Chapters authored
Communications for Exploiting Flexible Resources in the Framework of Smart Grids in Islands
Although being among the least responsible for climate change, islands are in great threat due to it. The decarbonisation of the power system arises as a key factor to ensure adaptation and mitigation to it. Islands\' characteristics make renewable electrification a challenge. Most islands are isolated systems with low levels of inertia that require stability for ensuring security of supply. Therefore, the potential of smart grids and flexible resources must be fully exploited to ensure a viable integration of renewable energy sources. In this vein, it is necessary to evolve the system including demand response, batteries and electric transport to increase the share of renewables. However, all these elements require a reliable communication architecture to be deployed. A communication architecture is hereby presented and applied to Galapagos for exploiting flexible resources. Different protocols have been selected to interoperate flexible resources integrated on the system. Each of them tries for each application to standardise and ensure the largest functionalities available. The deployment of smart grids in islands can reduce their carbon footprint as it is validated with a case study in Santa Cruz, Galapagos. This system proves to ensure the energy balance in a viable way, in technical, economic and environmental terms.
Part of the book: Advanced Communication and Control Methods for Future Smartgrids
Demand Response Applications for the Operation of Smart Natural Gas Systems
This chapter discusses different aspects related to the operation of natural gas systems in the framework of the new configuration of energy systems based on the smart grid concept. First of all, different experiences performed worldwide regarding the application of demand response principles to increase the efficiency and operability of natural gas networks are presented. Next, the characteristics of the natural gas system to be configured according to the smart grid architecture are discussed, including the necessary agents for the proper functioning of such infrastructure. After that, the current state of installation of gas smart meters in some European countries is presented, according to the massive rollout process promoted by the European Union. Barriers that prevent the full exploitation of demand response resources related to natural gas systems are presented in the next section. After that, technical constraints which may be solved by using demand response are presented. Finally, last tendencies related to the development of natural gas systems, such as the injection of hydrogen, are considered.
Part of the book: Natural Gas