IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - January/February 2017 - 14

capture energy-conversion factors at various spatial scales. the resultant energy
hub model involves an input-output matrix formulates the solution to multisystem level optimization problems. From an
operational perspective, the coordinated
control of various energy infrastructures
represents a significant change that favors a local view and makes city quarters,
residential neighborhoods, and industrial
areas the fundamental building blocks of
the integrated energy system.
the fifth article, "the consumer's role
in Flexible Energy systems" by schuitema
et al., examines the important role that consumers play on different levels in achieving flexibility in energy systems. they can
help make energy systems more flexible
by changing their energy-consumption
patterns, resulting in load shifting and reduction in energy demand. to do this,
customers must accept smart technologies and energy-efficiency measures. this
is something that electrical power system
operators don't necessarily control or un-

derstand. the area of consumer acceptance
and energy use is a multifactor challenge
that typically needs the disciplines of social sciences, economics, and humanities
to understand. there are also factors such
as policy interventions and market design.
the article notes that a more integrated approach is needed within social sciences and
humanities as well as with energy researchers in other disciplines, such as engineering,
environmental science, and computer science, to design the best energy system of
the future.
the final article, "Flexibility challenges for Energy markets" by D'haeseleer et
al., discusses the influence of policy and
regulation on the efficient behavior of
energy markets and warns of inadequate
performance of the overall energy system if the wrong policy choices and their
practical implementation are made. the
article gives several examples of how the
speed of investments in certain areas and
ignoring system interactions can lead to
targets that may even be opposed to each

other, thereby compromising the strategic
objectives. the authors give some possible alternative routes for increasing system flexibility and promotes better energy
systems integration.
the issue concludes with the "in my
View" column, in which mattias Anderson makes the case for the need of an
interdisciplinary approach to achieve appropriate levels of flexibility in our energy
system. He points out the interdisciplinary
opportunities within the developing area
of Esi. Anderson's background in intellectual history and political science and
his many years of working with research
engineers gives him some interesting perspectives, in particular, on the transition
toward a renewable-based energy system
with its large share of intermittent energy
sources such as wind and solar.
we hope you enjoy this selection of articles that examine the concept of Esi and
how it can be used to unlock flexibility in
the electric power system.
p&e

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Power & Energy Magazine - January/February 2017