Anders Bro Pedersen

Facilitating a Generic Communication Interface to Distributed Energy Resources: Mapping IEC 61850 to RESTful Services

As the power system evolves into a smarter and more flexible state, so must the communication technologies that support it. A key requirement for facilitating the distributed production of future grids is that communication and information are standardized to ensure interoperability. The IEC 61850 standard, which was originally aimed at substation automation, has been expanded to cover the monitoring and control of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs). By having a consistent and well- defined data model the standard enables a DER aggregator, such as a Virtual Power Plant (VPP), in communicating with a broad array of DERs. If the data model of IEC 61850 is combined with a set of contemporary web protocols, it can result in a major shift in how DERs can be accessed and coordinated. This paper describes how IEC 61850 can benefit from the REpresentational State Transfer (REST) service concept and how a server using these technologies can be used to interface with DERs as diverse as Electric Vehicles (EVs) and micro Combined Heat and Power (µCHP) units.

Prediction and optimization methods for electric vehicle charging schedules in the EDISON project

Smart charging, where the charging of an electric vehicle battery is delayed or advanced in time based on energy costs, grid capacity or renewable contents, has a great potential for increasing the value of the electric vehicle to the owner, the grid and society as a whole. The Danish EDISON project has been launched to investigate various areas relevant to electric vehicle integration. As part of EDISON an electric vehicle aggregator has been developed to demonstrate smart charging of electric vehicles. The emphasis of this paper is the mathematical methods on which the EDISON aggregator is based. This includes an analysis of the problem of EV driving prediction and charging optimization, a description of the mathematical models implemented and an evaluation of the accuracy of such models. Finally, additional optimization considerations as well as possible future extensions will be explored. This paper hopes to contribute to the field of EV integration by coupling optimized EV charging coordination with the EV utilization predictions on which the former heavily relies.

Utilizing a flexibility interface for distributed energy resources through a cloud-based service

With governments around the world pushing for an ever increasing shift towards renewable energy production, large numbers of controllable distributed energy resources are starting to appear. Already a multitude of proposed control solutions have seen the light of day, but most are focused solely on the control itself and not the more practical network- and data management issues that follows trying to handle such huge portfolios. This papers covers a cloud based solution to the aforementioned issues, greatly aiding aggregators scale to meet future demands. It also includes a flexibility interface that are currently being researched by iPower, that is mapped to the well tested standard of IEC 61850 as additional sub-nodes. By mapping to existing standards, no major changes would be needed to adapt existing systems.

Integrating intelligent electric devices into Distributed Energy Resources in a cloud-based environment

Until now the main purpose of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) has been to compliment the power plants. However, if DERs are to play a larger role in the power grid of the future, then improved communication and cooperation between these resources and the system operators is necessary. Cooperation requires intelligence at the level of the DER as well as at the aggregator level, and in order to efficiently facilitate this, communication must be easily achievable. This project presents a proof-of-concept plug-and-play cloud solution for next generation DERs, built upon the IEC 61850[15] standard, that enable easy communication and cooperation between DERs and system operators.

Electric vehicle data acquisition system

A data acquisition system for electric vehicles is presented. The system connects to the On-board Diagnostic port of newer vehicles, and utilizes the in-vehicle sensor network, as well as auxiliary sensors, to gather data. Data is transmitted continuously to a central database for academic and industrial applications, e.g. research in electric vehicle driving patterns, vehicle substitutability analysis and fleet management. The platform is based on a embedded computer running Linux, and features a high level of modularity and flexibility. The system operates independently of the make of the car, by using the On-board Diagnostic port to identify car model and adapt its software accordingly. By utilizing on-board Global Navigation Satellite System, General Packet Radio Service, accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer, the system not only provides valuable data for research in the field of electric vehicles, but also allows for experiments and investigation of other related topics.

ICT Solutions to Support EV Deployment

Numerous studies and projects have proven that the electric vehicle can offer value and services that go beyond its function as a means of transportation. The value and services can, for instance, be the reduction of charging costs, adherence to grid constraints, or adjustment of charging behavior to renewable energy production. If these possibilities are considered and supported by information and communication technologies (ICT) in due time, a large potential can be exploited.

A method for remote control of EV charging by modifying IEC61851 compliant EVSE based PWM signal

The Electric Vehicle (EV) has properties that can not only load but can elevate its value as a resource to the power system. An EV represents a high-power, fast-responding flexible demand unit, with an attached energy storage (battery) and the potential for bi-directional capabilities (V2G). These properties can be used in a number of power and energy services, which can support power system operation while lowering the cost of EV ownership. Such services depend on the support from the communications technologies and standards that connect controllers and logic in the EVs with those in the charging infrastructure- and back-end systems. To date, there is still no widely adopted standard that supports EV grid services, such as smart charging. This work proposes a solution that would allow any combination of charging spot and EV - individually lacking the logic, communication and controllability required for smart charging - to gain this ability by simply adhering to the widely supported IEC61851 standard. This paper describes the solution, demonstrates the implementation and discusses the potential it has for unlocking EV power- and energy services.