Mahmoud Fotuhi-Firuzabad

• Ph.D., IEEE Fellow
• CEO at Sharif University of Technology

This paper develops a new decomposition algorithm for solving Electricity Market Pricing (EMP) problem, taking into account both revenue-adequacy and Fast Frequency Reserve (FFR) constraints. Due to revenue-adequacy constraint, a bilevel model of the EMP problem is introduced (BL-EMP). The upper level of the BL-EMP model represents the non-convex u...

Part I of this two-part paper series designed a solution for hierarchical coordination among Household Demand Response (HDR), Residential Aggregators (RAs) and DSO. This companion paper presents a novel three-layer fog-based architecture to establish an efficient data transmission network for the proposed coordination framework. The envisioned comm...

The potential of Household Demand Response (HDR) to provide demand-side flexibility is significant. To harness this potential effectively, Residential Aggregators (RAs) collect the capabilities of a large number of residential loads through HDR. To ensure that the acceptable HDR potentials are unbiased, RAs must interact with Distribution System Op...

This paper evaluates the benefits of cooperative utilization of available flexibility for enhancing the performance reliability of Multi-Microgrid (MMG) distribution systems in emergency situations. Interruptible Load Contracts (ILCs) with voluntary load points, with the goal to reduce the penalty cost of unexpected power interruptions during fault...

This paper presents a novel planning framework to enhance the resilience of energy supply to customers in power distribution systems. The framework involves three key stakehold-ers: the regulator as the governing entity that enforces regulatory mechanisms to oversee the performance of the distribution system operator (DSO); the DSO that reinforces...

Restructuring in power systems has resulted in the development of microgrids (MGs) as entities that could be operated in grid-connected or islanded modes while managing the operation of their systems. On the other hand, privatization and integration of independently operated distributed resources in energy systems have caused the introduction of mu...

Recently, many investigations have been studied on the effects of the uncommon extreme events like hurricanes in electrical distribution grids. These events leads to damage to distribution grid equipments, and they are cause widespread blackouts. This paper presents short-term resilience enhancement of the residential sections against hurricane at...

In this paper, a multi-agent framework is proposed to address the expansion planning problem in a restructured active distribution network. In this framework, the objective and techno-economic constraints of participating agents are addressed in the expansion planning of power network and DER assets as well as the network and DERs optimal operation...

The use of energy storage systems (ESS) and distributed generators (DGs) to improve reliability is one of the solutions that has received much attention from researchers today. In this study, we utilize a multi-objective optimization method for optimal planning of distributed generators in electric distribution networks from the perspective of mult...

The optimal energy consumption and production is one of main aims in the many countries to improve technical, economic and environmental issues by smart energy systems. This paper proposes a bi-stage multi-objectives optimization of the smart multi energy system with optimal coordination of active consumers than electrical and thermal prices in the...

Virtual power plant (VPP) aggregates the capacity of diverse distributed energy resources (DERs) dispersed around the network and creates an individual operating portfolio from the composition of DERs characteristics. VPP can schedule the DERs to provide energy and different types of reserve services in order to trade in wholesale electricity marke...

This paper establishes a centralized model to activate residential demand response in order to improve distribution network reliability. The model aims at minimizing the damage cost imposed by load curtailments following occurrence of unexpected events. In this model, distribution system operator (DSO) and responsive customers have already signed a...

As a result of the current restructuring procedure in power systems, renewable energy sources (RESs) are increasingly integrated into distribution systems. Respectively, while, the installation of RESs would benefit the system by securing the power supply, decreasing the power losses, and addressing the environmental concerns; their high penetratio...

Introduction of renewable energy sources (RESs) and independently operated multi-microgrid (MMG) systems have led to new issues in the management of power systems. In this context, uncertainty associated with RESs as well as intense ramps inflicted on the network called system flexibility constraints have raised new challenges in power systems. The...

The concept of flexibility is defined as the power systems’ ability to effectively respond to changes in power generation and demand profiles to maintain the supply–demand balance. However, the inherent flexibility margins required for successful operation have been recently challenged by the unprecedented arrival of uncertainties, driven by consta...

The number of harmonic-producing sources is rapidly growing in the power grid due to the increased penetration of power electronic-interfaced resources (such as wind turbines, photovoltaic systems, and energy storage units) and proliferation of nonlinear loads. Many researchers have investigated the effects of non-sinusoidal waveforms on the perfor...

