INTRODUCTION

This special issue of the Journal of Energy is dedicated to the establishment of today the Department for Energy and Power Systems (ZVNE), University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in 1934. in that time the High Voltage Department as part of the Technical Faculty. For this reason, the history of the Department for Energy and Power Systems is presented in the introductory article, while the other articles are part of a broad scientific and professional work of the employees of the Department and some of the articles were created in wide cooperation with experts from the companies, that graduated from the Department. Journal of Energy special issue: present 17 papers selected for publication in Journal of Energy after having undergone the peer review process. We would like to thank the authors for their contributions and the reviewers who dedicated their valuable time in selecting and reviewing these papers. We hope this special issue will provide you valuable information of some achievements at Department of Energy and Power Systems, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing. Short introduction of scientific and expert work of the Department for Energy and Power Systems (ZVNE): Besides educational energy related programmes for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND POWER SYSTEMS has been actively involved for many years in many scientific and expert studies. Studies on scientific projects include collaboration with industry, national institutions, electric utilities, and many foreign universities. The Department has developed valuable international cooperation with many research institutions around the world, either directly or through inter-university cooperation. The Department is the leading institution in the field of electrical power engineering in the region, it has a long lasting cooperation with the economic sector, and it is recognized for its scientific activities and a large number of published scientific papers in globally relevant journals, as well as numerous national and international scientific projects. Main Department areas of activities are: a) Power Engineering and Power Technologies, b) Energy, Environment, Energy Management and c) Nuclear Power Engineering In Power Systems Engineering the research is focused to development of both fundamental knowledge and applications of electrical power engineering. The research is generally directed to increasing the availability and the reliability of a power system with an emphasis on the adjustment to the open market environment. Specific goals include: improving models and methodologies for power system analysis, operation and control; development, production and application of models and methodologies for power systems planning, maintenance and development; application of soft-computing (artificial intelligence, meta-heuristics, etc.), information technologies (web-oriented technologies, geographic information systems, enterprise IT solutions, etc.) and operational research in improving processes of planning, development, exploitation and control of power systems; investigation on applications for coordinated control of power system devices and exploring the power system stability, security and economic operation; integration of intelligent devices and agents in energy management systems and distribution management systems equipment and software; advanced modelling of dynamics, disturbances and transient phenomena in transmission and distribution networks (in particular regarding distributed generation); advances in fault detection, restoration and outage management. The researches also cover high voltage engineering. At time of global changes in the energy sector, with emphasis on sustainable development, significant efforts are devoted to liberalization efforts, facilities revitalization, improved legislation and adoption of new standards. In area of Power Technologies, Energy and Environment, Energy Management the main framework for the research are: sustainable electricity generation on a liberalized market, modelling ETS and electricity market; energy security and climate change; power system optimization with emission trading; rational use of energy and energy savings; energy management in industry and buildings; energy conservation and energy auditing in industry and buildings. General objective of the research is to develop methodologies for quantitative assessment of the environmental impact of applicable energy technologies (electric power producing plants and their technology chains), as a base for estimating optimal long-term development strategy of the Croatian power system. Research work includes new strategies of energy sector and power system development; preparing medium and long-term electricity generation expansion plan for power system; comparison of energy, economic and environmental characteristics of different options for electric power generation; studies for rational use of energy and energy savings, assuming a centralized structure of the electricity market. Research work also includes renewable energy sources and its role in power sector, as well as electricity production considering cap on CO2 emissions. Research covers development of new models for power system generation optimization and planning under uncertainties on the open electricity market. The goal of that research is to create analytical and software tools which will enable a successful transition to liberalized electricity market and ensure healthy and efficient power system operation in compliance with environmental requirements. In the Nuclear Energy Field research cover nuclear physics reactor theory, nuclear power plants. fuel cycles and reactors materials and general objective of the research is to develop methodologies for reliable assessment of nuclear power plants operational safety. In the nuclear energy field the specific analysis cover calculations of transients and consequences of potential accidents in NPP Krško. In the field of safety analyses of nuclear power plants the research activities are oriented to the mathematical modelling of nuclear power plant systems and components

