The future of power systems: Challenges, trends, and upcoming paradigms

Abstract

The decarbonization of the economy, for which the contribution of power systems is significant, is a growing trend in Europe and in the world. In order to achieve the Paris Agreement's ambitious environmental goals, a substantial increase in the contribution of renewable sources to the energy generation mix is required. This trend brings about relevant challenges as the integration of this type of sources increases, namely in terms of the distribution system operation. In this paper, the challenges foreseen for future power systems are identified and the most effective approaches to deal with them are reviewed. The strategies include the development of Smart Grid technologies (meters, sensors, and actuators) coupled with computational intelligence that act as new sources of data, as well as the connection of distributed energy resources to distribution grids, encompassing the deployment of distributed generation and storage systems and the dissemination of electric vehicles. The impact of these changes in the distribution system as a whole is evaluated from a technical and environmental perspective. In addition, a review of management and control architectures designed for distribution systems is conducted. This article is categorized under: Energy Infrastructure > Systems and Infrastructure Energy Infrastructure > Economics and Policy

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“…Interest in this subject is due to the importance of the development of energy-efficient production systems on the basis of the scientific knowledge derived principles and patterns, advances in information technology. The main directions of research in the field of the concept of sustainable consumption of energy resources in the context of the digitalization of the economy are determined by the works of the following scientists: Zheng et al (2020) investigated resource efficiency using new technologies; Milchram et al (2019) substantiated the role of institutional values in energy transformations; Gu et al (2019) proposed an effective scheme for calculating and distributing energy capacity; Marzi et al (2019) On the example of OPEC, they conducted a competency analysis of the promotion of energy efficiency projects in developing countries; Moktadir and Jabbour (2019) developed key factors for energy-efficient supply chains; Zhou and Chen (2019) predicted energy consumption based on a multiple decompositional approach; Lopes et al (2019) identified trends and upcoming paradigms of energy systems; Soares and Horlings (2019) formed the role of energy initiatives in the production of green facilities; Mao et al (2019) developed a model of green industrial growth between Europe and China on the basis of the energy consumption model; Wu (2019) proposed a mechanism for the development of the energy industry cluster in the new economy.…”

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