Abstract
Energy communities (EC) and collective self-consumption (CSC) systems can make a significant contribution to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and energy costs. They create mechanisms for the active participation of end-consumers in the energy system by becoming self-producers of renewable electricity and adapting their energy behavior to the needs of the system. CSC also alleviates energy poverty by reducing the energy costs of vulnerable members. The CSC is still in its early stages, and regulation is being developed in several countries along with pilot projects to test different rules and incentives. This chapter discusses the most relevant common definitions of CSC and EC so far, as well as the main challenges in relation to energy sharing rules and the management of EC and CSC. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

Abstract
Electricity generation from wind energy is one of the main drivers of decarbonization in energy systems. However, installing wind farm facilities may have beneficial and harmful impacts on the habitat of living beings. This study reviews the literature based on economic analysis to identify the main externalities related to the installation of wind farms and the economic methodologies used to assess these externalities, filling an existent literature gap. A systematic literature review followed the Preferred Reporting Items on Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis standards. A total of 33 studies were identified, most of them carried out in Europe. The studies cover 24 years, between 1998 and 2022. The externalities associated with wind electricity generation are classified into three categories: the impact on well-being, the impact of wind turbines, and the impacts of avoided externalities. Most studies (24 out of 33) determine economic values by stated preference methods through choice experiments, discrete choice experiments, and contingent valuation. Revealed preference methods were identified in 5 studies using hedonic pricing and travel cost techniques. The challenges and limitations of this analysis in terms of externalities identification and their assessment are also discussed, concluding that additional updated review studies are needed since the latest ones were published in 2016 and 2017. Moreover, it gives insights to policymakers and academics on a more complete approach they can use to evaluate the impacts of decarbonization, which, apart from the technological view, also considers and estimates the socio-economic and environmental perspectives.

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Abstract
Grid scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) have a key role for future power systems operation and stability. However, cyclic degradation, intensified by multi-service operation, remains a major challenge, directly affecting battery lifespan and profitability. This study examines BESS participation in energy markets and in automatic frequency restoration reserve (aFRR) markets, assessing the impact of cyclic degradation costs on BESS planning and operation. The methodology involved modelling the daily dispatch of an 8.1 MW lithium-ion battery for participation in day-ahead, intraday and reserve markets, incorporating a degradation cost minimization model. The simulations were conducted using the historical data from Iberian electricity and Portuguese ancillary services market, such as energy prices, historical reserve requirements and AGC forecasts. The results show that reserve market participation is highly profitable and can be successfully complemented with day-ahead and intraday market participation. Also, incorporating cyclic degradation cost into planning extends BESS lifespan in all cases. However, this approach is beneficial only in arbitrage scenarios, while in reserve market participation, it reduces profits. The findings highlight the importance of balancing BESS degradation minimization with profitability, particularly in reserve market participation. Future research could apply this model to different battery technologies and real-world systems to validate the simulated results.

Abstract
The HyStorization project aims to advance the modelling and operational understanding of hybrid electrochemical energy storage systems, focusing on Lithium-ion (Li-ion) and Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFBs). These technologies are key enablers of flexible, reliable, and scalable grid-scale energy storage. While Li-ion batteries are well-established for high-power applications, VRFBs offer promising advantages for medium- to long-duration storage due to their durability and decoupled energy and power capacities. The primary objective is to develop linearized battery models for both technologies, derived from experimental data, that accurately capture efficiency and power limits as functions of the State of Charge (SoC). These models are intended for integration into Mixed-Integer Linear Programming (MILP) tools to optimize energy dispatch in hybrid storage systems. A comprehensive testing campaign was conducted on three BYD stationary Li-ion battery systems. Due to a malfunction in one unit, the remaining three—of similar age and usage—were treated as a single representative system. A Python-based controller was developed to automate cycling and collect high-resolution data (1-second intervals) via HTTP. The testing protocol included: • Constant power cycles for initial validation and degradation screening. • Constant current cycles for parameter extraction. Key findings include: • A slight but consistent improvement in SoC estimation accuracy using a linear model over a bucket model (~2% reduction in MAE and MSE). • Shorter resampling intervals (e.g., 1-minute vs. 15-minute) improved accuracy, but the most significant reduction in error came from refreshing the SoC with real measurements rather than relying on estimated values. • SoC limits, while useful for safety, were found to be overly restrictive and may not reflect the battery’s full operational flexibility. • Attempts to assess cyclic degradation were inconclusive due to the limited number of cycles and short observation window. The final linear model includes parameters for nominal charge/discharge voltages, inverter efficiencies, and dynamic SoC limits as functions of DC power. These were validated against real operational data and compared with manufacturer-based models. Concerning the VRFB, the project originally planned to conduct targeted tests on the VRFB to: • Evaluate energy efficiency across different SoC levels and operational ranges. • Determine maximum and minimum effective power ratings as functions of SoC. • Support the development of non-linear models that will be linearized for MILP integration. However, due to a malfunction, the VRFB could not be tested as planned. Instead, the projectrelied on previously collected characterization data, which did not fully cover the intended test scope. Despite these limitations, the available data was used to: • Analyse energy efficiency trends across selected states of charge (SoC) and operational conditions. • Estimate effective power ratings within the constraints of the existing dataset. • Support the preliminary development of non-linear models, with the aim of future linearization for MILP integration. While these efforts provided valuable insights, the absence of new experimental data limited the ability to fully capture the unique operational characteristics of VRFBs, such as their decoupled energy and power capabilities and their suitability for long-duration storage. The project is expected to deliver: • Validated, MILP-compatible models for both Li-ion and VRFB technologies. • Enhanced dispatch strategies for hybrid storage systems. • Improved integration of real-time SoC measurements to reduce estimation error. • Recommendations for longer-term testing to better assess degradation and refine model accuracy. In conclusion, the HyStorization project provides a foundational step toward more accurate, data-driven modelling of hybrid storage systems. It highlights the importance of real-time data, flexible modelling approaches, and the need for continued testing to support the evolving role of batteries in grid operations.

Abstract
Interoperability among diverse devices, from traditional substation control rooms to modern inverters managing components like Distributed Energy Resources (DERs), is a primary challenge in modern power systems. It is essential for streamlining decision-making and control processes through effective communication, ultimately enhancing energy management efficiency. This paper introduces the open-source Legacy Protocol Converter (LPC) grounded in the IEEE 2030.5 standard, which incorporates advanced features for improved adaptability. The LPC bridges legacy equipment using standard protocols such as Message Queuing Telemetry Transport (MQTT) and Modbus with a light-weight asynchronous Neural Autonomic Transport System (NATS) communication system. In light of the limitations inherent in traditional synchronous RESTful systems-specifically those compliant with IEEE 2030.5 that are incapable of facilitating multiple endpoints-the adoption of asynchronous NATS is implemented. This approach can notably enhance communication flexibility and performance. The implementation is containerized for efficient service orchestration and supports the reusability of solutions. The LPC is engineered for seamless integration of DERs with Energy Management System (EMS), aggregation platforms, and Hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) testing environments. In this paper, the LPC has been tested and further developed in various use cases such as multi-physics optimization involving HIL and fast frequency services, e.g., virtual inertia and load shedding, each in a different architectural setup. The findings validate the applicability of LPC not only for devices within modern power systems, but also for heat pumps in the thermal energy sector, facilitating sector coupling. Moreover, the paper provides additional insights into LPC's functionality, reaffirming its efficacy as a scalable, robust, and user-friendly solution for bridging legacy systems through the enhanced IEEE 2030.5 standard designed for the monitoring and control of DERs.