Shortages and poor diversification of generating capacity, high environmental impacts, and low qualities of supply and affordability are common characteristics of the electricity sector in most developing countries (DevCs). Recent cost reductions in the telecommunication sector and some generation technologies, especially renewable-based, with improved economic feasibility have paved the way for new electric infrastructures. This is especially true for emerging economies, as locally dispatched hybrid microgrids introduce flexibility and show the promise of technical and economic advantages. The design and integration of microgrids require detailed assessments to ensure the effective deployment of capital to minimize the risk of stranded assets and capital waste. Microgrids can be considered an affordable option for a rapid response to the electrification challenge, recognizing that, in the longer horizon, a sharing of resources with the bulk electrical power system will remain, technically and economically, advantageous. This article presents a comprehensive review of the approaches commonly adopted for microgrid electrification. A ''real-life'' study case is reported to highlight the operational challenges of a stand-alone microgrid versus a grid-connected system. The need for an improved regulatory framework is presented as the cornerstone problem to be solved to allow an effective integration of microgrids in the national grid.

This paper presents a method for the real-time management of electric vehicles (EVs) charging processes. The proposed method aims to limit the peak load and to increase the number of rechargeable EVs with respect to the scenario in which no coordination action is performed, while achieving given constraints on the power distribution system. The approach is based on a tight interaction between a scheduling algorithm and a power-flow evaluation procedure. The scheduling algorithm finds the best charging periods for each EV. The power flow procedure checks the achievement of electrical constraints and evaluates the operational parameters of the grid. Simulations are carried out on a real electricity distribution system of a medium-sized Italian city. The results show that the proposed approach increases the number of rechargeable EVs up to 33%. At the same time, the peak load is reduced by 25%. The scheduling algorithm requires an average of 50 ms to evaluate each charge request on an ordinary computer, therefore allowing its use in real-time conditions.

Electric power systems are moving toward more decentralized models, where energy generation is performed by small and distributed power plants, often from renewables. With the gradual phase out from fossil fuels, however, Distribution Energy Resources (DERs) are expected to take over in the provision of all regulation services required to operate the grid. To this purpose, the opening of national Ancillary Service Markets (ASMs) to DERs is considered an essential passage. In order to allow this transition to happen, current opportunities and barriers to market participation of DERs must be clearly identified. In this work, a comprehensive review is provided of the state-of-the-art of research on DER integration into ASMs. The topic at hand is analyzed from different perspectives. First, the current situation and main trends regarding the reformation processes of national ASMs are analyzed to get a clear picture of the evolutions expected and adjustment required in the future, according to the scientific community. Then, the focus is moved to the strategies to be adopted by aggregators for the effective control and coordination of DERs, exploring the challenges posed by the uncertainties affecting the problem. Coordination schemes between transmission and distribution system operators, and the implications on the grid infrastructure operation and planning, are also investigated. Finally, the review deepens the control capabilities required for DER technologies to perform the needed control actions.