Competitive Energy Market Research Articles

SCADA Systems in Oil and Gas: Driving Innovation and Efficiency in the Digital Age

Abstract: In the oil and gas sector, supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems have become a revolutionary force that are transforming operations throughout the whole value chain. This in-depth analysis looks at the development, design, and various uses of SCADA systems in the upstream, middle, and downstream domains. It projects that the global SCADA market for oil and gas will grow to $4.52 billion by 2026. Real-time well monitoring, production optimization, and remote operations are made possible by SCADA systems in upstream operations, which greatly increase output and efficiency. The goal of midstream applications is to increase pipeline efficiency and safety by using predictive maintenance, enhanced leak detection, and flow optimization. By streamlining quality assurance, energy management, and process control, SCADA systems can completely transform refinery operations. SCADA deployments are not without difficulties, though, including data management complications, cybersecurity threats, and legacy system interoperability. In addition to addressing these problems, the study looks at new developments that could improve SCADA capabilities, such as edge computing, digital twins, AI and machine learning integration, and 5G technology. According to the research, SCADA is essential for promoting efficiency, safety, and innovation in the oil and gas industry. Businesses that successfully integrate SCADA technologies while overcoming implementation obstacles will be best positioned to prosper in the complicated and fiercely competitive energy market.

Enhancing AGC Efficiency and Settling Time in Multi-Area Power Systems with GrasshopperBased PID Optimization under Open Market Dynamics

This paper delves into the optimization of Automatic Generation Control (AGC) using a Grasshopper-based PID approach in multi-area power systems. It investigates the performance of this method in scenarios both with and without High-Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) links, operating under an Open Market System. Through simulations, the study evaluates the effectiveness of the Grasshopper-based PID controller in maintaining system stability and enhancing power generation within a competitive energy market. The findings provide insights into the adaptability of this technique across different network configurations, shedding light on its potential to enhance AGC efficiency and grid robustness in a dynamic energy landscape. This research contributes to advancing AGC strategies in complex energy markets, offering DISCO's and TRANSCO's a robust solution for optimized power generation, improved stability, and reduced frequency deviations in multi-area systems.

Factors determining people’s use of renewable energy

Although awareness and preference for renewable energy is increasing, users still pay higher prices for renewable energy than for fossil fuels. Therefore, assessing renewable energy demand is necessary to find new opportunities and drivers from buyers in the upcoming flexible and competitive energy market in the context of social and environmental responsibility to enhance consumer market. A clear trend is taking place among electricity users and small-scale electricity generation investors. The development of decentralization in global power production and distribution is also quite similar to this trend. Although many of these studies have noted this trend, there are still limitations that have not been further clarified. One thing to note is that when people invest in renewable energy to make a profit, there may be some risks due to the incomplete legal and technical framework. For example, investors can ignore strict infrastructure standards, use cheap, low quality products or the ability to reduce subsidies and replace them with more market prices; Or they can aim to make a profit immediately. Therefore, people must pay attention and understand their intention to use renewable energy. This reduces business risk by supporting the development of financial and investment solutions for citizens. At the same time, setting standards and establishing a comprehensive communication plan will provide the basis and tools for the sustainable and effective development of renewable energy by the people.

“Green” economy as a new type of development: situation and future of the Republic of Kazakhstan

The article analyzes the features of the development of the “green” economy in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's energy sector needs deep modernization to meet growing energy needs and solve environmental problems, as the progress is hampered by outdated technologies. The capabilities of wind energy and traditional energy sources were compared. The authors have argued that the key factor in using “green” business in Kazakhstan is the need to reduce the negative impact of energy on the environment. This study confirms that renewable energy sources are a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels. Currently, the specific capital investments required for the construction of renewable energy facilities are equivalent to those required for traditional energy. However, there is a noticeable trend of increasing financial costs for equipment for traditional energy and decreasing for alternative energy. It is clear, that the sustainable development requires government support. Including renewable energy sources in a competitive energy market has a great value and importance. From an economic point of view, alternative energy sources are currently more cost-effective than traditional ones. From an environmental perspective, the competitiveness of renewable energy sources is affected by increasing pollution and waste disposal costs associated with nuclear power. Furthermore, from a political point of view, a country's energy potential directly affects its economic potential, so the development of alternative energy strengthens both political independence and national security.

