Microgeneration Outlook - Design for Micro-Combined Cooling, Heating and Power Systems - page 3

energy market and the security of energy supply, promoting energy ef ciency,

energy savings, renewable energy sources (RES) and the interconnection of energy
networks. On the other hand, the MS have a relative independence in determining
the way in which their energy resources are explored and the free choice of energy
sources.

1.3 Traditional Grids Versus Smart Grids

Technically, the mature European energy system that has provided the vital links

between electricity producers and consumers with great success for many decades

“

”
[ 5 ] is in fact adapting to the current realities (economical, environmental, social,
technological, etc.). The European Union has started a transition from the tradi-
tional, centralised way of producing energy (Centralised Energy Production

CEP)
from fossil fuels and nuclear-based power systems to a modern, decentralised way
of producing energy (Decentralised Energy Production

—

DEP) from small-scale
generation from RES, using low-carbon solutions such as the microgeneration
systems. This, in turn, implies a shift in energy consumer

—

'

s activity, from the
traditional passive consumers to modern active consumers which become them-
selves producers [ 6 ]. To have a visual image of the above-mentioned, the traditional
electricity grid in a simple depiction goes from production of electricity in power
plants, transmission of electricity through high-voltage lines and distribution to
consumers through low-voltage lines as presented in the following Fig. 1 .
On the other hand, the new grids, commonly known as Smart Grids, are

“ elec-

tricity networks that can intelligently integrate the behaviour and actions of all users
connected to it

intelligent energy supply systems ” [ 8 ] that in Europe are being de ned as “

— generators, consumers and those that do both — in order to effi- -

ciently deliver sustainable, economic and secure electricity supplies [ 9 ]. This

entails that Smart Grid covers the entire electricity chain from production to con-
sumption, with bidirectional

''

flows of both energy (import and export of energy,
easy grid access) and information (real time interactions with electricity market), as
shown in the next Fig. 2 .

(Footnote 3 continued)
(a) ensure the functioning of the energy market;
(b) ensure security of energy supply in the Union;
(c) promote energy efficiency and energy saving and the development of new and
renewable forms of energy; and
(d) promote the interconnection of energy networks ” .