study, the use of an Energy Management System (EMS) allowed precise modeling of each member’s consumption patterns, anticipating their needs and dynamically adjusting the management of the batteries.

“The EMS centralizes all the community’s climate, market, and internal consumption data, and with this information, we optimize production, storage, and consumption,” he explains in a conversation with Energía Estratégica España.

This tool not only resolved the initial questions but also opened the door to new ways of operating in energy communities, such as the ability to calculate surpluses in real-time and redistribute them efficiently.

Energy Communities as Mini Distributors

Thanks to technology, these communities can manage their production, storage, and distribution autonomously, functioning as small local operators.

“Energy communities are like a small Iberdrola,” says Palacios. This decentralized model allows not only greater flexibility in demand but also a more efficient use of renewable resources.

By implementing internal networks that connect users with centralized storage, total dependency on the general grid is avoided, and consumption is optimized according to each member’s needs.

Additionally, communities are beginning to explore the installation of individual batteries in homes. This decentralization, although more complex, promises a future where each user has direct control over their energy consumption and storage, thanks to the use of artificial intelligence and advanced algorithms for real-time management.

In terms of savings, the impact of storage in energy communities is notable. Palacios states that by implementing batteries, users can achieve savings of over 50% on their energy bills.

“We’re talking about a 30% saving on self-consumption, plus an additional 20% thanks to storage,” he explains.

The calculation for distributing 0.5 kilowatts of storage per home covers most residential needs. However, for businesses, the calculation must be adjusted to higher consumption, ranging from 1.5 to 2 kilowatts, depending on the economic activity.

Financing

Despite technological advances, energy storage still faces significant economic barriers. Lithium-ion batteries, while widely used, have high initial costs that limit their adoption without public subsidies.

According to Palacios, for this technology to be viable, subsidies should cover between 60% and 65% of the total storage cost.

Currently, the Government offers a standard 40% subsidy for photovoltaic installations. However, in the case of batteries, this percentage should be increased to encourage their adoption, especially in energy communities where the return on investment depends on a delicate balance between installation costs and generated savings.

“Without a significant subsidy, storage could not be widely extended. It is crucial that this technology is recognized as an integral part of the renewable system,” emphasizes Palacios.

Finally, he concludes that it is proven “that storage is viable and necessary for the future of renewable energy,” highlighting the importance of continuing to research and develop technologies that allow these communities to become a key pillar in the global energy transition.

The Future: Artificial Intelligence and Decentralized Networks

The next stage for energy communities is heading towards decentralization and the use of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence.

Palacios envisions a model where batteries are not centralized in the community but installed in each home. This would allow greater flexibility and a quicker response to user needs.

“With artificial intelligence algorithms and microtrading systems, we will be able to react in milliseconds to changes in energy demand,” he explains. This approach would not only optimize the use of resources but also create a more autonomous and sustainable model.

Additionally, the use of decentralized internal networks could transform communities into true energy microgrids, capable of managing their energy without fully depending on the general grid.

A Replicable and Adaptable Model

Energy communities in Spain are proving that storage can be a catalyst for a more sustainable and efficient energy system.

The move towards decentralization, combined with management technologies and adequate subsidies, offers a promising solution to maximize the use of renewable energies.

“Well-managed storage not only reduces costs but also strengthens trust in the sector,” concludes Palacios.