This paper presents a hierarchically distributed algorithm for the execution of distribution state estimation function in active networks equipped with some phasor measurement units. The proposed algorithm employs voltage-based state estimation in rectangular form and is well-designed for large-scale active distribution networks. For this purpose,...

Energy storage systems (ESSs) play a vital role in dealing with uncertainties originated from the intermittent power generation of renewable energy sources (RESs) leading to improvement of flexibility and reliability of power systems. Needless to say, a key factor is selecting the best technology of ESSs which yields to maximum leverage of ESSs pre...

In recent years, increased integration of renewable energy sources (RES) calls for extensive and costly investments in transmission networks. In response, power system decision makers try to apply alternative solutions aimed to decrease the imposed investment costs. In this context, presence of large-scale Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) in transmiss...

Increasing penetration of renewable energy sources with intermittent generation calls for further flexibility requirements for efficient as well as the safe operation of power systems. Considering the significant growth of distributed energy resources in distribution systems, a promising approach to fulfill such requirements is to deploy local flex...

With the rapid advancement of phasor measurement units (PMUs) technology, system operators in different level of power systems have access to new and abundant measurements. Taking into account these measurements in active distribution systems (ADNs), a new algorithm for short-circuit fault detection and identification based on state estimation (SE)...

This paper proposes a solver-friendly model for disjoint, non-smooth, and nonconvex optimal power flow (OPF) problems. The conventional OPF problem is considered as a nonconvex and highly nonlinear problem for which finding a high-quality solution is a big challenge. However, considering practical logic-based constraints, namely multiple-fuel optio...

In this paper, a multi-objective framework is proposed for expansion planning of energy hubs, natural gas and electricity distribution systems considering the uncertainties of renewable sources and demand. The aim is to reduce total investment and operation costs through coordination among different stakeholders. In this regard, planning problems f...

This paper develops a risk-based framework for maximization of distribution companies’ profit, considering the implementation of incentive reliability regulations. In the proposed framework, various investment alternatives are considered. These alternatives are installation of distributed generation (DG) units as well as reinforcement of the existi...

This paper presents a mixed-integer linear stochastic model for optimal expansion planning of electricity distribution networks and distributed generation (DG) units. In the proposed framework, autonomous DG units are aggregated and modeled using the well-known energy hub concept. In this model, uncertainties of heat and electricity demand as well...

The proliferation of more sensitive loads has obliged distribution companies to pay greater attention to the voltage sag mitigation potential of different design alternatives in network planning studies. In doing so, a company has to have effective tools for estimating the voltage sag performance of its network. In this regard, this paper establish...

Flexible ramping product (FRP) has been recently launched in a number of electricity markets to enhance the power grid flexibility and accommodate additional deals of uncertainty introduced by renewable energy resources. The FRP procures additional ramp capacities provided by the dispatchable generating units and consumers in the real-time market (...

Uncertainty and variability in the supply sector of renewable-penetrated power systems is becoming a new challenge for secure operation of these systems which if not responded properly may cause large amounts of load and supply curtailments. To meet this challenge, some ISOs recently have employed a new product named Flexible Ramping Product (FRP)...

Efficient operation of electricity markets necessitates a penalty mechanism to penalize market participants who do not fulfill their market obligations. However, the traditional penalty mechanisms that have been successfully implemented in whole-sale electricity markets may result in unintended consequences in transactive markets where the particip...

Due to the huge amount of resources needed for implementing distribution automation systems (DAS), distribution companies (DISCOs) should develop long term plans for this project. Similarly, DISCOs have network capacity expansion (NCX) plans which specify the scheme of constructing the feeders and substations. Since considering DAS may lead to more...

Computation of Loss Of Load Probability (LOLP) is a challenge in Generation Expansion Planning (GEP) problem. This paper presents a dynamic GEP model considering LOLP as a reliability criterion. The objective function of the proposed dynamic GEP model includes the discounted total costs of investment cost, operation cost, and maintenance cost. The...

This paper introduces a new fuzzy‐based design procedure for more efficient application of reward‐penalty schemes in distribution sector. To achieve a fair as well as applicable regulation scheme, the fuzzy C‐means clustering algorithm is employed to efficiently determine the similarity among distribution companies. As setting procedure of the rewa...

