Abstract
This chapter explores the potential of thermal energy storage (TES) systems towards the decarbonization of industry and energy networks, considering its coordinated management with electrochemical energy storage and renewable energy sources (RES). It covers various TES technologies, including sensible heat storage (SHS), latent heat storage (LHS), and thermochemical energy storage (TCS), each offering unique benefits and facing specific challenges. The integration of TES into industrial parks is highlighted, showing how these systems can optimize energy manage-ment and reduce reliance on external sources. A district heating use case also demonstrates the economic and environmental advantages of a multi-energy management strategy over single-energy approaches. Overall, TES technologies are presented as a promising pathway to greater energy effi-ciency and sustainability in industrial processes.

Abstract
Distributed energy resources (DERs) offer untapped potential to meet the flexibility needs of power systems with a high share of non-dispatchable renewable generation, and local flexibility markets (LFMs) can be effective mechanisms for procuring it. In LFMs, energy communities (ECs) can aggregate and offer flexibility from their members' DERs to other parties. However, since flexibility prices are only known after markets clear, flexibility bidding curves can be used to deal with this price uncertainty. Building on previous work by the authors, this paper employs a two-stage methodology to calculate flexibility bids for an EC participating in an LFM, including not only batteries and photovoltaic panels, but also cross-sector (CS) flexible assets like thermal loads and electric vehicles (EVs) to assess their impact. In Stage 1, the EC manager minimizes the energy bill without flexibility to define its baseline. In Stage 2, it computes the optimal flexibility to be offered for each flexibility price to build the flexibility bidding curve. Case examples allow to assess the impact of CS flexible assets on the final flexibility offered.

Abstract
Planning Energy communities (ECs) requires engaging members, designing business models and governance rules, and sizing distributed energy resources (DERs) for a cost-effective investment. Meanwhile, the growing share of non-dispatchable renewable generation demands more flexible energy systems. Local flexibility markets (LFMs) are emerging as effective mechanisms to procure this flexibility, granting ECs a new revenue stream. Since sizing with flexibility becomes a highly complex problem, we propose a 2-stage methodology for estimating DERs size in an EC with collective self-consumption, flexibility provision and cross-sector (CS) assets such as thermal loads and electric vehicles (EVs). The first stage computes the optimal DER capacities to be installed for each member without flexibility provision. The second stage departs from the first stage capacities to assess how to modify the initial capacities to profit from providing flexibility. The impact of data clustering and flexibility provision are assessed through a case study.

Abstract
Renewable energy communities (REC) can involve final consumers into the energy system incentivizing investments in decentralized renewable energy sources and shaping their energy behaviour to improve the local balance of consumption and generation. However, RECs can also help alleviate energy poverty, which occurs when low incomes and inefficient buildings and appliances result in disproportionately high energy costs for households, by lowering energy expenses through the sharing of surplus electricity at reduced prices with vulnerable members. This work explores REC business models with the specific focus on incorporating and empowering vulnerable consumers. Based on the literature review, we propose indexes to assess the vulnerability and non-vulnerability of REC members. From these indexes, we propose two business models based on two different strategies for the operation and settlement of a REC with flexible assets and vulnerable members.

Abstract
Energy community developers are relevant actors for the deployment of energy communities as they can overcome initial investment costs and better navigate complex licensing processes. Their strategy depends on the chosen business model, typically aimed at maximizing their profit while providing tangible benefits to the potential members of the energy communities to encourage their engagement. This works describes strategies for an energy management system adapted to energy community developers whose business model consists in installing, owning and managing energy assets (such as photovoltaic panels and batteries) in its own facilities and in the facilities of those energy community members able and willing to provide them, to sell the locally produced energy for self-consumption in the energy community.