Overview and Future Challenges on the Connection of Electric Vehicles into Modern Distribution Power Systems

Abstract Distribution systems worldwide have suffered profound alterations to their passive historic characteristic in the last decade due to the ever-increasing installation of distributed generators. Nowadays, it is consensual among researchers and utilities that soon most of the investments in distribution networks will be towards the materialization of smart-grids, which implies even more drastic impacts on the grid operation. In this new context, distributed generators, energy storage systems, electric vehicles and other types of resources will operate in coordination with technologies such as internet of things and big data, in an even more active distribution grid under a decentralized electricity market. Thus, it is fundamental to develop the means to control such an interactive power grid, including technologies, products, and ideas. Although several articles have been published addressing this topic, each country's distribution grids have their peculiarities, and so should the proposals for smart-grid implementation on each of them. In this sense, it is crucial investigating what has already been proposed and implemented in the Brazilian smart-grid context to forecast and formulate the next steps on this topic. Smart-grid comprises several fields, in this paper we focus on the electric vehicle branch, providing a review of the subject under the Brazilian context. Additionally, the paper addresses the development of technologies, electricity market regulation, and strategic business models under the current scenario and a near-future perspective.

Technological Development of Automation Solutions for the Energy Industry

Abstract The Innovation Centers are one of the arms of a nation's technological development. Due to their characteristics and objectives, these centers are equipped with laboratories, equipment and researchers capable of developing a product from basic research to the installation of the solution in the field. Entering the context of Innovation Centers and knowing how to correctly position the level of technological maturity is one of the challenges to be understood and explored. In order to advance the market phase, it is recommended to form alliances with technology-based companies to provide both production and commercialization of these technologies, even more if it is possible to create a spinoff from these centers, to take advantage of the experience, knowledge and skills already acquired over time.