Expected Learning Outcomes Knowledge and Understanding -On completion of the course, students will be able to: -Explain the core drivers, system architecture and multi-layer interaction models of smart grid evolution, including the physical, ICT, social and decision-making layers. -Describe the fundamental principles of demand-side management and demand response, their incentive mechanisms and performance evaluation methods, as well as probabilistic models for generation and transmission system adequacy. -Identify the basic topologies, access protocols, Home Area Network technologies (e.g., PLC, ZigBee) and the IEC 61850 substation communication architecture used in smart grids, and explain their applicability and limitations. -Explain the basic strategies for distribution network automation, self-healing, voltage control, storage operation and microgrid grid-connected/islanded control. -Outline the role and operating principles of blockchain, state estimation and the SGAM (Smart Grid Architecture Model) reference framework in smart grids. -Understand the fundamental structure of distribution-level flexibility markets and their role in smart grids. Applying Knowledge and Skills On completion of the course, students will be able to: -Use correct terminology and systematic conceptual models to analyse and discuss operational issues in modern distribution systems involving prosumer communities, demand-side resources and distributed energy resources. -Apply probabilistic and statistical methods to compute generation and composite generation-transmission system adequacy indices, and explain the basic application of Monte Carlo methods in system assessment. -For a given simple power system scenario, design or evaluate demand response mechanisms, storage scheduling schemes or microgrid control parameters, and use the Julia language to write simple case studies to verify their basic functionality (e.g., market clearing, increasing load factor through storage, air-conditioning demand response control, load restoration, topology reconfiguration). -Analyse the advantages and disadvantages of different communication solutions in smart grids, and justify the choice in relation to specific functions (e.g., distribution automation, protective self-healing). -Apply basic state estimation and bad data detection methods to perform state estimation calculations on simplified power systems. -Using the SGAM framework, map a given smart grid use case to the interoperability layers and identify the relevant standards and communication requirements. -Drawing on laboratory visits and platform demonstrations, describe the typical use of facilities such as real-time simulators and multi-energy platforms in energy system research and development.

The preliminary knowledge needed for this course include 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). These competences are typically provided by the foundational courses in Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, and Electrical Machines within the degree programme.

Course topics The course is organised into 4 parts: Part 1 (25 hours) – Smart Grid Concepts, Demand-Side Management and System Adequacy Evolution of power systems: drivers, stages, multi-energy flows and interoperability with other infrastructures (e.g. transport). Smart electricity systems: concept of smartness, key innovations, triad of modern grids. Emerging distribution systems: multi-layer framework (physical, ICT, social, decision-making layers), prosumer communities, agent-based simulation and the IEEE33 case study. Representation of electrical loads: load patterns, load duration curves, user categories. Demand-side management: principles, evolution of tariff structures, participation options (load shedding, interruptible load management, real-time pricing, direct load control), controllable, deferrable and curtailable loads. Demand response: definitions, programme categorisation (incentive-based, price-based), costs and benefits, baselines, performance assessment and adjusted baseline. Microeconomics fundamentals for electricity markets: basic principles and electricity trading. Random variables and probabilistic models of load and generation. Generation system adequacy: availability, adequacy indices (LOLP, expected energy not served), state enumeration method, convolution and deconvolution. Composite generation-transmission system adequacy: Monte Carlo method and interpretation of results. Julia implementations: simple market clearing, air-conditioning demand response scheduling under time-of-use pricing, load factor improvement using battery storage, Monte Carlo simulation for generation and composite system adequacy. Part 2 (25 hours) – Advanced Distribution Functions, Blockchain and State Estimation Distribution automation and self-healing: fault identification, isolation, restoration strategies (load group restoration, zone restoration). Voltage control in active distribution networks, impact of distributed energy resources on voltage, voltage control methods. Storage operation in distribution grids: simplified model, increasing load factor. Microgrids: definitions, grid-connected and islanded control, master-slave and peer-to-peer control, P-f droop control and design, secondary control. Blockchain fundamentals: structure, hash functions, digital signatures, consensus mechanisms (proof-of-work, proof-of-stake), applications to energy trading. State estimation in power systems: weighted least squares method, non-linear formulation, iterative solution, bad data detection via chi-square test. Julia implementations: simple local private blockchain for energy trading, load restoration and topology reconfiguration in distribution networks. Part 3 (20 hours) – Communication Networks for Smart Grids General concepts of communication networks: topologies, logical and physical channels, point-to-point and broadcast channels, channel sharing techniques, circuit and packet switching, delay components, protocols and layered architectures, encapsulation. Access protocols: Aloha, Slotted Aloha, TDMA, CSMA/CD, CSMA/CA, MACA. Home Area Networks: communications for smart grids (HAN, NAN), Power Line Communications (broadband and narrowband, HomePlug standards, MAC layer, Central Coordinator, HomePlug GreenPHY), ZigBee (features, topologies, frame structure, AODV routing). Upper layer protocols: IP addressing, forwarding and routing, hierarchical routing, autonomous systems, UDP and TCP (retransmissions, congestion control, slow start, flow control, timeout). Communication in the substation: IEC 61850 (layered organisation, objectives, architecture, naming convention, communication models, protocol stack, ACSI, GSE/GOOSE, sampled values, SCL). Part 4 (10 hours) – Smart Grid Technologies, Markets and Lab Visit Automation and dispatch: SCADA, WAMS, advanced metering infrastructure, smart meters. Smart distribution functions. Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM): domains, zones, interoperability layers and use case mapping. Microeconomics fundamentals for electricity markets: basic principles and electricity trading. Distribution-level flexibility markets: structure, actors and role in smart grids. Laboratory visits and demonstrations: real-time simulators, multi-energy flow platforms, urban carbon neutrality platforms.

The student may withdraw from the exam before starting the second question. If the exam is continued, the Commission will provide an indication about the passed/non-passed exam at the end of the exam, recording the score in case of a passed exam. A lab session for providing basic knowledge in Julia programming will be provided. A personal computer is recommended for implementation in lab work.

The contents of the course are presented during the lectures, with possible numerical examples assisted by the computer that cover various parts of the course content.

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: - Giorgio Graditi and Marialaura Di Somma (editors), ‘Distributed Energy Resources in Local Integrated Energy Systems’, Elsevier, 2021. - Nick Jenkins, Ron Allan, Peter Crossley, Daniel Kirschen, Goran Strbac, 'Embedded generation', IET (ISBN 978-0-85296-774-4), 2000. - 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.

Lecture slides; Simulation tools;

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 of smart electricity systems have been fully understood, the minimum learning outcomes have been reached, and the students are able to identify the salient aspects and synthesise them in a written document. The exam is a mandatory written test, with a maximum score of 32, which allows the student to obtain 30L. During the exam, the students have to respond to 12 multiple-choice questions (worth a total of 12 points, no penalty for incorrect or missing answers, minimum score 0) and 4 open questions (which may include open questions, design exercises, or numerical problems, each worth approximately 5 points). The questions refer to the entire course programme, including the Julia implementation. The final grade is entirely determined by the written exam; there is no project evaluation, no oral 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 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. The part with multiple-choice questions 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. 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.