ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION, UTILIZATION AND SMART GRIDS

Learning Objectives

• ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION AND UTILIZATION

  The first module of the Course aims at providing knowledge on structures, components, functions, analysis and design methods for I and II Categories Distribution Networks, with specific reference to I Category Systems (the so-called Low Voltage Distribution Networks) and CEI Standards for Electrical Safety.

• SMART GRIDS

  The second module of the Course aims at providing knowledge on structures, functions, analysis, operation and protection methods for I and II categories public electrical distribution networks (the so-called Low and Medium Voltage networks), for both "traditional" passive networks and for the "smart grids", which include distributed generation and storage systems according to innovative paradigms.

Course Structure

• ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION AND UTILIZATION

  The Course is usually carried out through frontal classroom-taught lessons on the theoretical aspects supported by numerical exercises and/or by using specific software design tools.

  Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode (i.e. in presence and remotely) or remotely only, it could be necessary to introduce changes with respect to the previous statements, as far as possible in line with the program planned and outlined in the Syllabus.

• SMART GRIDS

  The Course is usually carried out through frontal classroom-taught lessons on the theoretical aspects supported by numerical exercises and/or by using specific software simulation tools.

  Should teaching be carried out in mixed mode (i.e. in presence and remotely) or remotely only, it could be necessary to introduce changes with respect to the previous statements, as far as possible in line with the program planned and outlined in the Syllabus.

Detailed Course Content

• ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION AND UTILIZATION

  0. Presentation of the Course and the specific areas of interes with reference to the main functions of the Electric Power Systems (Generation, Transmission, Distribution and Utilization) and the related network structures.

  1. Definitions and main classifications relating to electrical installations; review of the fundamental technical choices; neutral grounding in three-phase systems; phase-to-ground nominal voltages; classifications of Low Voltage distribution systems.

  2. Overview on Standards and Laws for electrical power systems.

  3. Assessment of the "conventional load" for both single lines and complex installations.

  4. Review of Parameters and Models of electrical lines (electrically long and short lines).

  5. Structure of overhead lines with bare wires.

  6. Structure of cable lines.

  7. Electrical sizing criteria for short lines (R-L model).

  8. Overcurrents (Overload and Short-Circuit). Short-circuit current calculation in radial distribution networks.

  9. Switching devices classification and phenomenology of the electric arc.

  10. Protections against overcurrents (classification of different types of protection relays and fuses). Automatic circuit-breakers for LV applications.

  11. Choice of protection devices against overcurrents according to CEI Standards.

  12. Selectivity criteria in protection schemes.

  13. Design and protection criteria of electrical installations according to the Italian standardised and approved safety technical rules (CEI Standards). Electric shock. Earthing systems and schemes. Characteristics of TT, TN and IT LV distribution systems.

  14. Electric model of the human body. Earthing-Resistance and Earthing-Voltage Drops. Total Earth Voltage, Touch Voltages. Indirect Contact with and without equipment earthing. Voltage-Time safety curve.

  15. Protection against indirect contacts in TT Systems. The Residual Current Device (RCD). Selectivity between RCDs.

  16. The Earthing System. Equipotential networks and spaces in TT Systems.

  17. Protection against indirect contacts in TT and TN Systems.

  18. Protection against indirect contacts in IT Systems.

  19. Protection against direct contacts.

  20. Standard technical rules for electrical installations in the so-called “particular environmental conditions".

  21. Installation of protections and circuit-breakers on phase and neutral conductors in TT, TN and IT Systems.

• SMART GRIDS

  0. Introduction to the contents of the Second Module. The concepts of "traditional passive", "active" and "intelligent" electricity distribution networks (Smart Grids) and related topics.

  1. Power factor correction of electrical installations.

  2. Overvoltages in electrical power networks and related protection systems.

  3. General method for fault analysis (single-phase, two-phase, three-phase short-circuits, with and without earth connection) in meshed power grids.

  4. HV/MV Primary Substations (PS). Distribution network structures for MV and LV public systems.

  5. Neutral grounding in three-phase networks and protections against single-phase-to-ground faults.

  6. MV/LV Secondary Substations (SS) and sizing criteria.

  7. SS connection rules to the MV distribution network – Passive and Active Users (CEI Guide 99-4 and CEI Norm 0-16).

  8. Connection criteria for LV users to the distribution network (CEI 0-12 Standard, alignment with CEI EN 50438 on generators up to 16 A).

  9. "Traditional" MV and LV Protections for passive and radial Distribution Network: Protection against overload and short-circuit between phases; Protections against single-phase-to-ground faults. Principles of automation in MV networks and their evolution.

  10. Voltage regulation in traditional passive distribution networks according to the unified criteria of Enel Distribuzione (DK 4455, 1993), now called e-distribuzione. Examples of inapplicability of DK 4455 in "active" distribution networks: introduction to Distributed Generation (DG).

  11. DG and its impact on distribution and transmission networks.

  12. Advanced Schemes of Protection-Automation and Voltage Regulation in presence of DG in distribution networks. "Smart" Secondary Substations.

  13. The Smart Grid and its innovative paradigms: the different components and features of a Smart Grid.

  14. Integration of distributed renewable energy sources.

  15. Distribution Automation.

  16. Advanced metering infrastructure.

  17. Energy Storage and applications.

  18. Microgrids.

  19. Decentralized energy management system and Virtual Power Plants.

  20. Demand Response and Generation management.

  21. E-Mobility.

Textbook Information

• ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION AND UTILIZATION

  - Detailed technical reports in English edited by Professionals and International Companies operating in the electrical industry sector.

  - CEI (in Italian and English), CENELEC and IEC (in English) Standards and Norms.

  - G. Conte, "Manuale di Impianti Elettrici", Ed. HOEPLI (in Italian).

  - V. Carrescia, "Fondamenti di Sicurezza Elettrica", Ed. TNE (in Italian).

  Additional teaching material, such as technical reports or Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, prepared by the teacher, are provided by hand or remotely during the Course.

• SMART GRIDS

  - Detailed technical reports in English edited by Professionals and International Companies operating in the electrical industry sector.

  - Roberto Marconato, "Electric Power Systems, Vol. I, II", Ed. CEI (in English).

  - James J. Burke, "Power Distribution Engineering _ Fundamentals and applications", Ed. Dekker Inc. (in English).

  - Gilbert M. Masters, “Renewable and Efficient Electric Power Systems”, A JOHN WILEY & SONS, INC., PUB. (in English).

  - Fabio Massimo Gatta, “Impianti Elettrici”, Ed. Esculapio (in Italian).

  Additional teaching material, such as technical reports or Microsoft PowerPoint presentations, prepared by the teacher, are provided by hand or remotely during the Course.