Energy communities and requalification. Towards energy transition and self-sufficiency: a “challenge” for the Olympic Village

Against the current global climate emergency and energy crisis, one of the most effective tool for reforming the current energy system, while at the same time prompting development based upon sharing and savings are the Renewable Energy Communities (REC). This study proposes assessing the energy consumption of residential buildings in the Olympic Village of Rome, in order to suggest energy retrofits and assess the feasibility for the establishment of an energy community. First of all was performed a preliminary biophysical, bioclimatic, and anthropic analysis of the neighborhood, followed by a building system energy analysis; specifically, were analyzed the technical and plant systems, estimating the incidence of the building envelope’s heat losses and the breakdown of consumption. Then were suggested actions aimed at improving those system’s performance, with the elaboration of three energy scenarios of differing intensity. Lastly, was performed an analysis on the feasibility of instituting a REC in the area of the Olympic Village. The preliminary results of the research emphasize how the local sharing of energy through the establishment of RECs can generate significant environmental, social, and economic benefits. The model proposed for the Olympic Village case study demonstrates its replicability in numerous settings.