Maria Carmen Falvo

Technologies for smart grids: A brief review

In electrical power systems smart grid is widely recognized as the new solution that must be developed to manage distributed network tackling the increment of renewable energies. Through monitoring capability, data integration, effective communication, advanced analysis and system control the smart grid can meet the power demand as well as increase total efficiency and reduce consumption and costs. Many different technologies must converge to create a smart grid as a storage systems utilized as an energy buffer, telecommunication systems that can exchange data with sensors and actuators, advanced control systems that monitor the power grid and manage energy flows in real time. This paper reviews the state of the art of present application of these technologies in smart grids. The specific focus of the work is on telecommunication systems to have a monitoring through last smart metering application. The impacts and benefits of real time controls are investigated to improve the power efficiency, security and quality.

Sustainable Energy Microsystem (SEM): preliminary energy analysis

The paper deals with innovative idea that is to move beyond the current concept of smart grid, proposing a new architecture, called Sustainable Energy Microsystem (SEM). The proposed design includes energy sub-systems currently independent: high efficiency buildings, sustainable mobility systems, dispersed generation from renewables and Combined Heat and Power units. In the paper, the authors show the main figures of the SEM and report the first results about the necessary preliminary energy analysis.

Efficient Energy Management in Smart Micro-Grids: ZERO Grid Impact Buildings

In a smart micro-grid (MG) each generator or load has to take part in the network management, joining in reactive power supply/voltage control, active power supply/frequency control, fault ride-through capability, and power quality control. This paper includes a new concept for building integration in MGs with zero grid-impact so improving the MG efficiency. These aims are shown to be achievable with an intelligent system, based on a dc/ac converter connected to the building point of coupling with the main grid. This system can provide active and reactive power services also including a dc link where storage, generation, and loads can be installed. The system employed for validation is a prototype available at ENEA Laboratories (Italian National Agency for New Technologies). A complete and versatile model in MATLAB/SIMULINK is also presented. The simulations results and the experimental test validation are included. The trial confirms the model goodness and the system usefulness in MG applications.

Power system planning under uncertainty conditions. criteria for transmission network flexibility evaluation

In a free-market scenario, power system planning has to deal with a significant degree of uncertainty about time and location of generating assets expansion. A methodology for the evaluation of the attitude of the transmission system to keep up a desired standard of reliability under such uncertainty (that is, flexibility) is presented. The method, relying on the Monte Carlo simulation approach, is applied to check the effectiveness of a flexibility index, based on structural as well as operational network parameters. The results of tests carried out on simple networks and on IEEE RTS are reported showing the encouraging agreement between the probabilistic simulations and the proposed index.

Preliminary analysis for the design of an energy-efficient and environmental sustainable integrated mobility system

The paper presents a new proposal for the design of a sustainable urban mobility system. Starting from an overview on the worldwide existing solutions and on the future trend, an innovative idea regarding the integration of two urban mobility systems is proposed: a metro transit system in underground and an electric and hybrid vehicles transport system on surface. The integration is aimed at the reduction of energy consumptions and environmental impact and at the optimization of the service thanks to the maximization of the transport bid in time. Moreover the proposed solution guarantees the minimum economic impact as a result of the optimization of the logistic and technological application of the existing electric power plant. The main results about the preliminary energy analysis, that is the basis of the project, are reported.

EV charging stations and modes: International standards

In recent years, Electric vehicles (EVs) are receiving significant attention as an environmental-sustainable and cost-effective substitute of vehicles with internal combustion engine, for the solution of the dependence from fossil fuels and for the saving of Green-House Gasses emission The present paper deals with an overview on different types of EVs charging stations and a comparison between the related European and American Standards. The work includes also a summary on possible types of Energy Storage Systems (ESSs), that are important for the integration of EVs fast charging stations of the last generation in smart grids. Finally a brief analysis on the possible electrical layout for the ESS integration in EVs charging system, proposed in literature, is reported.

Electric Vehicles integration in demand response programs

An important support in Demand Response (DR) programs can be provided by the Electric Vehicles (EVs). EVs may behave as a load to the grid, a supplier of electricity to the grid or an energy storage device. Thanks to the smart grid enabling technologies, Utilities can manage EVs charging time and rates, gather EVs-detailed meter data and, therefore, implement DR programs. In the present paper an overview on DR definitions and a classification of the types of customers involved and implementable programs is reported. Then a special focus on EVs integration in DR programs is given, stressing the valuable services that EVs in smart grid asset can provide.

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.

A new methodology for power systems flexibility evaluation

In a free-market scenario, power system planning is affected by a significant degree of uncertainty about time and location of generating assets expansion. The paper contains a methodology for the evaluation of the flexibility, defined as the attitude of the transmission system to adapt, quickly and with limited costs, to every change, from the initial planning conditions, with a particular regard to the changes in generation. The method provides new global and local flexibility indices, based on technical and economical parameters, defined as Technical Uncertainty Scenarios Flexibility Index (T-USFI) and Technical Economical Uncertainty Scenarios Flexibility Index (TE-USFI). The T-USFI computation segment of methodology has been tested on simple networks.

From smart grids to Sustainable Energy Microsystems

The paper deals with an adaptive architecture for the integration of energy sub-systems currently independent, such as high efficiency buildings, sustainable mobility systems, dispersed generation from renewables and Combined Heat and Power units. The objective is to organize a Sustainable Energy Microsystem with a smart interaction of the energetic fluxes to pursue the goals of promoting: distributed generation systems; cogeneration for residential, tertiary and commercial buildings; a sustainable and energy efficient mobility based on the use of metro-transit and electric vehicles; the rational use of electricity by actions aimed at limiting energy expenditure and at developing near-zero energy buildings. The authors start from an overview on the energy fluxes related to the single sub-systems, pointing at difficulties for their integration, in technical and regulatory fields. The innovative idea is to move beyond the current concept of Smart Grids, proposing a new architecture whose main advantages are explained.