Living Together in the Multi-cultural Society
Proceedings of the 2010 EMUNI Research Souk
14 June 2010
A Sustainable Smart Grid Project
for a Mediterranean Island
S. Favuzza*, M. G. Ippolito*, F. Massaro*, R. Musca*, E. Riva Sanseverino*, E.
Telaretti*, G. Zizzo*, I. Bertini+, G. Graditi+,
DIEET (University of Palermo)* – ENEA+
SmartGrid Definition
The SmartGrid is a new concept of electrical network, which can
intelligently integrate the actions of all users connected to it (generators,
consumers, etc.) in order to efficiently deliver sustainable, economic and
secure electricity supplies.
A SmartGrid employs innovative products and services together with
intelligent monitoring, control, communication and self-healing technologies.
SmartGrid Concept
Common
hub
Bulk generation
Electric system
SmartGrid Concept
Smart meter
Smart router
Bulk generation
SmartGrid
Projects around the world
EU:
Microgrids: Large Scale Integration of Micro-Generation to Low Voltage Grids
More Microgrids: Advanced Architectures and Control Concepts for More Microgrids
USA:
Consortium for Electric Reliability Technology Solutions (CERTS)
JAPAN: Regional Power Grid with Renewable Energy Resources Project
Projects around the world
EU:
Microgrids: Large Scale Integration of Micro-Generation to Low Voltage Grids;
More Microgrids: Advanced Architectures and Control Concepts for More Microgrids
The Kythnos Island Microgrid project provides a demonstration site where photovoltaic panels
with diesel genset for back-up and battery banks as storage device serve twelve houses in a small
microgrid structure, with the main goals of adaptation and installation of the agent-based software
for centralized and de-centralized control.
SmartGrid Project for a Mediterranean Island
The SmartGrid project regards the evolution of the electrical distribution and
generation system of a broad island having a central position in the Mediterranean sea:
it is a feasibility study of the evolution towards the SmartGrid concept of the existing
electrical system.
SmartGrid Project for a Mediterranean Island
The aim is to provide important changes in order to join new and alternative energy
sources, reducing the traditional diesel generation, improve the island sustainability
with waste treatment plant and electrical vehicles, increase intelligence and
automation level, making the electrical system capable of dialogue and interaction
with the needs of the various agents integrated within it.
Energy System
Actually, the island is totally dependent on the mainland. Diesel, petrol and
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are imported regularly on the island.
The project aims to reduce substantially this dependency.
Energy System
Solar energy (photovoltaic panels and thermal collectors)
Wind turbine
Geothermal power generation
Waste treatment plant
Power stations (electric vehicles)
Energy System
SOLAR ENERGY
URBAN CENTER
AIRPORT
INDUSTRIAL AREA
POWER PLANT
WIND TURBINE
WASTE TREATMENT
POWER STATIONS
GEOTHERMAL PLANT
Energy System
Scenario
Coverage percentage of
total energy needs
Total energy production
[GWh/year]
Total reduction of CO2
emissions [103 kg/year]
A
10%
4.32
3.3
B
50%
23.17
20.7
Different scenarios with coverage percentages of total energy needs and CO2 reduction
Control System
The originally centralized control of electrical system migrates towards a distributed
intelligence, including a hierachical organization of different agents, featuring
bidirectional controls and data flows, eventually allowing users to bargain in a
deregulated energy market.
INTEGRATION
CENTRALIZED
DISTRIBUTED
AGENTS HIERARCHY
BIDIRECTIONAL FLOWS
Control System – Architecture
The control system architecture of a SmartGrid must be flexible, expandable, to be
opened to meet future needs.
The Multiagent Platform (software agents) must have:
 autonomy,
 proactivity,
 social ability.
Control System – Architecture
MGCC
The software agents are:
MGCC (MicroGrid Central Controller)
SC (Source Controller)
SC
LC
LC (Load Controller)
Distribution Management System (DMS)
Control System – Communication technology
The control system requires the adoption of telecommunications channels for data
exchange between remote systems.
In a generic communication system structure there are three main node types: the
global network coordinator, the routers/coordinators and the end nodes.
The designed architecture of SmartGrid control system can be of slave-master or
multi-master type.
Control System
GLOBAL NETWORK COORDINATOR (MGCC – SC)
ROUTER/COORDINATOR (SC)
END NODE (LC)
PHOTOVOLTAIC
COMMUNICATION CHANNELS
DIESEL POWER PLANT
WIND TURBINE
POWER STATION
POWER STATION
WASTE TREATMENT
DESALATION PLANT
GEOTHERMAL PLANT
Control System – Communication technology
At present, the island electric network has two redundant communication
channels, one based on a radio technology, the other on GSM technology.
The SmartGrid project can include other technologies for data transmission, based
on power line communication (high costs for distribution system application) or
wireless technologies (lower impact but significant problem of data security).
Wi-Max is an interesting technology which has the possibility of covering large
distances and mitigation of environmental impact.
Conclusions
The feasibility study of a SmartGrid project for a Mediterranean island poses a
number of challenges and opportunities:
 the integration of new technologies and renewable sources in the existing system;
 the reduction of island dependency and of the pollution emissions;
 the increase of intelligence and automation level;
 the improving of system operation (power quality, minumum losses, etc.).
Thank you for attention