Energy Communities explores core potential systemic benefits and costs in engaging consumers into communities, particularly relating to energy transition. The book evaluates the conditions under which energy communities might be regarded as customer-centered, market-driven and welfare-enhancing. The book also reviews the issue of prevalence and sustainability of energy communities and whether these features are likely to change as opportunities for distributed energy grow. Sections cover the identification of welfare considerations for citizens and for society on a local and national level, and from social, economic and ecological perspectives, while also considering different community designs and evolving business models. - Defines and conceptualizes the energy community for the current generation of researchers and practitioners facing the energy transition - Explores the main benefits and challenges in forming energy communities and to what extent they are welfare-enhancing - Examines under what terms, conditions, regulations or policies energy communities can be beneficially and successfully organized and why - Reviews the combination of business models and forms of organization which are conducive to economic feasibility and the commercial success of energy communities

SMART GRID AND ENABLING TECHNOLOGIES Discover foundational topics in smart grid technology as well as an exploration of the current and future state of the industry As the relationship between fossil fuel use and climate change becomes ever clearer, the search is on for reliable, renewable and less harmful sources of energy. Sometimes called the “electronet” or the “energy Internet,” smart grids promise to integrate renewable energy, information, and communication technologies with the existing electrical grid and deliver electricity more efficiently and reliably. Smart Grid and Enabling Technologies delivers a complete vision of smart grid technology and applications, including foundational and fundamental technologies, the technology that enables smart grids, the current state of the industry, and future trends in smart energy. The book offers readers thorough discussions of modern smart grid technology, including advanced metering infrastructure, net zero energy buildings, and communication, data management, and networks in smart grids. The accomplished authors also discuss critical challenges and barriers facing the smart grid industry as well as trends likely to be of importance in its future development. Readers will also benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to smart grid architecture, including traditional grids, the fundamentals of electric power, definitions and classifications of smart grids, and the components of smart grid technology An exploration of the opportunities and challenges posed by renewable energy integration Practical discussions of power electronics in the smart grid, including power electronics converters for distributed generation, flexible alternating current transmission systems, and high voltage direct current transmission systems An analysis of distributed generation Perfect for scientists, researchers, engineers, graduate students, and senior undergraduate students studying and working with electrical power systems and communication systems. Smart Grid and Enabling Technologies will also earn a place in the libraries of economists, government planners and regulators, policy makers, and energy stakeholders working in the smart grid field.

This open access book gathers the results of an interdisciplinary research project led by the Swiss Competence Centers for Energy Research (SCCER CREST) and jointly implemented by several universities. It identifies political, economic and legal challenges and opportunities in the energy transition from a governance perspective by exploring a variety of tools that allow state, non-state and transnational actors to manage the transition of the energy industry toward less fossil-fuel reliance. When analyzing the roles of these actors, the authors examine not only formal procedures such as political and democratic processes, but also market behavior and societal practices. In other words, the handbook focuses on both the behavior and the positive and normative frameworks of political actors, bureaucracies, courts, international organizations, lobby groups, civil society, economic actors and individuals. The authors subsequently use their findings to formulate specific guidelines for lawmakers and other rule-makers, as well as private and public actors. To do so, they draw on approaches stemming from the legal, political and management sciences.

Introducing a framework for obtaining and maintaining renewable energy security at the local community level Local energy communities are a framework for assembling and coordinating major stakeholders, individual, corporate, and institutional, in the pursuit of long-term renewable energy projects in a given area. They are aimed at community benefits rather than profit, and have become an invaluable tool in the fight to reimagine the global power grid, one community at a time. With climate change making this fight ever more urgent, integrated local energy communities (ILECs) have never been a more important social force. Integrated Local Energy Communities offers a framework for designing, planning, and operating one of these communities from end to end. Incorporating regulatory and policy issues, the mechanics of local multi-carrier energy systems, and more, it provides viable solutions to one of the most urgent energy challenges of our time. The result is an indispensable contribution to a potentially transformative process. Integrated Local Energy Communities readers will also find: Comprehensive coverage of all types of energy conversion Analysis of the entire value chain, from concepts to planning to operation Discussion of all key actors for integrating the ILEC energy paradigm at the local level Integrated Local Energy Communities is ideal for power engineers, electrical engineers, engineering scientists working in consultancy and industry, as well as the libraries that serve them.

Energy systems worldwide are on the brink of their largest transformation since the construction of today's electricity grids. This dissertation includes four studies on managerial and economic aspects of this transition. The first study focuses on smart grid technologies, compares inventive activities in OECD countries and tests hypotheses with a panel data regression model. The second study reviews literature on business models for renewable energies in developing and industrialized countries and provides an overview of key drivers, barriers and business opportunities. Study three analyzes the technology adoption of electricity storage systems with a quantitative large-scale user study. The fourth study uses qualitative expert interviews and emphasizes the importance of positive externalities for the diffusion of smart grid enabling technologies. This book helps to better understand the challenges in the transition of energy systems and to successfully craft necessary strategies.

Technologies for Integrated Energy Systems and Networks Explore emerging technologies that will play a central role in humanity’s transition to a low-carbon future In Technologies for Integrated Energy Systems and Networks, a team of distinguished authors delivers a detailed discussion of integrated energy systems and networks, including a comprehensive overview of emerging technologies. The book focuses on the technologies and systems that play a major role in integrated energy systems, like renewable and distributed energy resources, power conversion technologies, hydrogen, storage technologies, electric mobility, zero- and positive-energy buildings, and local energy communities. A one-of-a-kind and holistic treatment of integrated energy systems, this book explores power conversion, including power-to-gas, power-to-liquid, and power- to-heat technologies, as well as other issues of interest to a broad range of students, professionals, and academicians involved in energy transition. It also covers: A thorough introduction to the digitalization of the energy sector and local market development enabling citizen involvement Comprehensive explorations of integrated energy systems as an engine of energy transition Practical discussions of renewable and distributed energy resources for sustainable economic development In-depth examinations of the role of hydrogen in a low-carbon energy future and the storage technologies of different energy carriers Perfect for electrical, construction, power and energy engineers, Technologies for Integrated Energy Systems and Networks will also earn a place in the libraries of electrochemists and environmental consultants.