Certification prerequisites for activities related to the trading of demand response resources

Certification according to international standards brings many benefits to the society, including technical, economic and environmental aspects. In this context, this paper highlights the benefits of certification of Demand Response, including the additional credibility which provides to the trading of flexibility and higher confidence between different players. The consequence is a dynamic environment which facilitates the market acceptance of Demand Response services and products, providing significant benefits to providers and users of such services. A methodology for the systematic certification of different activities related to the transaction of Demand Response resources has been developed and it is presented here. In particular, three types of certificate have been specified, considering the certification of the entity providing the resource (Demand Response Provider), the contractual framework between the provider and the requester (Demand Response Product) and the physical platform to enable and guarantee such transaction (Demand Response Energy Service Trader). The results of this paper may help regulators and standardization bodies in the design and specification of a future norm to allow the certification of the above-mentioned activities, or a further development of existing regulation for certification of energy efficiency systems (like ISO 50001), where certification of Demand Response activities could be complementary.This work was completed in the framework of the DRIP project (11ENV/DE/340) co-funded by the European Commission through the LIFE Environment Programme. The authors deeply thank all the participants in the project for their help and support that made possible this work.Alcázar-Ortega, M.; Calpe Esteve, CM.; Theisen, T.; Rodríguez-García, J. (2015). Certification prerequisites for activities related to the trading of demand response resources. Energy. 93:705-715. doi:10.1016/j.energy.2015.09.082S7057159

Haptoglobin genotypes in Chagas' disease

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Objectives: To investigate the existence of an association between haptoglobin (Hp) genotypes and the severity of heart complications in Chagas' disease. Design and methods: Hp genotyping was performed by PCR in 107 Brazilian patients sub-classified in asymptomatic, with mild heart disease and with severe heart disease. Results: Multiple logistic regression (R(2) = 24%) indicated that patients with the Hp1-1 genotype have lower probability of developing the severe heart complications. Conclusion: The Hp polymorphism may influence the clinical evolution of Chagas' disease. (C) 2009 The Canadian Society of Clinical Chemists. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.433314316Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [08/01690-2

Two new unstable haemoglobins leading to chronic haemolytic anaemia: Hb Caruaru [beta 122 (GH5) Phe -> Ser], a probable case of germ line mutation, and Hb Olinda [beta 22 (B4)-25 (B7)], a deletion of a 12 base-pair sequence

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)We describe here two new unstable beta-globin variants, Hb Caruaru and Hb Olinda, found in northeastern Brazil, both associated with chronic haemolytic anaemia. Haemoglobin Caruaru is caused by a single base substitution at codon 122 (TTC -> TCC), possibly originating from the germ line cells of the patient's grandmother. Haemoglobin Olinda is also a de novo mutation, caused by a 12 bp deletion leading to the removal of the 22nd to the 25th residues of the normal beta-globin chain.834378382Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)FAPESP [02/13801-7]CNPq [408884/2006-1

Supporting involvement of electric vehicles in distribution grids: Lowering the barriers for a proactive integration

Increasing environmental concerns are driving an evolution of the energy system in which electric vehicles (EVs) play an important role. Still, as the EV number increases, the adverse impact of charging is observed more widely, especially at the low-voltage level where high EV concentrations cause various detrimental effects due to the coincidence between EV charging and residential peak load. However, if managed properly, EVs become flexible resources which can improve the system operation, making them an attractive asset for the distribution system operator. With the recent technology development, new forms of local EV support can be developed, provided that an appropriate regulatory framework is established. Whereas the technical value of such EV distribution grid services has already been proven, integrating them into the European regulatory context is not straightforward. In the context where active distribution grid management schemes are still to be developed, it is important to recognise the barriers for active EV involvement in the early stage of the development. This manuscript focuses on identifying these barriers from a technology and infrastructure perspective as well as from the regulatory and market aspect. Various policy recommendations are provided for the stakeholders involved in the EV value chai