Gianfranco Chicco

Polytechnic University of Turin | polito · DENERG - Department of Energy

The location of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (EVCSs) is gaining significant importance as part of the conversion to a full-electric vehicle fleet. Positive or negative impacts can be generated mainly based on the quality of service offered to customers and operational efficiency, also potentially involving the electrical grid to which the EVC...

The categorisation of electricity users is carried out by Distributor System Operators (DSOs) and retailers to create synthetic load profiles. Initially, some macro-categories are defined based on general attributes of the users, such as voltage level and type of users (residential/non-residential). Then, statistical analyses and clustering techniq...

The optimal operation of multi-energy systems (MES) that supply a demand formed by different energy vectors can be determined based on a given objective function with the relevant constraints. An efficient approach formulated in the literature defines an optimisation model with linear constraints considering constant efficiency or constant coeffici...

This paper highlights the use of clustering algorithms to group power system nodes based on the dynamic responses to large disturbance events. An overall framework of analysis is presented. Starting from the choice of the events to analyze, the features used as inputs to the clustering procedure are defined, and the appropriate clustering algorithm...

The diffusion of renewable energy sources (RES) can lead to cost reductions for the ancillary services provided to the transmission system operator, in particular, when the RES production can be estimated with appropriate accuracy. This article presents significant improvements to photovoltaic (PV) power conversion models found in the literature fo...

The increasingly higher energy system integration requires the formulation of multi-energy system representations that account for the interactions among electrical and thermal phenomena, satisfying technical and comfort constraints. The traditional models for analysing electrical and thermal systems have been developed independently, also because...

Maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) is applied to enable effective operation of photovoltaic (PV) systems under different external conditions. MPPT is based on a control system that aims at maintaining the PV system operation in the most effective conditions of maximum power output. This paper demonstrates the effective application of a novel adapt...

This paper aims to stimulate a discussion on how to create a bridge between the concept of flexibility used in power and energy systems and the flexibility that buildings can offer for providing services to the electrical system. The paper recalls the main concepts and approaches considered in the power systems and multi-energy systems, and summari...

In this paper, a new decision-making framework is proposed for the day-ahead self-scheduling problem of microgrids, in which the microgrid operator (MGO) can provide ancillary services for both the independent system operator (ISO) and the distribution system operator (DSO). The MGO provides the reserve and flexible ramping product (FRP) services f...

The Flexible Ramping Product (FRP) market has been created as a new ancillary service market for the power systems to manage the severe ramp rates in the net load of the system. Microgrids (MGs) can provide the required ramp service for this market. The MG manager (MGM) sends its bids to the FRP market. The mutual effects of these bids on the MGM t...

This paper aims to find the optimal setups of voltage control devices in different configurations of Low Voltage (LV) grids with strong PhotoVoltaic (PV) diffusion by performing dedicated simulations. Distributed PV inverters and On-Load Tap Changer (OLTC) are simulated without considering their coordination, to avoid large investments in new commu...

The 55th International Universities Power Engineering Conference (UPEC 2020) has been held on 1–4 September 2020 in the Virtual Conference mode because of the limitations due to the pandemics, hosted by Politecnico di Torino, Torino, Italy [...]

In the present context of evolution of the power and energy systems, more flexibility is required on the generation and demand side, to cope with the increasing uncertainty mostly introduced by variable renewable energy resources. This paper presents a conceptual framework that encompasses different types of aggregators, including local network agg...

The penetration of the distributed energy resources in the distribution networks is facilitated by the structure of the microgrids (MGs). The MG operator (MGO) can schedule the MG resources to meet the local load and participate in the wholesale markets. In this paper, a new model is developed for the MGO participation in the day-ahead (energy and...

Many drivers are determining continuous changes in the structure and operation of distribution grids. In addition to the now long-lasting effects introduced by the smart grid paradigm, a number of new trends are emerging. This chapter provides an overview of how distribution systems are changing. Modernisation is the key point to pass from network...

In the evolution of the power systems, a particular case is the presence of a number of microgrids (MGs) operated with mutual interconnection, but without connection to the main distribution system. The interconnected MGs form a structure in which the overall system operation and resource scheduling can be determined by considering centralized or d...

