The Italian Regulatory Framework for Developing Smart Distribution Grids

Author(s):  
Valeria Olivieri ◽  
Maurizio Delfanti ◽  
Luca Lo Schiavo

Abstract The integration of Dispersed Generation (DG) is by far the most important and challenging issue that modern power systems are facing nowadays, and is the only way of exploiting Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for electric production. This revolution is running particularly fast in Europe, where significant incentive schemes have been promoted by many Member States in order to match the targets decided by the European institutions. As a consequence of the important share of RES already connected (especially to low voltage and medium voltage networks), new technical challenges have to be faced both at a distribution network level and at a transmission system level. Some of these challenges are covered by Smart grids that represent a new framework for improved management of distribution and transmission networks with attention to interoperability, security, resilience problems, and quality of service (QoS). It is recognized that an intelligent use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as enabling technology, is the only approach able to solve new problems arising on energy networks due to larger DG penetration, without hindering system security and QoS.The paper focuses on the Italian case and in particular on the Italian regulatory framework for developing Smart Grids, and describes the technical foundations of the regulatory innovations introduced by the Italian energy regulatory authority (Autorità per l’energia elettrica e il gas - AEEG). After a selection process based on cost/benefit assessment, some demonstration projects for Smart Grid proposed by Distribution System Operators have been awarded with special capital cost remuneration (extra WACC of 2% for 12 years, on top of the ordinary WACC equal to 7% for distribution investments). The smart grid demonstration projects founded by AEEG introduce and test a new advanced management of DG in order to avoid the problems coming from reverse power flowing and maintain the necessary level of security, availability and quality of service.

2020 ◽  
pp. 28-37
Author(s):  
Oleksandra V. Kubatko ◽  
Diana O. Yaryomenko ◽  
Mykola O. Kharchenko ◽  
Ismail Y. A. Almashaqbeh

Interruptions in electricity supply may have a series of failures that can affect banking, telecommunications, traffic, and safety sectors. Due to the two-way interactive abilities, Smart Grid allows consumers to automatically redirect on failure, or shut down of the equipment. Smart Grid technologies are the costly ones; however, due to the mitigation of possible problems, they are economically sound. Smart grids can't operate without smart meters, which may easily transmit real-time power consumption data to energy data centers, helping the consumer to make effective decisions about how much energy to use and at what time of day. Smart Grid meters do allow the consumer to track and reduce energy consumption bills during peak hours and increase the corresponding consumption during minimum hours. At a higher level of management (e.g., on the level of separate region or country), the Smart Grid distribution system operators have the opportunity to increase the reliability of power supply primarily by detecting or preventing emergencies. Ukraine's energy system is currently outdated and cannot withstand current loads. High levels of wear of the main and auxiliary equipment of the power system and uneven load distribution in the network often lead to emergencies and power outages. The Smart Grid achievements and energy sustainability are also related to the energy trilemma, which consists of key core dimensions– Energy Security, Energy Equity, and Environmental Sustainability. To be competitive in the world energy market, the country has to organize efficiently the cooperation of public/private actors, governments, economic and social agents, environmental issues, and individual consumer behaviors. Ukraine gained 61 positions out of 128 countries in a list in 2019 on the energy trilemma index. In general, Ukraine has a higher than average energy security position and lower than average energy equity, and environmental sustainability positions. Given the fact that the number of renewable energy sources is measured in hundreds and thousands, network management is complicated and requires a Smart Grid rapid response. Keywords: economic development, Smart Grid, electricity supply, economic and environmental efficiency.


Sensors ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 2472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jad Nassar ◽  
Matthieu Berthomé ◽  
Jérémy Dubrulle ◽  
Nicolas Gouvy ◽  
Nathalie Mitton ◽  
...  

