Luca Barillari

An optimization algorithm for the operation planning of the University of Genoa smart polygeneration microgrid

The aim of this paper is to describe the Smart Polygeneration Microgrid (SPM), which is being constructed at the Savona Campus of the Genoa University, also thanks to funding from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (amount 2.4 Million Euros). Specifically, a detailed model of the grid is presented and an optimization problem is defined, in order to achieve suitable goals, like the minimization of the production costs or the maximization of power quality or environmental indices.

The Smart Polygeneration Microgrid test-bed facility of Genoa University

The aim of this paper is to describe the Smart Polygeneration Microgrid (SPM), which is going to be constructed at the Savona Campus of the Genoa University, also thanks to funding from the Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research. Besides producing renewable and high efficiency energy for the University Campus, the SPM will constitute a test-bed facility for research, development and testing of management strategies, devices and components for smart grid applications. The main features of this infrastructure will be outlined, pointing out its peculiarities, such as the use of the IEC 61850 protocol and a close integration between electric and heating networks. Furthermore, the activities which will be carried out thanks to the SPM and the challenges in its operation and optimal management will be discussed, in the context of the current research on microgrid and smart grid technologies.

The smart microgrid pilot project of the University of Genoa: Power and communication architectures

The aim of this paper is to describe the Smart Polygeneration Microgrid (SPM) test-bed facility at the Savona Campus of the Genoa University. The SPM constitutes a pilot plant for research, development and testing of management strategies, devices and components for smart grid applications. The main features of this infrastructure will be outlined, focusing on its power and communication architecture, based on the use of the IEC 61850 protocol and on a close integration between electric and heating networks. Furthermore, the activities which will be carried out thanks to the SPM and the challenges in its operation and optimal management will be reported, in the context of the current research on microgrid and smart grid technologies.

Optimal thermal power production by means of an equivalent electric circuit for a thermal network: The Savona Campus Smart Polygeneration Microgrid case

The paper proposes to model a thermal network by using a simple equivalent electrical circuit, in order to easily predict the thermal power generation once fixed the desired temperature. The validation has been performed on the Savona Campus Smart Polygeneration Microgrid (SPM): identifying the value of the parameters involved in the model by minimizing the difference between the temperature profile as calculated with the circuit and the measured one in a set of training days; testing its efficiency on a set of testing days by showing a good agreement with the theoretical temperature profiles and the measured ones; obtaining a more efficient behavior of the thermal generation once fixed a desired thermal profile.

An Energy Management Platform for Smart Microgrids

This paper is relevant to the important issue of planning and management of a so-called smart microgrid, namely a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources (DER) with clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the public grid. The Energy Management System (EMS) plays a crucial role in governing the power flows coming from the different generating sources inside such infrastructure and can resort to optimization procedure and algorithms in order to minimize the daily operating costs. The main features of the EMS platform suitably developed to control the University of Genoa test-bed facility called Smart Polygeneration Microgrid (SPM) are here illustrated and thoroughly discussed.

Energy management in hybrid systems coupling PV and electrical storage

In this contribution the possible benefits of the integration of a storage system (ST) and a photovoltaic power plant (PV) are investigated by means of a Heuristic Rules System (HRS), used both for the determination of the optimal size of the components and for the power production scheduling. The HRS takes into account the well-known electrical constraints and aims at satisfying the electrical demand following a priority order (PV, ST, main grid). Experimental results in the case of four possible scenarios are presented and discussed.

An equivalent electric circuit for the thermal Network of the Savona Campus Smart Polygeneration Microgrid

The paper proposes a model for the thermal network of the Savona Campus Smart Polygeneration Microgrid (SPM) in terms of an equivalent electric circuit. Such model allows to represent in a simple but accurate way the behavior of the SPM thermal network in order to insert it into the Energy Management System (EMS) that is presently running in the SPM control room. The parameters of the thermal circuit are identified by means of an algorithm that minimizes the difference between the temperature profile as calculated with the circuit and the measured one.

Development and assessment of Decentralized Energy Management System in a smart Microgrid

Energy management system (EMS) can be considered the brain of a smart Microgrid and its performance largely influences the optimal operation of the whole infrastructure. The benefits of integration of distributed energy resources such as PV systems, energy storages and gas microturbines is directly related to the way that these resources are managed and scheduled. This paper focuses on the Decentralized Energy Management System (DEMS) developed for the University of Genoa Smart Polygeneration Microgrid (SPM), analyzing its performances and functionalities. Moreover, the assessment of forecast data as well as day-ahead scheduling results provided by DEMS is also discussed.

Planning and Management of Distributed Energy Resources and Loads in a Smart Microgrid

This paper addresses the issue of planning and management of a so-called smart microgrid, namely a group of interconnected loads and distributed energy resources DER with clearly defined electrical boundaries that acts as a single controllable entity with respect to the public grid. Special attention is devoted to the microgrid Energy Management System EMS, which plays a crucial role in governing the power flows from the different generating sources and can resort to optimization procedures and algorithms in order to minimize the daily operating costs. The main features of the EMS platform suitably developed to control the University of Genoa test-bed facility called Smart Polygeneration Microgrid SPM are here illustrated and thoroughly discussed.