Alberto Geri - Smart Grids

Smart Grids

10596195 Smart Grids [ Ingegneria Elettrotecnica - Electrical Engineering LM-28 ]

1052081 Smart Grids in Electric Power Systems [ Ingegneria Energetica - Energy Engineering LM-30 ]

It is a regular course (9 CFU, equivalent to 9 ECTS, that is 90 hours of face-to-face instruction and 135 hours of individual study) given at the 1st year 2nd semester of Master's Degree in Electrical Engineering and 2nd year 2nd semester of Master's Degree in Energy Engineering.

The course introduces students to the new multi-disciplinary field of smart grids, approaching the theme from the distribution system operator (DSO) point of view. This course starts with an introduction to the broad subject of power distribution networks. It will initially focus on the analysis of existing distribution systems and their operation and protection. The second part of the course will concentrate on the introducing the fundamental concepts and components of smart grids, as well as on their contribution on including renewables integration, plug-in hybrid electrical vehicle (PHEV) penetrations, demand side management, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions. In the third part of the course, few case studies are presented: these cases are related to the most advanced pilot projects developed by some Italian utilities, in order to implement advanced smart grid technologies in their distribution networks. Lectures will present much of the foundation of the course. Textbooks provide the basic concepts, vocabulary, and important details on which lecture material will be based. A few topics covered in the lectures may not be covered in the textbooks and vice versa. Most of the lectures time will be spent examining the specific topics and/or examples that provide a meaningful context with the concepts presented in the textbooks. Homework assignments will be given at the end of some classes.

General information

Prerequisites

Basic concepts on power systems and electrical machines are essential to understand the topics proposed in this course. Students must have attended the courses on the "Electrical Power Systems" and on the "Electrical Machines"; possibly, they even should have passed the corresponding exams.

Goals and outcome

This course has three main objectives:

to analyse the structure of typical power systems and, in particular, of existing electrical distribution grids as well as their basic operation conditions;
to present the student a vision of how smart grids will transform the current electricity grids to reliable and sustainable modern energy systems;
to show the progression state of studies and achievements on smart grid technologies in Italy by analyzing pilot projects implemented on existing distribution networks.

At the end of this course, I hope that students will be able to:

- - - - understand the architecture of existing electrical power systems and their basic operation conditions;
      - develop appropriate models for electrical distribution systems;
      - perform distribution grid studies (power flow, short circuit etc.) by writing/using simple computer programs;
      - understand protection and automation of existing distribution networks;
      - understand the concepts of smart- and micro-grid, in comparison with conventional distribution grid, and identify their opportunities and barriers;
      - understand renewable energy systems and storage systems as well as their grid integration;
      - understand the integration of electrical vehicles with rechargeable batteries into distribution networks.

Attendance and expectations

Attendance is expected but not required. However, if a student chose to come to class, he must be prompt and he has to be seated in class before the beginning of the lecture. Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be silenced. No text messaging during class or exams.

It is expected that students will spend twelve to fifteen hours on average per week, outside of class, on this course to review the class material, and work on homework, which will be assigned approximately on bi- or three-weekly basis. It is also expect students have read over lecture materials ahead of class so that class time is used efficiently to explain concepts. It is preferred that students submit their questions by email, but if they come to office hours then they must have prepared questions. Each student must exclusively turn in own work. In particular, students are not allowed to ask anyone but instructor for help with their homework or programming assignments. However, they are free to discuss the topics and concepts of the course with their classmates, as long as they do not discuss the specifics of any assignment. Students are expected to make an honest, independent attempt to solve and turn in their answers to each homework question. Any violation of this policy could result in failure of the course.

Textbooks

The following textbooks are recommended for a more in-depth study of the topics presented in class and to complete the distributed teaching materials:

Abdelhay A. Sallam OM P. Malik, Electric Distribution Systems, A John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Publication
Edited by Nouredine Hadjsaïd and Jean-Claude Sabonnadière, SmartGrids, A John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Publication
James Momoh, A John Wiley & Sons, SMART GRID - Fundamentals of Design and Analysis, Inc. Publication
T. A. Short, Electric Power Distribution Handbook, CRC Press

Homework assignments

Homework assignments, given approximately on bi- or three-weekly basis and made available on Homework assigned section on this page, must be sent to me in PDF format by email attachments, not later than one week from the assignment, and the following naming convention must be used

SMGR_HW??_YourLastName.pdf

In general, late homework will not be graded, unless there are legitimate reasons which must be explained to me. In any case, all homework assignments must be mandatory submitted before taking the final exam.

About exams

The exam can only be taken at the end of the course and during the dates published on the Exams page of this website. In this page, it is also described how the final exam will be arranged. All homework assignments must be mandatory submitted before taking the final exam, otherwise, the student can not be admitted to the exam, or the exam will not be assessed. If all or some of the homework assignments are solved correctly and submitted by the deadline, they can contribute to increase the final grade up to 4 out of 30 points. Students will directly receive all information on exams (e.g., classroom, time, grade, verbalization etc.) by e-mail.

Academic honesty

Each student must exclusively turn in own work. In particular, students are not allowed to ask anyone but instructor for help with their homework assignments. However, they are free to discuss the topics and concepts of the course with their classmates, as long as they do not discuss the specifics of any assignment. Students are expected to make an honest, independent attempt to solve and turn in their answers to each homework question. Any violation of this policy could result in failure of the exam.

Teaching material

All teaching materials are freely downloadable. All software is open source. All lecture slides may be downloaded by clicking on the link in the Material column of the Lecture schedule section on this page. Additional teaching material may be downloaded by Other teaching material section on this page.

Master degree theses

Several themes, listed on Theses page of this website, are available. They can be addressed by means of the simulation models and software studied during this course and/or during Smart Grids Lab course.