Multi-Objective Profit-Based Unit Commitment with Renewable Energy and Energy Storage Units Using a Modified Optimization Method

The unit commitment (UC) problem aims to reduce the power generation costs of power generation units in the traditional power system structure. However, under the current arrangement, the problem of cutting the cost of producing electricity has turned into an opportunity to boost power generation units’ profits. Emission concerns are now given considerable weight when talking about the performance planning of power generation units, in addition to economic objectives. Because emissions are viewed as a limitation rather than an objective function in the majority of recent research that has been published in the literature, this paper solves the multi-objective profit-based unit commitment (PBUC) problem while taking into account energy storage systems (ESSs) and renewable energy systems (RESs) in the presence of uncertainty sources, such as demand and energy prices, in order to minimize generated emissions and maximize profits by power generation units in the fiercely competitive energy market. Owing to the intricacy of the optimization problem, a novel mutation-based modified version of the shuffled frog leaping algorithm (SFLA) is suggested as a way to get around the PBUC problem’s difficulty. A 10-unit test system is used for the simulation, which is run for a whole day to demonstrate the effectiveness of the suggested approach. The proposed algorithm’s output is compared with the best-known approaches from various references. The simulated results generated by the suggested algorithms and the previously reported algorithms to solve the PBUC problem show that the proposed method is better than other evolutionary methods utilized in this study and prior investigations. For example, the overall profit from the suggested MSFLA is around 4% and 5.5% higher than that from other algorithms like the ICA and Muller methods in the presence and absence of reserve allocation, respectively. Furthermore, the MSFLA emissions value is approximately 2% and 8% lower than the optimum emissions values obtained using the PSO and ICA approaches, respectively.

Energy Sovereignty and Security

In 21 century Energy security tuned to be a source of global wellbeing and security. Nowadays Human beings are using much more energy resources than ever. On the one hand it ensures global economic developments on the other it challenges energy consumer’s national security. So, natural resources are either source of geopolitical challenges or opportunities for countries. For producers gas and oil became not the source of ‘’short energy war’’ as it once happened in 1970s, but the tool for well-coordinated, long-term political goals. That’s why for producers’ energy security became source of gaining high, expensive economic and political value on International level. As energy producers perceived their legal and natural right to consider energy resources partof their sovereignty consumers were left only with getting supply at ‘’reasonable price ‘’. Despite differences consumers and producersturned to share one common character - energy security became part of their natural security. But still there is difference as producers more politicized the subject than consumers (for example Russia). It is obvious European failure to establish common energy policy and effective competitive Single Energy Market may lead to energy dependence on single supplier and creation of Gas OPEC with strong market division and intention to monopolize. The abovementioned threats can be responded with strong anti-trust law and diversification of suppliers. antitrust law (competition law) should disband production and distribution by the same company which will lead to healthy competition. Besides it is necessary to diversify energy resources and eliminate Isolation of Iran. Otherwise Europe’s dependence on Russian energy will acquire growing character and intensify International environment.

Optimal operation of smart energy hub considering high-temperature heat and power storage

Due to the impacts of high intermittent renewable resources, increasing their penetration in the generation sector of energy systems is still challenging. In this regard, the integration of different energy networks can play a key role in dealing with this challenge. This paper focuses on the analysis and optimization of multi-generation energy storage (MGES) system’s performance and investigates the role of this type of energy storage in the operation of future smart energy systems by considering 100% green energy goals. Hence, this paper first introduces high-temperature heat and power storage (HTHPS) system, as a novel MGES unit, for a local integrated energy system (IES) with different energy carriers. Then, a novel optimal energy scheduling scheme for this system is presented by considering the energy hub concept. The proposed IES is introduced as a Smart Energy Hub (SEH) which supplies local energy demands through local renewable resources generation, as well as upstream energy networks, by considering a competitive energy market. Finally, the performance of the proposed SEH is investigated by simulating different case studies and its effectiveness is proved in increasing the renewable generation penetration.

