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Regulatory Frameworks Addressed to Promote Renewable Energy Sources and Microgrids. Regulatory Constraints and Implications on Conception, Design and Energy Management of Microgrids

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A1: Smart Grids and Microgrids".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 16204

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. José Matas

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Guest Editor

Department of Electric Engineering, Technical University of Catalonia, 08800 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: power quality; microgrids; active filters; sliding mode control; feedback linearization; DC–DC converters; inverters
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Jordi de la Hoz

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Guest Editor

Department of Electric Engineering, Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), 08800 Barcelona, Spain
Interests: the impact that the regulatory frameworks; development, design, and management of renewable energy systems; microgrids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Helena Martin

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Guest Editor

Electric Engineering Department, Barcelona East School of Engineering (EEBE), Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), Barcelona, Spain
Interests: optimal design and management of energy systems; energy policy; energy economics; power quality; microgrids
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microgrids are called to be handy tools for the deployment of renewable energy systems, especially on buildings and industry.

Today, most of the distributed energy sources that conform to microgrids are renewable energy sources. In this regard, the influence of the regulatory frameworks of the electricity system of each country, especially those addressed to promote renewable energy sources, has a considerable impact on the conception, design, and energy management of these assets.

Some countries are currently working to guarantee that their consumers may have the right to produce, store, consume, and resell their self-generated electricity to the grid. This fact has forced the introduction of substantial changes in their electricity sector laws. In this regard, electricity storage has been allowed, and new promotion schemes have been enacted to cope with the prosumer reality.

The Special Issue invites original research papers to address the analysis of the impacts that those new regulatory schemes might have on the conception, design, and energy management of microgrids. Further, the authors are encouraged to submit papers addressing the state-of-the-art and the description of their countries’ regulatory schemes (self-consumption, net-metering, and net-sharing schemes or similar). These papers have to provide useful guidelines for understanding what the regulatory restrictions might be and how these regulatory restrictions should be embedded in the design and the energy management of the microgrid. Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Self-consumption regulatory frameworks and microgrids;
Net-metering regulatory frameworks and microgrids;
Net-sharing regulatory frameworks and microgrids;
Regulatory framework impact on microgrids;
Microgrids and energy management optimization embedding regulatory framework constraints;
Microgrids and sizing optimization embedding regulatory framework constraints;
Microgrids, energy economics, and regulatory frameworks.

Prof. José Matas
Prof. Jordi de la Hoz
Prof. Helena Martin
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Energies is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

microgrids
regulatory framework
self-consumption
net-metering
net-sharing
energy management
sizing

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 208 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Editorial on the Special Issue Entitled “Regulatory Frameworks Addressed to Promote Renewable Energy Sources and Microgrids. Regulatory Constraints and Implications on Conception, Design and Energy Management of Microgrids”

by Jordi de la Hoz, Helena Martín and José Matas

Energies 2023, 16(13), 5059; https://doi.org/10.3390/en16135059 - 29 Jun 2023

Viewed by 587

Abstract

As renewable energy sources and microgrids have developed, the need to use a transversal approach for dealing with issues on the design and energy management of these assets is clear. Although renewable energy sources and microgrids are used within the electricity sector in a significant number of countries, the technical and scientific literature often dismisses the effects that in-force regulatory frameworks have on this type of assets. This Special Issue aims to enlighten readers on the relationship between the electricity sector’s regulatory frameworks and microgrids, providing clear evidence on the need to consider regulatory constraints in their design and energy management. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Regulatory Frameworks Addressed to Promote Renewable Energy Sources and Microgrids. Regulatory Constraints and Implications on Conception, Design and Energy Management of Microgrids)

Research

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22 pages, 1782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analysis of the Net Metering Schemes for PV Self-Consumption in Denmark

by Helena Martín, Jordi de la Hoz, Arnau Aliana, Sergio Coronas and José Matas

Energies 2021, 14(7), 1990; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14071990 - 03 Apr 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3075

