The green transition of the global energy system presents considerable economic and technological challenges. One of them is the local and temporal difference between available energy sources and energy demand. To overcome this problem, two conceptual solutions can be considered: one is the use of an energy carrier that is suitable for medium- and long-term storage and safe transportation of energy. Carbon-based fuels (or novel alternatives, like hydrogen) or electric energy are the solutions currently used; however, we are facing their environmental or technical limitations. The other one is the synchronisation and intelligent control of sources and consumers, which could significantly decrease the storage and transportation needs. The current article discusses such a solution through a conceptual example. For the conceptual design of an advanced energy management system, the main related system elements shall be defined, and characteristic properties must be assigned to them. Input parameters for the energy management strategy must be given and prioritised. All this information enables the system to calculate and define instantaneous operational optimum. Also, an intelligent control system should take time-dependent processes and parameters into account, which can be deterministic or stochastic. As a result of this study, an energy management system concept that is based on realistic components and use cases is proposed, and its applicability to a local energy community is evaluated.

The necessity of the “green revolution” in the field of energetics is not a question anymore; however, switching the current fossil fuel-based energy ecosystem to a fully renewable-based one poses enormous challenges. The historical structure of the present, centralised energy production infrastructure, as well as the fundamentally different characteristics of the three main fields of usage (electricity generation, heating and transportation), are among the most substantial hindering factors. The future energy system has to be much more flexible in several respects, with a fundamental contribution of smaller, independent energy communities. The current study focuses on the realisation aspects of such a small-scale energy community (or micro/nano-grid), considering the suitable technological solutions as well as the cost concerns. A high number of pilot projects and case studies around the world prove that the technical feasibility of a local grid/energy community is no longer a question. The real challenge is to find the appropriate incentives and strategy to catalyse the required transition at the legislation, system operator and end-user level as well. The outcomes of the present work contribute to this goal by pointing out the application potentials of a modular, scalable microgrid system based on a currently running microgrid-realization project at the ZalaZONE proving ground.

It is now not a question anymore that the fossil fuel-based energy system of human civilization has to be converted into a sustainable energy cycle during the 21st century. In most cases, the introduction of related, novel energetical technologies and solutions leads to disadvantageous interferences with other fields of life. Perhaps the most critical example is the competition between the energy sector and the food industry for valuable agricultural land. Although the two utilization purposes are generally considered mutually exclusive, there are agro-energetical solutions where the two goals are not just indifferent, but they expressly increase each other's efficiency. Such solutions are the agro-photovoltaic systems, where photovoltaic panels are installed in a way that is advantageous for the crops below them. Some plants, such as berries, prefer shady to semi-shady environments, which can be optimally provided under partially covered PV fields. With the active control of the PV panels, ideal shading conditions and even mechanical protection can be ensured in case of extreme weather events. With the appropriate selection of the crop plants and the PV installation, cultivation processes are not hindered, can be highly automated, and the energy needs can be fully covered by the local PV system. From the above description, it is clear that the realization of efficient agro-photovoltaic systems is not just possible but really prosperous. This study offers a more detailed overview of currently realized solutions around the world, as well as a thorough planning process of an agro-photovoltaic project at the ZalaZONE test center, optimized for the Hungarian climatic and agricultural conditions and possibilities.