Abstract-In order to achieve a coordinated integration of distributed energy resources in the electrical network, an aggregation of these resources is required. Microgrids and virtual power plants (VPPs) address this issue. Opposed to VPPs, microgrids have the functionality of islanding, for which specific control strategies have been developed. These control strategies are classified under the primary control strategies. Microgrid secondary control deals with other aspects such as resource allocation, economic optimization and voltage profile improvements. When focussing on the control-aspects of DER, VPP coordination is similar with the microgrid secondary control strategy, and thus, operates at a slower time frame as compared to the primary control and can take full advantage of the available communication provided by the overlaying smart grid. Therefore, the feasibility of the microgrid secondary control for application in VPPs is discussed in this paper. A hierarchical control structure is presented in which, firstly, smart microgrids deal with local issues in a primary and secondary control. Secondly, these microgrids are aggregated in a VPP that enables the tertiary control, forming the link with the electricity markets and dealing with issues on a larger scale.

This paper introduces a heuristic approach for industrial symbiosis (IS) facilitators to investigate and instigate better energy and resource management via synergies across process industries. The proposed method studies the industrial system at three levels; regional, cluster and company. At the company level, in-depth information is collected using a pentagonal LESTS (Legal, Economic, Spatial, Technical, Social) survey, which is formulated after weighing the regional effects on the whole system. At the cluster level, an inventory of technological and organisational opportunities is produced, offering leverage for IS activities. A gap analysis between the IS potential of the cluster and the IS appreciation on the industrial sites is visualised via LESTS pentagons. The coupled investigation at company and cluster level results in a list of realisable IS activities, which is then translated into business strategies for each participating company using a SWOT analysis. Global material consumption has doubled between 1950 and 2010 and has even accelerated during the last decade [3]. According to an estimate in 2005, globally recycled material only contributed to 6% of the total processed material, with 13% in Europe [4]. Owing to the rate at which human society is pushing the planetary boundaries [5], businesses require improved management and utilisation of energy and resources, reduction of waste and finally a circular economy. Especially in Europe, current business structures, cultures and practices are evolving, opening windows for new ideas and innovations [6] within and across process sectors.

Because of their small scale and large share of intermittent power sources, islanded microgrids require additional means of flexibility, such as dedicated storage. For controlling the loads and distributed generation (DG) units in an islanded microgrid, the voltage-based droop (VBD) control has been developed. This controller determines the switching actions of these units' power electronic interfaces in order to ensure a stable islanded microgrid operation. In this paper, the VBD control is extended for storage applications, taking into account the state of charge. As the VBD control automatically fixes the priority of power changes of the microgrid elements, the storage elements are included in this priority list without inter-unit communication, benefiting the coordinated integration of DG units in the system. Simulation examples are included illustrating the transient and dynamic response of the VBD control of all grid assets. The paper also provides an experimental validation of the VBD control for both the DG units and the storage elements in an islanded microgrid.

Abstract. Production data in process industry are proprietary to a company since they are key to the process design and technology expertise. However, data confidentiality restrains industry from sharing results and advancing developments in and across process sectors. Using virtual profiles that simulate the typical operating modes of a given process industry offers an elegant solution for a company to share information with the outside world. This paper proposes a generic methodology to create sector blueprints and applies it to the chemicals industry. It details the profile of a typical chemical site based on essential units and realistic data gathered from existing refineries and chemical plants.

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