0000000000140847
AUTHOR
J. A. Sa'ed
An Investigation of Protection Devices Coordination Effects on Distributed Generators Capacity in Radial Distribution Systems
In the recent years, with the concept of Smart Grid, there are a great interest in integration of renewable energy based distributed generation (DG) units at distribution level. Along with a number of benefits, penetration of DG units in the distribution system imposes some serious challenges; protection requirements turns up as one of the most critical challenge in DG integration. In this paper the possibility and the potentiality of occurring mis-coordination between protection devices in radial distribution network is studied. The impacts of protection devices coordination on DG capacity are investigated. The penetration level, number, and location of interconnected DGs are used as param…
Italian incentive strategy and regulations on small wind power turbines: A critical overview
Small wind power industry in Italy had its kick-start in 2009, after the Government implemented two measures introducing both the simplified regime and incentive rates for small wind power plants. In the last six years, a lot of plants and small wind turbines have been installed in Italy, especially in the South. Aim of this paper is to examine how local standards, incentive policy and regulations have affected the spread of small wind turbines in Italy. After examining national and regional legislation, an analysis of the data on the penetration of wind systems in Italy has been carried out, with particular attention to six Southern regions (Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Apulia, Sardinia…
The BAC factor method: Application to a real Italian not-residential building
The paper focuses the evaluation of the impact of Building Automation Control (BAC) systems on not-residential buildings. In particular, this work shows how the control, monitoring and automation actions considered by the European Standard EN 15232 can influence the electric and thermal energy consumptions of the University of Palermo DEIM (Department of Energy, Information Engineering and Mathematical Models) building. After evaluating the building energy consumptions, by using the CEI Guide 205-18, the BAC systems are chosen and sized and an economic evaluation of their installation cost is also carried out.
A Simplified Analytical Approach for Optimal Planning of Distributed Generation in Electrical Distribution Networks
DG-integrated distribution system planning is an imperative issue since the installing of distributed generations (DGs) has many effects on the network operation characteristics, which might cause significant impacts on the system performance. One of the most important characteristics that mostly varies because of the installation of DG units is the power losses. The parameters affecting the value of the power losses are number, location, capacity, and power factor of the DG units. In this paper, a new analytical approach is proposed for optimally installing DGs to minimize power loss in distribution networks. Different parameters of DG are considered and evaluated in order to achieve a hig…
Optimization of BESS Capacity Under a Peak Load Shaving Strategy
Battery energy storage systems (BESSs) are becoming increasingly competitive in the global energy landscape, thanks to the strong cost reduction that has taken place in recent years and it is expected to continue in the next future. Among the many benefits BESSs can provide, time shifting can be exploited by electricity consumers to save on the electricity bill, charging the storage during the off-peak hours and discharging when the cost of electricity is high. This paper describes a simple procedure to optimize the BESS capacity under a peak load shaving strategy, in presence of a time-of-use (TOU) electricity rate, able to guarantee, at the same time, the flattest daily power diagram and …
Impact of integrating photovoltaic based DG on distribution network harmonics
The process of integrating various distributed generation (DG) technologies in power system networks is increasing rapidly in the recent years. One major concern about the integration of DGs is their impact on network harmonics. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effects caused by the integration of photovoltaic DG in distribution networks on system harmonics. The penetration level, number of DG units, and their location are used as parameters in order to verify the effects of DG on system harmonics. Moreover, a study of single and double tuned filters is conducted as harmonics mitigation techniques. Detailed simulations using Matlab/Simulink are inserted in order to explain and ve…
Effects of Demand Side Management on the Operation of an Isolated LV Microgrids
The work presents the results of a study regarding the impact of Demand Side Management actions on flexible loads distributed at the domestic end-users' facilities in an isolated low voltage microgrid. Aim of the research study is to evaluate how the implementation of local control actions on the end-user's side can impact on the operation of the isolated microgrid. The Demand Side Management is applied by each domestic user to optimize the operation of its own resources following well-defined operative steps. The study is carried out implementing a suitable model of the microgrid in Neplan environment, while the daily controlled load profiles of the end-users are evaluated using the Montec…
Effect of Demand Side Management on the Operation of PV-Integrated Distribution Systems
In this new era of high electrical energy dependency, electrical energy must be abundant and reliable, thus smart grids are conducted to deliver load demands. Hence, smart grids are implemented alongside distributed generation of renewable energies to increase the reliability and controllability of the grid, but, with the very volatile nature of the Distributed Generation (DG), Demand Side Management (DSM) helps monitor and control the load shape of the consumed power. The interaction of DSM with the grid provides a wide range of mutual benefits to the user, the utility and the market. DSM methodologies such as Conservation Voltage Reduction (CVR) and Direct Load Control (DLC) collaborate i…
Control of solid-state fault current limiter for DG-integrated distribution systems
Fault current limier (FCL) is a device that limits the system current under fault conditions without disconnecting the system and affecting the power system protection components such as circuit breakers. Many types of FCLs have been proposed to limit the magnitude of the fault current. Solid-state fault current limiters (SSFCLs) can limit the peak value of the fault current by applying several methods, such as controlling the system impedance or controlling the voltage that appears across the fault. In this paper, a new control scheme for the SSFCL circuit is presented. The control method is based on controlling the duty cycle of solid state switches to control the rms value of the system …
Investigating the effect of distributed generators on traditional protection in radial distribution systems
The recent changes in power network structure, development in green energy technologies and increased attention on environmental concerns have led to increase the installation of renewable energy based distributed generations (DG) in distribution networks. The increasing penetration of distributed generation in the distribution power system creates new technical and economical challenges; protection is one important topic of these challenges. High penetration of DG will have unfavorable impact on the traditional protection methods; the impact depends on the number, location and size of injected DG. To ensure safe and selective protection devices coordination, the impact of DG should be take…
On the hazardous situations due to the presence of HV/MV substations in urban areas
The paper focuses on the hazardous situations that can rise in urban areas in case of earth fault inside a High Voltage/Medium Voltage station. IEEE and IEC/EN Standards and technical documents are examined and discussed, in order to propose some practical guidelines for a safe integration of such installations in contexts characterized by the presence of low voltage systems and not trained persons.