This paper quantifies the economic benefits of flexible Thermostatically Controlled Loads (TCLs) in a multi-area power system. The areas are connected via High Voltage Direct Current links. A distributed and non-disruptive control strategy manages the TCLs’ operation to effectively schedule their consumption and, simultaneously, maintain headroom f...

The definition of bidding zones is a relevant question for electricity markets. The bidding zones can be identified starting from information on the nodal prices and network topology, considering the operational conditions that may lead to congestion of the transmission lines. A well-designed bidding zone configuration is a key milestone for an eff...

Decarbonisation policies aim at reducing fossil fuel based generation in favour of cleaner renewable energy sources. Changes in the generation mix to supply future electricity demand will require tools capable to emulate the bidding behaviour of new generation plants. Price forecasting tools lacking this feature and only based on historical data ti...

Electricity and gas infrastructure coupling has the twofold effect of solving production-consumption mismatches and decarbonizing the natural gas system through power-to-gas technologies producing hydrogen to be injected within the gas network. However, little is known on how this may impact the gas network operation, especially at a local level. T...

In the smart grid era, the number of data available for different applications has increased considerably. However, data could not perfectly represent the phenomenon or process under analysis, so their usability requires a preliminary validation carried out by experts of the specific domain. The process of data gathering and transmission over the c...

Sources such as solar and wind energy are intermittent, and this is seen as a barrier to their wide utilization. The increasing grid integration of intermittent renewable energy sources generation significantly changes the scenario of distribution grid operations. Such operational challenges are minimized by the incorporation of the energy storage...

This paper presents the findings about the impact of heat waves on a real urban distribution system. A data-driven methodology is proposed to simulate the portion of faults that can be associated to normal conditions (and hence to reliability) and the portion correlated to the heat wave occurrence. Based on real data collected in the years 2012-201...

The present evolution of the energy systems is characterized by an increase of small-size solutions, with which new aggregations of local integrated energy systems are emerging. The current policies on cleaner and efficient energy systems are providing opportunities to the development of systems supplied by renewable energy sources, and to the comb...

This paper proposes a graph theory-based approach to define the possible separation of the market zones in large power systems. The market zone partitioning is used to assess the frequency stability based on a set of parameters, including the inertia, the running capacity of the separated areas, and the power exchanged on the interconnection lines....

The coordination between distribution system and transmission system operation in the presence of distributed energy resources (DERs) is a new framework that needs appropriate modeling. Moreover, local energy market models are emerging, and there is the need to describe the decision-making occurring in active distribution systems including the dist...

This chapter presents the characteristics of the metaheuristic algorithms used to solve the transmission network expansion planning (TNEP) problem. The algorithms used to handle single or multiple objectives are discussed on the basis of selected literature contributions. Besides the main objective given by the costs of the transmission system infr...

This chapter recalls the load profiling principles and the main differences that appear in applying load profiling to a set of consumers smaller than for classical load profiling conducted at a large-scale level. In the prospect of application to local energy markets, the current load profiling setup is not fully adequate to support the challenging...

The whole interconnected European network is involved in the energy transition towards power systems based on renewable power electronics interfaced generation. In this context, the major concerns for both network planning and operation are the inertia reduction and the frequency control due to the progressive decommissioning of thermal power plant...

The growing energy demand in the world and the concern for environmentally damaging energy sources have led to an increased interest in seeking alternative renewable energy sources such as wind energy. Furthermore, choosing effective locations for wind power plants has become a key issue in project planning. However, prior to implementation, such p...

The replacement of conventional synchronous generators with converter-interfaced generation units calls for increased amounts of flexibility. This paper proposes a novel formulation of the security-constrained unit commitment (SCUC) model applied to a multi-area power system connected via High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) links. From a system pers...

The diffusion of distributed energy resources (DERs) has changed the supply-demand balance of power systems. One option to modernize the management of the electricity distribution is to operate the distribution system with interconnected micro-grids (MGs). However, the MG participation in wholesale energy and ancillary service markets creates sever...

In the power and energy systems area, a progressive increase of literature contributions that contain applications of metaheuristic algorithms is occurring. In many cases, these applications are merely aimed at proposing the testing of an existing metaheuristic algorithm on a specific problem, claiming that the proposed method is better than other...

