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Abstract: Purpose of Review This study investigates which factors influence positively (benefits) and negatively (barriers) the acceptance of smart meters by household consumers, thus incrementing the chance of successful smart meter deployments. The goal is to help the smart meter implementation programs’ sponsors understand the consumers’ views and facilitate the devices’ acceptance. Recent Findings A total of 172 articles were surveyed, of which 42 were applied studies. The results suggest 26 factors that influence acceptance. The most important benefits are “better management of energy use through feedback,” “eco-concern,” and “expectation of financial gain.” In contrast, the most relevant barriers are “threatened security,” “unfamiliarity,” and “associated costs.” Acceptance surveys are still highly concentrated in Europe, the USA, and Australia. Summary Further research can use these documented driving factors to perform surveys and elaborate policies highlighting good factors and softening bad ones for smart meters’ deployment. The results concern especially emerging countries leading the expansion of renewable sources. They must also consider investigating smart meters’ local acceptance to achieve their implementation goals. PubDate: 2023-02-18
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Abstract: Purpose of Review Balancing a large share of solar and wind power generation in the power system will require a well synchronized coordination of all possible flexibility sources. This entails developing market designs that incentivize flexibility providers, and define new flexibility products. To this end, the paper reviews latest trends in the characterization of flexibility by understanding its dimensions in terms of time, spatiality, resource type, and associated risks. Also, as aggregators have emerged as important actors to deliver, and to reward end-user flexibility, the paper reviews latest trends in the topic. Recent Findings The review reports latest trends and discussions on power system flexibility and their relations to market design. The current academic literature indicates that there are open question and limited research on how to reward short-term flexibility while considering its long-term economic viability. Demand-side flexibility through aggregation holds great potential to integrate renewables. Summary Research in power system flexibility has to put effort on analysing new time-structures of electricity markets and define new marketplaces that consider the integration of new flexibility products, actors (e.g. aggregators, end-users), and mechanisms (e.g. TSO-DSO coordination). PubDate: 2023-02-02
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Abstract: Purpose of Review Even with increasing electricity access rates, electricity consumption remains low in Sub-Saharan Africa. To remedy this, policies and strategies to stimulate electricity demand are increasingly critical to ensure socio-economic development in the region. This review summarizes approaches to stimulating electricity demand in different sectors of the economy and highlights key policy considerations to make the electricity sector commercially viable and sustainable in Sub-Saharan Africa. Recent Findings Recent demand stimulation strategies include facilitating the growth of existing electricity consumption among residential and commercial customers through appliance financing, and tariff subsidy programs, replacing existing non-electric productive energy uses such as irrigation and agro-processing in the agricultural sector, promoting the adoption of electric vehicles and electric cooking technologies, and establishing new electricity-based enterprises in different sectors of the economy. Summary While current demand stimulation strategies have promising socio-economic benefits, their commercial viability and sustainability hinge on key policy considerations that address fundamental gaps, calling for further research in this area. PubDate: 2023-01-30
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Abstract: Abstract In most remote regions, traditional sources are neither available nor economical. Thus, a solution is only feasible if renewable sources available locally are exploited and used in such areas for the production of electricity. Luckily, India has great potential from these sources, most of which are still untapped. In terms of independent operation of these power units, it is not successful. By integrating two or more of these systems to form a hybrid energy system, a feasible solution can be achieved. In most remote areas, hybrid energy systems can provide electricity at a comparatively low cost. The present paper provides review of various research work done for finding solution for rural electrification using hybrid energy systems. A review is done on the basis of cost analysis, unit sizing optimal designing, control and optimization, and pollution reduction. Feasibility of a system with different combinations of renewable sources has also been presented. PubDate: 2022-11-23 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-022-00206-x
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Abstract: Purpose of Review This review focused on the role and potential of the electric vehicle fleet in decarbonization in Africa. The potential of electric vehicle diffusion across the continent was discussed, including the role of standard infrastructure, electricity accessibility, barriers, and opportunities. Recent Findings There are 10 million electric vehicles (EVs) in use in the world in 2020 representing close to 1% of the total global fleet of vehicles. More than 350 EV models exist today, but popularity is still low because there is a lack of homogeneity in charging standards across the world. Summary Hybrid vehicles are the most common EV in Africa. But only six countries in Sub-Saharan Africa have the potential for wide-scale electric vehicle deployment. Renewable energy is the most viable alternative to broaden electricity access and EV deployment across Africa. Lack of incentives, charging infrastructure, skilled labor force, and high import taxes are the major barriers to EV transition in Africa. PubDate: 2022-11-16 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-022-00204-z
