A model for renewable energy symbiosis networks in eco-industrial parks

Renewable energy technologies integration within industrial districts can boost carbon emissions reduction in the industry sector. The eco-industrial parks model promotes the sustainable use of energy and the application of energy synergies and energy exchanges that can include renewable sources of energy. This paper presents an optimization methodology based on a multi-stakeholder perspective to evaluate energy symbiosis including the integration of renewable energy sources within the parks. The study results in three scenarios providing to managers of single firms and parks relevant information for supporting decision making regarding the economic sustainability and the environmental impacts of the energy synergies. The results show that the optimization of the collective point of view ensures more efficient management of the energy supplied by renewables as well as by firms that can provide an energy surplus.