B. Di Pietra

A flexible Customer Power Device for energy management in a real Smart Micro-Grid

In the present paper an overview on Customer Power Devices (CPDs) for application in Smart Micro-Grid (MG) is reported. A particular attention is given to a real CPD equipped with an Energy Storage System, consisting in Lithium batteries, able to perform also functions of Distribution Static Compensators (D-STATCOM). Its typical layout, its main components and its possible functions are reported. A special focus is on its control modes and strategies for the energy management in a Smart MG and on its Battery Management System (BMS). The main figures of a real Smart MG, where the CDP is located, for active and reactive power service, are finally reported.

Reactive power control for an energy storage system

In last years, the power system operators are tackling many challenges for the renewable energies integration on the grid. Further, the expected increase of electrical demand due to the uncoordinated contemporary charging of a huge number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) can create chaotic phenomena with a negative impact especially on the distribution network. Help can be offered by the deployment of Smart Grid technologies, such as Smart Metering Systems (SMSs), Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs). In particular, in Micro-Grids, Battery ESSs (BESSs) can play a fundamental role and can become fundamental for the integration of EV fast charging stations and distributed generations. In this case the storage can have peak shaving, load shifting and power quality functions. The ESSs can provide ancillary services also on the grid as the reactive control to adjust the power factor. In the present paper, a monitoring control program to manage the reactive power of a real ESS in a Micro-Grid has been implemented. The system is a prototype, designed, implemented and now available at ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) labs. A wide experimental activity has been performed on the prototype system in order to test this functionality for the integration in a bigger Smart Grid available at the same ENEA labs including the Micro-grid. The integration has been possible, thanks to the free ICT protocols used by the researchers and which are described here. The results of the experimental tests show that the system can have good performance to adjust the power factor in respect to the main distribution grid and an EV charging station.

A comparison of two innovative customer power devices for Smart Micro-Grids

The paper presents a comparison of two prototypes of innovative Customer Power Devices designed for applications in Smart Micro-Grids. The devices are both equipped with Energy Storage Systems, consisting in Lithium batteries and have been assembled, independently, by the DIAEE of the University of Rome “La Sapienza” and the DEIM of the University of Palermo in collaboration with the Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development (ENEA). In the paper, the characteristics and the operating modes of the devices are examined and some consideration on their application in Low Voltage Smart Micro-Grids are provided.

ZERO network-impact buildings and smart storage systems in micro-grids

The integration of intelligent storage systems in smart micro-grids (MGs) is necessary for the optimal management of the energy flows and to make the grids efficient and self-sustainable systems, further able to provide ancillary service to the main network. The present paper includes a new concept for integrating buildings equipped with intelligent storage systems in MG, making them zero grid-impact and so improving the efficiency of the MG including them. These aims are shown to be achievable with the use of an intelligent system managing the storage, based in a DC/AC converter connected to the point of coupling of the building with the main grid. The system is a prototype available at ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) labs in Rome. The authors describes it in details, including the control functions. A complete and versatile model in MatLab-Simulink is proposed and the results of simulations are shown.