Gaetano Zizzo

An Innovative Conversion Device to the Grid Interface of Combined RES-Based Generators and Electric Storage Systems

This paper is focused on the development of an innovative device, which is based on a bidirectional converter, for the interface to the supply utility grid of combined renewable-energy-source-based generators and electric storage systems. The device can be controlled so as to ease the interface between the low-voltage grid and photovoltaic or wind generators combined with lithium-ion LiFePO4 batteries, taking into account the requirements of the reference technical standards for users connection and offering different ancillary services. The operational functioning of the device, the architecture, and its electronic components, as well as laboratory and field test activities and results are described. The conversion device has been developed, and the main results that have been achieved are detailed.

Transition of a distribution system towards an active network. Part I: Preliminary design and scenario perspectives

In an European perspective, the focus of Smart Grids initiatives (SET Plan - Strategic Energy Technology Plan) is strictly linked with the main commitment to achieve the goals of the Climate and Energy Package 20-20-20, at the light of the three main pillars of the European energy policy: competitiveness, sustainability and security of supply. Smart grid technologies will enable load levelling of the electrical grid, allowing a power company to run cleaner power sources - such as hydroelectric, wind, or solar - while reducing the need to use carbon-emitting gas, coal, or oil plants to meet peak demand. In this framework the proposed paper refers about the technical economical feasibility study and the preliminary design of a demonstrator of a distribution electrical system for the transition towards active networks. The study has been carried out by University of Palermo and ENEA (Italy), on a portion of real MV/LV distribution system of the research center ENEA of Casaccia (Rome, Italy).1

Transition of a distribution system towards an active network. Part II: Economical analysis of selected scenario

This paper outlines the economical issues related to the transition of the energy generation for a real MV/LV distribution system from a ‘fuel based’ one to a distributed and smart ‘renewables based’ one. It is the prosecution of a companion paper, which addressed the technical issues connected to such transition. The study has been carried out by University of Palermo and ENEA (Italy), on a portion of real MV/LV distribution system of the research center ENEA of Casaccia (Rome, Italy). The analysis is carried out for a specific scenario chosen among those proposed in the companion paper.

Dynamics photovoltaic generators: Technical aspects and economical valuation

The strategy adopted from many European nations and not, to entrust the electric energy production to differently energetic sources has determined an increment of the scientific research for the solar resource exploitation. These scientific community activities follows with attention from the entrepreneurial world have concentrated on the innovative techniques and methodologies of the source conversion, solar concentration and the directions device optimization. This job focuses its attention on the simple application of solar-track device, based on consolidated technologies. The diffused application of these dispositive, could be, shortly, an important increment of electricity generation energy from solar source. In particular this job estimates, with economic indices and for different size of the photovoltaic systems and of the solar-track devices, the increment of electricity generation to guarantee its economically favorable for the investor.

Financial measures for supporting wind power systems in Europe: A comparison between green tags and feed’in tariffs

Distributed Generation demonstrates to be able to significantly influence the electric power system, bringing considerable benefits to the quality of service and improving the energetic efficiency of the distribution network. In particular, in the last few years, Distributed Generation from renewable energy sources is considerably increased thanks to the many support policies promoted worldwide with the aim of facing the environmental issue and the problem of the permanent rise of prices of the fossil energy. In this contest, after a brief review on the financing strategies carried out in Europe in the last decade for promoting the recourse to renewable energy, the paper presents a comparison among the main support strategies for Wind Farms (Feed-in tariffs and Green Tags), taking into account the situation in some European Countries.

A new device for the control and the connection to the grid of combined RES-based generators and electric storage systems

In this paper a new device for the control and the connection to the supply utility grid of combined RES-based generators and electric storage systems is presented. The device is a bidirectional converter that can be controlled so as to facilitate the interface between the low voltage grid and photovoltaic or wind generators combined with batteries, contemporary addressing the requirements of the reference technical standards for users connection and providing different ancillary services. In the paper the functioning of the device and its circuit diagram are described, the single parts are shown and the potentiality of its control system are commented.

Economic analysis on dynamic photovoltaic systems in new Italian “feed in tariffs” context

Dynamic photovoltaic generators, based on the application of solar-trackers, are able to give an increment to the electric energy production from solar source. Their realization and maintenance costs are certainly higher than those of fixed ones. In this paper the Authors propose a method to estimate the increment of electrical energy generation that must be guaranteed by a dynamic photovoltaic generator, so as its realization could be more favorable with respect to that of a fixed generator one with the same rated power. This method, developed by means of classical economic indexes like the Pay-Back-Period and the Net Present Value, takes in to account the economic incentives for the PV systems. The method has been here performed on several numerical applications by considering different size of PV systems and of biaxial solar-trackers. Results report the possible advantages of the two PV plants type.

An optimization approach for efficient management of EV parking lots with batteries recharging facilities

In this paper an optimization approach to devise efficient management strategies for Electric Vehicles parking lots is proposed. A Monte Carlo approach is used to evaluate the load consumption profile for groups of Electric Vehicles showing different features. The Monte Carlo approach allows to combine the different social and economical features affecting the commercial penetration of Electric Vehicles with the technical aspects. The basic feature to be assessed is the initial State Of Charge, which in turn depends on the distance travelled by the vehicle since the last recharge and thus by the usage of the vehicle (private, professional). The model is then used to optimize some objective function such as the losses minimization or the cost of purchased energy minimization. Finally, a Simulated Annealing algorithm is used to identify the time intervals, along the day, in which the Electric Vehicles should be put in charge to minimize technical or economical objectives. The objective function is evaluated using a probabilistic model based on Monte Carlo simulations.

Robust multi-objective optimal dispatch of distributed energy resources in micro-grids

Modern distribution systems are implemented through micro grids: small power networks where generation is close to consumption and ICT supports the coordinated management of the different energy resources. In such systems, the central control unit manages energy dispatch from the different sources according to different criteria (technical, economical and environmental) and takes care of tertiary regulation. Such optimization for the tertiary regulation is performed with a time interval that typically is of 24 hours. This is due to the fact that it is necessary to take into account the charge and discharge cycles of storage systems. On the other hand, such long time leads to large errors in the prediction of energy generation and consumption. In this paper an algorithmic approach allows to overcome this problem. It is indeed possible to integrate uncertainty within the problem formulation attaining a dispatch plan for all the energy sources that will not lead to constraints violations even if the objective functions variables and parameters are affected by uncertainty. The results on a medium size system show the ease and effectiveness of the proposed approach.

A Method to Evaluate Voltages to Earth During an Earth Fault in an HV Network in a System of Interconnected Earth Electrodes of MV/LV Substations

An easy and swift method to evaluate, in a system of interconnected earth electrodes, earth potentials on earthing systems of medium-voltage/low-voltage (MV/LV) substations, in an event of single-line-to-earth fault inside a high-voltage/medium- voltage (HV/MV) station, is presented. The advantage of the method is the simplicity of the mathematical model for solving complex systems of any size with a sufficient accuracy for practical purposes. This paper shows the results of simulations, performed on networks with different extensions and characteristics, organized in easy-to-read graphs and tables. A comparison of these results with the values obtained according to the procedure explained in the IEC-Standard 60909-3, and a study on the accuracy of the method has been made. Moreover, some considerations on the inclusion of earth electrodes of HV/MV stations within global earthing systems are done.