A systemic approach to investigate the gaps between distribution system operators need and technology developers’ perception—A case study of an intelligent low-voltage grid management system with storage

The purpose of the paper is to introduce a new bi-directional approach to assess the gapbetween the customer needs and technology developers’ perception on the value propositions ofinnovations which includes storages. The paper used two methods; the first comprehensive senseand respond analysis investigated technology developers’ perceptions using the value propositionsdefined under the EU-funded H2020 RESOLVD project. The second method focused on customersand collected a survey which covered challenges, value propositions and preparedness to adopt newtechnology. The H2020 RESOLVD project has developed an intelligent low-voltage grid managementsystem with storage. The results from the sense and respond analysis showed that most of thevalue propositions aligned with the responses from the broader survey which are needed within fiveyears (e.g., improved power quality of grid, fault detection, reduced technical loss). However, thecybersecurity perception differed between developers and distribution system operators (DSOs). Thecustomer survey highlighted that certain value propositions of technological solutions are neededmore urgently than others, and therefore, technology developers should prioritize these in furtherdevelopments. Regarding the use of flexibility to manage the LV grid, unclear regulations wereexpressed as a key barrier, thereby affecting business feasibility around battery storage.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Smart microgrids and virtual power plants in a hierarchical control structure

In order to achieve a coordinated integration of distributed energy resources in the electrical network, an aggregation of these resources is required. Microgrids and virtual power plants (VPPs) address this issue. Opposed to VPPs, microgrids have the functionality of islanding, for which specific control strategies have been developed. These control strategies are classified under the primary control strategies. Microgrid secondary control deals with other aspects such as resource allocation, economic optimization and voltage profile improvements. When focussing on the control-aspects of DER, VPP coordination is similar with the microgrid secondary control strategy, and thus, operates at a slower time frame as compared to the primary control and can take full advantage of the available communication provided by the overlaying smart grid. Therefore, the feasibility of the microgrid secondary control for application in VPPs is discussed in this paper. A hierarchical control structure is presented in which, firstly, smart microgrids deal with local issues in a primary and secondary control. Secondly, these microgrids are aggregated in a VPP that enables the tertiary control, forming the link with the electricity markets and dealing with issues on a larger scale

Mapping for the Masses: Accessing Web 2.0 through Crowdsourcing

The authors describe how we are harnessing the power of web 2.0 technologies to create new approaches to collecting, mapping, and sharing geocoded data. The authors begin with GMapCreator that lets users fashion new maps using Google Maps as a base. The authors then describe MapTube that enables users to archive maps and demonstrate how it can be used in a variety of contexts to share map information, to put existing maps into a form that can be shared, and to create new maps from the bottom-up using a combination of crowdcasting, crowdsourcing, and traditional broadcasting. The authors conclude by arguing that such tools are helping to define a neogeography that is essentially "mapping for the masses,'' while noting that there are many issues of quality, accuracy, copyright, and trust that will influence the impact of these tools on map-based communication

Fluctuation-induced Distributed Resonances in Oscillatory Networks

Self-organized network dynamics prevails for systems across physics, biology and engineering. How external signals generate distributed responses in networked systems fundamentally underlies their function, yet is far from fully understood. Here we analyze the dynamic response patterns of oscillatory networks to fluctuating input signals. We disentangle the impact of the signal distribution across the network, the signals' frequency contents and the network topology. We analytically derive qualitatively different dynamic response patterns and find three frequency regimes: homogeneous responses at low frequencies, topology-dependent resonances at intermediate frequencies, and localized responses at high frequencies. The theory faithfully predicts the network-wide collective responses to regular and irregular, localized and distributed simulated signals, as well as to real input signals to power grids recorded from renewable-energy supplies. These results not only provide general insights into the formation of dynamic response patterns in networked systems but also suggest regime- and topology-specific design principles underlying network function.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure