Workshops on Tuesday 26 September 2017 at ISGT Europe 2017 include:

 

Industry prospects for microprocessor based devices and energy storage solutions

This Workshop has been organised in collaboration with the IEEE Italy Section PES Chapter PE31

Tuesday 26 September 2017 – hour 9:00-11:00, Room 4

Organiser: Vahid Madani (Pacific Gas & Electric Co., USA)

Speakers:

  • Vahid Madani (Pacific Gas & Electric Co., USA): “Sustainability Strategy and Life Cycle Experiences with Microprocessor Based Devices”
  • Andrea Mazza (Politecnico di Torino, Italy): “Power-to-X: the journey of the energy from electrons to molecules”

Abstract for “Sustainability Strategy and Life Cycle Experiences with Microprocessor Based Devices”:

Microprocessor based protective devices and programmable logic controllers have been widely used to provide many benefits including system performance, monitoring, technology and compliance. Recently utilities have started to replace earlier generations of microprocessor-based protective devices with modern protection and control Intelligent Electronic Devices (IEDs). The upgrade is partially due to the increased failure rates of the older generation of devices, as well as to benefit from new functionalities including system integration, Synchrophasor applications, IEC61850 communication and cyber security. The process of upgrading numerical devices is quite different and more complex compared with the upgrading of traditional electromechanical or solid-state relays with a functionally equivalent device. In addition to the hardware replacement, functions related to cyber security, protection, automation and control, event recording and digital communications must be considered. The protection and control system practitioners need to manage the asset and set the strategies, with inputs from all stakeholders across lines of business as well as externally with manufacturers, regulators, consultants or even neighboring utilities because the selection and application criteria have expanded greatly with the introduction of new features and functions.

This lecture is intended for the power system practitioners, technology strategists, utility executives considering investment in life cycle asset and the associated business case considerations, manufacturers partnering with the industry. In addition to the benefits enabled by technology, the topics covered include understanding the process, challenges of migrating, and process for standardization of solutions.

This lecture presents the existing asset management, performance, replacement, and technology considerations based on utility practices at the T&D level. Strategies and practical concerns including hardware and firmware compatibility, protection settings and other features such as automation or other possible integrated set point considerations as well as commissioning and testing when upgrading or replacing a microprocessor device are described in detail. This lecture will assist utility or industry electrical engineers that have an on-going protective relay or Logic Controller upgrade projects or are planning to upgrade their aging microprocessor systems with lessons learned based on practical experiences.

Abstract for “Power-to-X: the journey of the energy from electrons to molecules”: The increase of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) poses new challenges in the operation of the electrical system. Their variable nature and the intrinsic non-dispatchability opens new scenarios and gives further research prospects to technicians and researchers. “Flexibility” that may be provided by storage is one of the trendy words, indicating the necessity of large storage share. But which storage?
By starting from the different goals indicated by European Commission in its roadmaps (2020, 2030, 2050), the presentation aims to provide an overview of particular long-term storage solutions, generally called “Power-to-X”: under this expression different processes are brought together. Among the others, Power-to-Gas is becoming commonly investigated. The presentation also highlights the activity of a large project currently running in Europe, which involves 27 partners from 6 different European Countries, with an overview of the aims of the project, together with some preliminary results.

Biographical notes:

Vahid Madani, Ph.D., Fellow IEEE, is an Executive Engineer and principal technology lead for advanced power systems applications at Pacific Gas & Electric Co., headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA. His experience spans across System Planning, Operation, Protection and Control, Instrumentation, and life cycle strategies for resources and equipment. He has been responsible for major initiatives with system-wide deployment within PG&E requiring R&D, Proof of Concept demonstrations, Standardization, and Compliance.

Dr. Madani is a contributor to PES Technical Council and as a member of the PES Governing Board, and has volunteered as the Chair of technical committees on Standards, PES Fellows, and in providing tutorial lectures in power systems.  Vahid has many publications in professional journals including CIGRE, IEEE Spectrum and Power and Energy magazine, and has co-authored text books and reference handbooks.

Dr. Madani is a Fellow of IEEE and IEEE Distinguished Lecturer, Adjunct Faculty, a registered Electrical Engineer in California, and holds US and International patents.

 

RESERVE: Enabling 100% Renewables with new grid codes

Tuesday 26 September 2017 – hour 11:30-13:30, Room 3

Organiser: Antonello Monti

Speakers:

  • Antonello Monti (RWTH Aachen University)
  • Ronan Murphy (ESB Networks, Ireland)
  • Lucian Toma (University POLITEHNICA of Bucharest, UPB)
  • Dan Preotescu (Romanian Energy Center, CRE)

Abstract: The RESERVE project develops and field-tests new techniques that can enable a stable supply of purely renewable resources. This ambitious but achievable goal starts with a specification of the required components and functions that future automation systems must have for frequency and voltage control in a system with 100% RES.
The frequency control architectures consists of measuring and estimating the frequency under dynamic conditions and a novel definition of Linearized Swing Dynamics (LSD) while voltage control architectures incorporate technologies like the optimal power flow and virtual output impedance control for voltage stability in power electronics driven systems. These technical solutions are the input for new unified pan-European network connection codes.
To successfully manage energy networks with 100% RES, it is essential that the communications and IT equipment supports the new power grids with fast, reliable, and secure transmission of wide-area field measurements and control commands for managing voltage and frequency in all parts of the network. An innovative scalable Information and Communications Technology (ICT) systems based on 5G technology will enable this.
The analysis of network data of the Irish and Romanian grids have shown to be too complex for being simulated monolithically on commercially available real time simulators. To tackle this challenge the projects develops a geographically distributed simulation that solves the inherent communication latencies and integrates the heterogeneous simulation.

Key questions:

Q1: What technics will allow to move to 100% RES?
Q2: How can we control Voltage for 100% RES?
Q3: How can we control Frequency for 100% RES?
Q4: How can we include these new techniques in the Network Codes?

Biographical notes:

Antonello Monti received his M.Sc degree (summa cum laude) and his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, Italy in 1989 and 1994 respectively. He started his career in Ansaldo Industria and then moved in 1995 to Politecnico di Milano as Assistant Professor. In 2000 he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of South Carolina (USA) as Associate and then Full Professor. Since 2008 he is the director of the Institute for Automation of Complex Power System within the E.ON Energy Research Center at RWTH Aachen University. Dr. Monti is author or co-author of more than 300 peer-reviewed papers published in international Journals and in the proceedings of International conferences. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, Associate Editor of the IEEE System Journal, Associate Editor of IEEE Electrification Magazine, Member of the Editorial Board of the Elsevier Journal and Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks, and member of the founding board of the Springler Journal Energy Informatics. Dr. Monti is the recipient of the 2017 IEEE Innovation in Societal Infrastructure Award.

 

New deals for the consumers: innovations from design to smart operation

Tuesday 26 September 2017 – hour 11:30-13:30

Organiser: Roberto Napoli (Politecnico di Torino, Italy)

Speakers:

  • Andrea Caregari, e-distribuzione, Italy
  • Eugenio Di Marino, Italian Electrotechnical Committee, Italy
  • Roberto Giordano, Giordano Company, Italy
  • Luca Lo Schiavo, Regulatory Authority for Electricity Gas and Water, Italy
  • Pierluigi Mancarella, University of Melbourne, Australia
  • Paolo Perani, ABB, Italy
  • Fabrizio Pilo, ENSIEL Consortium and University of Cagliari, Italy

Abstract:

The long way to smart grids requires adequate innovations across the entire path from integrated design to new functionality, efficiency and security standards, and finally to new business models that adequately recognize the contribution of active users to the economy and the resilience of the electric infrastructure.

The so called European New Deal for Consumers stresses the importance of an user-centric approach to smart grids. The electric infrastructure must be revised, giving more ample possibilities to microgrids and to the network of microgrids. In this framework new business models need to be established, recognizing the contribution of the users. These business models in some way mimics some historical process of decentralization and regrouping, recognizing the right of liberalized use of the energy with adequate emphasis on the creation of new jobs and on the strengthening of the social consensus together with technical and economic considerations.

These perspectives poses several challenges to the various segments, from regulators to distributors, from to design to  installation, from operation to the preparation of experts and users. This session will try to present the opinions of experts of the various segments.

Key questions:

Q1: How the distributor see and prepare the future?
Q2: How are evolving norms and rules to avoid barriers?
Q3: How the research and the academy is focusing on the various implications, not only technical or economical?
Q4: What is coming and what is new from the constructors?
Q5: How is changing the role of the installers and how are they preparing themselves for the transition?
Q6: How can we help less developed countries for the transition?

Biographical notes:

Roberto Napoli received his degree in Electrical Engineering in 1969. Since then, he has started a long career, covering the main positions in the academy, reaching the Emeritus Professor status. His long experience covers the academic as well as the professional aspects, with a strong international involvement.  His main research fields include the various aspects of the Power Systems (energy security, renewables generation, electric market, load forecasting, automation, computer buildings, domotics, social implications, etc..) with many publications in professional journals, books, etc.. Actually his main interest are concentrated on new user-centric business models and new info-mobility tools, with registered patents. His professional experience include various realizations across the world, including cooperation with various famous architects. As opinion leader, he enjoys playing the role of columnist in specialized magazines. He is IEEE-HKN Life Member, CIGRE, AEIT and other specialized associations.

