Search results for " Distribution Networks"

Pumps as turbines (PATs) in water distribution networks affected by intermittent service

2013

A hydraulic model was developed in order to evaluate the potential energy recovery from the use of centrifugal pumps as turbines (PATs) in a water distribution network characterized by the presence of private tanks. The model integrates the Global Gradient Algorithm (GGA), with a pressure-driven model that permits a more realistic representation of the influence on the network behaviour of the private tanks filling and emptying. The model was applied to a real case study: a District Metered Area in Palermo (Italy). Three different scenarios were analysed and compared with a baseline scenario (Scenario 0 – no PAT installed) to identify the system configuration with added PATs that permits th…

Leaks Analysis in Pipeline Systems by Means of Optimal valve Regulation

1999

Decoupled solution of radial and weakly meshed distribution networks through a backward method

2008

A methodology for the analysis of radial or weakly meshed distribution systems supplying voltage dependent loads is developed. The solution process is iterative and, at each step, the loads are simulated by means of impedances. The network is divided into two sub-networks which must be solved separately and sequentially; in the first, named RP-net, only the lines resistances and the loads shunt equivalent resistances are considered; in the second, named XQ-net, only the lines reactances and the shunt equivalent reactances are taken into account. After a brief presentation of the b/f method, which is currently the most commonly used technique to solve distribution networks, the proposed meth…

Evaluation of statistical sampling for the assessment of residential consumption totals in water distribution networks

2014

The paper provides insights into stratified sampling, a standard statistical technique that may be employed to assess domestic water use in water distribution networks. The basic idea is to use only a few meters to provide inference on the total water consumption of a network or of a district metered area through the knowledge of some additional stratification variables, such as household typology, size and occupants number. Since any sampling procedure assumes that the variance of the variable at stake is known, either a suitable amount of past consumption data is necessary, or a specific preliminary survey must be carried out, in order to define the sampling plan. An application with real…

Secondary substation power line communications for medium voltage smart grids

2012

In this paper a performance analysis is carried out, in order to evaluate the possibility to employ power line communication (PLC) between secondary substations of a medium voltage (MV) distribution networks in a smart grid. The study is focused on the analysis of PLC technologies and the evaluation of the influence quantities on the communication performance in the most common case of by-pass connection at MV bus-bars of secondary substations. Different quantities have been analyzed as modulation techniques, requested bandwidth and bitrate, coupling device and system attenuation versus frequency in order to find the best solution for a reliable communication system. A complete model of a r…

Planning Rehabilitation Actions on Water Distribution Networks in Condition of Data Scarcity

2011

The paper shows a viable approach to the selection of water networks rehabilitation actions, in condition of data scarcity and uncertainty, based on the use of four concise performance literature indices, allowing the analysis and identification of efficient, reliable and robust rehabilitation alternatives, even if assessed on the basis of a relatively small amount of data. A promising statistical sampling method of water consumptions is also described, that may be fruitfully employed within the proposed approach for drafting water balances at network district scale in order to quantify the extent of leakages. The illustrated case study shows that the selected indices are capable to describ…

On the use of narrow band power line as communication technology for medium and low voltage smart grids

2012

The aim of this work is to perform a feasibility study on the power line communication for the development of a new generation of interface devices (IDs) for smart grid applications. More in detail, this paper deals with one of the most important issues on this topic which is the communication system. Among the existing communication technologies, the study is focused on power line communications (PLCs). After a analysis of the state of the art in the field, the main aspects are analyzed, concerning the open issues on the use of PLCs, especially for medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) systems. In this work the use of PLC in MV-LV networks is investigated, by means of simulations and ex…

Multi-objective strategies for management and design of distributed electric storage systems in a Mediterranean island

2013

The paper proposes an analytical study about the design and operation of distributed Electrical Storage Systems(ESS) in an active distribution network supplying a Mediterranean island, according to different criteria. The approach is based on the application of a multi-objective optimization algorithm (NSGA-II) that outputs a set of optimized schedules of the ESS in different configurations when operated according to different criteria (minimum energy losses in the grid, total generation cost, greenhouse gas emissions, limiting the fluctuations of the generation from fossil fuel plants). Moreover the variability of the voltage profile has been investigated also by a comparison with a refere…

Hybrid passive and communications-based methods for islanding detection in medium and low voltage smart grids

2013

Islanding condition takes place when a distributed generator (DG) continues to power a part of the grid even if power from electric utility is no longer present. Adverse effects of islanding are power quality deterioration, grid-protection interference, equipment damage, and personnel safety hazards. For these reasons, DG systems must detect an islanding condition and immediately disconnect from the grid (anti-islanding protection). This paper proposes an hybrid solution, for both low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) applications, which makes use of passive and communication-based methods for islanding detection. Among the existing communication technologies, the study is focused on pow…

Optimal positioning of water quality sensors in water distribution networks: Comparison of numerical and experimental results

2017

In the water distribution networks, a deliberate or accidental contamination causes loss of water quality; the implementation of a real-time sensor network is essential to promptly detect the event of contamination. To achieve the optimum positioning of the probes, to reduce the cost of the instrumentation and maintenance, and obtaining, at the same time, a reliable monitoring of the system, optimization techniques are widely applied. In the present study, a numerical optimisation approach was compared with the results of an experimental campaign. The optimization problem is formulated in accordance with literature stateof- the-art, using the genetic algorithm NSGA-II coupled with a hydraul…