Power Flow Management by Active Nodes: A Case Study in Real Operating Conditions

Stefano Bifaretti, Vincenzo Bonaiuto, Sabino Pipolo, Cristina Terlizzi, Pericle Zanchetta, Francesco Gallinelli and Silvio Alessandroni
Additional contact information
Stefano Bifaretti: Department of Industrial Engineering, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
Vincenzo Bonaiuto: Department of Industrial Engineering, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
Sabino Pipolo: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Cristina Terlizzi: Department of Industrial Engineering, Tor Vergata University of Rome, 00133 Rome, Italy
Pericle Zanchetta: Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK
Francesco Gallinelli: Areti S.p.A., Distributor System Operator, 00154 Rome, Italy
Silvio Alessandroni: Areti S.p.A., Distributor System Operator, 00154 Rome, Italy

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 15, 1-16

Abstract: The role of distributor system operators is experiencing a gradual but relevant change to include enhanced ancillary and energy dispatch services needed to manage the increased power provided by intermittent distributed generations in medium voltage networks. In this context, the paper proposes the insertion, in strategic points of the network, of specific power electronic systems, denoted as active nodes, which permit the remote controllability of the active and reactive power flow. Such capabilities, as a further benefit, enable the distributor system operators to provide ancillary network services without requiring any procurement with distributed generation systems owners. In particular, the paper highlights the benefits of active nodes, demonstrating their capabilities in reducing the inverse power flow issues from medium to high voltage lines focusing on a network cluster including renewable energy resources. As a further novelty, this study has accounted for a real cluster operated by the Italian distributor system operator Areti. A specific simulation model of the electrical lines has been implemented in DigSilent PowerFactory (DIgSILENT GmbH–Germany) software using real operating data obtained during a 1-year measurement campaign. A detailed cost-benefit analysis has been provided, accounting for different load flow scenarios. The results have demonstrated that the inclusion of active nodes can significantly reduce the drawbacks related to the reverse power flow.

Keywords: internet of energy; smart grid; active node; solid-state transformer; power flow control (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/15/4519/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/14/15/4519/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:15:p:4519-:d:601959

Access Statistics for this article

Energies is currently edited by Ms. Agatha Cao

More articles in Energies from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().