The struggle of energy communities to enhance energy justice: insights from 113 German cases

BackgroundEnergy communities provide access to energy services, such as affordable clean energy and energy-efficiency measures. Some of these services are of particular benefit for vulnerable households struggling with high energy prices and low incomes. European energy policy stipulates an enabling framework to support energy communities offering such services to all households, explicitly soliciting the inclusion of vulnerable and low-income groups enhancing energy justice and democracy. With transposition still pending in Germany, the question remains as to what extent vulnerable groups benefit in practice.ResultsBased on the data from an online survey among 113 German energy communities, this paper investigates the extent to which energy communities enhance energy justice and democracy in the German energy transition. We have therefore to ask how energy communities reach out to vulnerable groups and describe the hurdles energy communities face. Even though some energy communities successfully reach vulnerable households, we show that the majority struggle to truely reach out to these groups. In the absence of regulatory support for engaging with vulnerable groups and confronted with a competitive energy market, energy communities are focussing on remaining in business. In this context, it should also be mentioned that some energy communities do not reach out to vulnerable groups to offer beneficial services that are of particular interest for the majority of them.ConclusionBased on these findings, we would like to underline the need for enabling regulations to support energy communities’ contribution to justice and democracy. An ‘enabling framework’ demands a clear taxonomy, which distinguishes different organisational and social energy community characteristics to acknowledge their social welfare-enhancing role and avoid misinterpretations and potential misuse.

Legal and Policy Issues While Evaluating the Sustainability of a Floating Storage Regasification Unit: The Case of Alexandroupoli Greece

Floating Liquid Natural Gas (FLNG) facilities are increasingly being used in developing countries since floating regasification and storage units (FSRU) are proven to be more cost-effective per thermal unit than traditional land-based facilities. The purpose of this study is to assess the main issues and the sustainability of an FSRU project, namely the regional and international energy policies and the need to develop a novel regulatory framework, considering all relevant international policies and legislation. Therefore, the Alexandroupoli FSRU was elected because it has several advantages for Greece, the Balkans and the European Union since it supports the basis for a competitive, secure and time-consuming energy market. In addition, the project helps the E.U. to achieve its energy goals and climate objectives in line with the Paris Agreement and provide affordable, safe and sustainable energy to all citizens. Most importantly, the project was elected to demonstrate the volatility of this specific market in light of the Russo–Ukrainian conflict.

A Data-Driven Joint Chance-Constrained Game for Renewable Energy Aggregators in the Local Market

The local market can promote more self-generated electricity consumed locally. However, the unstable and intermittent generation of renewable energy sources brings uncertainty and overbidding risk to the local market. We proposed a competitive local energy market (LEM) where renewable energy aggregators (REAs) can submit bids instead of acting as price takers. A data-driven joint chance-constrained game of REAs is proposed for the optimal bidding problem under the network constraints and the risk-averse chance constraint. We consider the case that the maximum outputs of REAs are random variables whose probability distributions are unknown, but the decision-maker has access to finite samples. Each player’s strategy set is defined in a data-driven distributionally robust framework with the Wasserstein ambiguity set. The exact reformulation of the distributionally robust chance constraint and the corresponding inner approximation version are derived. We prove the existence of the Nash equilibrium in the proposed distributionally robust chance-constrained game. Finally, an efficient best response seeking algorithm is developed to find the normalized Nash equilibrium, and the convergence proof of the proposed algorithm is also provided. Numerical simulations demonstrate that the proposed game model can effectively increase the revenue of reliable players and reduce the overbidding rate of REAs.

Data-driven intelligent method for detection of electricity theft

Anti-electricity leakage or stealing plays a crucial role in the energy market as accurate detection is beneficial for electricity safety, unit commitment, reduction of corporate losses, and so on. In a contemporary competitive energy market, it can significantly improve the efficiency of electric power enterprises and reduce the operational cost of the power system. In this study, through collecting historical data and analyzing the characteristics of electricity consumption, we established the index system for the detection of electricity leakage or stealing. Based on this, a focal loss-based 1d densely connected convolutional network, which we term the FLB-DCNNs, is proposed for the detection of electricity leakage or stealing. The electricity theft samples obtained in the actual on-site inspection are researched in the empirical analysis, and the results prove the effectiveness of the proposed approach. It attains an average precision of 98.51% for detecting electricity leakage or stealing users, and the average recall rate also reaches 98.17%. The recommended procedure provides a new idea for electricity theft detection and is easily transplanted to other related fields. Our data and code are available at https://github.com/xtu502/electricity-theft-detection.

МЕТОДИКА ОБОСНОВАНИЯ КРИТЕРИЕВ И ПОКАЗАТЕЛЕЙ ОЦЕНКИ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ УСТОЙЧИВОСТИ АТОМНОГО ЭНЕРГОПРОМЫШЛЕННОГО КОМПЛЕКСА

The article describes the methodology for substantiating the criteria for assessing the economic sustainability of the nuclear power industry in a competitive energy market. A classification model of groups, types of criteria and characteristics of sustainability indicators has been formed. Substantiation of evaluation criteria and parameters is an important task for ensuring the sustainable functioning of the industry and ensuring the safe operation of nuclear power plants.

