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.

Introductory concepts: Structure of the electricity transmission and distribution systems. Emergent paradigms: smart grids, supergrids, microgrids. Energy and electricity supply. Capacity and energy provisions, supply adequacy, load balancing. Role of ICT for smart grids. Layer-based representation of power and information flows. Electricity transmission and distribution: Three-phase systems in balanced and unbalanced conditions. Characteristics and modelling of generators, lines, transformers, loads and storage systems. Technical evolution of the network infrastructure. Meshed, radial and reconfigurable weakly meshed network representations. Notes on service continuity and reliability. Smart distribution network analysis and optimization: Matrix-based representation of the network. Power flow calculations in radial and weakly meshed networks. Fault analysis, calculation of the short-circuit currents. Principles of network protection. Relays, switchgears, protective devices. Measurement technologies and applications. Distribution substations and distribution grid automation. Notes on the IEC Standardization. Prosumer communities: Features of the emerging distribution systems (EDS), General framework for modeling the emerging distribution systems, Multi-layer emerging distribution systems as complex systems, an application to simulate the self-sustainable prosumers community in the EDS, example build on IEEE33 distribution test system. Energy digitalization and blockchain: Electricity digitalization trends & policies, distributed ledger technologies, blockchain, use cases & applications, power system blockchain solutions, energy system blockchain, solutions, integrated blockchain solutions, blockchain enablers & roadblocks. Demand-side management: technologies for electrical load management. Customer interactions with smart metering systems, assessment of the controllable load. Thermostat-controlled loads. Aggregate residential load. Demand response concepts and programmes, demand flexibility, impacts of demand-side management on customer choices. Smart grid architecture models: smart grids definitions and notions, concept of smart grid reference model, some smart grids models and framework activities, motivation for smart grid architecture model (SGAM), definition of SGAM, SGAM plane domains, SGAM hierarchical zones. Smart functions: substation automation system, distribution automation equipment, distribution management system (DMS), DMS SCADA, DMS modelling and analysis tools, DMS smart applications, smart metering. Specific aspects of ICT applications for smart grid operation. Analysis of real cases.

The course will also give several simplified real-life cases for the student to model and solve, in an open fashion. The results will be discussed to inspire the out-of-box thinking in the students on solving the real problems in the smart grid. The practical work would be evaluated with 0 to 4 points directly added to the final scores. A final score higher than 18 cannot be refused.

The lectures present the course contents, with numerical examples and calculations. Several practical works and projects will be conducted during the course, based on computer-based simulation or programming. No experimental activity is planned. The indicative structure of the course is:  Introduction to smart grids and to the course  Notions of electrotechnics  Basics of p.u. transformation  Structure of power systems  Notes on service continuity and reliability  Models for power system components  Network Protection  Steady-state model for power systems  Communications for the Smart Grids  Home area networks: ZigBee  Power Line Communications  Power over Ethernet  Demand Response  Communications in the substation: IEC 61850  Smart metering and AMI  Smart Functions  Smart grid reference model and architectures (SGAM)  Self-sustainable prosumer community in emerging distribution grids  Microeconomics for electricity trading  Market for electricity  Blockchain technologies and energy digitalization

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.

Exam: Written test;

The exam is written, with multiple-choice questions and open questions. The rationale for this type of exam is to verify that the main concepts have been fully understood, the minimum objectives have been reached, and the students are able to identify the salient aspects and synthesize these aspects in a written document. The exam is composed of a mandatory written part (with a maximum score 27/27). 4 points will be evaluated based on the practical works/projects, which may allow the student to reach a possible 31 for the 30L. During the exam, the students have to respond to a number of questions (multiple choices and open questions) referring to the entire course programme provided in a written way, with the possible inclusion of numerical exercises. 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: The basic concepts refer to the structure and operation of the electrical networks at the transmission and distribution levels; concepts of smart grids; the role of smart grids in the current energy system context; numerical questions on smart grid applications for analysis and optimization problems; questions on 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; questions on 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; questions on SGAM models and related smart functions, economic aspects and emerging scenarios. 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 of material is not admitted. 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 (multiple-choice questions and open questions) in separate sheets at the beginning of the exam; the student’s name and ID must be indicated on all sheets received. In the part with multiple-choice questions, there is no penalty for incorrect or missing responses, and it has to be completed and given to the Commission before the end of the first hour. The solutions to the open questions must be returned to the examiner before the end of the second hour. At that moment, if the correction of the multiple-choice questions is already completed, the student will know the result 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 the open questions will have to be given to the examiner, waiting for the results obtained for the multiple-choice questions 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. It is possible to renounce the exam only by withdrawing from the written exam. After leaving the exam room, no changes will be allowed to the decision to withdraw or not from the exam. All the writings given to the Commission at the end of the written exam will be evaluated, scored, and registered. 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.

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.