INTRODUCTION

This special issue of the Journal of Energy is dedicated to the establishment of today the Department for Energy and Power Systems (ZVNE), University of Zagreb Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in 1934. in that time the High Voltage Department as part of the Technical Faculty. For this reason, the history of the Department for Energy and Power Systems is presented in the introductory article, while the other articles are part of a broad scientific and professional work of the employees of the Department and some of the articles were created in wide cooperation with experts from the companies, that graduated from the Department. Journal of Energy special issue: present 17 papers selected for publication in Journal of Energy after having undergone the peer review process. We would like to thank the authors for their contributions and the reviewers who dedicated their valuable time in selecting and reviewing these papers. We hope this special issue will provide you valuable information of some achievements at Department of Energy and Power Systems, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing. Short introduction of scientific and expert work of the Department for Energy and Power Systems (ZVNE): Besides educational energy related programmes for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students, DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY AND POWER SYSTEMS has been actively involved for many years in many scientific and expert studies. Studies on scientific projects include collaboration with industry, national institutions, electric utilities, and many foreign universities. The Department has developed valuable international cooperation with many research institutions around the world, either directly or through inter-university cooperation. The Department is the leading institution in the field of electrical power engineering in the region, it has a long lasting cooperation with the economic sector, and it is recognized for its scientific activities and a large number of published scientific papers in globally relevant journals, as well as numerous national and international scientific projects. Main Department areas of activities are: a) Power Engineering and Power Technologies, b) Energy, Environment, Energy Management and c) Nuclear Power Engineering In Power Systems Engineering the research is focused to development of both fundamental knowledge and applications of electrical power engineering. The research is generally directed to increasing the availability and the reliability of a power system with an emphasis on the adjustment to the open market environment. Specific goals include: improving models and methodologies for power system analysis, operation and control; development, production and application of models and methodologies for power systems planning, maintenance and development; application of soft-computing (artificial intelligence, meta-heuristics, etc.), information technologies (web-oriented technologies, geographic information systems, enterprise IT solutions, etc.) and operational research in improving processes of planning, development, exploitation and control of power systems; investigation on applications for coordinated control of power system devices and exploring the power system stability, security and economic operation; integration of intelligent devices and agents in energy management systems and distribution management systems equipment and software; advanced modelling of dynamics, disturbances and transient phenomena in transmission and distribution networks (in particular regarding distributed generation); advances in fault detection, restoration and outage management. The researches also cover high voltage engineering. At time of global changes in the energy sector, with emphasis on sustainable development, significant efforts are devoted to liberalization efforts, facilities revitalization, improved legislation and adoption of new standards. In area of Power Technologies, Energy and Environment, Energy Management the main framework for the research are: sustainable electricity generation on a liberalized market, modelling ETS and electricity market; energy security and climate change; power system optimization with emission trading; rational use of energy and energy savings; energy management in industry and buildings; energy conservation and energy auditing in industry and buildings. General objective of the research is to develop methodologies for quantitative assessment of the environmental impact of applicable energy technologies (electric power producing plants and their technology chains), as a base for estimating optimal long-term development strategy of the Croatian power system. Research work includes new strategies of energy sector and power system development; preparing medium and long-term electricity generation expansion plan for power system; comparison of energy, economic and environmental characteristics of different options for electric power generation; studies for rational use of energy and energy savings, assuming a centralized structure of the electricity market. Research work also includes renewable energy sources and its role in power sector, as well as electricity production considering cap on CO2 emissions. Research covers development of new models for power system generation optimization and planning under uncertainties on the open electricity market. The goal of that research is to create analytical and software tools which will enable a successful transition to liberalized electricity market and ensure healthy and efficient power system operation in compliance with environmental requirements. In the Nuclear Energy Field research cover nuclear physics reactor theory, nuclear power plants. fuel cycles and reactors materials and general objective of the research is to develop methodologies for reliable assessment of nuclear power plants operational safety. In the nuclear energy field the specific analysis cover calculations of transients and consequences of potential accidents in NPP Krško. In the field of safety analyses of nuclear power plants the research activities are oriented to the mathematical modelling of nuclear power plant systems and components

Technological Solutions for Energy Security and Sustainability

This paper addresses the question: how can we minimize the expected time between now and the time when we achieve three measures of sustainability and security together -- independence from oil in cars and trucks, very deep reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and deep reductions in natural gas for electricity? Specific new technologies and metrics for progress are discussed, in context, linked to new information from IEEE, NSF, the State of the Future project and other sources

CleanTX Analysis on the Smart Grid

The utility industry in the United States has an opportunity to revolutionize its electric grid system by utilizing emerging software, hardware and wireless technologies and renewable energy sources. As electricity generation in the U.S. increases by over 30% from today’s generation of 4,100 Terawatt hours per year to a production of 5,400 Terawatt hours per year by 2030, a new type of grid is necessary to ensure reliable and quality power. The projected U.S. population increase and economic growth will require a grid that can transmit and distribute significantly more power than it does today. Known as a Smart Grid, this system enables two- way transmission of electrons and information to create a demand-response system that will optimize electricity delivery to consumers. This paper outlines the issues with the current grid infrastructure, discusses the economic advantages of the Smart Grid for both consumers and utilities, and examines the emerging technologies that will enable cleaner, more efficient and cost- effective power transmission and consumption.IC2 Institut

