Efficient and Risk-Aware Control of Electricity Distribution Grids

This article presents an economic model predictive control (EMPC) algorithm for reducing losses and increasing the resilience of medium-voltage electricity distribution grids characterized by high penetration of renewable energy sources and possibly subject to natural or malicious adverse events. The proposed control system optimizes grid operations through network reconfiguration, control of distributed energy storage systems (ESSs), and on-load tap changers. The core of the EMPC algorithm is a nonconvex optimization problem integrating the ESSs dynamics, the topological and power technical constraints of the grid, and the modeling of the cascading effects of potential adverse events. An equivalent (i.e., having the same optimal solution) proxy of the nonconvex problem is proposed to make the solution more tractable. Simulations performed on a 16-bus test distribution network validate the proposed control strategy

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SECOND LIST OF UNION PROJECTS OF COMMON INTEREST: EVALUATION OF CANDIDATE PROJECTS OF COMMON INTEREST IN THE FIELD OF SMART GRIDS

The document presents the outcome of the evaluation process of candidate Projects of Common Interest in the area of Smart Grids, under the trans-European energy infrastructure regulation. The evaluation follows the guidelines of the assessment framework for Smart Grid projects, developed by the JRC within the EC Smart Grid Task Force.JRC.F.3-Energy Security, Systems and Marke

Evaluation of Smart Grid projects for inclusion in the third Union-wide list of Projects of Common Interest: Evaluation of candidate projects in the TEN-E priority thematic area of smart grids deployment

The document presents the outcome of the evaluation process of candidate Projects of Common Interest in the priority thematic area of ‘smart grids deployment’, as set out in the trans-European energy infrastructure regulation. The evaluation follows the guidelines of the assessment framework for smart grid Projects of Common Interest, 2017 update, developed by the JRC and adopted by the smart grid Regional Group. The report aims to assist the smart grids Regional Group in proposing projects of common interest in the area of smart grids deployment to be included in the 3rd Union list of Projects of Common Interest.JRC.C.3-Energy Security, Distribution and Market

Distributed Power Generation Scheduling, Modelling and Expansion Planning

Distributed generation is becoming more important in electrical power systems due to the decentralization of energy production. Within this new paradigm, new approaches for the operation and planning of distributed power generation are yet to be explored. This book deals with distributed energy resources, such as renewable-based distributed generators and energy storage units, among others, considering their operation, scheduling, and planning. Moreover, other interesting aspects such as demand response, electric vehicles, aggregators, and microgrid are also analyzed. All these aspects constitute a new paradigm that is explored in this Special Issue

Cost-benefit analysis of Smart Grid projects: Isernia: Costs and benefits of Smart Grid pilot installations and scalability options

Smart Grid pilot projects and their assessment through a cost-benefit analysis are crucial to ensure that Smart Grid and Smart Metering roll-out are economically reasonable and cost-effective. Analysing the Isernia pilot project, the key result of the investigation is that an extra remuneration for such ambitious projects has been crucial in turning the Distribution System Operator’s Return on Investment (RoI) positive.JRC.C.3-Energy Security, Distribution and Market

Renewable Energies for Sustainable Development

In the current scenario in which climate change dominates our lives and in which we all need to combat and drastically reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, renewable energies play key roles as present and future energy sources. Renewable energies vary across a wide range, and therefore, there are related studies for each type of energy. This Special Issue is composed of studies integrating the latest research innovations and knowledge focused on all types of renewable energy: onshore and offshore wind, photovoltaic, solar, biomass, geothermal, waves, tides, hydro, etc. Authors were invited submit review and research papers focused on energy resource estimation, all types of TRL converters, civil infrastructure, electrical connection, environmental studies, licensing and development of facilities, construction, operation and maintenance, mechanical and structural analysis, new materials for these facilities, etc. Analyses of a combination of several renewable energies as well as storage systems to progress the development of these sustainable energies were welcomed

EcoBlock: Grid Impacts, Scaling, and Resilience

Widespread deployment of EcoBlocks has the potential to transform today's electricity system into one that is more resilient, flexible, efficient and sustainable. In this vision, the system will consist of self- su cient, renewable-powered, block-scale entities that can deliberately adjust their net power exchange and can optimize performance, maintain stability, support each other, or disconnect entirely from the grid as needed. This report is intended as an independent analysis of the potential relationships, both constructive and adverse, between EcoBlocks and the grid

Improving Grid Hosting Capacity and Inertia Response with High Penetration of Renewable Generation

To achieve a more sustainable supply of electricity, utilizing renewable energy resources is a promising solution. However, the inclusion of intermittent renewable energy resources in electric power systems, if not appropriately managed and controlled, will raise a new set of technical challenges in both voltage and frequency control and jeopardizes the reliability and stability of the power system, as one of the most critical infrastructures in the today’s world. This dissertation aims to answer how to achieve high penetration of renewable generations in the entire power system without jeopardizing its security and reliability. First, we tackle the data insufficiency in testing new methods and concepts in renewable generation integration and develop a toolkit to generate any number of synthetic power grids feathering the same properties of real power grids. Next, we focus on small-scale PV systems as the most growing renewable generation in distribution networks and develop a detailed impact assessment framework to examine its impacts on the system and provide installation scheme recommendations to improve the hosting capacity of PV systems in the distribution networks. Following, we examine smart homes with rooftop PV systems and propose a new demand side management algorithm to make the best use of distributed renewable energy. Finally, the findings in the aforementioned three parts have been incorporated to solve the challenge of inertia response and hosting capacity of renewables in transmission network

PV Hosting Capacity Analysis and Enhancement Using High Resolution Stochastic Modeling

Reduction of CO2 emissions is a main target in the future smart grid. This goal is boosting the installation of renewable energy resources (RES), as well as a major consumer engagement that seeks for a more efficient utilization of these resources toward the figure of ‘prosumers’. Nevertheless, these resources present an intermittent nature, which requires the presence of an energy storage system and an energy management system (EMS) to ensure an uninterrupted power supply. Moreover, network-related issues might arise due to the increasing power of renewable resources installed in the grid, the storage systems also being capable of contributing to the network stability. However, to assess these future scenarios and test the control strategies, a simulation system is needed. The aim of this paper is to analyze the interaction between residential consumers with high penetration of PV generation and distributed storage and the grid by means of a high temporal resolution simulation scenario based on a stochastic residential load model and PV production records. Results of the model are presented for different PV power rates and storage capacities, as well as a two-level charging strategy as a mechanism for increasing the hosting capacity (HC) of the network