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Energy management is one of the main challenges in Microgrids (MGs) applied to Smart Buildings (SBs). Hence, more studies are indispensable to consider both modeling and operating aspects to utilize the upcoming results of the system for the different applications. This paper presents a novel energy management architecture model based on complete Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system duties in an educational building with an MG Laboratory (Lab) testbed, which is named LAMBDA at the Electrical and Energy Engineering Department of the Sapienza University of Rome. The LAMBDA MG Lab simulates in a small scale a SB and is connected with the DIAEE electrical network. LAMBDA MG is composed of a Photovoltaic generator (PV), a Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), a smart switchboard (SW), and different classified loads (critical, essential, and normal) some of which are manageable and controllable (lighting, air conditioning, smart plugs operating into the LAB). The aim of the LAMBDA implementation is making the DIAEE smart for energy saving purposes. In the LAMBDA Lab, the communication architecture consists in a complex of master/slave units and actuators carried out by two main international standards, Modbus (industrial serial standard for electrical and technical monitoring systems) and Konnex (an open standard for commercial and domestic building automation). Making the electrical department smart causes to reduce the required power from the main grid. Hence, to achieve the aims, results have been investigated in two modes. Initially, the real-time mode based on the SCADA system, which reveals real daily power consumption and production of different sources and loads. Next, the simulation part is assigned to shows the behavior of the main grid, loads and BESS charging and discharging based on energy management system. Finally, the proposed model has been examined in different scenarios and evaluated from the economic aspect.

Residential and commercial customers are the major energy consumers in the world and their consumption is constantly increasing. Effective demand-side management (DSM) schemes are developed to control the consumption of consumers through appliance load monitoring (ALM). ALM can be done through smart sensors or plugs, but due to their high cost, load disaggregation techniques are gaining more popularity. In this paper, a hybrid adaptive-neuro fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) has been developed for load monitoring. In the proposed technique, event detection is used to detect load activation events. Then a fine tree classifier is used for the classification of target appliances. Moreover, energy consumed by the target appliances is also estimated. The technique is applied to the publicly available UK Domestic Appliance-Level Electricity UK-DALE) dataset for validation purposes and the results are compared with the existing literature.

Optimization of energy cost and consumption is a vital topic in today’s world. Normally, smart meters are used to record the total energy consumption at the customers’ end across the entire building and the users only receive aggregate electricity bills at the end of each month providing the information of their energy consumptions. Optimization of energy cost can be done using a feedback system, which is realizable through Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring (NILM). NILM is a process of identifying household appliances by disaggregating the mains power measurement into each appliance individually. Due to diversity of appliances, NILM is a complex classification problem. In this research, the NILM problem to identify the activation of household appliances has been solved using a hybrid technique termed as Adaptive-Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS). This article aims to identify regular household appliances from the smart meter measurement. A publicly available UK Domestic Appliance-Level Electricity (UK-DALE) dataset has been employed to test and verify the effectiveness of the proposed method using different performance evaluation parameters. The results are compared with the existing literature to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed technique for the NILM problem.

Increasingly, Cold Ironing (CI) for Cruise ships has become a highly diffused practice as it allows to cut vessels emissions and comply with the always more stringent regulations on ships air pollution. This research draws upon the Port of Civitavecchia, one of the world’s most visited from cruise ships, thus calling for the necessity of adopting the appropriate infrastructure. The harbour’s grid is only supplied by Medium and Low Voltage Substations and has a total capacity of nearly 9.3 MW and is not enough to satisfy large cruise ships hotelling power demand which can reach up to 11 MW or more. This study suggests as a solution to the above-mentioned issue, implementing an Energy Storage System (ESS) and increasing the use of local Renewable Energy Sources (RES). Moreover, the ESS besides providing the necessary power to cruise ships at berth, if properly sized, it can also improve the port’s grid reliability. Doing so, enhances a more efficient use and contribution of the local RES. This research first introduces the practice of Cold Ironing for cruise ships. It will focus on the systems infrastructure requirements and the reasons behind its increased popularity. It follows an analysis of the port of Civitavecchia MV power capacity and infrastructure. This study proposes the implementation of ESS and RES as a solution that allows a sustainable provision of electricity from shore to cruise ships at berth. Finally, an evaluation of the possibility of embedding ESS and new RES in the port's current electrical infrastructure is performed.

In the article, the implementation of Node-RED to a multi-platform, multi-protocol real system was presented. Node-RED is an open-source development and control platform, that enables to create a single system that communicates simultaneously on different protocols, collecting data from devices that would be unlikely to communicate on a single system. The object of investigation was a Lambda Microgrid, that operates at Sapienza University of Rome. After the application of Node-Red to collect data, the real electrical and weather condition data was obtained. That data was used to perform correlation analysis in point of microgrid working conditions and weather.

