Abstract
With the implementation of micro grids and smart grids, new business models able to cope with the new opportunities are being developed. Virtual Power Players are a player that allows aggregating a diversity of entities, to facilitate their participation in the electricity markets and to provide a set of new services promoting generation and consumption efficiency, while improving players’ benefits. The elastic behavior of the demand consumption jointly used with other available resources such as distributed generation (DG) can play a crucial role for the success of smart grids. This paper proposes methodologies to develop strategic remuneration of aggregated consumers with demand response participation, this model uses a clustering algorithm, applied on values that were obtained from a scheduling methodology of a real Portuguese distribution network with 937 buses, 20310 consumers and 548 distributed generators. The normalization methods and clustering methodologies were applied to several variables of different consumers, which creates sub-groups of data according to their correlations. The clustering process is evaluated so that the number of data sub-groups that brings the most added value for the decision-making process is found, according to players characteristics. © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020.

Abstract
One important goal of the climate commitment in the European Union (EU) is to reduce primary energy demand in the transport sector and increase the use of renewables, since around 33% of primary energy is consumed in this sector. Therefore, the EU ordered its member states to raise the number of electric vehicles (EVs) within Europe. Consequently, the energy demand for electricity will rise as a function of the number of EVs. To avoid local grid overload and guarantee a higher percentage of clean energy, EV charging stations can be supported by a combined system of grid-connected photovoltaic modules and battery storage. In this paper, the focus lies on the feasibility and economic aspects of such systems. To provide an overview of the different e-charging station combinations, a support tool was modelled and developed, making it possible to size and manage EVs charging stations with only a few input parameters. Thanks to its easy handling, the tool suits a wide spectrum of users. Due to enhanced optional settings, this tool is suitable for detailed input parameters for professionals as well. Input categories are basically divided into the photovoltaic (PV) system, battery storage, the charging station itself, and investment analysis. The tool supports decisions for solar charging stations designed for different parking locations like offices, schools, and public and private places.

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This study presents Integrid’s project framework to manage low voltage (LV) electrical networks, aiming to avoid both technical and quality constraints, induced by the ever-increasing amount of flexible resources spread all over the grid. These assets cover a large amount of renewable-based energy generation to electrical vehicles and energy storage units. For this to be possible, new advanced tools were developed to exploit the benefits of the so-called distributed energy resources, while overcoming limitations on the metering and communication infrastructures. Hence, this study describes the approach taken to perform the active management of LV networks, without a perfect level of observability, exploiting the flexibility provided by the distribution system operator’s resources combined with the one offered by private consumers through the home energy management systems. Additionally, some results followed by a brief discussion are presented, enforcing the success of the developed tools. The algorithms within these tools allow to forecast both microgeneration, available flexibility and load profiles, as well as to estimate the network’s state, at different time frames.

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The growing digitalisation, grid complexity and the number of digitally connected devices that communicate with systems in the distribution grid are enabling the continuous development of automation and intelligence, acquisition of data from sensors, meters and devices for monitoring and managing the distribution network, to achieve an enhanced, preventive, resilient and flexible network operation philosophy. This study presents a set of use cases towards the demonstration of the benefits of implementing a platform that collects, aggregates and facilitates horizontal integration and data correlation from various sources, enabling these use cases across the distribution grid. The adequacy analysis of current distribution network architecture considered derived requirements on the characterisation of its evolution taking advantage of key digital technologies, towards the implementation of distributed control and management strategies. It is also presented a benefit analysis of implementing a centralised common data and service platform, i.e. an internet of things (IoT) platform, regarding new functionalities and applications.