Abstract

The current Danish regulatory framework BEK 999/2016 for hourly net settled new PV facilities is analysed in detail, evaluating the technical and economic differences between the several envisioned schemes. In addition to the saved cost of the self-consumed energy, the transmission system operator (TSO) tariffs and the public service obligation (PSO) tax are avoided for the self-consumed energy. Advantages regarding the electricity tax and VAT can also be obtained but according to a more varied casuistry, with a particular incentivizing effect for the residential customers. The installation-connected type group 2 is found the cheaper scheme and the billing concepts responsible for its minor cost are identified. This analysis is expected to contribute to discerning the different economic outcomes of the various schemes, helping to take informed investment decisions. Transcending the local value, some common characteristics of this complex framework that can also be found in other regulations may ease the comprehension of the leverage points and the policy instruments for modulating the economic results of the facilities and in this way also their path of deployment. Full article

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19 pages, 1545 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prosumers’ Behavior under a Regulation That Encourages Strict Self-Sufficiency. The Case of Spanish Photovoltaic Micro-Generation

by Pere Mir-Artigues and Pablo del Río

Energies 2021, 14(4), 1114; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14041114 - 20 Feb 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1633

Abstract

The reduction of equipment costs encourages the diffusion of photovoltaic micro-generation, however, proper regulatory measures should be implemented to facilitate self-production dissemination and to promote the emergence of new electricity markets which integrate prosumers. The specific form of these markets will depend on the level of prosumers’ self-sufficiency and the type of grid to which they will be connected. Unfortunately, Spain has been an example of resistance to micro-generation deployment. However, some things have started to change recently, albeit only to a certain extent. This article explains the key elements of the latest regulation of photovoltaic micro-generation in Spain and, through a stylized model, describes the economic behavior of prosumers in such a regulatory framework. It is concluded that this regulation only encourages prosumer plants which are strictly focused on self-sufficiency because it discourages exports and limits capacities and this regulation discourages the smart renewal of the distribution grid because it prevents prosumers from participating in the electricity market. It is recommended that the aforementioned regulatory limits be removed and pilot experiences for the market participation of prosumers be promoted by creating the appropriate technical and regulatory conditions, for example, at the municipal level. Full article

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27 pages, 6700 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Individual vs. Community: Economic Assessment of Energy Management Systems under Different Regulatory Frameworks

by Àlex Alonso, Jordi de la Hoz, Helena Martín, Sergio Coronas and José Matas

Energies 2021, 14(3), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/en14030676 - 28 Jan 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2402

Abstract

In the context of the increasing popularity of self-sufficient communities around the globe, this study aims to compare the economic performance of energy management in two distinct situations: whether it is conducted individually or collectively within a community. After setting the context and completing a literature review, a research gap concerning the influence of regulatory frameworks in the economic results is identified. Therefore, this work presents this comparison under several frameworks employed to promote renewable energy, in order to provide a more realistic point of view and deliver insights in policy making. To this end, a mixed integer linear program (MILP) is developed, and the formulation of three key regulatory schemes is embedded into it: feed-in tariff, net metering, and self-consumption schemes. A what-if analysis is performed in order to take into account different combinations of rewarding parameters for each regulatory framework, as well as different profiles of consumption for the individual case. Results show that energy management within a community improves the overall average benefit of the customers up to 0.44 €/day·dwelling, for all of the studied frameworks except feed-in-tariff and some instances of type-B self-consumption, which can reduce it up to −0.87 €/day·dwelling. The conclusions determine fundamental differences between regulatory schemes and their suitability to promote collective or individual facilities, and emphasize the need to design a set of policies that take into account the habits of consumption of the individuals to foster effectively energy communities. Full article

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26 pages, 4480 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Comprehensive Model for the Design of a Microgrid under Regulatory Constraints Using Synthetical Data Generation and Stochastic Optimization

by Àlex Alonso, Jordi de la Hoz, Helena Martín, Sergio Coronas, Pep Salas and José Matas

