N. Natale

Multi-agent control system for increasing hosting capacity in active distribution networks with EV

Electrical mobility is based on the usage of electric vehicle (EV) as the main future technology to combat greenhouse gas emissions. Detailed knowledge about the future charging profiles of EVs appears to be missing in Literature. Slow chargers will be spread in the LV network or concentrated in some parking lots and connected to the LV or MV network. In the paper, an intelligent and decentralized Multi-Agent System (MAS) for handling EV charging control and management in the LV distribution networks is proposed. The MAS optimization algorithm proposed allows designing a valid and effective EVs charging system, able to analyse and meet the EV charging needs to contribute to the voltage control of the distribution network.

Aggregated electric vehicles load profiles with fast charging stations

The concept of electrical-mobility in opposition to the present oil-mobility is becoming even more attractive worldwide. Fast Charging Station (FCS) refers charging stations with nominal power equal or higher than 50 kW. The impacts of EV charging on electricity grids is becoming an increasingly important subject of study, but detailed knowledge about the future charging profiles of EVs appears to be missing in Literature. The FCS requires high power and they must be connected to MV networks. For that reasons, it is crucial to analyze these situations and to model the FCS consumption, in order to correctly plan the expansion of the MV system. In the paper a Monte Carlo simulation methodology is proposed to model the aspects that influence the request of fast charge for EVs. The EV charge profiles should be used in the planning and in the EV impact analysis of the future networks.

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.

Distribution system participation to the Italian ancillary service market

The participation in the ancillary services market of distributed generators, programmable or not, private owned storages, and active end-users, located at the distribution level, can be an opportunity to reduce the operation cost of the electric power system. In this paper the barriers that might limit the effective involvement of new players in the ancillary services market are investigated and the market potentialities quantified for a real portion of the Italian power system.

Exploiting distributed energy storage to increase network hosting capacity with a Multi-Agent control system

Due to the increasing presence of renewable energy sources connected to the distribution network, new issues concerning the electrical systems balancing and safety are spreading. Using network solution, these issues can be solved only by reinforcing grid assets or preventing the connection of new power plants. On the contrary, Energy Storage Systems (ESS) are one of the no network solutions identified to solve the technical issues raised in distribution network, to increase the hosting capacity, without using costly solutions. Consequently, several countries (e.g. Italy, Germany, Spain, Japan) defined technical rules regarding connection, prescription and network support functions for ESS in distribution networks. In the paper, an intelligent and decentralized Multi-Agent System (MAS) for the direct control of ESS connected with photovoltaic power plants (PV) in the LV distribution networks has been carried out. The effect of the aggregation of small storage systems able to provide grid services will be tested in a typical Italian LV distribution network, underlining the utility of the proposed design of MAS control.

Ancillary services by DG and storage systems in distribution networks for energy market participation

A regulatory effort is expected to be undertaken in the next years in order to foster the transition towards “smart grids”. In this view, the ancillary services market framework needs to change in order to cater for the possible contribution coming from distribution networks. Recently, the Italian Authority for Electricity, Gas and Water proposed three new market models aiming at exploiting the contribution of the resources connected to distribution networks for the ancillary services provision to the bulk grid. In this context, storage systems could enhance significantly the availability of ancillary services meanwhile allowing a better management of distribution networks. This paper aims at investigating the possible contribution of storage units in the ancillary services provision by distribution networks.

The e-visiØn project: Electric-vehicle integration for smart innovative 0-CO2 networks

The low-carbon society requires significant changes in the operation and planning of distribution systems. In order to exploit existing low voltage systems, Demand Side Integration is essential for offering services that increase security and quality of supply, improve energy efficiency and reduce the energy cost. The paper describes the three-year project e-visiØn, currently under completion, aimed at the integration of plug-in electric vehicles in Smart Grids and the simultaneous better exploitation of renewable energy sources in order to reach zero-CO2 networks and sustainable mobility.

The role of the Sardinian power system in the EU supergrid

The paper provides an overview of the impact of extensive deployment of local and external renewable energy sources in the Sardinian power system and discusses the main challenges faced in integrating current and forecasted high shares of renewable-based generation technologies. It presents the 2030 scenarios for the Sardinian grid and the results of steady-state analyses in extreme renewable generation and consumption conditions. These results are finally combined with the option for further interconnections with North Africa and Europe. A new HVDC link between Algeria and Sardinia to export solar energy from the South to the North of the Mediterranean is envisaged following the EU Supergrid projects. In general, the article stresses that accommodating high renewable energy penetration not only requires reinforcing the electricity highways but also demands carefully planning the architecture and the interface with regional power systems.