Review of transmission planning and scaling of renewable energy in energy communities

This study explores renewable energy scaling in energy communities and transmission expansion planning (TEP). The increasing share of renewables creates challenges in transmitting wind and solar power from remote areas to cities. These challenges necessitate the modernization of conventional transmission systems. Energy communities, which focus on decentralized production and consumption, have the potential to mitigate these challenges by optimizing local energy flows. The primary objective of this study is to identify optimal strategies for the integration of renewable energy in energy communities and to assess the expansion of transmission infrastructure required to support this integration. A systematic literature review was conducted, encompassing articles published between 2009 and 2024 in this study. The review was based on searches across leading academic databases, including SCOPUS, ELSEVIER Science Direct, SpringerLink, and Google Scholar. A total of 1509 studies were initially identified, of which 266 articles were selected for detailed analysis. The findings indicate that energy communities play a pivotal role in facilitating the integration of renewable energy and enhancing grid resilience. However, the results also highlight that the efficiency of this integration can be significantly improved through advanced planning methodologies and supportive regulatory frameworks. While energy communities reduce the need for long-distance transmission through local generation, the expansion of transmission infrastructure remains essential during periods of high demand or low local generation. These results provide valuable insights into the development of future energy infrastructure policies and underscore the need for a more flexible and decentralized approach to transmission network expansion. • A systematic review of 266 studies evaluates renewable energy integration and transmission planning in energy communities. • Local generation improves grid flexibility, but central transmission is vital for sudden demand shifts. • Artificial intelligence, machine learning, and heuristic algorithms enhance decision-making accuracy in TEP processes. • Digital twins and IoT-based systems accelerate digitalization and improve flexibility in transmission planning. • Scaling renewable energy achieves economic benefits and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.