Mini Review: Potential Utilization of Cassava Peel Waste as Raw Material for Bio Briquettes Production in Indonesia

Bio-briquettes have the potential to be produced in Indonesia, due to the availability of raw materials and the opportunities for domestic and export markets. Production of bio-briquettes can be strengthened through technology trials in the form of pilot projects and supported by regulations related to the production and management of renewable energy. Based on the results of the study, it is known that bio-briquette products made from cassava peel waste that can meet Indonesian national standards are those that use a composition of 80 % cassava peel charcoal and 20 % adhesive. Mixing with other agro-industrial waste will have an impact on product characteristics, including calorific value, water content, ash content, and volatile matter. To encourage the development of bio-briquettes from cassava peel waste, the government needs encouragement from strong regulations in funding technology research related to increasing energy efficiency, providing adequate energy infrastructure, and modeling competitive energy market prices.

Механізми реалізації державної енергетичної політики: теоретико-методичні засади

Досліджено теоретико-методичні засади державної енергетичної політики. Розглянуто різні наукові погляди та методичні підходи щодо визначення сутності та змісту державної енергетичної політики. Визначено сутність та зміст державної енергетичної політики. Виокремлено механізми реалізації державної енергетичної політики.

Competitive Behavior of Hydroelectric Power Plants under Uncertainty in Spot Market

This article aims to analyze agents’ behavior in a competitive hydrothermal energy market. The idea is to investigate how much the day-to-day behavior of the market can be different from the predictions presented by cost-based models because of the risk perception of each agent (hydroelectric energy producer, in this case) as a participant of the market. The main contribution is in determining the impact on the agents’ revenue in the short-term market due to the variation in the amount of energy generated and the market price, which other methodologies may not be able to capture. For this reason, a case study was made using daily simulations in a given month, observing the strategy and bids of eight hydroelectric agents for a central market operator emulated by an energy price offer simulator called SOPEE. The study reflected qualitative and quantitative examples of how the risk perception and the behavior of each agent can influence market behavior due to the variation in their perceptions of the parameters that form the energy price.

A Flexible Robust Possibilistic Programming Approach toward Wood Pellets Supply Chain Network Design

Increasing energy demand and the detrimental environmental impacts of fossil fuels have led to the development of renewable energy sources. Rapid demand growth for wood pellets over the last decade has established wood pellets as a potential renewable energy source in a globally competitive energy market. Integrated decision making including all stakeholders in the wood pellet supply chain (WPSC) is essential for a smooth transition to commercially viable wood pellet production. In this aspect, this study aims to suggest a decision support system for optimizing biomass-based wood pellet production supply chain network design (WPP-SCND). The WPP-SCND decision system minimizes the total supply chain (SC) cost of the system while also reducing carbon emissions associated with wood pellet SC activities. All objective parameters, including biomass availability at the supply terminals, market demand, and biomass production, are considered fuzzy to account for epistemic uncertainty. A fuzzy flexible robust possibilistic programming (fuzzy-FRPP) technique is developed for solving the suggested uncertain WPP-SCND model. The case findings show that the imprecise nature of the parameters has a significant impact on the strategic and tactical decisions in the wood pellet SC. By investing almost 10% of the total cost, robust decisions within the wood pellet SC can be obtained. It is established that the fuzzy-FRPP technique successfully provides robust decisions and achieves a balance between transportation costs, emissions costs, and economies of scale when making capacity decisions. Although the suggested decision support system is used to manage the production and distribution of wood pellets, the insights and solution methodology may be extended to the production of other biofuels. The proposed research may be valuable to authorities involved in planning large-scale wood pellet-related production-distribution projects.

Electric power (capacity) supply on the wholesale market for industrial consumers operating within the Siberian United Power System: dynamics of price signals changes study

