To identify the role and importance of local renewable energy resource integration on power distribution systems, this work presents a survey on how Active Distribution Systems capture benefits from this kind of energy resources.Also, this paper introduces the basic concepts of two economic tools that can help in the environmental valuation of local renewable energy projects, along with a discussion on the role of energy currencies in the development of renewable energy.As a conclusion, thanks to the advent of concepts such as "prosumer" and emergent technologies such as digital currencies, it is possible to achieve financial and economic viability for local renewable energy projects with the aid of Active Distribution Networks.