Concluding remarks - Modelling Distributed Energy Resources in Energy Service Networks - page 165

respect to the electrical network in an urban environment. Therefore, this work
achieves its objective of addressing the interdependent analysis of infrastructures
by portraying the operational concerns utilities will focus on when applying
smart-grid schemes.

Application of energy flow algorithms in process systems software : The current
power system modelling tools are unable to handle the complexities of intercon-
nected networks with distributed resources. This research has presented a fresh
modelling approach that enables to assess an integrated multi-period energy sys-
tem optimal load flow problem. A key contribution to simulate these models
consists of transferring network flow analysis concepts into process modelling
environments. Moreover, the gPROMS TM software has played an integral part
in successfully modelling the time-dependent optimal operation of urban energy
infrastructures with dispersed generation technologies.

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Identifying and quantifying optimal PHEV charging patterns : Although the
majority of PHEV charging occurs during the night and early morning, the pat-
terns can be drastically different according to the operating strategy applied.
Based on the priority of the stakeholders, this valuable output data, indicating
the power injections occurring at each node for each time interval, gives utilities
the opportunity to research and adopt the optimal charging patterns most bene-
ficial to local networks. Furthermore, the level of granularity of the results is a
step forward for power system modellers.

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Assessment of the influence DER technologies might have on operating net-
work parameters : The case studies presented have shown the improvement in
energy delivery new distributed technologies, such as micro-CHPs and PHEVs,
can bring to future power systems. Once aggregated, this flexible combination
in small-scale energy provision represents a powerful synergy that, if coordinated,
produces many attractive effects such as reduction of overall costs and losses. As
the interdependency between energy portfolios increases, traditionally separate
industries should seek strategic alliances in order to enhance techno-economical
efficiency. In addition, if properly operated, large-scale deployment of DERs will
have limited, if any, negative impacts in terms of network performance.

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Development of indicators for investment decisions : Locational marginal prices
describe in monetary terms the cost of delivering power for different nodes in
the network. As a result, they provide useful economic signals that indicate how
DER allocation and their dispatch can improve the infrastructure performance.
Therefore, this type of data allows stakeholders to identify where DER penetra-
tion can be more advantageous. Much work is to be done in this area as it opens
power system economic principles to distribution network operators.

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Optimal operation of energy systems based on day-ahead spot market prices :
The most promising energy flow patterns have been obtained under the scenario
of dispatching DER technologies according to day-ahead energy prices. In con-
trast to current status quo operating strategies, the optimal solution indicates
economic efficiencies are potentially being lost. Therefore, as DER penetration
increases it will create the opportunity to have a larger influence in the networks,
better employing low-cost generators, curtailing marginal costs and consequently

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