The introduction of environmental impact targets around the world has highlighted the needs for adopting alternative sources of energy, which can supply the demand and mitigate the damages caused to the environment. Solar energy is one of the main sources of alternative energy, and is considered an abundant source of clean energy. However, to facil...

In the power and energy systems area, a progressive increase of literature contributions containing applications of metaheuristic algorithms is occurring. In many cases, these applications are merely aimed at proposing the testing of an existing metaheuristic algorithm on a specific problem, claiming that the proposed method is better than other me...

The exploitation of the Power-to-Gas (PtG) technology can properly support the distribution system operation in case of large penetration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). This paper addresses the impact of the PtG operation on the electrical distribution systems. A novel model of the PtG plant has been created to be representative of the entire p...

This paper proposes a novel model to cluster similar load consumption patterns and identify time periods with similar consumption levels. The model represents the customer’s load pattern as an image and takes into account the load variation and uncertainty by using exponential intuitionistic fuzzy entropy. The advantage is that the proposed method...

To reduce the risks of a new energy crisis and increase energy availability, the use of renewable energy sources (RES) is important and recommended. In Brazil, micro and small companies contribute about 25% of gross domestic product (GDP), and electric energy is employed intensively, so the importance of microgeneration is observable. This research...

Multienergy systems (MES), in which multiple energy vectors are integrated and optimally operated, are key assets in low-carbon energy systems. Multienergy interactions of distributed energy resources via different energy networks generate the so-called distributed MES (DMES). While it is now well recognized that DMES can provide power system flexi...

Thermal energy systems (TES) contribute to the on-going process that leads to higher integration among different energy systems, with the aim of reaching a cleaner, more flexible and sustainable use of the energy resources. This paper reviews the current literature that refers to the development and exploitation of TES-based solutions in systems co...

This paper proposes an aggregator for the optimal scheduling of a Electric Vehicle (EV) charging station. Assuming that the station charging can consume energy from the power grid and also from a renewable source at no cost, Day-Ahead and Real-Time strategies are developed for the station, considering uncertainty in the local renewable generation s...

Proper planning of the installation of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESSs) in distribution networks is needed to maximize the overall technical and economic benefits. The limited lifetime and relatively high cost of BESSs require appropriate decisions on their installation and deployment, in order to make the best investment. This paper proposes...

"This paper exploits the Duration-of-Use of the demand patterns as a key concept for dealing with demand side flexibility. Starting from the consideration that fine-grained energy metering is not used at the point of supply of the electricity consumers, i.e., the granularity of the energy measured (at time steps of 15 minutes, 30 minutes or one hou...

The increasing use of electric vehicles connected to the power grid gives rise to challenges in the vehicle charging coordination, cost management, and provision of potential services to the grid. Scheduling of the power in an electric vehicle charging station is a quite challenging task, considering time-variant prices, customers with different ch...

This paper exploits the Duration-of-Use of the demand patterns as a key concept for dealing with demand side flexibility. Starting from the consideration that fine-grained energy metering is not used at the point of supply of the electricity consumers, i.e., the granularity of the energy measured (at time steps of 15 minutes, 30 minutes or one hour...

The distribution network operation problem (DNOP) is an optimization problem in which the objective function is the total operation cost of the distribution company (Disco), to be minimized considering the technical constraints of the network. In the presence of distributed energy resources (DERs) and microgrids (MGs), new decision makers, includin...

The inertia of power systems is a key aspect of frequency dynamics and stability. The increasing penetration of non‐synchronous generation reduces the available inertia and makes it fluctuating during the day depending on the online units. This causes problems for grid operators, particularly in relatively small power systems. The present work exam...

One of the emergent prospects for active distribution networks is to establish new roles to the distribution company (Disco). The Disco can act as an aggregator of the resources existing in the distribution network, also when parts of the network are structured and managed as microgrids (MGs). The new roles of the Disco may open the participation o...

Many optimization problems admit a number of local optima, among which there is the global optimum. For these problems, various heuristic optimization methods have been proposed. Comparing the results of these solvers requires the definition of suitable metrics. In the electrical energy systems literature, simple metrics such as best value obtained...