Scenarios for the development of smart grids in the UK: literature review

Smart grids are expected to play a central role in any transition to a low-carbon energy future, and much research is currently underway on practically every area of smart grids. However, it is evident that even basic aspects such as theoretical and operational definitions, are yet to be agreed upon and be clearly defined. Some aspects (efficient management of supply, including intermittent supply, two-way communication between the producer and user of electricity, use of IT technology to respond to and manage demand, and ensuring safe and secure electricity distribution) are more commonly accepted than others (such as smart meters) in defining what comprises a smart grid. It is clear that smart grid developments enjoy political and financial support both at UK and EU levels, and from the majority of related industries. The reasons for this vary and include the hope that smart grids will facilitate the achievement of carbon reduction targets, create new employment opportunities, and reduce costs relevant to energy generation (fewer power stations) and distribution (fewer losses and better stability). However, smart grid development depends on additional factors, beyond the energy industry. These relate to issues of public acceptability of relevant technologies and associated risks (e.g. data safety, privacy, cyber security), pricing, competition, and regulation; implying the involvement of a wide range of players such as the industry, regulators and consumers. The above constitute a complex set of variables and actors, and interactions between them. In order to best explore ways of possible deployment of smart grids, the use of scenarios is most adequate, as they can incorporate several parameters and variables into a coherent storyline. Scenarios have been previously used in the context of smart grids, but have traditionally focused on factors such as economic growth or policy evolution. Important additional socio-technical aspects of smart grids emerge from the literature review in this report and therefore need to be incorporated in our scenarios. These can be grouped into four (interlinked) main categories: supply side aspects, demand side aspects, policy and regulation, and technical aspects.

3rd Annual Meeting of the Portuguese Association of Energy Economics & 5th Meeting of Environmental and Energy Economics

The 3rd Annual Conference of the Portuguese Association of Energy Economics – APEEN and the International Meeting on Energy and Environmental Economics – ME3 took place on the 18-19 October 2018 in Braga, Portugal. The event was hosted by the Universidade do Minho and gathered the contributions of specialists in Energy and Environmental Economics to enrich the debate about the many issues raised by the management of resources and waste. The main topic was Managing Resources and Waste: challenges for Energy and Environmental Economics beyond 2030. ​Natural resources are the keystone in environmental and energy economics. Nowadays, resource management cannot ignore waste, traditionally seen as a by-product of consumption and production decisions, but increasingly recognized as a source of energy or as new type of resource

Förderung des Aufbaus von Smart Grids in Thailand als Zusammenspiel von intelligenten Gebäuden, intelligenten Verbrauchern und einer intelligenten Energiepolitik

Smart grid technology can enhance renewable energy in the electricity system by integrating information communication technology (ICT) into the existing electricity network. Residential and commercial buildings can perform as a power plant with an energy design concept by integrating renewable energy and energy storage system. However, there has been relatively little focus on how to enhance the residential sector in smart grid development in the context of Thailand. This research focuses on residential buildings only. The technology assessment shows that energy efficiency measures (EEM) must be implemented to reduce the energy demand of the building. The Ice thermal energy storage system (ITES) is an appropriate energy storage system application that can provide cooling energy, which is the major energy consumer in residential building. The integration of EEM, the PV system, and the ITES system can reduce the primary energy demand by 87%, compared to the reference building without comprehensive energy concept design. The power quality assessment shows that the PV hosting capacity is limited up to 75%, which keeps the voltage level in the permissible range. The distributed energy storage system allows the PV prosumer to perform an active role by providing reactive power service to the system at the critical electricity feeder. The economic assessment reveals that the ITES is the most cost-effective investment option, where the battery energy storage (BES) system can become more attractive with incentive support and future cost reduction. The results from the consumer survey reveal that the willingness to pay (WTP) of the EEM and PV system in the detached single-family house is higher than the investment cost, which benefits both consumer and house developer. Technology is a key driver for providing the energy service to the energy system, while consumer behavior and acceptance can increase technology adoption. The Thai government should encourage the residential sector to become a smart user by taking technology, consumer behavior background, and essential energy policy into account.Intelligente Netztechnik, sogenannte Smart Grid-Technologie, kann durch die Einbindung von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologie die Integration von erneuerbaren Energien in das bestehende Stromnetz verbessern. Wohn- und Gewerbegebäude können mit Hilfe eines Energiekonzepts durch die Integration von erneuerbaren Energien und Energiespeichern als Kleinkraftwerk fungieren. Allerdings gibt es in Thailand bisher wenig Analysen, wie man den Wohnungssektor für die Entwicklung intelligenter Netze nutzbar machen kann. Diese Forschungsarbeit konzentriert sich daher ausschließlich auf Wohngebäude. Die Technologiebewertung zeigt, dass Energieeffizienzmaßnahmen (EEM) umgesetzt werden müssen, um den Energiebedarf der Gebäude zu reduzieren. Ein thermischer Energiespeicher basierend auf Eis (ITES) ist eine geeignete Speicheranwendung, um Kühlenergie bereitzustellen, die der Hauptenergieverbraucher in Wohngebäuden ist. Durch die Integration von EEM, dem PV-System und dem ITES-System kann der Primärenergiebedarf um 87% reduziert werden, verglichen mit einem Referenzgebäude ohne umfassendes Energiekonzept. Die vorliegende Forschungsarbeit zeigt, dass die PV-Aufnahmekapazität auf bis zu 75% ausgeweitet werden kann, ohne dass Spannungsgrenzen verletzt werden. Der dezentrale Energiespeicher ermöglichst es zudem dem PV-Prosumer, durch Blindleistungseinsatz eine aktive Rolle im Stromsystem einzunehmen und Spannungsprobleme in kritischen Leitungssträngen zu reduzieren. Die wirtschaftliche Bewertung zeigt, dass das ITES die kostengünstigste Investitionsoption ist und das Batteriespeichersystem (BES) durch Anreize und künftige Kostensenkungen an Attraktivität gewinnen kann. Die Ergebnisse der durchgeführten Verbraucherbefragung zeigen, dass die Zahlungsbereitschaft für die EEM und das PV-System in Einfamilienhäusern höher ist als die Investitionskosten, was sowohl dem Verbraucher als auch dem Bauherrn des Hauses zugutekommt. Neue Technologien sind zentrale Elemente, um die Bereitstellung von Energiedienstleistungen im Energiesystem zu ermöglichen. Jedoch sind auch Nutzerverhalten und -akzeptanz wichtig, um die Verbreitung der Technologie zu erhöhen. Die thailändische Regierung sollte den Einsatz von Intelligenz im Wohnungssektor fördern und dabei Technologien, Verbraucherverhalten und wesentliche energiepolitische Aspekte berücksichtigen