This book explores the changing economics, regulations, and operations of electricity distribution networks. It highlights the central challenges and opportunities caused by the rise of decentralisation paradigm in the power system within this segment of the electricity supply chain. As decarbonisation objectives continue to transform the power sector, the distribution system experiences an increased penetration of energy and flexibility resources that come from a variety of sizes, technologies, and capabilities. This makes traditional approaches to economic, regulation and operation of electricity distribution networks obsolete.
This book aims to provide insights into the ways which decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation trends in the electricity sector will eventually shape future of distribution grids. It will be relevant to students, researchers, and policymakers interested in energy economics, the political economy of energy, and the electricity sector.
Author(s): Rahmatallah Poudineh, Christine Brandstätt, Farhad Billimoria
Publisher: Palgrave Pivot
Year: 2022
Language: English
Pages: 147
City: London
Preface
Contents
About the Authors
Abbreviations
List of Figures
1 Introduction
1.1 Evolution of the Power Distribution
1.2 The Rise of Renewables and Distributed Energy Resources
References
2 Electricity Distribution Networks and Decentralisation Paradigm
2.1 The Paradigm of Decentralisation
2.2 From Passive to Active Resources and the Challenges of Operational Security
2.3 The Bumpy Road of Implementation and the Need for a Flexible Framework
2.4 Conclusions
References
3 Evolving Roles in Distribution Networks: Resource Coordination and Control Under the Emergence of the Distribution System Operator
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Operator Roles and Functionalities
3.3 Power System Requirements
3.4 Visibility, Predictability, and Controllability of DER-Rich Grids
3.5 Operating in a P2P Context
3.6 DSO Operating Models
3.7 Conclusions and Policy Implications
References
4 Regulated Charges for Access to and Utilisation of Networks
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Tariff Schemes
4.3 Challenges and Trends in Network Access in the Presence of Decentralisation and Decarbonisation
4.4 Conclusions
References
5 Improving Efficiency: Flexible Network Access Regime and Auction for Allocation of Network Capacity
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Forms of Access
5.3 Allocation of Access
5.4 Challenges and Trends
5.5 Conclusion
References
6 Local Markets for Decentralised Flexibility Services
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Market and Product Design for Flexibility
6.3 Challenges of Market-Based Flexibility Procurement
6.4 Conclusion
References
7 Electricity Distribution Networks in the Context of Energy System Integration
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Multi-energy Distributed Systems
7.3 Policy Implications and Conclusions
References
8 Unbundling in Electricity Distribution Networks
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Economics of Unbundling
8.2.1 Unbundling Options for Distribution Networks
8.3 Unbundling Effect on the Growth of DERs, Retail Market Competition, and Network Service Quality
8.4 Information and Data Management in the Era of Decentralisation and Digitalisation
8.5 Conclusions
References
9 Economic Regulation of Electricity Distribution Networks
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Traditional Regulatory Models of Electricity Distribution Networks
9.3 Digitalisation, Decentralisation, and Decarbonisation and Their Implications for Regulation of Electricity Networks
9.4 New Thinking in the Regulation of Electricity Distribution Networks
9.5 Conclusions
References
10 Conclusions
10.1 Conclusions and Policy Implications
Index
