SMART GRIDS IN ELECTRICAL POWER SYSTEM   (in English language) 

 Course ID
 1052081     [ LM-28 and LM-30 ]
Lecturer(s)
Prof. Alberto Geri 

Office

Dipartimento di Ingegneria Astronautica, Elettrica ed Energetica Sezione di Ingegneria Elettrotecnica
Via delle Sette Sale n°12/B, 1st floor room 48
Phone (+39) 06 4458.5.540     FAX (+39) 06 4883235     email: alberto.geri@uniroma1.it

Office hours

 WEEKDAY  TIME
 Monday  from   15:00 a.m.   to   17:00 a.m.
 Thursday  from   15:00 a.m.   to   17:00 a.m.

Please email me if you want an appointment outside of office hours, with the reason well explained.
I can be reached for questions by electronic mail too.

Credits
9 ECTS (equivalent to 90 hours of face-to-face instruction and 135 hours of individual study).

Course meeting times
 PERIOD  WEEKDAY  TIME
  CLASSROOM
 18 sep 2017 - 22 dec 2017
  Monday  10:00 a.m. - 13:00 a.m.  47

 Wednesday  11:00 a.m. - 13:00 a.m.  48
   Thursday  10:00 a.m. - 13:00 a.m.  34


Course description
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) emissions 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. Assignments will be given at the end of some classes.
 
Textbooks

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

Reference
"Principles of Power System", V.K. Mehta, Rohit Mehta, 4th Revised Editon, S. Chand

Course goals

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.
 
Course outcome

Upon completion of this course 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 grid and microgrid, 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.

Grading

 20% homework problems
 grading G1 (from 0 up to 30 points)
 80% in-class exams
  30% midterm exam
  grading G2 (from 0 up to 30 points)

 50% final exam
  grading G3 (from 0 up to 30 points)

Final grade = round(0.2 * G1 + 0.3 * G2 + 0.5 * G3)

Grading scale
In Italy, for ordinary exams, universities use a 30-point scale that can be devidet into failing (0 to 17) and passed (18 to 30 cum laude) grades.
 ITALIAN GRADES  ETCS GRADE
  ETCS DESCRIPTION  US GRADE
  US DESCRIPTION
 30-30 cum laude
 A
  Excellent A+  Excellent
 28-29
 A  Excellent
A
  Excellent
 26-27
 A
  Excellent A-  Excellent
 24-25
 B
  Very good
 B+
  Good
 23
 B
  Very good
 B
  Good
 22
 B
  Very good
 B-
  Good
 21
 C
  Good
 C+
  Satisfactory
 20 C  Good C  Satisfactory
 19 C  Good C-  Satisfactory
 18 D  Satisfactory D  Barely passing
 14-17 Fx
  Fail E  Fail
 0-16 F
  Fail F  Fail


Homeworks

Homeworks, which will be assigned approximately on bi- or three-weekly basis (except during the week of the midterm exam), are expected to be sent to instructor in PDF format by email attachments. When students submitt files electronically, not later than one week from the assignment, they must use the following naming convention:
          SMGD_HW??_YourLastName.pdef
where: double question mark, ??, must be replaced by the progression number of homework assignment; for example, suppose that the student last name is Simpson, for homework assignment number 2, he should name his file as "SMGD_HW02_Simpson.pdf".
Late homeworks, in general, will be graded to zero, unless there are legitimate reasons: should a student anticipate that he or she cannot turn in the assignment on time, then he or she must inform the instructor BEFORE the assignment's due date.
Although, one ore more homeworks will be graded to zero, due to the non-compliance with deadlines, all assignments must be mandatory submitted before final exam, otherwise, student will not be admitted to the test.

Exams

There will be a midterm exam and a final one in this class. One midterm exam will be given in a lecture period. If a student, for any reason, does not give the midterm exam, or want to improve the grade obtained, he or she can give midterm and final exam as an all-in-one exam.
The final exam will be given at the time scheduled by the university (see Exams scheduling). 
The exam is passed if the final grade (taking in to account all assignments as in Grading) exceeds 18 (see Grading scale); otherwise, the student will have to give the final exam again.
The in-class exams are closed-book and closed-notes. In addition, during the exams, all electronic devices must turned off, as well as everything, except a calculator and the stationery material (pens, pencils, erasers etc.), must be removed from desk.

Exams scheduling
 SESSION  START  END
  EXAM DAY
  TIME AND CLASSROOM
 I outstanding
  16.10.2017
  11.11.2017  03.11.2017  Time: 16:00 - 19:00        Classroom: 40
 I and II
  08.01.2018  23.02.2018
 16.01.2018
  Time: 09:00 - 14:00        Classroom: 40



 13.02.2018  Time: 14:00 - 19:00        Classroom: 40
 II outstanding  12.03.2018
 11.04.2018
 23.03.2018
 Time: 14:00 - 18:00        Classroom: ??
 III and IV
  04.06.2018
 31.07.2018
 19.06.2018  Time: 14:00 - 18:00        Classroom: ??
 

 16.07.2018  Time: 14:00 - 18:00        Classroom: ??
 V
  03.09.2018  22.09.2018  13.09.2018  Time: 14:00 - 18:00        Classroom: ??


Attendance and expectations

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 homeworks, which will be assigned approximately on bi- or three-weekly basis, except during the week of the midterm exam.
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.
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.

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 homeworks 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.

Assessment feedback
Students will receive feedback on all graded assessments (i.e., homeworks and in-class exams) by corresponding grade tables posted on the web page: Exams.
Verbalization calendars of passed exams will be also posted on the same web page: Exams.
Students will be punctually informed on all available updates (grade tables and verbalization calendars) by posted notices on the web page: Notice board.