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Abstract: Purpose of Review This review addresses the question of energy security. With the transition of energy generation fleet to cleaner, more sustainable electricity production, energy security is a topic of increasing importance. Recent Findings Recent events in Texas brought the concept of energy security to the fore. In this review, we examine the makeup of electricity generation and the causes of the February 2021 blackout of Texas. We will investigate the cost/benefit of winterization in Texas and ask why this was not undertaken subsequent to a similar event in 2011. Summary We investigate the case of Texas blackout of February 2021 and estimate the cost of prevention of this undesirable outcome. We suggest that market mechanisms need to be in place to incentivize electricity producers to ensure energy security going forward. PubDate: 2022-09-19 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-022-00203-0
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Abstract: Purpose of Review To investigate the interaction between restructured electricity market designs, in particular Australia’s National Electricity Market (NEM), and variable renewable generators. In particular, to examine how the expansion of near-zero marginal cost, variable renewable generators may impact participant incentives and market power. Recent Findings The technology transition may significantly impact bidding behaviour in electricity markets such as the NEM. Summary This paper identifies and explores key challenges including the impact of renewables on electricity market power, incentive structures for variable renewables, potential for exercise of market power in the Australia’s electricity market as well as contracting and bidding strategies for variable renewables. PubDate: 2022-08-26 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00199-z
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Abstract: Purpose of Review Climate change has become a defining issue on a global scale. With declining costs, renewables have expanded rapidly to become the preferred clean energy resources for electricity generation. With salient features of zero marginal cost and supply uncertainty, renewables present unique challenges to the electricity market design and price formation for long-run efficiency. The purpose of this paper is to review the impact of metering technology on demand-side management and price formation. We compared three cases, integrated resource planning, ex ante linear pricing, and priority service pricing, with different levels of metering technology. The cases are clarified with numerical examples, and the results are compared in terms of capacity level, capacity cost, service reliability, and social welfare. Recent Findings Traditionally, the electric utility industry has relied on integrated resource planning and central system operations to meet the growing demand and maintain a standard level of service reliability. During the past two decades, the liberalization of electricity markets has transformed the traditional industry practice with the introduction of market-based locational marginal pricing for improved economic efficiency. As evidenced by recent research, a growing consensus has emerged that the future transition to renewables with zero marginal cost and supply uncertainty would present fundamental challenges to the current market designs. Summary In this paper, we examine demand-side management with priority service addressing price formation and financial viability of merchant investments from a risk perspective to guide practical pricing and investment policy decisions in the presence of supply uncertainty. To illuminate the issue, we study a few highly simplified cases for a clean power economy in the environment of a large remote island running solely on renewable energy sources, e.g., solar and winds. To meet the local electricity needs, we address several key issues including: How would the system operator keep the lights on when demand fluctuates continuously over days, weeks, and seasons, but supply is unpredictable and difficult to control' How should the price of electricity be set when the short-run marginal cost is zero' How would the market attract investments to meet the growing demand in the long term' What would be the impacts on the service reliability' To address practical implementation issues, we discuss a stochastic auction-based market platform that enables innovative demand-side management harnessing flexibility via an end-to-end business model, in ways that flexible demand devices (e.g., hot water heaters, air conditioners, energy storage) on the customer end are aggregated into a “virtual power plant” submitted by an aggregator through a supply function offer into the wholesale market as demand reserve. PubDate: 2022-07-28 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-022-00202-1