The Smart Grid (SG) aims to transform the current electric grid into a “smarter” network where the integration of renewable energy resources, energy efficiency and fault tolerance are the main benefits. This is done by interconnecting every energy source, storage point or central control point with connected devices, where heterogeneous SG applications and signalling messages will have different requirements in terms of reliability, latency and priority. Hence, data routing and prioritization are the main challenges in such networks. So far, RPL (Routing Protocol for Low-Power and Lossy networks) protocol is widely used on Smart Grids for distributing commands over the grid. RPL assures traffic differentiation at the network layer in wireless sensor networks through the logical subdivision of the network in multiple instances, each one relying on a specific Objective Function. However, RPL is not optimized for Smart Grids, as its main objective functions and their associated metric does not allow Quality of Service differentiation. To overcome this, we propose OFQS an objective function with a multi-objective metric that considers the delay and the remaining energy in the battery nodes alongside with the dynamic quality of the communication links. Our function automatically adapts to the number of instances (traffic classes) providing a Quality of Service differentiation based on the different Smart Grid applications requirements. We tested our approach on a real sensor testbed. The experimental results show that our proposal provides a lower packet delivery latency and a higher packet delivery ratio while extending the lifetime of the network compared to solutions in the literature.


2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (7) ◽  
pp. 155014772110283
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Ogbodo ◽  
David Dorrell ◽  
Adnan Abu-Mahfouz

The development of a modern electric power grid has triggered the need for large-scale monitoring and communication in smart grids for efficient grid automation. This has led to the development of smart grids, which utilize cognitive radio sensor networks, which are combinations of cognitive radios and wireless sensor networks. Cognitive radio sensor networks can overcome spectrum limitations and interference challenges. The implementation of dense cognitive radio sensor networks, based on the specific topology of smart grids, is one of the critical issues for guaranteed quality of service through a communication network. In this article, various topologies of ZigBee cognitive radio sensor networks are investigated. Suitable topologies with energy-efficient spectrum-aware algorithms of ZigBee cognitive radio sensor networks in smart grids are proposed. The performance of the proposed ZigBee cognitive radio sensor network model with its control algorithms is analyzed and compared with existing ZigBee sensor network topologies within the smart grid environment. The quality of service metrics used for evaluating the performance are the end-to-end delay, bit error rate, and energy consumption. The simulation results confirm that the proposed topology model is preferable for sensor network deployment in smart grids based on reduced bit error rate, end-to-end delay (latency), and energy consumption. Smart grid applications require prompt, reliable, and efficient communication with low latency. Hence, the proposed topology model supports heterogeneous cognitive radio sensor networks and guarantees network connectivity with spectrum-awareness. Hence, it is suitable for efficient grid automation in cognitive radio sensor network–based smart grids. The traditional model lacks these capability features.


2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 128
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Efthymiopoulos ◽  
Prodromos Makris ◽  
Georgios Tsaousoglou ◽  
Konstantinos Steriotis ◽  
Dimitrios J. Vergados ◽  
...  

The FLEXGRID project develops a digital platform designed to offer Digital Energy Services (DESs) that facilitate energy sector stakeholders (i.e. Distribution System Operators - DSOs, Transmission System Operators - TSOs, market operators, Renewable Energy Sources - RES producers, retailers, flexibility aggregators) towards: i) automating and optimizing the planning and operation/management of their systems/assets, and ii) interacting in a dynamic and efficient way with their environment (electricity system) and the rest of the stakeholders. In this way, FLEXGRID envisages secure, sustainable, competitive, and affordable smart grids. A key objective is the incentivization of large-scale bottom-up investments in Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) through innovative smart grid management. Towards this goal, FLEXGRID develops innovative data models and energy market architectures (with high liquidity and efficiency) that effectively manage smart grids through an advanced TSO-DSO interaction as well as interactions between Transmission Network and Distribution Network level energy markets. Consequently, and through intelligence that exploits the innovation of the proposed market architecture, FLEXGRID develops investment tools able to examine in depth the emerging energy ecosystem and allow in this way: i) the financial sustainability of DER investors, and ii) the market liquidity/efficiency through advanced exploitation of DERs and intelligent network upgrades.


