The student who passes the exam will gain skills for interacting with the operators of the electrical system by using the correct terminology and by showing appropriate knowledge to discuss the basic issues concerning smart grid and distributed energy resources. The student will also become aware of the technological evolution in progress and of the impact of this evolution on the present and future smart electricity systems. The minimum objectives to be reached as learning outcomes include: - ability to use the correct terminology in addressing the problems concerning smart grid applications; - ability to interpret the problems concerning the introduction of distributed energy resources in the smart grids.

The prerequisites include the knowledge of matrix calculations, complex numbers, basic electrotechnics (direct current circuits, single-phase and three-phase alternating current circuits), and the principles of operation of the electrical machines (synchronous machine and transformer).

PART 1 (30 hours): Distributed energy resources (DER) Combined production (cogeneration and multi-generation). Black box analysis. The Energy Hub matrix model. Impact of the combined production on smart grids. The role of the environment. Local and global emissions. Emission factor model. Emission balances. Indices of emission reduction. Probabilistic models of generations and loads. Adequacy of the generation to cover the demand. Adequacy indicators. Distributed energy resources (DER). Limits to the DER diffusion. Island operation of a portion of the distribution network. Microgrids. Storage applications in the smart grid area. Power vs. energy. Drivers to storage development. Parameters of the storage systems. Objectives of the use of storage in the electrical systems. Storage in the Energy Hub model. Standards on storage. Connection schemes. Power-to-X. Storage systems for primary and secondary frequency regulation. Evolution of the regulatory framework and of the standards for smart grids. Grid codes. Active and passive users. Operating modes for the grid-connected local generation. Notes on the Standards CEI 0-16 and CEI 0-21. General scheme of the system protection with possibility of islanding operation. Scenario studies with local generation in smart distribution systems. Capability limits of the generators with transformer-based or converter-based interfaces. Capability curves with storage. Voltage control with distributed generation. Objective function and constraints for voltage control. Fault ride-through capability curves and limits for low voltage and medium voltage systems. Notes on the protection system with voltage and frequency relays. Electrical load representations. Load duration curves. Macro-categories of users. Active and reactive power profiles. Demand Side Management principles. Evolution of the tariff structures towards real-time. Demand response (DR). Incentive-based and price-based DR programmes. Costs and benefits for DR. DR baseline. DR performance metrics. Notes on demand flexibility and on the new generation of smart meters. Grid integration of electric vehicles: Vehicle to Grid and Grid to Vehicle. Charging stations and parking lots. Notes on the traffic models. Framework for studying the grid integration of electric vehicles. Operation and planning aspects. Optimization of the smart grid operation with storage systems and EVs. PART 2 (20 hours): Power electronics for smart grid connection Structures of power electronic conversion systems for distributed generation: grid-side converters and source-side converters. Examples of distributed energy sources (micro-turbines, micro-hydro, wind generators, photovoltaic panels and fuel cells). Grid-side converters: topologies (single-phase and three-phase inverters, output filters); operation in parallel with the grid as current-controlled voltage sources and the corresponding control schemes; island operation or in parallel with a micro-grid as voltage-controlled voltage source with droop control. International standards for the connection with the grid of power converters for distributed generation (IEEE 519, UL1741, IEC 61000-3-12, VDE 0126-1-1). Source side converters: AC/DC converters for electrical generators used by wind turbines and micro-turbines; DC/DC power converters for photovoltaic panels and fuel cells along with control schemes. PART 3 (30 hours): Smart grid architecture and emerging scenarios Structures of electrical transmission and distribution systems. Emerging paradigms (smart grid, distributed energy resources, virtual power plants, microgrids, multi-energy systems, prosumers). Technical evolution of the grid infrastructures. Active electrical networks. Demand Side Management. Smart metering concepts. Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI). Notes on the energy markets. Evolution of the tariff structures towards real-time pricing. Smart grid architecture model (SGAM). Smart operation of electrical distribution systems. Smart functions and interoperability of different systems.

