Microgrids

Microgrids are a growing segment of the energy industry, representing a paradigm shift from centralized structures toward more localized, autonomous, dynamic, and bi-directional energy networks, especially in cities and communities. The ability to isolate from the larger grid makes microgrids resilient, while their capability of forming scalable energy clusters permits the delivery of services that make the grid more sustainable and competitive. Through an optimal design and management process, microgrids could also provide efficient, low-cost, clean energy and help to improve the operation and stability of regional energy systems. This book covers these promising and dynamic areas of research and development and gathers contributions on different aspects of microgrids in an aim to impart higher degrees of sustainability and resilience to energy systems

Integrated energy efficiency evaluation of a multi-source multi-load desalination micro-energy network

With increasing global shortage of fresh water resources, many countries are prioritizing desalination as a means of utilizing abundantly available seawater resources. Integrated energy efficiency evaluation is a scientific method for the quantitative analysis of energy efficiency based on multiple indicators and is very useful for investment, construction, and scientific decision-making for desalination projects. In this paper, the energy efficiency evaluation of the micro energy network (MEN) of desalination for multi-source and multi-load is studied, and the basic idea of comprehensive energy efficiency evaluation is analyzed. The process includes the use of a MEN model to establish an integrated energy efficiency evaluation index system, taking into consideration energy, equipment, economic, environmental, and social factors. A combined evaluation method considering subjective and objective comprehensive weights for multi-source multi-load desalination MENs is proposed to evaluate the energy efficiency of desalination and from multiple perspective

Optimisation, Optimal Control and Nonlinear Dynamics in Electrical Power, Energy Storage and Renewable Energy Systems

The electrical power system is undergoing a revolution enabled by advances in telecommunications, computer hardware and software, measurement, metering systems, IoT, and power electronics. Furthermore, the increasing integration of intermittent renewable energy sources, energy storage devices, and electric vehicles and the drive for energy efficiency have pushed power systems to modernise and adopt new technologies. The resulting smart grid is characterised, in part, by a bi-directional flow of energy and information. The evolution of the power grid, as well as its interconnection with energy storage systems and renewable energy sources, has created new opportunities for optimising not only their techno-economic aspects at the planning stages but also their control and operation. However, new challenges emerge in the optimization of these systems due to their complexity and nonlinear dynamic behaviour as well as the uncertainties involved.This volume is a selection of 20 papers carefully made by the editors from the MDPI topic “Optimisation, Optimal Control and Nonlinear Dynamics in Electrical Power, Energy Storage and Renewable Energy Systems”, which was closed in April 2022. The selected papers address the above challenges and exemplify the significant benefits that optimisation and nonlinear control techniques can bring to modern power and energy systems

Power network and smart grids analysis from a graph theoretic perspective

The growing size and complexity of power systems has given raise to the use of complex network theory in their modelling, analysis, and synthesis. Though most of the previous studies in this area have focused on distributed control through well established protocols like synchronization and consensus, recently, a few fundamental concepts from graph theory have also been applied, for example in symmetry-based cluster synchronization. Among the existing notions of graph theory, graph symmetry is the focus of this proposal. However, there are other development around some concepts from complex network theory such as graph clustering in the study. In spite of the widespread applications of symmetry concepts in many real world complex networks, one can rarely find an article exploiting the symmetry in power systems. In addition, no study has been conducted in analysing controllability and robustness for a power network employing graph symmetry. It has been verified that graph symmetry promotes robustness but impedes controllability. A largely absent work, even in other fields outside power systems, is the simultaneous investigation of the symmetry effect on controllability and robustness. The thesis can be divided into two section. The first section, including Chapters 2-3, establishes the major theoretical development around the applications of graph symmetry in power networks. A few important topics in power systems and smart grids such as controllability and robustness are addressed using the symmetry concept. These topics are directed toward solving specific problems in complex power networks. The controllability analysis will lead to new algorithms elaborating current controllability benchmarks such as the maximum matching and the minimum dominant set. The resulting algorithms will optimize the number of required driver nodes indicated as FACTS devices in power networks. The second topic, robustness, will be tackled by the symmetry analysis of the network to investigate three aspects of network robustness: robustness of controllability, disturbance decoupling, and fault tolerance against failure in a network element. In the second section, including Chapters 4-8, in addition to theoretical development, a few novel applications are proposed for the theoretical development proposed in both sections one and two. In Chapter 4, an application for the proposed approaches is introduced and developed. The placement of flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) is investigated where the cybersecurity of the associated data exchange under the wide area power networks is also considered. A new notion of security, i.e. moderated-k-symmetry, is introduced to leverage on the symmetry characteristics of the network to obscure the network data from the adversary perspective. In chapters 5-8, the use of graph theory, and in particular, graph symmetry and centrality, are adapted for the complex network of charging stations. In Chapter 5, the placement and sizing of charging stations (CSs) of the network of electric vehicles are addressed by proposing a novel complex network model of the charging stations. The problems of placement and sizing are then reformulated in a control framework and the impact of symmetry on the number and locations of charging stations is also investigated. These results are developed in Chapters 6-7 to robust placement and sizing of charging stations for the Tesla network of Sydney where the problem of extending the capacity having a set of pre-existing CSs are addressed. The role of centrality in placement of CSs is investigated in Chapter 8. Finally, concluding remarks and future works are presented in Chapter 9