Energies ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 2187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Deilami

This paper first introduces the impacts of battery charger and nonlinear load harmonics on smart grids considering random plug-in of electric vehicles (PEVs) without any coordination. Then, a new centralized nonlinear online maximum sensitivity selection-based charging algorithm (NOL-MSSCA) is proposed for coordinating PEVs that minimizes the costs associated with generation and losses considering network and bus total harmonic distortion (THD). The aim is to first attend the high priority customers and charge their vehicles as quickly as possible while postponing the service to medium and low priority consumers to the off-peak hours, considering network, battery and power quality constraints and harmonics. The vehicles were randomly plugged at different locations during a period of 24 h. The proposed PEV coordination is based on the maximum sensitivity selection (MSS), which is the sensitivity of losses (including fundamental and harmonic losses) with respect to the PEV location (PEV bus). The proposed algorithm uses the decoupled harmonic power flow (DHPF) to model the nonlinear loads (including the PEV chargers) as current harmonic sources and computes the harmonic power losses, harmonic voltages and THD of the smart grid. The MSS vectors are easily determined using the entries of the Jacobian matrix of the DHPF program, which includes the spectrums of all injected harmonics by nonlinear electric vehicle (EV) chargers and nonlinear industrial loads. The sensitivity of the objective function (fundamental and harmonic power losses) to the PEVs were then used to schedule PEVs accordingly. The algorithm successfully controls the network THDv level within the standard limit of 5% for low and moderate PEV penetrations by delaying PEV charging activities. For high PEV penetrations, the installation of passive power filters (PPFs) is suggested to reduce the THDv and manage to fully charge the PEVs. Detailed simulations considering random and coordinated charging were performed on the modified IEEE 23 kV distribution system with 22 low voltage residential networks populated with PEVs that have nonlinear battery chargers. Simulation results are provided without/with filters for different penetration levels of PEVs.


Author(s):  
Chethan Parthasarathy ◽  
Hossein Hafezi ◽  
Hannu Laaksonen

AbstractLithium-ion battery energy storage systems (Li-ion BESS), due to their capability in providing both active and reactive power services, act as a bridging technology for efficient implementation of active network management (ANM) schemes for land-based grid applications. Due to higher integration of intermittent renewable energy sources in the distribution system, transient instability may induce power quality issues, mainly in terms of voltage fluctuations. In such situations, ANM schemes in the power network are a possible solution to maintain operation limits defined by grid codes. However, to implement ANM schemes effectively, integration and control of highly flexible Li-ion BESS play an important role, considering their performance characteristics and economics. Hence, in this paper, an energy management system (EMS) has been developed for implementing the ANM scheme, particularly focusing on the integration design of Li-ion BESS and the controllers managing them. Developed ANM scheme has been utilized to mitigate MV network issues (i.e. voltage stability and adherence to reactive power window). The efficiency of Li-ion BESS integration methodology, performance of the EMS controllers to implement ANM scheme and the effect of such ANM schemes on integration of Li-ion BESS, i.e. control of its grid-side converter (considering operation states and characteristics of the Li-ion BESS) and their coordination with the grid side controllers have been validated by means of simulation studies in the Sundom smart grid network, Vaasa, Finland.


2021 ◽  
pp. 5-9
Author(s):  
Tetiana AVERIKHINA ◽  
Maryna BURIACHENKO ◽  
Valeriia VASYLIEVA

Introduction. The world market of electrical equipment is developing very fast. There are many companies in the market that sell electrical equipment, among them there are companies that occupy leading positions. Today, the world market of energy engineering is estimated at 87 billion dollars per year, based on the structural dynamics of growth, the annual volume can reach 110-115 billion dollars per year until 2025. The global market for energy equipment service in 2020 is 31.7 billion dollars, including: LTSA (long-term service) 47 %, modernization – 20 %, field service – 24 %, engineering – 9 %. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the world market of electrical equipment, determine sales, business growth. The list of leaders in electrical equipment on the world market is considered. Results. The main trends in the world today are the following areas: development of DC transmission system, cable lines for underwater laying and cable for connections of renewable energy sources to reduce energy transmission costs through the capabilities of existing transmission lines, through network voltages and innovative design solutions and installation methods. The amendment for these trends shows us the world leaders in the electrical market, such as Legrand, Schneider Electric, ABB, Siemens, DEKraft, SASSIN, EKF, etc., R&D costs are 3.5–5 % of profits (over 60 years). Thus, we can conclude that the global market for cable networks is developing rapidly. This market is expected to grow in the development of smart grid technologies, renewable energy generation and initiatives to modernize the transmission and distribution system. Conclusion. That the global cable ladder market is developing rapidly. This market is expected to grow in the development of smart grid technologies, renewable energy cultivation and government initiatives to modernize transmission and distribution systems.


