As the penetration of distributed energy resources (DERs) escalates in distribution networks, new network tariffs are needed to cope with this new situation. These tariffs should allocate network costs to users, promoting an efficient use of the distribution network. This paper proposes a methodology to evaluate and compare network tariff designs. Four design attributes are proposed for this aim: (i) network cost recovery; (ii) deferral of network reinforcements; (iii) efficient consumer response; (iv) recognition of side-effects on consumers. Through an analytical hierarchy process (AHP), the evaluation methodology is applied to compare traditional cost allocation methods, on the basis of 100% energy, 100% demand, and 50% energy-50% demand, with more advanced pricing methods based on distribution locational marginal prices in combination with cost-reflective network charges. Numerical results are obtained through a case study based on the IEEE 34-node test feeder with DER integration. The results illustrate the advantage of advanced pricing methods to promote an efficient integration of DER and demand price-response from consumers.@en

Integrated Community Energy Systems (ICESs) are emerging as a modern development to re-organize the local energy systems allowing integration of distributed energy resources (DERs) and engagement of local communities. Although local energy initiatives such as ICESs are rapidly emerging, assessment and evaluation are still lacking on the value these systems can provide both to the local communities as well as to the whole energy system. In this paper, we present a framework to assess the value of ICESs for local communities. We apply this framework to assess the value of ICES in Spain. For a block of 10 households, investments and operations of DERs together with local exchange is simulated in DER-CAM model. For the considered community size and local conditions, ICESs are beneficial to the alternative of solely being supplied from the grid. An ICES that gets remunerated the excess energy to the grid has higher benefits than the system where energy exports are not remunerated as currently in Spain.

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