E-mobility charging sites. Assessment of power system impacts, consumption patterns and feasibility aspects to explore a new business opportunity.

Electrification of energy demand is seen as one of the key elements of energy transition toward decarbonisation. E-mobility is one main side of the electrification process, and it is considered as a crucial way to reduce the emissions of the transport sector. A core element for a widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is the deployment of the charging infrastructure, and installing a microgrid can the best way to integrate a charging site in the main power grid. The research project has being developed in collaboration with Volvo Penta to support the exploration of this new business opportunity. For the possible stakeholders the knowledge gap concerns the economic feasibility of charging sites/microgrids, and also which data and information are needed to properly assess it. The present research project has then the objective to gather and analyse information and data to deliver a semi quantitative assessment of different alternative charging site/microgrid configurations, to evaluate which could be the most economically viable and under which conditions. Three research questions (RQ) focused the work toward the aim of the study: 1) which are the main impacts and implications for the power system? 2) Which can be some potential consumption patterns? 3) Which are the main technical, economic, regulatory feasibility aspects? A mixed research method was adopted: qualitative, with a thorough literature review and a number of interviews, for all the three RQs; and quantitative, performing a levelised cost of energy (LCOE) comparative analysis for different cases, for the third RQ. The work finds that e-mobility can entail a number of issues for the power system, but they will become relevant only when a higher degree of penetration will be reached, when it will also become important to provide some solutions to cope with them. A common assumption, also adopted in the present research, for the assessment of potential charging profiles is that, at least at the beginning, the use patterns of EVs will be in line with use of internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs). The work also concludes that although today the main feasibility problems for charging sties/microgrid are still related to the costs of the involved technologies, in the mid-long term the need to update the regulation and the adoption of new business models could be the main hurdles. The LCOE calculations show how the results vary substantially according to the configuration, but in general the economics are not yet favourable for microgrids in the considered cases. In the best case the LCOE for the microgrid configurations is 1.2 times higher than the one for the grid dependent solutions, while in the worse cases they are more than 10 times higher. The detailed comparative analysis illustrates the cost compositions in the different cases. Further research should be conducted in particular regarding the feasibility aspects. Different elements can radically change these results, such as possible needed grid upgrades or the evolution electricity tariffs. Possible investors and researches should bear in mind those aspects related to the charging sites when delving into e-mobility. In the future specific business cases will need to be assessed by Volvo Penta in order to get more exact results and insights

Komponentenbasierte dynamische Modellierung von Energiesystemen und Energiemanagement-Strategien für ein intelligentes Stromnetz im Heimbereich

The motivation of this work is to present an energy cost reduction concept in a home area power network (HAPN) with intelligent generation and flexible load demands. This study endeavors to address the energy management system (EMS) and layout-design challenges faced by HAPN through a systematic design approach. The growing demand for electricity has become a significant burden on traditional power networks, prompting power engineers to seek ways to improve their efficiency. One such solution is to integrate dispersed generation sources, such as photovoltaic (PV) and storage systems, with an appropriate control mechanism at the distribution level. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in interest in the installation of PV-Battery systems, due to their potential to reduce carbon emissions and lower energy costs. This research proposes an optimal economic power dispatch strategy using Model Predictive Control (MPC) to enhance the overall performance of HAPN. A hybrid AC/DC microgrid concept is proposed to address the control choices made by the appliance scheduling and hybrid switching approaches based on a linear programming optimization framework. The suggested optimization criteria improve consumer satisfaction, minimize grid disconnections, and lower overall energy costs by deploying inexpensive clean energy generation and control. Various examples from actual case study demonstrate the use of the established EMS and design methodology.Die Motivation dieser Arbeit besteht darin, ein Konzept zur Senkung der Energiekosten in einem Heimnetzwerk (HAPN) mit intelligenter Erzeugung und exiblen Lastanforderungen vorzustellen. Im Rahmen dieser Forschungsarbeit wird ein Entwurf für ein HAPN entwickelt, indem das Energiemanagementsystem (EMS) und der Entwurf des Layouts auf der Grundlage des Systemmodells und der betrieblichen Anforderungen gelöst werden. Die steigende Nachfrage nach Elektrizität ist für traditionelle Stromnetze kostspielig und infrastrukturintensiv. Daher konzentrieren sich Energietechniker darauf, die Effizienz der derzeitigen Netze zu erhöhen. Dies kann durch die Integration verteilter Erzeugungsanlagen (z. B. Photovoltaik (PV), Speicher) mit einem geeigneten Kontrollmechanismus für das Energiemanagement auf der Verteilungsseite erreicht werden. Darüber hinaus hat das Interesse an der Installation von PV-Batterie-basierten Systemen aufgrund der Reduzierung der CO2-Emissionen und der Senkung der Energiekosten erheblich zugenommen. Es wird eine optimale wirtschaftliche Strategie für den Energieeinsatz unter Verwendung einer modellprädiktiven Steuerung (MPC) entwickelt. Es wird zudem ein hybrides AC/DC-Microgrid-Konzept vorgeschlagen, um die Steuerungsentscheidungen, die von den Ansätzen der Geräteplanung und der hybriden Umschaltung getroffen werden, auf der Grundlage eines linearen Programmierungsoptimierungsrahmens zu berücksichtigen. Die vorgeschlagenen Optimierungskriterien verbessern die Zufriedenheit der Verbraucher, minimieren Netzabschaltungen und senken die Gesamtenergiekosten durch den Einsatz von kostengünstiger und sauberer Energieerzeugung. Verschiedene Beispiele aus einer Fallstudie demonstrieren den Einsatz des entwickelten EMS und der Entwurfsmethodik

