Guest Editorial : Local energy markets for local energy systems integration

In the transition to carbon neutrality, conventional energy systems are experiencing a radical change with proliferation of distributed resources (DERs), including generation (especially renewable power generation), storage, flexible demand and electric vehicles. With support advanced control, information communication technologies, DERs in nearby geographical areas form local (LESs) for facilitating balance supporting operation bulk systems. Local markets (LEMs) potential arrangements achieving effective efficient management LESs further paving path towards fully transactive This Special Issue focuses on LEMs LES integration, four papers covering different key aspects. The brief description is presented as given below, we encourage readers refer more details. Virtual plants (VPPs) an important framework where can be grouped participate both markets. There two VPPs this Issue. paper ‘Aggregating buildings VPP: Architectural design, case studies’, Luo et al. focussed industrial/commercial/residential designed comprehensive architecture building relevant technologies identified. One prominent contribution proposed identifying need interaction between VPP existing associated Internet Things (IoT) devices, good sense practical application. Besides well-known technical commercial VPPs, also ‘occupant-centric VPPs’ (O-VPPs), which able facilitate sharing, resilience enhancement usage knowledge sharing among buildings. other ‘Virtual Power Plant (VPP) scheduling uncertain multiple locational marginal prices (LMPs)’. another issue when applying practice—the managed by may located parts electricity transmission network, thus faced levels LMPs. Khandelwal that tackles issue, at same time considering correlated price uncertainties addressing them using Markowitz's mean-variance criterion. most heavily researched LEMs. ‘Hosting community-based market residential network’ established simplified modelling approach network model simulations performed cascaded decoupled fashion. Saif evaluated impact implications types (mainly photovoltaics storage) outcome market. involve sectors even wider like transportation, supported technologies. ‘Information communications technology (ICT) infrastructure smart (SLES): A review’, Vedantham provided review ICT SLES, based systematic survey research work industrial projects. Various SLES measurements were described categorised various carriers was summarised. Moreover, infrastructures summarised their objectives Finally, challenges recommendations presented. findings from serve convenient reference developing future SLES. integration emerging area cutting edge. Although lot practice have been conducted academia industry globally, they still not enough, large-scale deployment many long way go. part fundamental supply paradigm zero emissions, needing our continuous efforts. We would thank all authors, reviewers guest editors IET Energy Systems Integration, dedication hard work. grateful Integration editor-in-chief Editorial Office throughout editorial process. Data applicable article no datasets generated or analysed during current study. Yue Zhou lecturer Cyber Physical School Engineering Cardiff University, Wales, UK. His interests lie around cyber physical systems, specifically side response, peer-to-peer trading ledger technology. He has published than 80 peer-reviewed journals conference led participated 20 UK EU Chair CIGRE Next Generation Network (NGN). managing editor Applied Energy, associate Renewable Frontiers Research, Subject Editor CSEE Journal Board Member Conversion Economics.