 

SUCCESS: Securing the electrical network of the future

Tuesday 26 September 2017 – hour 14:30-16:30

Organiser: Antonello Monti (RWTH)

Speakers:

  • Ganesh Sauba (DNV GL)
  • György Dan (KTH)
  • Manuel Allhoff (P3)
  • Massimo Cresta (ASM Terni)
  • Mikhail Simonov (ISMB)

Abstract:

Securing utility infrastructure to maintain continuous power supplies is growing in importance as digital interfaces to the networks are opened to enable smart metering and interactions with new sector actors, such as solar and wind farm operators.

The SUCCESS project is developing an overarching approach to threat and countermeasure analysis with special focus on the vulnerabilities that could be introduced by Smart Meters. Starting from a security and privacy by design approach and placing resiliency and survivability in focus, the SUCCESS Security Monitoring Solution applies ICT in the energy domain to detect security threats to the Electricity Distribution Grid’s management and communication systems and execute countermeasures which mitigate these threats.

The workshop will guide the participants through selected aspects treated in SUCCESS starting off with a brief overview of the conceptual approach of the project and then proceed to the threat analysis that provides the starting point for our countermeasure derivation. We will provide deeper technical insights into the challenges of specific attacks regarding PMUs and time synchronization and present aspects of the Pan European Security Monitoring solution. Finally we will present our distributed trial sites on European energy operators (DSO) in three different countries and finally have an outlook on specific socio-economic impacts related with real time smart metering such as developed in SUCCESS. There will be plenty of room for questions and discussions!

Key questions:

Q1: What are the key security threats introduced by new interfaces, such as Smart Meters?
Q2: What new approaches that can enable us to build a secure over-arching architecture?
Q3: Why are European level approaches useful in this area?
Q4: What can we learn from field trials?

Biographical notes:

Antonello Monti received his M.Sc degree (summa cum laude) and his PhD in Electrical Engineering from Politecnico di Milano, Italy in 1989 and 1994 respectively. He started his career in Ansaldo Industria and then moved in 1995 to Politecnico di Milano as Assistant Professor. In 2000 he joined the Department of Electrical Engineering of the University of South Carolina (USA) as Associate and then Full Professor. Since 2008 he is the director of the Institute for Automation of Complex Power System within the E.ON Energy Research Center at RWTH Aachen University. Dr. Monti is author or co-author of more than 300 peer-reviewed papers published in international Journals and in the proceedings of International conferences. He is a Senior Member of IEEE, Associate Editor of the IEEE System Journal, Associate Editor of IEEE Electrification Magazine, Member of the Editorial Board of the Elsevier Journal and Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks, and member of the founding board of the Springler Journal Energy Informatics. Dr. Monti is the recipient of the 2017 IEEE Innovation in Societal Infrastructure Award.

 

 

IEEE PES Careers & Scholarship Plus in Europe: an important opportunity for students of the Electrical Engineering Programs and for relevant Players

Tuesday 26 September 2017 – hour 14:30-16:30

Organiser: Carlo Alberto Nucci (University of Bologna, Italy)

Speakers:

  • Gianfranco Chicco (Politecnico di Torino, Italy)
  • Michela Longo (Politecnico di Milano, Italy)
  • Carlo Alberto Nucci (DEI – University of Bologna, Italy, IEEE/PES Careers & Scholarship Plus Committees, Chair)
  • Patrick Ryan (The IEEE, United States)
  • Tiziana Tambosso (IEEE Italy Section, Chair)
  • Alfredo Vaccaro (University of Sannio, Italy)

Abstract:

The energy sector  is progressively getting more and more ‘electrical’ and ‘sustainable’. IEEE PES is deeply involved in promoting initiatives that encourage students to pursue power engineering careers in order to increase their number and to attract the best students in the power and energy area. This workshop presents two important initiatives by IEEE PES aimed at supporting Electrical Engineering students and young professionals. In particular, PES Careers is an online service that helps connecting students with employers offering full- and part-time positions as well as internships and coops. As subscriptions are valid one year after graduation, PES Careers is a powerful network also for finding jobs and working positions. Students and employers need to subscribe to get access of the benefits of this initiative, which the workshop is aimed at illustrating and promoting. The workshop describes also the implementation of the IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative™ in Italy, which provides scholarships (Awards) and real world experience to undergraduates who are interested in power and energy engineering careers. On the occasion of the workshop the winners of the 1st call for application of the IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Award in Italy first year will be presented their awards.

