M. Delfanti, M. Merlo, E. Cagno, A. Trianni, F. Castelli Dezza,
"VPS: A new approach for the grid integration of renewable generation",
Proceedings of the Solar Energy Tech 2010,
8th July 2010, Milano, Italy, p.79,
ISBN 978-1-4467-3765-1
Abstract:
Nowadays, the technology evolution made available very interesting solutions for the exploitation of the renewable energy (solar energy, biogas, biomass, etc.), or for a more efficient energy conversion (microturbines, high-efficiency cogeneration plants, etc), with "domestic" rated powers. This evolution made it possible to spread a series of small dispersed generators, capable of fully exploiting the resource locally available.
The integration of Dispersed Generation (DG) in the electric distribution network requires a revision of this infrastructure and of its protection and control devices, in fact the presence of DG on the distribution network may cause an Inverse Power Flow (IPF), i.e. a flow from a medium voltage (MV) network to the high voltage (HV) network.
The growing penetration of Dispersed Generation (DG) in Medium Voltage (MV) and Low Voltage (LV) grids is an issue to be faced by Distribution System Operators (DSOs), as MV and LV grids have been designed and operated so far with the objective to feed customers and not to connect generators. Several operational problems may arise when too many generators, even small ones, are connected under the same high voltage / medium voltage (HV/MV) transformer. The problems cover a wide area in the Power System regulation and control, resulting to be very complex and motivating a new model for the network integration and control of the DG.
In this framework a new integrated model (defined Virtual Power System - VPS) has been developed within the Interreg IIIB of the Alpine Space and jointly financed by the European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Partner States (Member and non-Members) taking part in the activities, the AlpEnergy project is an International Cooperation Program aiming at introducing an efficient operational model for the distributed production and consumption with RES. Since, as expressed before, the issue of energy in the Alpine Space cannot be faced just considering producers or consumers separately, AlpEnergy brings together power suppliers, development agencies, public regional policy makers, research institutes and government administrations from different countries of the Alpine space (France, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Slovenia). There are several topics that need to be studied in order to reach the main objective, that is to create and test an integrated system able to match instantaneously distributed generation system (powered by RES) and distributed consumption that will be valid everywhere, providing pilot applications within portions of the Alpine Space region.
Keywords:
Renewable Generation, Grid Integration, Virtual Power Plant, Virtual Power load, Virtual Power System