Advances in Theoretical and Computational Energy Optimization Processes

The paradigm in the design of all human activity that requires energy for its development must change from the past. We must change the processes of product manufacturing and functional services. This is necessary in order to mitigate the ecological footprint of man on the Earth, which cannot be considered as a resource with infinite capacities. To do this, every single process must be analyzed and modified, with the aim of decarbonising each production sector. This collection of articles has been assembled to provide ideas and new broad-spectrum contributions for these purposes

A comprehensive review on electric vehicles smart charging: solutions, strategies, technologies, and challenges

The role of electric vehicles (EVs) in energy systems will be crucial over the upcoming years due to their environmental-friendly nature and ability to mitigate/absorb excess power from renewable energy sources. Currently, a significant focus is given to EV smart charging (EVSC) solutions by researchers and industries around the globe to suitably meet the EVs' charging demand while overcoming their negative impacts on the power grid. Therefore, effective EVSC strategies and technologies are required to address such challenges. This review paper outlines the benefits and challenges of the EVSC procedure from different points of view. The role of EV aggregator in EVSC, charging methods and objectives, and required infrastructure for implementing EVSC are discussed. The study also deals with ancillary services provided by EVSC and EVs' load forecasting approaches. Moreover, the EVSC integrated energy systems, including homes, buildings, integrated energy systems, etc., are reviewed, followed by the smart green charging solutions to enhance the environmental benefit of EVs. The literature review shows the efficiency of EVSC in reducing charging costs by 30 %, grid operational costs by 10 %, and renewable curtailment by 40 %. The study gives key findings and recommendations which can be helpful for researchers and policymakers

Microgrids: Planning, Protection and Control

This Special Issue will include papers related to the planning, protection, and control of smart grids and microgrids, and their applications in the industry, transportation, water, waste, and urban and residential infrastructures. Authors are encouraged to present their latest research; reviews on topics including methods, approaches, systems, and technology; and interfaces to other domains such as big data, cybersecurity, human–machine, sustainability, and smart cities. The planning side of microgrids might include technology selection, scheduling, interconnected microgrids, and their integration with regional energy infrastructures. The protection side of microgrids might include topics related to protection strategies, risk management, protection technologies, abnormal scenario assessments, equipment and system protection layers, fault diagnosis, validation and verification, and intelligent safety systems. The control side of smart grids and microgrids might include control strategies, intelligent control algorithms and systems, control architectures, technologies, embedded systems, monitoring, and deployment and implementation