Key questions:

Q1: what is needed for a Student to apply for IEEE PES Careers program and what are the relevant advantages
Q2: what is needed for an Employer to apply for IEEE PES Careers program and what are the relevant advantages
Q3: which are the students who can apply for IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative™ in Italy
Q4: what is the role of Companies/Employers within the IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative™ in Italy ,and more in general in Region 8

Biographical notes:

Carlo Alberto Nucci – Full professor, head of the Power Systems Laboratory of the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Information Engineering ‘Guglielmo Marconi’, University of Bologna. Author/co-author of over 300 scientific papers published on peer-reviewed journals or on proceedings of international conferences, of six book chapters edited by IEE, IET (two), Kluwer, Rumanian Academy of Science and WIT press and of a couple of IEEE Standards and some CIGRE technical brochures. Fellow of the IEEE and of CIGRE, of which he is also honorary member, has received some best paper/technical international awards, including the ICLP Golde Award and the CIGRE Technical Committee Award. Served as chairman of Cigré Study Committee C4 ‘System Technical Performance’ (2006 – 2012). Editor in Chief of the Electric Power Systems Research journal, Elsevier (since 2010). Prof. Nucci is doctor honoris causa of the University Politehnica of Bucharest and member of the Bologna Science Academy. President of the Italian Group of University Professors of Electrical Power Systems (GUSEE) from 2012 to 2015. He has been serving as member of the EU Smart City Stakeholder Platform since 2013, and since 2014 is representing PES in the IEEE Smart City Initiatives Program. He also serves as chair of the IEE PES Region 8 Scholarship Plus Committee.

 

Global real-time superlab: EU-USA transatlantic co-simulation live demo

Tuesday 26 September 2017 – hour 17:00-19:00 – Energy Center meeting room *

* The Energy Center is outside the Conference area. The meeting point for going to the Workshop is at 16:45 outside Room 1. Personnel from the Local Organizing Committee will accompany the interested participants to the Energy Center.

Organiser: Ettore Bompard (Politecnico di Torino, Italy)

Speakers:

  • Michela Meo – Deputy Rector – Politecnico di Torino, Italy
  • Stefano Corgnati – Vice Rector for Research – Politecnico di Torino, Italy
  • Alberto Tenconi – Head of Dept. of Energy – Politecnico di Torino, Italy
  • Francesco Profumo – Politecnico di Torino, Italy
  • Ettore Bompard – Coordinator of the G-RTS – Politecnico di Torino, Italy

Abstract:

Today’s demo of Global RT-Super lab aims at demonstrating conceptually and technically the feasibility of multi-site co-simulation across the Atlantic Ocean, highlighting the opportunities provided by this innovative concept. In a vision of electricity systems “going global”, the demo will simulate an High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) power line interconnecting the electricity transmission systems of EU and USA, considering transmission–distribution system interactions, power electronic converters, renewable energy resources (RES), HVDC, and emerging microgrids. On the one side, the US system is represented by a simplified Western System Coordinating Council (WSCC) with 9-bus connected to several electricity system models, including electricity distribution grid, wind farm, residential distribution systems. The US representative model is split among INL, WSU, USC, SNL, NREL, and CSU, in USA. On the other side, the EU power system is conceptualized by reference networks (CIGRE) for HVDC connected with a Medium Voltage (MV) distribution network with distributed generation (PV generators and fuel cells). The high voltage transmission system is modelled and simulated in RWTH-ACS (Germany), while the medium voltage distribution system is modelled in PoliTo’s laboratory (Italy). The robustness of this interconnection is tested considering possible adverse events, in terms of loss of generation, and their impact on the operation of the whole system. Capability of HVDC interconnection is assessed in terms of acting as a “firewall” against the propagation of disturbances between the interconnected AC grids in the US and EU sides. A complex “real” environment in which different electricity systems, in the two continents, are connected internally and across the ocean with renewable and traditional energy sources and prosumers, is studied by a pool of European and American researchers sitting in their labs in EU and USA and simulating the system concurrently, sharing their facilities in real time.

Key questions:

Q1: why is a global integrated simulation laboratory needed?
Q2: how is the integrated simulation infrastructure built?
Q3: who is cooperating in this project?
Q4: What are the benefits that Global RT-Super Lab can provide to the scientific community?

Flyer:

Click here to download the demo flyer.