Abstract
Electricity markets are complex and dynamic environments with very particular characteristics. Ambitious goals, including those set by the European Union, foster the increased use of distributed generation, essentially based on renewable energy sources. This requires major changes in electricity markets and energy systems, namely through the adoption of the smart grid paradigm. The use of simulation tools and the study of different market mechanisms and the relationships between their stakeholders are essential. One of the main challenges in this area is developing decision support tools to address the problem as a whole. This work contributes to increasing interoperability between heterogeneous systems, namely agent-based, directed to the study of electricity markets, the operation of smart grid, and energy management. To this end, this work proposes the use of ontologies to ease the interaction between entities of different natures and the use of semantic web technologies to develop more intelligent and flexible tools. A multiagent systems society, composed of several heterogeneous multiagent systems, which interact using the proposed ontologies, is presented as a proof-of-concept. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Abstract
Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy trading (ET) is a paradigm of energy trading between consumers without intermediaries. This model of ET allows the commercialization of energy resources produced through renewable sources that do not need other local consumers. This energy trading between consumers is able to improve the local balance of energy generation and consumption. Currently, this paradigm is being evaluated to show the suitability of its application in today’s society, significantly increasing the number of projects in this area worldwide. This article reviews the main models of application of this paradigm in smart cities, presenting the main characteristics of these approaches. This paper proposes an architectural model for P2P energy trading that solves the main deficiencies detected. The designed system allows the simulation of P2P processes using a novel negotiation model. This energy trading system is based on a Multi-Agent System (MAS) using the Robot Operating System (ROS). The system allows representing using independent agents each one of the zones that intervene in the process of negotiation of the energy of a city, being already representing a consumer’s role or a producer’s role of energy. The system has been tested on a model in which each zone uses real data about the role it simulates over a period of two and a half years. The preliminary results show how the energy trading market allows a smart city to evolve towards a high degree of sustainability. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2021.

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Abstract
Agent-based simulation tools have found many applications in the field of Power and Energy Systems, as they can model and analyze the complex synergies of dynamic and continuously evolving systems. While some studies have been done w.r.t. simulation and decision support for electricity markets and smart grids, there is still a generalized limitation referring to the significant lack of interoperability between independently developed systems, hindering the task of addressing all the relevant existing interrelationships. This work presents the Semantic Services Catalog (SSC), developed and implemented for the automatic registry, discovery, composition, and invocation of web and agent-based services. By adding a semantic layer to the description of different types of services, this tool supports the interaction between heterogeneous multiagent systems and web services with distinct capabilities that complement each other. The case study confirms the applicability of the developed work, wherein multiple simulation and decision-support tools work together managing a microgrid of residential and office buildings. Using SSC, besides discovering each other, agents also learn about the ontologies and languages to use to communicate with each other effectively. © 2021, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

Abstract
Local Electricity Markets introduces the fundamental characteristics, needs, and constraints shaping the design and implementation of local electricity markets. It addresses current proposed local market models and lessons from their limited practical implementation. The work discusses relevant decision and informatics tools considered important in the implementation of local electricity markets. It also includes a review on management and trading platforms, including commercially available tools. Aspects of local electricity market infrastructure are identified and discussed, including physical and software infrastructure. It discusses the current regulatory frameworks available for local electricity market development internationally. The work concludes with a discussion of barriers and opportunities for local electricity markets in the future. © 2021 Elsevier Inc.