Grid flexibility by electrifying energy systems for sustainable aviation

This thesis was submitted for the award of Doctor of Philosophy and was awarded by Brunel University LondonDecarbonisation of aviation goals set by Flightpath 2050 Europe’s Vision for Aviation requires that the airports become emission-free by 2050. This thesis original contribution to knowledge is to explore the incorporation of aviation electrification technologies, including electric aircraft (EA), electrified ground support equipment (GSE), and airport parking electric vehicles (EVs), into power systems, evaluating their influence on grid infrastructure and operations, as well as their potential to support the grid operation. A comprehensive review of aviation electrification technologies revealed a research gap in the integration of these technologies into the power systems. The thesis contributes to electricity network infrastructure planning for electrification of aviation and airport-based distributed energy resources (DER) that provide ancillary services to the power grid. A multi-objective airport microgrid planning framework is developed, comparing EA charging strategies and revealing that battery swap performs better. Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) strategy with parking EVs improves the microgrid's performance. A techno-economic assessment of wireless charging systems for electric airport shuttle buses shows better economic performance than conventional buses and other charging options. A novel Aviation-to-Grid (A2G) flexibility concept provides frequency response services to the GB power system using EA battery charging systems, with typical A2G service capacity showing significant variation across eight UK airports. A deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based A2G dispatch approach evaluates the impact of EA charger capacity on energy dispatch results, with higher capacities leading to higher revenue and lower operation costs. To summarise, this thesis addresses the research gaps in integrating aviation electrification technologies into power systems, offering valuable insights for airport operators aiming to decarbonise air transport activities through the adoption of these technologies. The study also provides an understanding of the impacts on grid operators in terms of infrastructure planning and operations. This comprehensive approach ensures a cohesive understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by aviation electrification and its integration into power systems

Optimized charging control method for plug-in electric vehicles in LV distribution networks

207 p.Title: Optimized charging control method for plug-in electric vehicles in low voltage distributionnetworksKeywords: plug-in electric vehicles, smart charging, V2G, distribution networks, smart grids, multiobjectiveoptimization, demand side management, voltage unbalances, DIgSILENT PowerFactory[EN] This thesis proposes a new methodology to integrate plug-in electric vehicles in low voltagedistribution networks. Charging a significant number of plug-in electric vehicles will lead to severalimpacts in low voltage distribution networks such as increase of energy losses, overloads of linesand distribution transformers, voltage drops and unbalances, etc. These impacts will dependlargely on the charging control method used. Furthermore, there can be a conflict of interestsbetween electric vehicle users and electric utilities. In this context, this thesis proposes a newmethodology to efficiently integrate plug-in electric vehicles and, at the same time, it reducescharging costs for electric vehicle users. This new methodology is based on a multi-objectiveoptimization which objective functions are minimizing load variance and charging costs. Inaddition, an improvement has been proposed to coordinate the charging of multiple PEVs in orderto reduce voltage drops and unbalances. Furthermore, the proposed solution has beenimplemented in a decentralized architecture which provides several advantages. Aspects such asusers¿ privacy, reliability and scalability are improved compared to centralized controlarchitectures. A real distribution network located in Borup (Denmark) has been used as model totest the effectiveness of the proposed methodology. Simulation results show that the newmethodology improves load factor, limits energy losses, reduces charging costs and limits voltagedrops and unbalances. Considering all these aspects, the proposed methodology improves theintegration of plug-in electric vehicles in low voltage distribution networks.[SP] La presente tesis doctoral propone una nueva metodología para integrar los vehículoseléctricos enchufables en las redes de baja tensión. La carga de un número significativo devehículos eléctricos producirá varios impactos en las redes de baja tensión como son el aumentode pérdidas, la sobrecarga de líneas y transformadores, caídas de tensión, desequilibrios detensión, etc. Estos impactos dependerán en gran medida del método de control de carga utilizado.Además, puede existir un conflicto de intereses entre los usuarios de vehículos eléctricos y lascompañías distribuidores de electricidad. En este contexto, la presente tesis propone una nuevametodología para integrar eficientemente los vehículos eléctricos enchufables y, al mismo tiempo,reducir los costes de carga. Esta metodología está basada en una optimización multiobjetivo cuyasfunciones objetivo son la minimización de la varianza de la carga y de los costes de carga.Asimismo, se introduce una mejora para coordinar la carga de los vehículos eléctricos enchufablescon el objeto de reducir los desequilibrios y las caídas de tensión. Igualmente, la soluciónpropuesta ha sido implementada en una arquitectura descentralizada que proporciona una seriede mejoras adicionales. Aspectos como la privacidad de los usuarios, la fiabilidad y la modularidadson mejorados respecto a soluciones con arquitecturas centralizadas. Un modelo de una red dedistribución real, localizada en el municipio de Borup (Dinamarca), ha sido utilizado paracomprobar la eficacia de la metodología propuesta. Los resultados obtenidos en las simulacionesdemuestran que la nueva metodología mejora el factor de carga, limita las pérdidas de energía,reduce los costes de carga y limita los desequilibrios y caídas de tensión. Teniendo en cuenta todosestos aspectos, la metodología propuesta mejora la integración de los vehículos eléctricosenchufables en las redes de distribución de baja tensión