An adaptive approach for distribution system reconfiguration and charging management of plug-in electric vehicles (PEV) is presented in this study. A stochastic model predictive control is applied to stochastically, adaptively, and dynamically reconfigure the system, manage the incidental charging pattern of PEVs, and deal with the variable and unc...

The planning and operation problems of parking lots of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) are studied in this paper. Herein, each distribution company (DISCO) allocates the parking lots to the electrical feeders to minimize the power loss and expected energy not supplied of the system, and consequently minimize the total cost of the planning problem...

Regarding the potentials of activating commercial consumers in demand response (DR) programs, this paper proposes a new framework for energy scheduling of an active distribution network based on the concept of technical virtual power plant (TVPP), considering operational constraints of distribution network. The TVPP enables presence of commercial b...

Since there are heavy interdependencies among the electrical, heat and gas systems to supply various load types in worldwide, operation of Multi-Energy Carrier (MEC) systems faces to critical challenges. Moreover, any uncertainty raises in one carrier would directly influence on the energy flow and the secure operation of the whole MEC system. This...

Electricity companies have been under a great pressure to improve their technical and financial performances in order to survive and thrive in the deregulated environment. Therefore, these companies are seeking for innovative approaches to take the most out of the restricted resources. These approaches inherently concentrate the available budgets t...

Automation systems provide substantial improvement in service reliability through speeding up fault management procedure. However, this is at expense of high investments whose justification needs thorough cost/worth analyses. This paper introduces a mathematical model to optimally place automation system devices within distribution networks. The mo...

Renewable energies especially Run-Of the-River (ROR) power plants are increasingly used for the electricity generation in the power systems. The uncertain and intermittent nature of these plants arisen from variability of water flow, however, has led to some problems in their integration to power systems. Thus, the operating reserve requirement in...

Optimal placement of switches can play a key role in providing resilience to power distribution systems against major faults caused by natural disasters. This study presents a resilience-based framework for optimal switch placement in distribution systems being consistent with the expansion plans of distributed generation units. At first, the impac...

This paper mainly focuses on operational reliability studies of modern power systems taking into consideration the effects of energy storage systems (ESSs). The aim is to develop a new evaluation tool to assess the effects of different factors such as penetration rate, operational strategies and capacities of the ESSs in determining the role of the...

In this paper, a stochastic framework including two hierarchical stages is presented for the operation of distribution systems with high penetrations of wind power. In the first stage, termed Day Ahead Market Stage (DAMS), power purchases from day-ahead (DA) market and commitment of distributed generations (DGs) are determined. The DAMS model is fo...

Recent concerns about environmental conditions have triggered the growing interest in using green energy resources. These sources of energy, however, bring new challenges mainly due to their uncertainty and intermittency. In order to alleviate the concerns on the penetration of intermittent energy resources, this paper investigates impacts of reali...

This paper develops a general framework for reliability assessment of multi-microgrid (MMG) distribution systems. It also investigates reliability impacts of coordinated outage man-agement strategies in a MMG distribution network. According to the proposed reliability evaluation framework, which is based on sequential Monte Carlo simulation method,...

Sectionalizing switches (SSs) are often presumed to function fully reliable. However, SSs are exposed to have some malfunctions, whereby undermining their ability to improve service reliability. This study presents a model to integrate SS malfunction probability into SS placement problem. The model aims to minimize the total SSs costs as well as cu...

In this paper, a new market mechanism is proposed to quantify the value of emergency energy transactions in renewable-based multi-microgrid (MMG) systems. To reach this goal, main requirements and features of such emergency market are identified. Subsequently, a hybrid market framework is proposed which integrates pool emergency transactions and bi...

Large customers are considered as major flexible electricity demands which can reduce their electricity costs by choosing appropriate strategies to participate in demand response programs. However, practical methods to aid the large customers for handling the complex decision making process for participating in the programs have remained scarce. Th...

This paper deals with energy management of microgrids during unscheduled islanding events, initiated by disturbances in the main grid. In these situations, the main challenge is uncertainty about duration of disconnection from the main grid. In order to tackle this issue, a stochastic framework is proposed for optimal scheduling of microgrid resour...

Increased electricity demand coupled with investment in renewable-based generating units has resulted in problems such as transmission congestion and load shedding in modern power systems. In this situation, transmission expansion planning (TEP) studies plays a key role in dealing with the aforementioned problems. On the other hand, deployment of e...

