Integrated modelling review - Modelling Distributed Energy Resources in Energy Service Networks - page 14

on the subject. However, due to recent technical progress and implementation of
DERs in non-industrial settings, this field is once again a focal point for researchers.
Henceforth, the scientific community has begun re-addressing DERs by using dif-
ferent approaches and perspectives. Although the decentralisation of electric power
generation surrounds many research fields, at present efforts mainly focus on mod-
elling and addressing DERs on planning and operational issues [42,43]. For power
system engineers that focus on management of DERs these concerns were classified
in Reference 23 into:

Distributed generation and storage : Consist of devices that vary in their tech-
nology allowing either local energy production or storage [21,44-48].

●

Demand response : Focuses on energy business models through the control of
load or generation participation during times of system need [49-52].

●

Since the early 1990s developing countries have promoted multiple restructur-
ing and policy incentives that increase deregulation of their different energy sectors
[53]. This approach, which is keen on free competition, has been materialised as
a mean to achieve a greater economic performance than in the past centralised
and usually monopolistic environment [54]. Currently, efficient network develop-
ment has found some setbacks with private owners of infrastructure when it comes
to dealing with embedded generation installation. This is because distribution net-
work operators (DNOs) are concerned with the uncertainty that the timing, use and
location of many small-scale generators will bring to their operations [55]. Due to
this uncertainty, grid operators have the priority of stressing a competitive operation
and location of assets which require real-time tools that maintain techno-economical
efficiency thus giving utilities a good rate of return on their investments [56]. Like-
wise, utilities require information on operation of new DERs connected to their
assets in order to guarantee good network performance where high reliability is top
priority [57].
Regardless of different energy contexts, the propagation of DER applications will
most likely continue to grow and not be discarded as a generation alternative, partic-
ularly since energy costs are continually rising [58]. Therefore, DNOs need to make
the most out of this circumstance. This makes researchers question: 'How can the
application of new technologies help drive a better use of the distribution grid? [59].'
Some of the contributions DER technologies can provide to important utility
issues can be summarised as follows:

DER is an attractive option for promoting energy efficiency which could be
applied from either a technical or an economical perspective [59];

●

Local energy sources encourage participants to take advantage of price elasticity
based on electrical demand and network conditions [49,60,61];

●

DER technologies can enhance network performance with adequate moni-
toring through supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) equipment
[19,62];

●

The propagation of embedded technologies creates the need to revisit the stan-
dards established for their interconnection to the distribution system [63];

●