The students who pass the exam will be able to understand the basic concepts referring to the structure and operation of the electrical networks at the transmission and distribution levels; use the correct terminology to address power and energy system problems referring to smart grids; interpret appropriately the role of smart grids in the current energy system context; formulate analysis and optimization problems referring to smart grid applications and choosing the suitable solver; understand the role of distributed generation and resources in active distribution network management and demand-side management, and their connections with ICT solutions for communication, control and data management; understand the role and challenges of energy trading among prosumers, especially the ICT techniques that could support the bilateral/self-organized trading among them as well as supporting the dispatch and operation of the system operators. The minimum objectives to be reached as learning outcomes include the ability to use the correct terminology in addressing the problems concerning smart grid applications, and the ability to interpret and tackle the problems concerning the introduction of new scenarios and technologies in the smart grids.

The prerequisites include the knowledge of matrix calculations, complex numbers, basic optimization theory, basic electrotechnics, basic programming knowledge, a basic understanding of how the energy system works.

A detailed breakdown is given in “Course structure”. Main topic areas: Power system fundamentals (smart grids, generation, fault, inertia, modelling, power flow, practical work) Topics/focuses in modern smart grids (electricity markets, price prediction, AMI, prosumer communities, state estimation, blockchain, microgrids) Communication in smart grids (protocols, home area networks, PLC, PoE, V2G, cyber-security, SGAM) Two alternative group projects (prosumer community OR cyber-security with false data injection).

The course includes practical work on power flow (3h, not graded) and a mandatory group project (3–5 students per group). Students choose one of two project tracks: Project 1 – Prosumer Community Simulator Objective: Build a simulator of a self-sustainable prosumer community (~100 prosumers) with three trading steps: Self-balancing (using own PV generation + storage/flexibility). Self-organized bilateral negotiation (peer-to-peer). Local market via a load aggregator. Required features: At each time step, prosumers decide the imbalance quantity and bid/ask prices for self-organized trading. The remaining imbalance goes to the local market. A regulator designs a strategy (e.g., rewards, penalties, trading bans) to pursue a chosen objective (e.g., maximize community profit, maximize renewable usage, maximize self-organized trading, or any other goal). Every agreed transaction (bilateral or local market) is recorded on a blockchain. Students must implement either Proof‑of‑Work (difficulty target: hash starting with 000) or Proof‑of‑Stake, with at least 10 miners/validators. Simulation runs for at least 24 time steps (e.g., representing 24 hours). During the course, relevant blocks for building up the simulator will be discussed, i.e.: PV generation forecast, price forecast, prosumer community setup, blockchain for trading. (see "course structure" below) Project 2 – Cyber‑attack with False Data Injection Objective: Design false data injection attacks that bypass state estimation (least‑square method for a linear system) while maximizing a defined impact (e.g., maximum voltage deviation, line flow deviation, etc.). Requirement: Random data modification is not accepted; the attack must be strategically constructed. Relevant blocks for completing the project are: State estimation, bad data detection, and cybersecurity basics (see "course structure" below) . Common submission requirements for both projects: Presentation for the project results (last lecture, after Christmas break): max 10 slides covering introduction, mathematical models, simulation results, discussion, conclusion. Live demonstration of the simulator during the presentation. Submission via “elaborati” no later than 3 days before the presentation: one zip file per group containing slides, source code, a README with environment setup and run instructions. No requirement for programming language or GUI. Simulators can be based on simple mathematical operations (e.g., sorting prices instead of full optimization). Grading of the project (0–5 points, added to the written exam): Technical correctness and completeness of required features – 2 points Quality of final presentation (slides + README clarity) – 1 point Live demonstration and Q&A – 2 point The project is not mandatory for access to the written exam, but without a submitted project, the written exam score is capped at 27/30.

