Integrating Renewable Energy Sources in Italian Port Areas towards Renewable Energy Communities

Abstract

The impact of ports on urban areas’ decarbonization to reduce air and environmental pollution effects to achieve sustainable development is undeniable, especially in the marine transportation sector. In this case, applied studies that can contribute to existing knowledge on increasing ports’ energy self-sufficiency using renewable energy sources (RESs) are critical and necessary. In this study, firstly, (1) the RESs assessment prioritization methodology was designed for Lazio ports. Additionally, (2) long-term solar radiation and wind speed were analyzed using the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) dataset of Lazio ports. Furthermore, (3) the time-series, normal-distribution and correlation methods were applied to the generated energy source, based on various parameters of the RESs used in the ports. Finally, (4) Italian port areas, towards renewable energy community (REC) scenarios, were analyzed and developed.