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Abstract: Purpose of Review Increased charging needs from widespread adoption of battery electric vehicles (EVs) will impact electricity demand. This will likely require a combination of potentially costly distribution infrastructure upgrades and synergistic grid-transportation solutions such as managed charging and strategic charger placement. Fully implementing such strategic planning and control methods—including business models and mechanisms to engage and compensate consumers—can minimize or even eliminate required grid upgrades. Moreover, there are also opportunities for EV charging to support the grid by helping solve existing and emerging distribution system challenges associated with increasing distributed energy resources (DERs) such as solar generation and battery energy storage. This paper reviews the potential impacts of EV charging on electricity distribution systems and describes methods from the literature to efficiently integrate EVs into distribution systems. Recent Findings Recent work has begun to extend beyond earlier efforts with limited adoption, simple controls, and mostly plug-in hybrid EVs and short-range EVs to look at high adoption rates of long-range EVs, larger distribution test systems, and more advanced EV charge control methods. In addition, increased interest and viability of higher power charging have prompted several studies showing how adverse impact from EV charging on electricity distribution systems can be exacerbated by high-power charging levels and concentrated EV adoption in certain areas. There has also been considerable recent effort to look at bulk transmission-level impacts of widespread EV adoption, which often includes a brief mention of distribution concerns, while also highlighting EV-distribution interactions as a key need for future work. Summary The additional loads from widespread EVs could require costly upgrades to maintain distribution system reliability; however, careful planning and advanced operations strategies can reduce or eliminate such upgrade needs. Moreover, EV charging infrastructure can also support grid stability and improve distribution systems especially when paired with distributed solar, storage, or when equipped with smart charge management and grid-interactive support. Previous studies have found that impacts of unmanaged charging include limited load hosting capacity, transformer and line overloads, and voltage and power quality degradation. Past studies have also explored a wide range of opportunities to mitigate these impacts, including traditional upgrades, enhanced controls, and market design. However, the smaller-scale of most past studies limits their ability to capture impacts and opportunities introduced by managed EV charging, regional-scale movement of EVs, and more widespread EV deployment. With accelerated EV adoption driven by sustained technology progress, policy support, and rapid charging infrastructure deployment, it will become increasingly important to capture entire regions, rather than a single or a few feeders; to advance theoretical control developments to be simulated against more realistic and diverse distribution systems and to advance to widescale field deployments; and to develop more holistic approaches which incorporate EV charging alongside a variety of distributed energy resources. This will require enhanced collaboration across multiple disciplines to develop cost-effective and reliable solutions for the combined mobility and electricity systems of the future. PubDate: 2022-06-01 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-022-00201-2
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Abstract: Purpose of Review Competitive electricity systems arose in the context of thermal generation with dispatchable production and increasing variable costs. This paper addresses key impacts on efficient market design with increasing reliance on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind that are intermittent and have very low marginal costs. Recent Findings The basics of efficient electricity markets design have been adopted by all the organized electricity markets in the USA. This is the only competitive electricity market design that supports the principles of open access and non-discrimination. Summary An expansion of intermittent zero-marginal cost generation does not change the fundamentals of efficient electricity market design. Rather, it increases the importance of implementing the design and associated reforms that have been identified from market experience. These include improved scarcity pricing, demand participation, and carbon pricing. PubDate: 2022-02-24 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00200-9
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Abstract: Purpose of Review A transactive energy (TE) future promises to allow a large number of prosumers to be profit-seeking market participants. One way to realize this future is through the local energy market (LEM), a consumer-centric market platform. We aim to compare possible structures and mechanisms of LEM and systematically investigate the technical challenges faced by LEM implementation. Recent Findings We carry out a detailed classification of LEM based on the market participants, physical layer, information and communication layer, and the market mechanism. We identify that research works on LEM are most interested in market participants’ strategic behaviors and innovative market design. Optimization, game theory, and agent-based simulation are the common methods to assist the analysis of LEM. Summary Our classification of LEM can clear some confusion from terminology; we identify that LEM’s coordination with existing energy infrastructure remains as future research directions and call for greater synergy from industry and governments to pave the way for the TE future. PubDate: 2022-01-06 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00198-0