In modern power systems, technical virtual power plants (TVPPs) play an important role enabling presence of distributed energy resources (DERs) in electricity markets. In this paper, strategy of using the available energy resources for a TVPP is put under investigation. A new optimization framework is presented for problem of TVPP energy scheduling...

The state estimation (SE) is a fundamental data processing algorithm used by the control centers of modern power networks. The most widely used state estimator is rooted to the weighted least squares (WLS) estimator which is not sufficiently robust to the gross errors in the measurements. This paper, presents a new robust algorithm for power system...

Implementing automation system in distribution networks needs a huge investment which usually cannot be funded entirely in a short period of time. So distribution companies (DISCOs) should develop long term plans to equip their network with automation technologies as far as economically justifiable. Aiming to provide a methodology for development s...

This paper proposes a generalized analytical approach to evaluate the reliability of active distribution networks. The studies are implemented in the context of renewable-based energy hubs. The reliability of energy demands is determined as a function of reliability characteristics of energy hub input re-sources and converters as well as hub operat...

This paper investigates the role of parking lots in improving the reliability of renewable-based distribution systems, through provision of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programs during outage events. In this regard, municipal parking decks are viewed as distributed energy storage systems and the amount of available energy from these units in random contin...

This paper presents a stochastic framework for day-ahead scheduling of microgrid energy storage systems (ESSs) in the context of multi-objective (MO) optimization. Operation cost of microgrid in normal conditions and load curtailment index in case of unscheduled islanding events (initiated by disturbances in the main grid) are chosen as main criter...

Due to the pollution of the traditional power generation resources and environmental problems, development of power generation resources has become a major problem in today's world. Because of this reason and economic reasons for fossil fuels, the electricity industry designers and policy-makers are to provide solutions to improve the current situa...

State estimation in power engineering is used as a tool to find the unknown parameter values from the hypothesized model by utilizing the specified information available about the system. Due to random noises that are added from different sources, the exact value of the state vector cannot be found. This study is an effort to describe the simultane...

This paper focuses on the designing procedure of a regulatory framework in distribution networks with the main goal being to facilitate the integration of distributed generation (DG) units. The proposed framework is based on the concept of the reward penalty scheme (RPS) and creates effective financial incentives for distribution companies (DISCOs)...

As the electricity market undergoes continuous evolutions, along with the widely-recognized outdated nature of the grid, system operators would have to be able to more effectively manage the system operation expenses since waves of maintenance costs and equipment investments would be anticipated in a few years to come. Strategic implementation of c...

Although the concept of vehicle-to-grid (V2G) has explicitly shown its benefits in improving the grid efficiency, it has not yet been furnished with effective evaluation methods in power system studies. This paper aims to propose an analytical approach by which the reliability impacts of electric vehicles (EVs) in distribution level can effectively...

Fast charging station is indispensable for widespread use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), as it provides a mean to fully charge a PHEV in a short period of time. Application of electrical storage systems (ESSs) in fast charging stations is considered as a way to reduce operational costs of the station and to alleviate negative impacts of...

Background In the past few decades, a significant volume of work has been carried out on various aspects of the state estimation problem to estimate an optimum state vector of the power system. This problem has been focused on, in previous studies regarding the computational efficiency and numerical robustness in view to find point estimates for sy...

The state estimator is a fundamental algorithm used in modern power industry to estimate the steady state of the system. The gross errors in input data of power system SE algorithm can considerably effect the accuracy of estimated measurements. Although, the commonly used state estimator algorithms utilize some statistical tests to detect the bad d...

Increasing redundant paths in transmission grids has always been thought to be a tool to enhance service reliability. However, network equations by intertwining power flows through redundant paths impose more limits on systems with more redundancy. Accordingly, autonomous removing of a few lines may relief capacity limit violations in some continge...

This paper investigates three different strategies for centralized charging/discharging management of electric vehicles, their features and the impacts on technical performance of distribution systems. Three goals of load factor maximization, load variance reduction and energy loss minimization are chosen as the main technical factors need to be op...

The presence of gross errors in the process data for the power system state estimation (PSSE) algorithm is very crucial as they may severely degrade its results. The conventionally used state estimator is based on the method of the weighted least squares (WLS) which is not robust against the bad measurements that results in larger deviation in outp...

Fault indicator (FI) plays a crucial rule in enhancing service reliability in distribution systems. This device brings substantial benefits for fault management procedure by speeding up fault location procedure. This paper intends to develop a new optimization model to optimally deploy FI in distribution systems. The proposed model aims to consider...

