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Cited by 57Integrated Energy Systems OptimizationSmart Grid Energy ManagementMicrogrid Control and Optimization

Responsive FLEXibility: A smart local energy system

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Couraud, Benoit, Andoni, Merlinda, Robu, Valentin, Norbu, Sonam, Chen, Si, Flynn, David·2023·Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
DOI 10.1016/j.rser.2023.113343
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Abstract

The transition towards a more decarbonised, resilient and distributed energy system requires local initiatives, such as Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES), which lead communities to gain self-sufficiency and become electricity islands. Although many SLES projects have been recently deployed, only a few of them have managed to be successful, mostly due to an initial knowledge gap in the SLES planning and deployment phases. This paper leverages the knowledge from the UK’s largest SLES demonstrator in the Orkney Islands, named the Responsive FLEXibility (ReFLEX) project, to propose a framework that will help communities to successfully implement a SLES. First, this paper describes how the multi-services electrical SLES implemented in Orkney reduces the impact of the energy transition on the electrical infrastructure. We identify and discuss the main enablers and barriers to a successful SLES, based on a review of SLES projects in the UK. Second, to help future communities to implement SLES, we extend the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) into a comprehensive multi-vector Smart Local Energy Architecture Model (SLEAM) that includes all main energy services, namely power, heat and transport. This extended architecture model describes the main components and interaction layers that need to be addressed in a comprehensive SLES. Next, to inform successful deployment of SLES, an extensive list of key performance indicators for SLES is proposed and implemented for the ReFLEX project. Finally, we discuss lessons learnt from the ReFLEX project and we list required future technologies that enable communities, energy policy makers and regulatory bodies to best prepare for the energy transition.

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Cited by

Sorted by citations

Authors
Couraud, B., Andoni, M., Robu, V., Norbu, S., Chen, S., & Flynn, D.
Affiliations
  • University of Glasgow (GB)
  • Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (NL)
  • Heriot-Watt University (GB)
Corresponding author
Couraud, Benoit
ORCID
Venue
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2023-08
Volume
182
Pages
113343
ISSN
1364-0321 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.rser.2023.113343
OpenAlex
W4379933447
Cited by
57
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 3
FWCI
4.24
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • HAL (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI), the national research institute for mathematics and computer science in the Netherlands (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • ENLIGHTEN (Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Islam) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • Research Repository (Delft University of Technology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
  • UK Research and Innovation
  • European Commission (872172, KTP-13052, EP/V042955/1)
  • University of Glasgow
  • Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/V042955/1)
  • Innovate UK
  • H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (872172)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Integrated Energy Systems Optimization
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Electrical and Electronic Engineering › Smart Grid Energy Management
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Control and Systems Engineering › Microgrid Control and Optimization
Keywords
smart local energy systems, Orkney, Smart Grid Architecture Model, barriers and facilitators, key performance indicators, energy transition, distributed energy resources, energy self-sufficiency, energy policy

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