Communications and internet of things for microgrids, smart buildings, and homes

A large number of system integration models and strategies are currently being explored to provide suitable platforms for the implementation of new services and applications in the field of decentralized management of distributed energy resources (DERs). The most promising approaches involving the integration of power, control, and communication systems are presented and discussed in this chapter. It also presents the related models and technologies able to manage heterogeneous DERs for the purposes of enhancing the integration and coordination of small-scale power generation for self-consumption, as well as for trading energy or selling ancillary services on the open market and to distribution and transmission system operators. Empowering technologies such as smart meters, smart sensors, and smart control systems, internet of things (IoT) communications, and Cloud platforms are allowing the growth of several kinds of energy management applications, in domestic, commercial, and industrial sectors. Under this scenario, this chapter refers to the general topic of applying the IoT paradigm to energy management in microgrids, smart buildings, and homes.