As the electricity market undergoes continuous evolutions, along with the outdated nature of the grid, system operators would have to be able to more effectively manage the operation costs since waves of maintenance costs and equipment investments would be anticipated in the years to come. Strategic implementation of cost-effective reliability cent...

In distribution system planning studies, reliability evaluation is performed during optimization procedure to calculate the interruption cost, DISCO's income and to check the viability of constraints related to reliability indices. In each iteration of the optimization algorithm a special plan is evaluated that is different from other plans. So the...

This paper presents a new framework for evaluating contribution of wind farms in operational reliability level of power systems. In this regard, at first, it provides a short-term analytical model well designed to represent intermittent and uncertain nature of wind power. Combining the attained multi-state model of wind farms with the other committ...

This paper presents a new framework for planning studies of modern distribution networks. Presence of electric vehicles (EVs) and various technologies of distributed generation (DG) technologies are considered in the studies as two upcoming events of the future systems. In this regard, place and capacity of DG units along with the reinforcement of...

Wide-Area Monitoring, Protection, And Control (WAMPAC) is a key factor in the implementation of smart transmission grids. WAMPAC has a crucial role in detection and prevention of widespread events with an ultimate goal of improving the electricity service reliability. Several mathematical techniques were proposed for the Optimal Phasor Measurement...

This paper reviews the merits of modernizing the power grid and discusses the way electric utilities in various countries are directing their practices toward offering enhanced sustainability, reliability, resilience, security, and economics to their respective consumers. The modernization of the electricity grid, which has evolved as the brainchil...

This paper investigates the operation of a smart distribution system comprised of multiple microgrids during emergency conditions. It proposes a two-stage hierarchical scheme for outage management in such a system to enhance the security of supply during contingencies. This goal is achieved through sharing the available generation and storage capac...

Residential Energy Management (REM) program is a demand response (DR) tool that automatically manages energy consumption of controllable household appliances to improve the energy consumption profile of a house according to electricity price. REM intends to only improve technical aspects of distribution systems, but also motivate customers for acti...

Going back and taking a quick glance at the history of developed countries prove that prosperity of any society is tightly intertwined with resiliency and sustainability of its preliminary infrastructures. Surely, in modern societies, electricity is among the most important infrastructures whose resiliency and sustainability is a key driving force...

This paper concentrates on degradation of Electric vehicle (EV) lithium-ion batteries in vehicle-to-grid (V2G) programs and proposes a practical wear cost model for EVs charge scheduling applications. As the first step, all the factors affecting the cycle life of lithium-ion batteries are identified and their impacts on degradation process are inve...

Power plant successful operation is always a function of its constituent sub-systems and components. Due to the current financial constraints in power industry, power plant operators are continuously facing a wide range of challenges when dealing with maintenance scheduling and asset management practices of the plant sub-systems. Knowledge on the r...

Energy storage systems are expected as a near-term solution for renewable energy application in the residential energy hubs. Within this context, this study investigates the feasibility of using storage systems in improving the technical and financial performance of the residential renewable-based energy hub. A new approach has been proposed in thi...

With the rapid evolution of electricity markets and the need for higher economic efficiency of power industry, attempts for lowering down the maintenance costs as a large portion of system operation expenses seem imperative. Recognised as a crucial step in practical implementation of modern maintenance paradigms, e.g. reliability-centred maintenanc...

Nowadays, the essentiality of asset management in power systems and higher utilization of resources have become more critical to keep pace with the radically growing demand of today's networks. Power transformers are amongst the most important equipments installed in power distribution systems. Therefore, this paper presents a novel methodology to...

Demand response is envisioned as a key solution to increase network efficiency as well as to alleviate challenges such as growing demand. In this paper, domestic electric water heater (EWH) and heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) are considered for potential demand response applications. An interaction between the system operator and...

This paper proposes a hierarchical outage management scheme to enhance the resilience of a smart distribution system comprised of multi-microgrids against unexpected disaster events. In this regard, after identifying the main features and requirements for a resilient outage management scheme, an appropriate framework is devised and the roles and ta...

Proliferation of distributed generations (DGs) and power electronics-based loads is bringing about more harmonic polluted power signals. While some failures may occur as a consequence of non-sinusoidal current or volt-age waveforms, existing reliability models of protection relays have not taken the harmonic-related failures into consideration. Thi...