Monitoring New Technological Developments in the Electricity Industry : An International Perspective

Being able to monitor and asses technological developments represents an essential activity for an industry expected to be increasingly active in all of the regions of the world and in markets which require a wide array of differing technological configurations. This paper outlines the methodological approach used to monitor new technological developments in the electricity industry and presents the results of a DELPHI survey conducted among a panel of international experts. Être capable de surveiller et d'évaluer les développements technologiques constitue une activité essentielle pour une industrie appelée à être de plus en plus active dans toutes les régions du monde et dans les marchés qui exigent un registre de configurations technologiques étendu. Cet article expose l'approche méthodologique employée pour surveiller les nouveaux développements technologiques dans l'industrie de l'électricité et dévoile les résultats d'une enquête DELPHI menée parmi un groupe d'experts internationaux.Technological Monitoring, Electricity Industry, DELPHI, Surveillance technologique, industrie électrique, DELPHI

Smart grids for rural conditions and e-mobility - Applying power routers, batteries and virtual power plants

Significant reductions of greenhouse gas emission by use of renewable energy sources belong to the common targets of the European Union. Smart grids address intelligent use and integration of conventional and renewable generation in combination with controllable loads and storages. Two special aspects have also to be considered for smart grids in future: rural conditions and electric vehicles. Both, the increasing share of renewable energy sources and a rising demand for charging power by electrical vehicles lead to new challenges of network stability (congestion, voltage deviation), especially in rural distribution grids. This paper describes two lighthouse projects in Europe (“Well2Wheel” and “Smart Rural Grid”) dealing with these topics. The link between these projects is the implementation of the same virtual power plant technology and the approach of cellular grid cells. Starting with an approach for the average energy balance in 15 minutes intervals in several grid cells in the first project, the second project even allows the islanded operation of such cells as a microgrid. The integration of renewable energy sources into distribution grids primary takes place in rural areas. The lighthouse project “Smart Rural Grid”, which is founded by the European Union, demonstrates possibilities to use the existing distribution system operator infrastructure more effectively by applying an optimised and scheduled operation of the assets and using intelligent distribution power routers, called IDPR. IDPR are active power electronic devices operating at low voltage in distribution grids aiming to reduce losses due to unbalanced loads and enabling active voltage and reactive power control. This allows a higher penetration of renewable energy sources in existing grids without investing in new lines and transformers. Integrated in a virtual power plant and combined with batteries, the IDPR also allows a temporary islanded mode of grid cells. Both projects show the potential of avoiding or postponing investments in new primary infrastructure like cables, transformers and lines by using a forward-looking operation which controls generators, loads and batteries (mobile and stationary) by using new grid assets like power routers. While primary driven by physical restrictions as voltage-band violations and energy balance, these cells also define and allow local smart markets. In consequence the distribution system operators could avoid direct control access by giving an incentive to the asset owners by local price signals according to the grid situation and forecasted congestions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version

Technology for the Future: In-Space Technology Experiments Program, part 2

The purpose of the Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology (OAST) In-Space Technology Experiments Program In-STEP 1988 Workshop was to identify and prioritize technologies that are critical for future national space programs and require validation in the space environment, and review current NASA (In-Reach) and industry/ university (Out-Reach) experiments. A prioritized list of the critical technology needs was developed for the following eight disciplines: structures; environmental effects; power systems and thermal management; fluid management and propulsion systems; automation and robotics; sensors and information systems; in-space systems; and humans in space. This is part two of two parts and contains the critical technology presentations for the eight theme elements and a summary listing of critical space technology needs for each theme

Japan as a Clean Energy Leader

Over the past several decades, Japan’s energy strategy had positioned it as the world’s leader in clean and efficient electricity production and usage. This strategy, heavily dependent on nuclear energy, was essentially destroyed by one of history’s largest earthquakes, followed by a tsunami which overwhelmed five nuclear reactors on March 11, 2011. As of April 2012, all of Japan’s 54 nuclear reactors have been shut down and it is uncertain when and how many may be restarted. This paper examines Japan’s options for crafting a new way forward with an energy policy to power the world’s third largest economy while taking into account the lack of domestic sources of fuel, high government debt, antinuclear sentiments and looming power shortages