Effect of voltage deviations on power distribution losses in presence of DG technology
Integration of distributed generation (DG) units in power distribution network has become increasingly attractive multi-faceted paradigm as economic and environmental factors drive new technologies to be more efficient and less polluting than their earlier counterparts. The installation of DGs impacts critically on the planning and operating characteristics of the distribution network. Type, location, number and capacity of DG are essential factors for studying the effect of DGs on the system behavior. In this paper the effect of DG on the power losses of a distribution network is investigated for different types of DG units. Also, the impact of DG on the voltage profile is demonstrated bef…
Effect of Integrating Photovoltaic Systems on Electrical Network Losses Considering Load Variation
Planning of Distributed Generation (DG) units in the power distribution networks is an important issue, one of the most important considerations that is directly affected by installing DG units is the power losses. Improper allocation of DG units to the grid can lead to a noticeable increase in the power losses. Moreover, the load variation is considered as critical matter when studying the optimal scenario that minimizes the power losses in the network. The aim of this paper is to investigate the effect of integrating photovoltaic (PV) units on the distribution network losses considering load variation. The optimal parameters of the DG units were calculated for the various load demands in …
Reassessment of voltage stability for distribution networks in presence of DG
There is a growing interest in integrating renewable energy based distributed generation (DG) in the electrical power distribution networks. The installation of DG units at distribution level impacts critically the planning and operation characteristics of the network. The type, location, number and capacity of the integrated DGs affects system behavior and performance. In this paper the effect of installing new DGs on the distribution network voltage stability is studied. The optimal location of the newly installed DGs are decided based on the Power Stability Index (PSI) and Voltage Stability Index (VSI). Moreover, Voltage Stability Margin (VSM) of the interconnected DG distribution networ…
Verifying the effect of distributed generators on voltage profile, power losses and protection system in radial distribution networks
In the recent years the electrical power networks are undergoing rapid restructuring and developing process worldwide. Advancement in technologies and concern about the environmental impacts have led to increase interconnection of renewable energy based distributed generations (DGs) in distribution networks. The DGs have significant impacts on the distribution systems; these impacts may be either positively or negatively depending on the modified interconnected DG distribution network structure. It will be necessary to consider many issues concerning these impacts. In this paper, an investigation of DGs impacts on voltage profile, power losses, and protection system in radial distribution n…
A Simulation Analysis of VSM Control for RES plants in a Small Mediterranean Island
The paper presents an application of Virtual Synchronous Machine control for managing inverter-interfaced renewable energy sources in a small Mediterranean island not supplied by the main grid. In the proposed analysis, the island's renewables-based generators area assumed interfaced to the grid by voltage source converters with a swing controller and a vector-current controller with two different options for the reference current for regulating the voltage at the Point of Common Coupling and the active power output. The system, modeled in PScad environment, allows to verify the response of the renewables-based generators with VSM control in the presence of a fault in the grid.
A framework to determine maximum capacity of interconnecting DGs in distribution networks
Interconnecting Distributed Generation (DG) in the distribution network is considered as an important area of power system planning. When the DG placed inappropriately, the DG can have negative impact on some important and critical characteristics of system performance such as increased power losses, degraded voltage profile, and mis-coordination between protection devices. This paper introduces a framework to determine the maximum capacity limits of interconnecting DG units in radial distribution networks in order to keep protection scheme unchanged, while the voltage profile remains within acceptable range and on the same time having the minimum power losses in the network; applying this …
Design, modeling, and simulation of a photovoltaic water pumping system
Electric pumps cannot be fed in those areas where they are not connected to the electric public distribution grid. In those areas, it is useful to feed electric pumps by means of the electricity generated from renewable energy sources plants. Among these, the Solar Water Pumping Systems feed electric pump thanks to the electricity generated by a photovoltaic plant. In this paper, a whole SWPS is fully designed, modelled, and simulated in Matlab environment. The proposed implementation is an useful tool for SWPS testing.
Application of Thermographic Techniques for the Detection of Failures on Photovoltaic Modules
The paper focuses on thermography as a useful investigation tool for diagnosis, detection and prevention of failures of photovoltaic modules. The paper describes the faults detectable by thermographic investigations and how to conduct these investigantions. Then the results of some analyses conducted on a photovoltaic field are presented. The investigations made possible to identify faulty modules with hot spots by measuring localized superheat due to the presence of concentrated deposits on the exposed surface of the module and the superheating due to the presence of sand/dust deposits distributed on a significant portion of the module surface. The thermographic investigations can be used …
Integration Issues of Distributed Generators Considering Faults in Electrical Distribution Networks
In the recent years there is a great interest in integration of distributed generation (DG) units at distribution level; this integration leads to planning as well as operational challenges. Some possibilities to handle grid planning issues are addressed in this paper. Effects on grid protection, fault current level, and voltage profile are investigated and described for different types of DG units; the classification of DG units is based on their terminal characteristics in terms of real and reactive power delivering capability. Different scenarios for mis-coordination problems caused by DG interconnection are discussed. The effect of the DG on the voltage profile of a distribution network…