G. Gigliucci

Representative distribution network models for assessing the role of active distribution systems in bulk ancillary services markets

Nowadays, renewable energy sources feed significant shares of energy demand, resulting in a reduction of market energy price but also a significant increase of expenditures for ancillary services due to inherent not complete predictability and programmability. Thus loads and generation in the distribution network are more and more required to play an active role in supporting grid stability by participating to ancillary service markets, either directly or through aggregators. The paper presents a novel procedure to estimate distribution networks capabilities to support grid stability, by making use of synthetic representation of HV/MV substations and their relevant distribution networks with a GIS based clustering procedure. The impact of active distribution networks to the bulk ancillary service market is then evaluated by applications to the Italian electric system and by assuming different regulatory frameworks for transmission/distribution network market interactions.

Application of ATLANTIDE models to harmonic penetration studies

This paper presents some of the results of a three-year research project entitled ATLANTIDE, which is aimed at developing a comprehensive digital archive of reference models of Italian distribution networks, including forecasted load and generation development evolving towards future smart grid scenarios. The paper focuses on the models developed for harmonic penetration studies and on how the results of these models can be included in the multi-objective optimization approach used by the Distribution Management System model developed in ATLANTIDE.

Power quality conditioning system based on Lithium-Ion Ultracapacitors for Electric Vehicles Quick Charging Stations

Power Conditioning Systems (PCSs), also known as Active Filters or Custom Power, are innovative devices based on Power Electronics widely used on Medium Voltage (MV) and Low Voltage (LV) power transmission networks to improve the quality of power distribution and compensate local disturbances. Some of common features are improving the quality of the power supply of particularly sensitive loads to network disturbances, such voltage sag compensation or short interruptions, peak shaving, active power factor correction. Such type of devices, especially with the primary function of peak-shaving, are very suitable coupled with Electric Vehicle Quick Charging Stations (EVQCS) due the considerable power absorbed by them from the three-phase network (in our case 400 V-50 Hz) especially at the beginning of the charging (several kW for some minutes). In this way, the network will be relieved of high power peaks need that would cause an impact on utilities and necessary investments by the distributor. This paper describes an innovative power conditioning system with energetic storage based on Lithium-Ion Ultracapacitors which have high performance in terms of specific energy and long service life. The device is designed and built to be a support for an EVQCS. The prototype is actually installed in the experimental area of Enel Ingegneria e Ricerca, located in Livorno, where a series of tests has proven its functionality and benifts for the grid. Future tests will be dedicated on interaction with a Li-ion storage system to improve energy services.

Darwin project Use of renewable energy and Hydrogen on a sailing boat

The Darwin project is a six months journey on the sailing boat Adriatica that follows, in the backward direction, the Darwins route towards Galapagos islands aboard Beagle. Enel is contributing to the project equipping Adriatica, i.e. the 22 m/50 tons sailing boat that will follow Darwins route, with renewable energy generation systems allowing a sensible decrease of diesel fuel consumption required for aboard services, together with an hydrogen storage system based on metal hydrides. The main goal of the project is to study the suitability of the coupled use of renewable energy sources and hydrogen storage to be used for energy supply in isolated environments, with particular reference to a sailing boat, which has very strict requirements in terms of volume availability and safety regulations.