A review of socio-technical barriers to Smart Microgrid development. (October 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Norouzi, Farshid; Hoppe, Thomas; Elizondo, Laura Ramirez; Bauer, Pavol
• Is Part Of: Renewable & sustainable energy reviews. Volume 167(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-10
• Subjects: Barriers -- Multidisciplinary approach -- Smart MicroGrids -- Socio-technical -- Sustainable transition; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Periodicals; Énergies renouvelables -- Périodiques; Ressources énergétiques -- Périodiques; 333.794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2022.112674
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1364-0321

Abstract

Abstract: Smart MicroGrids (SMGs) can be seen as a promising option when it comes to addressing the urgent need for sustainable transition in electric systems from the current fossil fuel-based centralised system to a low-carbon, renewable-based decentralised system. Unlike previous studies that were restricted to a limited number of actors and only took a mono-disciplinary research approach, this current review adopts a multidisciplinary, socio-technical approach and addresses the factors that have been hindering the development of SMGs and considers how these barriers interact. This study contributes to the body of literature on the development of SMGs by mapping and discerning technical, regulatory, market, social and institutional barriers for different types of actors, including technology providers, consumers, Distributed Generation (DG) providers and system operators, based on information derived from laboratory reports, demonstration pilots, and academic journals. In addition, attention is paid to how these barriers interact based on real-life experimentation. A holistic picture of barriers and their interaction is presented as well as recommendations for future research. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Smart Grids and Microgrids are manifestations of transitions in electrical systems. Technical and non-technical barriers affecting Smart Microgrids are identified. Regulatory, institutional and social barriers are identified as the main barriers. Barriers are mapped pertaining to various actors in electricity markets. With a multidisciplinary approach interaction between barriers is explained.