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Abstract: Purpose of Review Hydroelectric generation is a potential flexible electricity source that can ease the transition to a decarbonized energy economy. As such, using scarce hydroelectric generating resources efficiently is important. We examine approaches to represent the operating characteristics of hydroelectric resources. Recent Findings Many hydroelectric-plant owners use water tables or generic unit characteristics for operational planning. Such practice may be inefficient, as it does not account for unit-specific operating-characteristic changes or time-related impacts, e.g., plant degradation. We demonstrate a data-driven approach to modeling plant operations that is unit-specific and depends solely on observable and controllable variables. Summary Numerical results using historical data for four hydroelectric units illustrate the proposed methodology. PubDate: 2021-10-14 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00197-1
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Abstract: Purpose of Review This paper reviews recent literature on the combined use of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage (BECCS) in the industries of steel, cement, paper, ethanol, and chemicals, focusing on estimates of potential costs and the possibility of achieving “negative emissions”. Recent Findings Bioethanol is seen as a potential near-term source of negative emissions, with CO2 transport as the main cost limitation. The paper industry is a current source of biogenic CO2, but complex CO2 capture configurations raise costs and limit BECCS potential. Remuneration for stored biogenic CO2 is needed to incentivise BECCS in these sectors. BECCS could also be used for carbon–neutral production of steel, cement, and chemicals, but these will likely require substantial incentives to become cost-competitive. While negative emissions may be possible from all industries considered, the overall CO2 balance is highly sensitive to biomass supply chains. Furthermore, the resource intensity of biomass cultivation and energy production for CO2 capture risks burden-shifting to other environmental impacts. Summary Research on BECCS-in-industry is limited but growing, and estimates of costs and environmental impacts vary widely. While negative emissions are possible, transparent presentation of assumptions, system boundaries, and results is needed to increase comparability. In particular, the mixing of avoided emissions and physical storage of atmospheric CO2 creates confusion of whether physical negative emissions occur. More attention is needed to the geographic context of BECCS-in-industry outside of Europe, the USA, and Brazil, taking into account local biomass supply chains and CO2 storage siting, and minimise burden-shifting. PubDate: 2021-10-02 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00195-3
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Abstract: Purpose of Review This report presents an overview of the state of the art of available technologies regarding the process of biomass gasification. Recent Findings The field of biomass conversion is relatively new, when compared with other sources of renewable energy, which has seen rapid technological advancements in recent years. The rate at which new conversion methods are developed enhances the significance of keeping up with all the new developments. Advancements in biofuel conversion technologies are rapid which increases the importance of keeping track of the new technologies and potential upgrades of existing ones. Summary This paper will focus on the methods of biomass gasification which are currently being employed and the processes related to them. PubDate: 2021-09-28 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00196-2
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Abstract: Purpose of Review This review paper attempts to give a general overview on the BESS applications that demonstrate a high potential in the past few years, identifying most relevant operators — or providers — with the corresponding placement for such. Together with a description of value proposition schemes, observed trends, and research fields, a collection of relevant project references is gathered. Recent Findings Many publications and communications try to describe the services that battery energy storage systems can provide to each of the stakeholders, even though they might greatly differ based on national regulatory frameworks. The actual most relevant 6 applications in the view of the authors are described in more detail. Summary In this paper, there has been pointed special attention on the BESS opportunities for each operator and their corresponding potential on revenue stacking. Additionally, the most important identified scientific papers for the 6 most important applications in the view of the authors are presented. PubDate: 2021-09-17 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00188-2
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Abstract: Purpose of Review This paper provides a SWOT analysis of the Interdependent and Complex Electric Power and Transportation Systems (INTERCEPTS). The SWOT analysis is conducted to highlight the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for the safe, secure, and successful implementation and operations of the INTERCEPTS. Recent Findings The INTERCEPTS stakeholders need to take advantage of the existing strengths such as the state-of-the-art technology for energy storage and V2G and public awareness on climate change to take advantage of the opportunities such as modern business models for market participants and plan accordingly to eliminate the weaknesses and threats for safe and secure operations of the INTERCEPTS. Summary EVs have shown great potential to reduce the green gas emission and fossil fuel usage. The bidirectional flow of energy provided by the Vehicle to Grid (V2G) technology strengthens the renewable energy sources adaption and creates numerous benefits such as grid stability, peak load management, and cost-saving for the stakeholders and market participants. However, the integration of large-scale EVs to the power grid increases the load substantially and may make the power grid exposes to some threats such as overloaded lines or even cyberattacks. The SWOT analysis provides insights for the decision makers of the INTERCEPTS and market participants and puts more emphasis on thoughtful planning and preparedness before full integration of the electric power and transportation systems. PubDate: 2021-09-08 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00193-5
