Improving DTR assessment by means of PCA applied to wind data

open5Traditionally, the rating of an overhead transmission line is determined under a set of specified and standardized conditions. However, weather conditions along the line change during operation. Therefore, the standard rating of the line might be either underestimated, leading to inefficient utilization of the line, or overestimated, leading to unsecure operation. This is the major drawback of the traditional approach: the so-called dynamic thermal rating (DTR), that takes into account the actual operating conditions along the line to determine the rating, is today a critical need. In this paper, we develop a comprehensive methodology for exploring all necessary information about stochastic processes of environmental variables surrounding and along the line using available data. The results can be used as input to determine the actual rating of the considered transmission line to enhance the determination of the rating for transmission lines.openBosisio, Alessandro*; Berizzi, Alberto; Le, Dinh-Duong; Bassi, Fabio; Giannuzzi, GiorgioBosisio, Alessandro; Berizzi, Alberto; Le, DINH DUONG; Bassi, Fabio; Giannuzzi, Giorgi

Electrification Processes in Developing Countries: Grid Expansion, Microgrids, and Regulatory Framework

Shortages and poor diversification of generating capacity, high environmental impacts, and low qualities of supply and affordability are common characteristics of the electricity sector in most developing countries (DevCs). Recent cost reductions in the telecommunication sector and some generation technologies, especially renewable-based, with improved economic feasibility have paved the way for new electric infrastructures. This is especially true for emerging economies, as locally dispatched hybridmicrogrids introduce flexibility and show the promise of technical and economic advantages. The design and integration of microgrids require detailed assessments to ensure the effective deployment of capital to minimize the risk of stranded assets and capital waste. Microgrids can be considered an affordable option for a rapid response to the electrification challenge, recognizing that, in the longer horizon, a sharing of resources with the bulk electrical power system will remain, technically and economically, advantageous. This article presents a comprehensive review of the approaches commonly adopted for microgrid electrification. A “real-life” study case is reported to highlight the operational challenges of a stand-alone microgrid versus a grid-connected system. The need for an improved regulatory framework is presented as the cornerstone problem to be solved to allow an effective integration of microgrids in the national grid

A novel multi-objective method with online Pareto pruning for multi-year optimization of rural microgrids

Decentralized hybrid energy systems are promising long-lasting solutions to support socio-economic development in compliance with environmental concerns. Traditionally, microgrid planning has mainly focused on economics only, sometimes with reliability or environmental considerations, and the project costs have been estimated by approximating the multi-year operation of the system with a single-year approach, thus neglecting long-term phenomena. We propose a multi-objective multi-year method to plan microgrids in the Global South, accounting for socio-economic (Net Present Cost, job creation), security (public lighting coverage) and environmental impacts (carbon emissions, land use); the entire multi-year lifespan of the project is considered, including demand growth and assets degradation. The advanced version of the augmented ε-constraint algorithm, denoted as A-AUGMECON2, is here proposed to efficiently solve the multi-objective model, by using a novel pruning algorithm that avoids solving redundant optimizations. The method is applied to an isolated community in Uganda. The approach successfully quantifies the trade-off between local long-term impacts, supporting policy makers and local developers in designing effective policies and actions. In particular, our results suggest that the environmental targets can be aligned with the project economics, and that the financial impact of public lighting is limited, which encourages its implementation in electrification projects. Conversely, optimal land use and job creation lead to high economic and environmental costs, highlighting the need for a trade-off for policy and business decision makers. Moreover, the novel A-AUGMECON2 algorithm enables reducing by 48% the computational requirements of the standard AUGMECON2, extending the application of multi-objective methodologies to more complex problems