Tailoring the next Generation Energy Management Tool for Smart Cities

In this position paper we propose a next generation eNeRGy management solution for smart cities based on the Internet of ThingsIoT NRG Manager, to efficiently manage the energy locally produced and consumed. IoT NRG Manager is interoperable with the Internet of Things, it provides an Open Data API that allows third parties to access to energy related data. The privacy issues are addressed by a combinatorial approach of Privacy and Transparency Enhancing Technologies. The IoT NRG Manager is built up by (i) a smart decision support system that measures, predicts and balances energy production, demand and storage and (ii) a Virtual Power Plant (VPP). In the context of this work the VPP is a high level design tool based upon load aggregation of near real-time metered energy demand and generation data at building/apartment levels. Selected data is aggregated up to city level, or user defined and selected levels such as district, neighbourhood, low voltage electricity network, district heating network etc. The VPP also facilitates the option to model ‘what-if’ scenarios through simulation of additional distributed energy resources (DER), electricity storage, electric vehicles etc. at tool defined building and/or city/district level. On top of that are developed user-friendly web portals and functions that inspire new business models for all stakeholders (consumers, prosumers, city authorities, energy service providers, TELCOs, ESCOs, etc.). Our tool is currently being deployed in two European cities: Plovdiv the second largest cities in Bulgaria, and Rijeka the second largest city in Croatia.