The contents of the course are presented during the lectures, with possible numerical examples. The course includes activity held in the computer laboratory, as well as experimental activity, in particular: - 15 hours in the computer laboratory: scenario studies on the impact of the distributed generation in the distribution system. Analysis of a distributed generation mix with various scenarios of diffusion of the local generation. Integration of distributed energy resources in the distribution networks. - 1.5 hours of experimental activity: assessment of the performance of a 15 kVA front-end three-phase converter da 15 kVA with LCL filter on the grid side, DC-supplied from a battery emulator.

The material (slides and handouts) used during the lectures and course activities will be available on the web portal. There is no commercial book covering the contents of this course. Reference books: Nick Jenkins, Ron Allan, Peter Crossley, Daniel Kirschen, Goran Strbac, 'Embedded generation', IET (ISBN 978-0-85296-774-4), 2000. Remus Teodorescu, Marco Liserre, Pedro Rodriguez, “Grid Converters for Photovoltaic and Wind Power Systems”, Wiley 2011, ISBN: 978-0-470-05751-3. D.N. Gaonkar (ed.), Distributed Generation, Intech (ISBN 978-953-307-046-9), 2010. Freely available at the web address http://sciyo.com/books/show/title/distributed-generation.

Exam: Compulsory oral exam; Computer-based written test using the PoliTo platform;

The exam consists of a written test on the part “Power electronics for smart grid connection”, and an oral exam on the remaining parts. The rationale for this type of exam is that the written test refers to basic aspects and components for power electronics conversion, while the other parts deal with system-related concepts that require elaborating wider (oral) responses. For the part “Power electronics for smart grid connection”, the (online) written test has duration 20 minutes, closed responses, and the score is one third of the total score. Only one response is correct, and there is no penalty for incorrect or missing responses. It is possible to renounce to the exam only by withdrawing from the written test. The student can access the oral exam only if the score obtained in the test of the part “Power electronics for smart grid connection” is positive (at least 50% of the maximum score of the test). During the written exam, the students may use only clean paper, pen and pocket calculator. Personal computers, laptops, tablets, phones or equipment for taking photos are not allowed. The course material, clothes and the personal belongings must be located in a position in which the contents relevant to the exam cannot be reached. Contacting other persons of material is not admitted. If a student is found with any material not allowed in accessible location, or contacting other persons, his/her test is immediately annulled. The oral colloquium includes at least one question for each one of the other parts of the course, with the possible inclusion of numerical exercises. The final score refers to the knowledge and ability level reached on the different topics of the course programme. If the exam is not passed, also the written exam will have to be repeated. The exam is passed if all the minimum objectives indicated in the section "Expected learning outcomes" are reached. Failure in reaching one or more of the minimum objectives determines the non-passed exam evaluation.

Exam: Written test; Compulsory oral exam;

The exam consists of a written test on the part “Power electronics for smart grid connection”, and an oral exam on the remaining parts. The rationale for this type of exam is that the written test refers to basic aspects and components for power electronics conversion, while the other parts deal with system-related concepts that require elaborating wider (oral) responses. For the part “Power electronics for smart grid connection”, the written test has duration 20 minutes, closed responses, and the score is one third of the total score. Online and onsite students will respond to the written test at the same time. Only one response is correct, and there is no penalty for incorrect or missing responses. It is possible to renounce to the exam only by withdrawing from the written test. The student can access the oral exam only if the score obtained in the test of the part “Power electronics for smart grid connection” is positive (at least 50% of the maximum score of the test). During the written exam, the students may use only clean paper, pen and pocket calculator. Personal computers, laptops, tablets, phones or equipment for taking photos are not allowed. The course material, clothes and the personal belongings must be located in a position in which the contents relevant to the exam cannot be reached. Contacting other persons of material is not admitted. If a student is found with any material not allowed in accessible location, or contacting other persons, his/her test is immediately annulled. The oral colloquium includes at least one question for each one of the other parts of the course, with the possible inclusion of numerical exercises. The final score refers to the knowledge and ability level reached on the different topics of the course programme. The exam is passed if all the minimum objectives indicated in the section "Expected learning outcomes" are reached. Failure in reaching one or more of the minimum objectives determines the non-passed exam evaluation. If the exam is not passed, also the written exam will have to be repeated.