The course structure, aligned with the topics that will be addressed in the course, is as follows: Power system fundamentals: Introduction to the course and definition of smart grids (1.5h) Generation in power systems: traditional vs. RES (3h) Fault, protection and reliability (3h) Concept of inertia in power systems (1.5h) Models for power system components (1.5h) Power flow Analysis AC + DC (3h) Practical work for solving power flow (3h) Block for project: Generation forecast (PV generation) – used in prosumer community project Modern topics in smart grids: Basic economic theories and electricity markets (3h) Italian electricity market and price prediction algorithms (3h) Advanced Metering Infrastructure (3h) Self-sustainable prosumer community in emerging distribution grids (3h) State estimation and bad data detection (3h) Blockchain technologies and energy digitalization (3h) Smart grid reference model and architectures (3h) Microgrids (3h) Blocks for projects: Price Forecast – for prosumer project Strategies and trading for prosumers in the energy community – for prosumer project Blockchain supporting self-organized trading – for prosumer project State estimation and bad data detection – for a cybersecurity project Communication in smart grids: Communications for the Smart Grids (3h) Home area networks: ZigBee (3h) Power Line Communications (1.5h) Power over Ethernet (1.5h) Vehicle-to-grid communication (3h) Cybersecurity in smart grid (6h) Alternative project: attacks for power system (false data injection) – for cybersecurity project Project presentations (2h)

There is no commercial book covering the contents of this course. The material (slides and handouts) used during the lectures and course activities will be available on the web portal.

Lecture slides; Lecture notes; Exercises;

Exam: Written test;

The exam is written only, no oral exam. The written exam consists of multiple-choice questions, open questions, and numerical exercise. The rationale for this type of exam is to verify that the main concepts have been fully understood, the minimum objectives have been met, and students can identify salient aspects and synthesize them in a written document. The exam is composed of a mandatory written part (with a maximum score of 27/27). 5 points will be evaluated based on the practical works/projects, which may allow the student to reach a possible 32 for the 30L. The minimum score to pass the exam is 18 (including the project). During the exam, the students have to respond to 10 multiple-choice questions (1 point for each, incorrect/missing is 0 without penalty) + 3 open questions (around 4 points each) + 1 numerical exercise (5 points). The main competencies evaluated are the ability to illustrate concepts, formulate problems, describe solution methods, and solve possible numerical exercises. Topics may involve the following: Power system fundamentals (smart grids, generation, fault, inertia, modelling, power flow, practical work), Topics/focuses in modern smart grids (electricity markets, price prediction, AMI, prosumer communities, state estimation, blockchain, microgrids), Communication in smart grids (protocols, home area networks, PLC, PoE, V2G, cyber-security, SGAM). The course coordinator reviews every exam session to verify that all expected learning outcomes are properly covered and tested through the questions in the exam. The written test has a duration of 2 hours. The time limit for completing the test is indicated on the blackboard at the beginning of the period. During the test, the Commission identifies the location of the students. The students must exhibit a valid document with a photo. During the test, the students may exit from the room only if they withdraw from the test to deliver the final writing. In case of withdrawal, the text of the exam has to be given back with the indication of the student’s name and surname on the first page and with the writing “WITHDRAWN” or “NOT DELIVERED”. When the writing is delivered, the text with the indication of the student’s name and surname must be included in the delivered material. The students may use only clean paper, pen, and pocket calculator. Personal computers, laptops, tablets, or equipment for taking photos are not allowed. The clothes and the personal belongings must not remain on the work plan, nor under the desk, and must be closed and located in a position in which the contents relevant to the exam cannot be reached. Contacting other persons or material is not permitted. If a student is found with any material not allowed in an accessible location, or contacting other persons, his/her test is immediately annulled, and the student will have to leave the room. Any question concerning the test must be addressed to a member of the exam Commission. In case the question is of general interest, a member of the exam Commission will inform all the students participating in the exam of the answers to the asked question. The students will receive the text of the two parts (Part I: multiple-choice questions and Part II: open questions + numerical questions) in separate sheets at the beginning of the exam; the student’s name and ID must be indicated on all sheets received. The Part I has to be completed and given to the Commission before the end of the first hour. The solutions to Part II must be returned to the examiner before the end of the second hour. At that moment, the student will know the result of part I and will have to decide immediately whether or not to withdraw from the exam. In case the correction is not yet completed, the answers to Part II will have to be given to the examiner, waiting for the results of Part I until available, remaining at the desk, then the student will inform the examiners of his/her decision. In case of withdrawal, the decision will be indicated on all sheets. The results of the exam will be communicated through the web portal. The students will have the possibility of viewing their corrected material during the period of the current exam session, on the date communicated by the professor responsible for the course, before the formal registration of the score on the portal.

In addition to the message sent by the online system, students with disabilities or Specific Learning Disorders (SLD) are invited to directly inform the professor in charge of the course about the special arrangements for the exam that have been agreed with the Special Needs Unit. The professor has to be informed at least one week before the beginning of the examination session in order to provide students with the most suitable arrangements for each specific type of exam.