ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION, UTILIZATION AND SMART GRIDS

Learning Objectives

• ELECTRIC POWER DISTRIBUTION AND UTILIZATION

  Knowledge and understanding

  During the first module of the Course, the student will acquire knowledge on the structure, components, functions, methods of analysis and design criteria of Category I and II distribution networks, with more specific reference to Category I systems (so-called Low Voltage) and the legislation concerning Electrical Safety.

  Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

  At the end of the course, students will have the skills necessary to analyze electrical distribution networks, identifying their main sections and functions. Students will have the necessary skills to characterize systems and processes, to evaluate parameters and relevant variables to evaluate the technical and safety status of a distribution network.

  Autonomy of judgment

  Students will acquire independent judgment for an accurate technical analysis of distribution networks, these skills will also be refined through experimental activities carried out in the laboratory.

   

  Communication skills

  The student will strengthen the technical language of distribution networks, numerical methods for specialist studies with the aim of being able to adequately present himself to the world of work with the required skills and an adequate technical profile. The ability to work in groups will be refined through the experimental experiences in the laboratory carried out in small groups. The drafting of the laboratory report and the oral exam will allow you to refine your technical language and communication skills.

  Learning ability

  The student will be able to autonomously expand their knowledge of distribution and electrical engineering networks through the in-depth study of the reference texts, in articles in specialized scientific journals and through the ideas offered by the seminar activities organized by the teaching.

• 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.