Abstract
Self-consumption regulations are leading to the emergence of new business models proposed by new players and causing traditional players to make new proposals to take advantage of the new business opportunities. In this context, traditional retailers are assessing self-consumption business models, offering management services for self-consumption structures, or the installation of distributed resources, such as solar panels or batteries. Some of the new business models being proposed by electricity suppliers are related to virtual battery services. Indeed, suppliers can, in the free retail market, create innovative tariffs, and design them to make their customers believe they own and manage a battery, even if it does not correspond to a physical battery in the grid. This paper analyses the business model of a supplier offering a virtual battery service, comparing it to the installation of a physical battery, showing that it has no significant benefits compared to more simple approaches.

Abstract
This paper proposes an original framework for a flexibility-centric value chain and describes the pre-specification of the Grid Data and Business Network (GDBN), a digital platform to provide support to the flexibility value chain activities. First, it outlines the structure of the value chain with the most important tasks and actors in each activity. Next, it describes the GDBN concept, including stakeholders' engagement and conceptual architecture. It presents the main GDBN services to support the flexibility value chain, including, matching consumers and assets and service providers, assets installation and operationalization to provide flexibility, services for energy communities and services, for consumers, aggregators, and distribution systems operators, to participate in flexibility markets. At last, it details the workflow and life cycle management of this platform and discusses candidate business models that could support its implementation in real-life scenarios.

Abstract
The deployment of energy communities (EC) will foster new business models contributing to the decentralization and democratization of energy access and a reduction in the energy bill of final consumers. This decentralization is only possible if investments are made in production and storage technologies, that must be installed near the locals of consumption, according to common rules of the regulatory frameworks of EC. In this paper we propose a methodology for the optimal sizing of production and shared storage assets, and we assess the cost reduction of considering shared storage assets. We then formulate seven business models (BM) that dictate how to share this benefit among the EC members, and we propose two indicators to assess them. Results show the difficulty in choosing a BM as well as the limitations of the BM and of the indicators.

Abstract
This research examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine-Russia conflict on Portugal and Spain's national energy and climate plans. Both countries have updated their plans in response to these events, emphasizing energy efficiency, renewable energy investment, and circular economy principles. Portugal focused on addressing energy poverty and digitalization, while Spain accelerated its energy transition to align with the European Green Deal. Additionally, the Ukraine-Russia conflict prompted measures to enhance energy security and NECPs in both countries. Through a semi-systematic literature review spanning 2020-2023, our study analyzes how these global events shaped national energy and climate plans. The case studies of Portugal and Spain highlight the importance of flexibility and resilience in crafting sustainable energy strategies during such a complex crisis.

Abstract
The relationship between hydrogen and electricity has gained attention due to their interconnected roles in the energy transition. Existing joint electricity and hydrogen market models often overlook the dependence between electricity and hydrogen prices. Indeed, while electrolyzers production can raise electricity prices, electricity price significantly impacts the costs of hydrogen production. Considering this price-based interdependency, this study compares a Cournot equilibrium and a perfect competition market model for electricity and hydrogen integration. Both models are transformed into new quadratic optimization problems to facilitate resolution. The analysis highlights the potential of the Iberian region for hydrogen production. Furthermore, it is evident that, under conditions of perfect competition, renewable generation is given priority for meeting electricity demand, leading to a decrease in both electricity and hydrogen prices on a global scale compared to the Cournot scenario.

Abstract
In the context of the R3EA project, funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), we analyse a set of selected future power system scenarios to assess the impact, on the Iberian electricity market (MIBEL), of installing wind and solar generation capacity in Portugal's Centro Region. We use the long-term MIBEL operation and planning model CEVESA. The scenarios are designed based on the current economic situation and the last National Energy and Climate Plan drafts for Portugal and Spain, by distributing the expected new wind and solar generation capacity differently among Portugal regions, also considering the flexible demand for producing electrolytic hydrogen. Market prices, capture prices and production per technology are analysed to assess this impact. Results show that regional investments have no significant impact on the MIBEL variables analysed.