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Blockchain technology is showing a significant potential to disrupt a number of information technology domains. One of the especially interesting areas for blockchain applications is smart grid. A number of early papers have been published in this area, however, there is no systematic analysis of the impact of blockchain technology on decentralization of smart grids. In this paper, we analyze the standard NIST conceptual model of smart grid domains with respect to the three critical blockchain features: decentralization, trust and incentive. We integrate our findings in order to produce a fully decentralized blockchain-enabled smart grid considering NIST conceptual model. The results of this paper should help smart grid developers and researchers to obtain a conceptual reference of the overall applicability of blockchain technology in smart grid domains and sub-domains. In addition this research will help to identify and guide smart grid blockchain development and research initiatives.

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The bidirectional power flow through the interlinking converter (IC), in ac/dc hybrid microgrids (HMGs) consisting of distributed generators (DGs) with droop controllers, plays an important role on the stability of such systems during islanding. This paper investigates the impact of the power flow direction on the small-signal stability of islanded droop-based HMGs. Firstly, a linearized state-space model of an HMG is developed. Secondly, eigenvalue analysis is carried out to realize the dominant modes, which are the rightmost eigenvalues. Thirdly, participation factor analysis is performed to identify the system and control parameters that effect stability the most. Lastly, sensitivity analysis is conducted to determine the critical droop gains and stability margin. It is observed from the eigenvalue and sensitivity analysis that the dominant modes of HMGs become more stable as more power flows from dc to ac subgrid. On the contrary, an increase in the power flow from ac to dc subgrid degrades the HMG stability. Additionally, the sensitivity of the dominant modes to changes in ac and dc droop gains is studied under bidirectional power flow through the IC to ascertain their impact on the stability margins. Finally, time-domain simulations, in MATLAB/Simulink, suggest that more generation on the dc subgrid would enhance the overall HMG stability margin during islanding.INDEX TERMS Bidirectional power flow, distributed generator, droop controller, ac/dc hybrid microgrid.

Many demand-response schemes fail because they inconvenience consumers or add unnecessary costs [1], [2]. When participating in a typical demand-response scheme, a consumer may be subjected to invasive control systems, communication systems, or data collection. These demand-response schemes can quickly lose their novelty and may annoy customers by curtailing availability of their appliances, such as electric water heaters or air conditioners [2]. This paper demonstrates a self-organizing demand response scheme that uses power lines as a natural, "free" infrastructure for communication. The approach can shave peak demand substantially with no inconvenience to or attention from the user. Tailored signaling schemes and a custom application of low-data-rate power line communication (PLC) enable loads to reliably selforganize their demand. Field experiments with thermostatically-controlled loads in an actively occupied, 24-floor apartment building demonstrate the advantages of the low-data-rate PLC scheme for energy control.INDEX TERMS demand-side management, low-data-rate communication, media access control, network access protocol, power line communication, time division multiple access I. BACKGROUND