Reliability Assessment of Power Systems Integrated with High-Penetration of Power Converters

Moving towards renewable and environmental-friendly energy resources has intensified the importance of power electronic converters in future power systems. The issue of reliability becomes more critical than ever before. This research proposes a hierarchical reliability framework to evaluate the electric power system reliability from the power electronic converter level to the overall system level. In the first stage, the reliability of each power converter is modeled in an accurate manner. Dynamic behaviors of various integrated semiconductor devices and the converter topology are considered. In the second stage, we calculate system-level reliability indicators such as expected energy not served (EENS) and loss of load expectation (LOLE) are estimated through a non-sequential Monte Carlo simulation. Machine learning regression models such as support vector regression (SVR) and random forests (RF) are implemented to bridge the nonlinear reliability relationship between two stages. Moreover, a variance-based global sensitivity analysis (GSA) is conducted to rank and identify the most influential converter uncertainties with respect to the variance of system EENS. Based on the GSA conclusions, system operators can take proactive actions to mitigate the potential risk of the system. Furthermore, Bayesian network (BN) structure learning and scoring algorithms are applied to visualize a converter-based BN structure. Reliability interdependencies among different nodes are quantified through information entropy theory such that reliability causal relations can be revealed. This dissertation also studies and discusses opportunities of various emerging technologies. Some improvements and suggestions of the proposed framework are included as well.Ph.D.College of Engineering & Computer ScienceUniversity of Michigan-Dearbornhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/171266/1/Bowen Zhang Final Dissertation.pdfDescription of Bowen Zhang Final Dissertation.pdf : Dissertatio

Improved coordinated automatic voltage control in power grids through complex network analysis

PhD ThesisAutomatic and Co-ordinated Voltage Regulation (CVR) contributes significantly to economy and security of transmission grids. The role of CVR will become more critical as systems are operated closer to their capacity limits due to technical, economic and environmental reasons. CVR has 1 min resolution and owing to the inherent complexity of the task, CVR is enabled through zoning-based Reduced Control Models (RCM) i.e. simplified models of the network suitable for Voltage Control. RCM not only enables CVR bus also affects its performance and robustness. This thesis contributes towards improved CVR through thorough investigation of the RCM. As a starting point, with current power systems structure in mind, this work investigates static RCM schemes (i.e. fixed Reduced Control Model for all network configurations). To that end this thesis develops: (1) a novel generic framework for CVR modelling and evaluation and (2) new zoning-based RCM approaches using Complex Network Analysis. The evaluation of CVR in conjunction with both static and adaptive RCM schemes are based on a novel framework for CVR modelling and evaluation. This framework is generic and can be used to facilitate the selection and design of any of the CVR components. As a next step, due to the fact that a single RCM cannot be optimal for all network configurations, adaptive RCM (i.e. RCM determined in an online event driven fashion) is investigated using the proposed framework. This concerns future transmission grids where RCM is driven by the need for reliability rather than economy of measurement points at a planning phase. Lastly, this thesis examines zone division in an interconnected system ranging from EHV down to MV, and assesses the required degree of co-ordination for the voltage control of these zones. Essentially, this last item extends the scope of this work’s contributions beyond a single transmission-level Independent System Operator (ISO).EPSRC for funding my Research and the Consortium of the “Autonomic Power System” project

State of the art of cyber-physical systems security: An automatic control perspective

Cyber-physical systems are integrations of computation, networking, and physical processes. Due to the tight cyber-physical coupling and to the potentially disrupting consequences of failures, security here is one of the primary concerns. Our systematic mapping study sheds light on how security is actually addressed when dealing with cyber-physical systems from an automatic control perspective. The provided map of 138 selected studies is defined empirically and is based on, for instance, application fields, various system components, related algorithms and models, attacks characteristics and defense strategies. It presents a powerful comparison framework for existing and future research on this hot topic, important for both industry and academia

Demand Response in Smart Grids

The Special Issue “Demand Response in Smart Grids” includes 11 papers on a variety of topics. The success of this Special Issue demonstrates the relevance of demand response programs and events in the operation of power and energy systems at both the distribution level and at the wide power system level. This reprint addresses the design, implementation, and operation of demand response programs, with focus on methods and techniques to achieve an optimized operation as well as on the electricity consumer