Ehsan Heydarian-Forushani - Böcker

High penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) imposes several techno-economic challenges to distribution system operators (DSOs) due to their variability in power generation and, hence, increases the need for additional operational flexibility. Operational flexibility aims at securely covering the possible variations at the minimum cost using emerging flexible alternatives or designing novel local market mechanisms to incentivize flexibility providers. In such a situation, the DSOs can use the potential of flexible options such as energy storages (ESs), demand response (DR), plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), or on-site fast run generators. However, each of the mentioned flexible resources has its own specific characteristics and requirements that should be taken into account, and this raises the complexity. Optimal network reconfiguration schemes are the other solution for increasing power system flexibility at the distribution level. There is a great research gap related to renewable-based distribution network planning from a flexibility point of view. Therefore, this book aims to discuss the additional flexibility needs introduced by RESs and describe general approaches to analyze the need for and provision of additional flexibility in future distribution networks at both the planning and operational time frames. This book successfully suggests new solutions and techniques to increase the flexibility in distribution systems. It also highlights the needs for moving towards smart distribution grids in order to enhance the flexibility in modern and future power systems.

High penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs) imposes several techno-economic challenges to distribution system operators (DSOs) due to their variability in power generation and, hence, increases the need for additional operational flexibility. Operational flexibility aims at securely covering the possible variations at the minimum cost using emerging flexible alternatives or designing novel local market mechanisms to incentivize flexibility providers. In such a situation, the DSOs can use the potential of flexible options such as energy storages (ESs), demand response (DR), plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), or on-site fast run generators. However, each of the mentioned flexible resources has its own specific characteristics and requirements that should be taken into account, and this raises the complexity. Optimal network reconfiguration schemes are the other solution for increasing power system flexibility at the distribution level. There is a great research gap related to renewable-based distribution network planning from a flexibility point of view. Therefore, this book aims to discuss the additional flexibility needs introduced by RESs and describe general approaches to analyze the need for and provision of additional flexibility in future distribution networks at both the planning and operational time frames. This book successfully suggests new solutions and techniques to increase the flexibility in distribution systems. It also highlights the needs for moving towards smart distribution grids in order to enhance the flexibility in modern and future power systems.

This book provides a general overview of virtual power plants (VPP) as a key technology in future energy communities and active distribution and transmission networks for managing distributed energy resources, providing local and global services, and facilitating market participation of small-scale managing distributed energy resources and prosumers. The book also aims at describing some practical solutions, business models, and novel architectures for the implementation of VPPs in the real world.Each chapter of the book begins with the fundamental structure of the problem required for a rudimentary understanding of the methods described. It provides a clear picture for practical implementation of VPP through novel technologies such as blockchain, digital twin, and distributed ledger technology.The book will help the electrical and power engineers, undergraduate, graduate students, research scholars, and utility engineers to understand the emerging solutions regarding the VPP concept lucidly.