Adoption and Diffusion of Micro-Grids in Italy. An Analysis of Regional Factors Using Agent-Based Modelling

SPRU Working Paper Series from SPRU - Science Policy Research Unit, University of Sussex Business School

Abstract: The Italian electricity system, based on a centralized grid, presents important inefficiencies in the transmission infrastructure and is highly import-dependent. At the same time, it has a high renewable potential. These three aspects might encourage Italy to shift from the traditional centralized grid to a new decentralized electricity system by adopting Micro-Grids (MGs). This transition, however, has not yet started. This work aims to study the possible scenarios of adoption and diffusion of MGs in Italy, by analysing the influence of regional factors, the potential role of subsidies and people’s attitude. An agent-based model is formulated in order to simulate the diffusion of MGs as a function of those characteristics and to analyse which policies could facilitate the adoption of MGs in the country. The results show the high dependence of the diffusion process on regional factors (electricity demand, renewable potential and population). Moreover, the model confirms that subsidies can encourage the diffusion (mainly when they are regional-based rather than national-based) and that a higher “green” attitude by users can accelerate the diffusion of MGs in Italy.

Keywords: Micro-grids; Agent-based model; Innovation diffusion (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2017-06
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cmp, nep-ene and nep-eur
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sru:ssewps:2017-09

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