Last minute information
Urgent communications, such as variations of time or classroom of lectures or exams, or any other information about course or students, will be immediately posted on the web page: Notice board.

Calendar

LEC#:  DATE@TIME
  TOPICS
 REFERENCE
01: 25.09.17@10-13
  Course introduction
  SMGR_LC01
02: 27.09.17@11-13
  Electric system structure  SMGR_LC02
03: 28.09.17@10-13
  Electric system operation SMGR_LC03
04: 02.10.17@10-13
  Electric system simulation: a PowerWorld application LINK  SMGR_LC04
05: 04.10.17@11-13
  Why will we need a smarter grid?  SMGR_LC05
06: 05.10.17@10-13
  TERNA: Transmission lines and primary substations  SMGR_LC06
07: 09.10.17@10-13
 Power factor improvement  [4] Ch. 6
AL: 10.10.17@14-17 Electrical design of OH lines [4] Ch. 9
09: 11.10.17@11-13
  Performance of transmission lines (1)
  [4] Ch. 10
10: 12.10.17@10-13
  Performance of transmission lines (2)  [4] Ch. 10
11: 16.10.17@10-13
  Design of MV distribution lines  [4] Ch. 11,14
AL: 17.10.17@14-17 Per-unit method [5] Ch. 7
12: 18.10.17@11-13  Power flow (1): theory
  [5] Ch. 11
13: 19.10.17@10-13  Power flow (2): theory and numerical applications
  [3] Ch. 3
14: 23.10.17@10-13
  Numerical applications: design of radial and ring lines
  Notes
AL: 24.10.17@14-17
  Numerical applications: design of dorsal lines with laterals
  Notes
15: 26.1017@10-13
  Numerical applications: per-unit method
  Notes
16: 30.10.17@10-13
  Earthing of electric distribution systems (1)
  [1] Ch. 3
AL: 31.10.17@14-17
  Earthing of electric distribution systems (2)
  [1] Ch. 3
17: 02.11.17@10-13
  Short-circuit studies (1) [1] Ch. 4
18: 06.11.17@10-13
  Short-circuit studies (2)  [1] Ch. 4
AL: 07.11.17@14-17 Short-circuit studies (3) [1] Ch. 4
19: 08.11.17@11-13 Numerical applications: unsymmetrical faults Notes
20: 09.11.17@10-13
  Numerical applications: unsymmetrical faults  Notes
21: 13.11.17@10-13
  Protection of electric distribution systems (1)
  [1] Ch. 5
AL: 14.11.17@14-17 Solution of the first homework: discussion Notes
22: 15.11.17@11-13
  Protection of electric distribution systems (2)  [1] Ch. 5
23: 16.11.17@10-13
  Protection of electric distribution systems (3)  [1] Ch. 5
24: 20.11.17@10-13
  Protection of electric distribution systems (4)  [1] Ch. 5
AL: 21.11.17@14-17 Solution of the second homework: discussion Notes
25: 22.11.17@11-13
  Lecture not given  -------------------
26: 23.11.17@10-13
  Case study: operation and protection in e-distribuzione grids  Notes-Case-1
27: 27.11.17@10-13
  Case study: operation and protection of a ring  Notes-Case-2
AL: 28.11.17@14-17 Solution of the third homework: discussion Notes
28: 29.11.17@11-13
  Storage systems (1)
  Notes-Case-3
29: 30.11.17@10-13
  Storage systems (2)
  Notes-Case-3
30: 04.12.17@10-13
  In-class midterm exam  3 hours
31: 06.12.17@11-13
  Solution of the fourth homework: discussion Notes
32: 07.12.17@10-13
  Solution of the fifth homework: discussion Notes
33: 11.12.17@10-13
  Case study: e-distribuzione - storage systems  Notes-Case-4
AL: 12.12.17@14-17 Case study: e-distribuzione - automation systems Notes-Case-5
34: 13.12.17@11-13
  Lecture not given -------------------
35: 14.12.17@10-13
  Insulated and compensated neutral MV grids (1)
 Notes
36: 18.12.17@10-13
  Insulated and compensated neutral MV grids (2)  Paper
37: 20.12.17@11-13
  Case study: ASM Terni - demand response  Notes-Case-6
38: 21.12.17@10-13
  Case study: ASM Terni - cyber security  Notes-Case-7
   
 
 
Tutoring activity

In order to solve the problem of the complete absence of knowledges on electrical power systems of some students, I am organizing, with the support of my collaborator Prof. Marco Maccioni, a tutoring activity. By means of several lectures, some substitutive ones (that is, held during the assigned class time) and some integrative ones (that is, held in addition to the assigned class time), we will try to fill the gaps on the electric power systems that could inhibit the learning of basic concepts of this course on Smart Grids. This will obviously require an additional effort on your part, but also on our part, which will be absolutely voluntary for both sides. Days and hours will be agreed in such a way that everyone can participate to these additional activities.

Addition lectures will be given every Tuesday, starting from 10 October (Time: 14:00 - 17:00), at the “Calculation laboratory” of the “Electrical Engineering Section” located in Via delle sette sale 12/b.


Download course materials
Powerpoint slides, handout, lecture notes and any other type of learning materials (such as, typical examples of homeworks and exams with their solutions) may be downloaded from the web page: Learning materials.

Master degree thesis

Several themes for master degree theses are available concerning, power systems, smart- and micro-grids, two of them are:
  • Italy towards the introduction of the Flow-Based Market Coupling (FBMC): analysis of possible scenarios
  • Optimal operation of a micro-grid integrated within a MV public distribution network under normal or abnormal operation conditions