Energies 2020, 13(21), 5590; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13215590 - 26 Oct 2020

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2187

Abstract

As renewable energy installation costs decrease and environmentally-friendly policies are progressively applied in many countries, distributed generation has emerged as the new archetype of energy generation and distribution. The design and economic feasibility of distributed generation systems is constrained by the operation of the microgrid, which has to consider the uncertainty of renewable energy sources, consumption habits and electricity market prices. In this paper, a mathematical model intended to optimize the design and economic feasibility of a microgrid is proposed. After a search in the state-of-the-art, weaknesses and strengths of existing models have been identified and taken into account for building the present model. The present model should be seen as a basis on which other models can be built upon, hence a complete definition of the different sub-models is stated: uncertainty modelling, optimization technique, physical constraints and regulatory framework. One of the main features presented is the generation of synthetic data in uncertainty modelling, employed to enhance the reliability of the model by taking into account a longer time horizon and a shorter time step. Results show significant details about energy management and prove the suitability of using a stochastic approach rather than deterministic or intuitive ones to perform the optimization. Full article

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19 pages, 4995 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Modeling of Multiple Microgrid Clusters Using Regional Demand Response Programs

by Ziba Rostami, Sajad Najafi Ravadanegh, Navid Taghizadegan Kalantari, Josep M. Guerrero and Juan C. Vasquez

Energies 2020, 13(16), 4050; https://doi.org/10.3390/en13164050 - 05 Aug 2020

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2941

Abstract

Preserving the frequency stability of multiple microgrid clusters is a serious challenge. This work presents a dynamic model of multiple microgrid clusters with different types of distributed energy resources (DERs) and energy storage systems (ESSs) that was used to examine the load frequency control (LFC) of microgrids. The classical proportional integral derivative (PID) controllers were designed to tune the frequency of microgrids. Furthermore, an imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) was proposed to investigate the frequency deviations of microgrids by considering renewable energy resources (RERs) and their load uncertainties. The simulation results confirmed the performance of the optimized PID controllers under different disturbances. Furthermore, the frequency control of the microgrids was evaluated by applying regional demand response programs (RDRPs). The simulation results showed that applying the RDRPs caused the damping of frequency fluctuations. Full article

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Review

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19 pages, 913 KiB

Open AccessReview

Reviewing and Exploring the Qualitative Impacts That Different Market and Regulatory Measures Can Have on Encouraging Energy Communities Based on Their Organizational Structure

by Josh Eichman, Marc Torrecillas Castelló and Cristina Corchero

Energies 2022, 15(6), 2016; https://doi.org/10.3390/en15062016 - 10 Mar 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2335

Abstract

The emergence of energy communities represents a promising option to democratize the energy system by empowering consumers to take a more active role. This can aid in achieving energy and environmental goals as well as encouraging more equitable distribution of costs and revenues between all parties on the energy system. Despite this potential, energy communities are still a nascent solution, the success of which is heavily influenced by regulations. As a result, there are a wide variety of organizational structures for energy communities at this time. This paper provides a review of the policy landscape in Spain as it relates to energy communities. This work also presents a formalized method for characterizing different energy community structures and provides a qualitative assessment of the impacts of different measures to encourage energy communities with respect to their organizational structure. Findings suggest that many market-focused measures, including wholesale, local flexibility, capacity, and multisector market measures favor larger, more integrated communities, while regulatory, legal, and organizational measures, including peer-to-peer trading, aggregation, and self-consumption favor smaller, more distributed communities. Additionally, when developing policies to encourage the growth of energy communities, policymakers should be cognizant of the progression of policies in the context of the desired outcomes for energy community growth specific to the region or country and its goals. Full article

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Regulatory Frameworks Addressed to Promote Renewable Energy Sources and Microgrids. Regulatory Constraints and Implications on Conception, Design and Energy Management of Microgrids

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