One of the main goals of creating a wholesale electricity market in the Russian Federation was to reduce the prices for circulating electricity. The achievement of this goal was supposed to be due to the development of competitive energy market relations, equal access to electricity supply services to consumers among all participants of the energy market, transparency and structuring of the electricity pricing mechanism. Traditionally, the regions with the lowest prices for supplied electricity in Russia are the territories of the Siberian United Energy System, where the demand for electricity is provided by cheap hydro generation, which ensures the competitiveness of the Siberian economy and high investment potential in the industrial sector. The article presents an empirical analysis of the dynamic changes in the parameters of the total cost of electricity sold in the regions of Russia included various federal districts with a comparison of the cost of electricity in the Siberian Federal District regions with other territories of Russia, with the identification of key trends and features of changes. Analysis of the dynamics of changes in the components of the cost of electricity on various territories for the period January 2021 – March 2022 revealed a significant increase in the cost of electric energy and electric capacity. Their dynamics in some cases exceeds 30 %, and led to a significant increase in prices for electricity sold to all groups of consumers operating in the United Energy System of Siberia regions, and in particular on territories of the Krasnoyarsk Krai and the Republic of Khakassia. The presented article emphasizes the need to study the factors and pricing conditions affecting the change in price parameters for power supplied to consumers operating in the regions of the Siberian United Energy System, with the development of follow-up measures to manage the increase in prices for electricity (capacity) in these regions.

Power augmentation of Darrieus wind turbine blades using trapped vortex cavity

Enhancing the performance of Darrieus Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWTs) is the key to boost their possible commercialisation in the yet highly competitive wind energy market. This study evaluates an active boundary layer control technique to increase the aerodynamic efficiency of Darrieus VAWTs. A cavity is created on the airfoil's suction side, where suction is applied to create a trapped vortex. High-fidelity Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations are used after validation against experimental results. The effect of suction momentum ratio Cμ on the performance of the turbine is investigated. The turbine with suction cavity airfoils (SC) shows a higher power coefficient than the one with baseline airfoil (BL) blades, especially at low tip-speed ratios. For the selected test case, the net maximum predicted power coefficient is 0.435 for the SC turbine at TSR = 2.3, 0.375 for the baseline at TSR = 2.6. At the lower tip-speed ratios, i.e. TSR = 2, the power coefficient of the SC turbine is almost double that of the BL turbine. The feasibility of the active control technique is finally discussed, demonstrating its potential as an effective solution for the performance augmentation of the Darrieus turbine.

Allotment of Waste and Degraded Land Parcels for PV Based Solar Parks in India: Effects on Power Generation Cost and Influence on Investment Decision-Making

Solar parks are well-defined areas developed in the high solar potential area, with the required infrastructure to minimize the potential threat for the developers. Land occupancy is a major concern for the solar park. The government policy mostly emphasizes the use of waste-degraded land for solar parks. In a competitive energy market, any attempt to use waste-degraded land parcels, without policy regulatory support, can bring large-scale disruptions in the quality and cost of power. The present study investigates the potential of using waste degraded land, with a focus on the impact on the cost of generation and decision making. The study investigates the possibility of including the cost of the externalities in the overall cost economics, through policy and regulatory interventions. Data related to India has been considered in the present analysis. Results show that there are less socio-economic and ecological impacts in using wastelands, compared to land, in urban-semi urban areas with an opportunity cost. Thus, the policy and regulatory interventions could promote wasteland utilization and lure favorable decision-making on investments.

Концепція конкурентного ринку електричної енергії України на постнеоліберальній основі

The formation of a competitive electric energy market is an international obligation of Ukraine and the national interest of its society. Currently, the European model of the electric energy market is being implemented in Ukraine, but in the EU the process of its revision is also underway to accelerate the «green» energy transition. The article expounds that the neoliberal economic paradigm that has dominated the world for the past 90 years needs to be revised to enhance interaction in the interests of society and the environment. The new economic paradigm is recognized as post-neoliberalism, which implies a strategic partnership between the State and business in the interests of society and the environment. The formation of a competitive electric energy market on a post-neoliberal basis is able to ensure the effectiveness of its functioning, prevent electric energy crises and promote sustainable adequate development. The theoretical basis for the formation of a competitive electric energy market should be the theory of the sectoral market, synergetics and the theory of economic mechanisms, the principles of which should constitute the basis of a competitive electric energy market. The electric energy market on a post-liberal basis is based on 3 functions: market effectiveness, electric energy safety, and adequacy of development – and also provides for the introduction of 2 direct economic mechanisms: the commodity market, the market of capacities (mechanisms of the market of ancillary services and throughput capacities are subsidiary to them). The article proposes a conceptual model of a competitive electric energy market on a post-neoliberal basis, highlighting the principles, tasks; defining the roles of participants; formulating a system of hypotheses and provisions for its implementation. The operating model for the introduction of a competitive electric energy market consists of four stages: its identification by key determinants, analysis of development tendencies, construction of an economic mechanism, selection of diagnostic tools.