Electronics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (6) ◽  
pp. 691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ju-Yong Kim ◽  
Ho-Sung Kim ◽  
Ju-Won Baek ◽  
Dong-Keun Jeong

Low-voltage direct current (LVDC) distribution has attracted attention due to increased DC loads, the popularization of electric vehicles, energy storage systems (ESS), and renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic (PV). This paper studies a ±750 V bipolar DC distribution system and applies a 3-level neutral-point clamped (NPC) AC/DC converter for LVDC distribution. However, the 3-level NPC converter is fundamental in the neutral-point (NP) imbalance problem. This paper discusses the NP balance control method using zero-sequence voltage among various solutions to solve NP imbalance. However, since the zero-sequence voltage for NP balance control is limited, the NP voltage cannot be controlled to be balanced when extreme load differences occur. To maintain microgrid stability with bipolar LVDC distribution, it is necessary to control the NP voltage balance, even in an imbalance of extreme load. In addition, due to the bipolar LVDC distribution, the pole where a short-circuit condition occurs limits the short current until the circuit breaker operates, and a pole without a short-circuit condition must supply a stable voltage. Since the conventional 3-level NPC AC/DC converter alone cannot satisfy both functions, an additional DC/DC converter is proposed, analyzed, and verified. This paper is about a 3-level NPC AC/DC converter system for LVDC distribution. It can be used for the imbalance and short-circuit condition in bipolar LVDC distribution through the prototype of the 300 kW 3-level NPC AC/DC converter system and experimented and verified in various conditions.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gisliany Alves ◽  
Danielle Marques ◽  
Ivanovitch Silva ◽  
Luiz Affonso Guedes ◽  
Maria da Guia da Silva

Smart grids are a new trend in electric power distribution, which has been guiding the digitization of electric ecosystems. These smart networks are continually being introduced in order to improve the dependability (reliability, availability) and efficiency of power grid systems. However, smart grids are often complex, composed of heterogeneous components (intelligent automation systems, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) control systems, power systems, smart metering systems, and others). Additionally, they are organized under a hierarchical topology infrastructure demanded by priority-based services, resulting in a costly modeling and evaluation of their dependability requirements. This work explores smart grid modeling as a graph in order to propose a methodology for dependability evaluation. The methodology is based on Fault Tree formalism, where the top event is generated automatically and encompasses the hierarchical infrastructure, redundant features, load priorities, and failure and repair distribution rates of all components of a smart grid. The methodology is suitable to be applied in early design stages, making possible to evaluate instantaneous and average measurements of reliability and availability, as well as to identify eventual critical regions and components of smart grid. The study of a specific use-case of low-voltage distribution network is used for validation purposes.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 1545 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Deilami ◽  
S. M. Muyeen

The electrification of transportation has been developed to support energy efficiency and CO2 reduction. As a result, electric vehicles (EVs) have become more popular in the current transport system to create more efficient energy. In recent years, this increase in EVs as well as renewable energy resources (RERs) has led to a major issue for power system networks. This paper studies electrical vehicles (EVs) and their applications in the smart grid and provides practical solutions for EV charging strategies in a smart power system to overcome the issues associated with large-scale EV penetrations. The research first reviews the EV battery infrastructure and charging strategies and introduces the main impacts of uncontrolled charging on the power grid. Then, it provides a practical overview of the existing and future solutions to manage the large-scale integration of EVs into the network. The simulation results for two controlled strategies of maximum sensitivity selection (MSS) and genetic algorithm (GA) optimization are presented and reviewed. A comparative analysis was performed to prove the application and validity of the solution approaches. This also helps researchers with the application of the optimization approaches on EV charging strategies. These two algorithms were implemented on a modified IEEE 23 kV medium voltage distribution system with switched shunt capacitors (SSCs) and a low voltage residential network, including EVs and nonlinear EV battery chargers.


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