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Abstract: Purpose of the Review The scope of this work is to present a critical review of the novel class of plants for the enhanced production of bioproducts in power and biomass-to-X (PBtX) plants, where the excess carbon in the feedstock is converted into a product thanks to the addition of hydrogen from water electrolysis, rather than being vented as CO2. Recent Findings The review of the recent literature shows that (i) a significant gain in carbon efficiency can be achieved with this class of plants compared to corresponding biomass-to-X plants; (ii) there is high dependency of the power-to-X efficiency on the efficiency of the electrolysis system and a relatively low dependency on the final product; and (iii) the economic competitivity of PBtX plants is closely associated to the cost of hydrogen (i.e., electrolysis capital cost, electricity cost, and capacity factor) and such systems cannot rely only on green hydrogen from the low expected amounts of excess electricity from intermittent renewables. Summary In this work, through a simplified economic analysis, the region of competitiveness of this class of plants compared to other possible uses of biomass has been qualitatively identified. The research gaps mainly lie in the lack of assessments on the design and operating criteria of flexible PBtX plants and of studies providing insights on the value of flexibility for a PBtX plant, when integrated in the electric energy systems of the future. PubDate: 2021-09-07 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00191-7
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Abstract: Purpose of Review Coal-fired generation is being retired in many regions. Some argue that these retirements are exacerbated by renewable–generation policy supports. Based on these claims, there are suggestions that renewable supports be phased-out or that coal-fired generators receive their own supports. Given the inherent policy implications, we examine the impacts of renewable–energy supports and other market changes (e.g., low natural–gas prices and carbon policy) on generator profitability. Recent Findings Renewable–energy policy supports can affect negatively the economics of coal-fired generators. However, empirical analyses in the literature find that the main contributor to declining coal-fired generation is low natural-gas prices. To investigate these findings further, we analyze a case study that is based on Japan’s wholesale electricity market. Through this case study, we examine the relative impacts of renewable–energy and other policy and market changes on the economics of coal-fired generation. Summary Renewable–energy policy can impact the financial viability of coal-fired generators. However, natural-gas-price decreases have a much greater impact on the profitability of coal-fired generators than renewables do at current penetration levels. PubDate: 2021-09-03 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00189-1
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Abstract: Purpose of Review This paper focuses on the advances in the resilience of electricity systems and energy markets. The objective is to identify how the progress on system resilience may influence market rules while uncovering the gaps in the literature. Recent Findings This review distills three findings. First, significant advances have been achieved both in the design and configuration of power systems for resilience. Second, topological and architectural advances appear isolated from market operations. Third, there is room to integrate self-healing resilience into power systems and bridge the bifurcation between increasing network resilience and having the market adequately value resilience. Summary Evidently, the incidences of disruptions to electricity networks are on the rise, making a change from having a merely reliable electricity network to one that is resilient and adaptive a necessity. This review showcases the qualitative value inherent in processes to enhance adaptive resilience while promoting the requisite signals for power market integration. PubDate: 2021-08-31 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00194-4
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Abstract: Purpose of review This review paper assesses recent scientific findings around the integration of variable renewable electricity (VRE) sources, mostly solar PV and wind power, on power grids across Africa, in the context of expanding electricity access while ensuring low costs and reducing fossil fuel emissions. Recent findings In this context, significant research attention has been given to increased cross-border transmission infrastructure between African countries to harness the spatiotemporal complementarities between renewable electricity resources, as well as to storage options, such as battery storage and power-to-gas. Summary Much of the recent, model-based literature suggests that a combination of increased interconnections in and between Africa’s power pools, leveraging spatiotemporal complementarities between solar PV, wind and hydropower, as well as a large-scale deployment of storage options could help African countries meet their burgeoning power demand with largely decarbonized electricity supply. PubDate: 2021-08-31 DOI: 10.1007/s40518-021-00192-6
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