Users’ load aggregation, control of smart appliances, and exploitation of thermal inertia of buildings are among key elements to improve the energy demand of buildings, toward the goals of near zero energy buildings. In this paper, we investigated a case study of an existing residential and commercial building with a microgrid and advanced technical and control systems. We have developed a model to simulate loads and the effects of control systems. The results show how increasing the extent of the microgrid and control strategies improves the load profile and energy consumption, also preserving the users’ habits and comfort. Via these elements, the concept of near zero energy building can further advance toward a “near zero power building” or “zero-kilometer energy building.”

Due to the dramatic growth of the global population, building multi-story buildings has become a necessity, which strongly requires the installation of an elevator regardless of the type of building being built. This study focuses on households, which are the second-largest electricity consumers after the transportation sector. In residential buildings, elevators impose huge electricity costs because they are used by many consumers. The novelty of this paper is implementing a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS), including an ultracapacitor Energy Storage (UCES) and a Battery Energy Storage (BES) system, in order to reduce the amount of power and energy consumed by elevators in residential buildings. The control strategy of this study includes two main parts. In the first stage, an indirect field-oriented control strategy is implemented to provide new features and flexibility to the system and take benefit of the regenerative energy received from the elevator’s motor. In the second stage, a novel control strategy is proposed to control the HESS efficiently. In this context, the HESS is only fed by regenerated power so the amount of energy stored in the UC can be used to reduce peak consumption. Meanwhile, the BES supplies common electrical loads in the building, e.g., washing machines, heating services (both boiler and heat pump), and lighting, which helps to achieve a nearly zero energy building.

Public lighting systems consist in a complex of different technical systems: lighting, electrical, mechanical and electronic. The presence of electrical components and power lines exposed to atmospheric stresses and accessible to all citizens determines a situation of electrical risk that must be managed during the entire life cycle of the system: design, installation and maintenance, in order to guarantee the highest level of safety for all. The paper suggests energy and safety criteria useful for the optimized design of the system and to improve its maintainability. The prospected energy performance of the system can be considered as an important design criterion. The adoption of a class II insulation system needs special requirements for the check of its performance during the life. The paper suggests the adoption of a special smart panel with a special component useful to make the periodic insulation verification.

The paper concerns the analysis and simulation of the behavior of the total ground potential around the grounding systems of the installation-on-pole (PTP and disconnector) and MV/LV substations in order to define and quantify the best possible safety distances in terms of “acceptable risk” around the grounding systems. The analysis was conducted by adopting the Maxwell method for the analytical simulation of the grounding systems. By the analysis of the databases of the main Italian distribution system operator, each one with over than 300,000 data about the Italian grounding systems, the paper proposes a macroscopic result to define an “acceptable risk zone” by taking into consideration a weighted average value for the fault current and a medium value for the ground resistivity.

The modularization of industrial plants concerns the decomposition of the system into multiple subsystems that are built in yards located in different areas of the world and then assembled on the construction site. This design philosophy allows to reduce construction costs and schedule. Unconventional plant solutions can make the most of this system concept also in the electrical sector. In this paper, an alternative architecture for the electrical distribution is proposed. The suggested scheme allows the reduction of the number of equipment and the weight of the system resulting an optimal solution for a modularized system. The results are achieved by decreasing the required installed power and the weight of the used copper for the cables.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are increasingly permeating our daily life and we ever more commit our data to the cloud. Events like the COVID-19 pandemic put an exceptional burden upon ICT. This involves increasing implementation and use of data centers, which increased energy use and environmental impact. The scope of this work is to summarize the present situation on data centers as to environmental impact and opportunities for improvement. First, we introduce the topic, presenting estimated energy use and emissions. Then, we review proposed strategies for energy efficiency and conservation in data centers. Energy uses pertain to power distribution, ICT, and non-ICT equipment (e.g., cooling). Existing and prospected strategies and initiatives in these sectors are identified. Among key elements are innovative cooling techniques, natural resources, automation, low-power electronics, and equipment with extended thermal limits. Research perspectives are identified and estimates of improvement opportunities are mentioned. Finally, we present an overview on existing metrics, regulatory framework, and bodies concerned.

This article is devoted to the relevant problem of increasing the efficiency of PV systems. The presented analysis discusses the available methods for improving the power generation of PV modules under partial shading. Mathematical models for power loss calculation were compiled based on the results of this analysis. The proposed approach minimizes the negative impact of partial shading on the energy production of PV modules. It is based on the equalization of voltages of parallel-connected arrays of modules by installing additional power elements in them. The proposed solution is promising for various areas, it allows for the minimization of the unfavorable influence of existing urban objects (buildings, trees, communications, etc.) on the energy efficiency of PV modules. The obtained results are useful for the sustainable development of the urban environment in the context of digital transformation. They are the basis for the promising methodology of the parametric optimization of power plants using renewable energy sources.

This paper investigates a general description of a hybrid energy hub (HEH) including multiple energy carriers, such as electricity, hydrogen gas, and heating. The real hybrid energy hub model is based on a conceptual approach for the inclusion of distributed resources. Couplings between the different energy carriers are regarded explicitly, enabling investigations in power and energy flow. The model consists in a smart microgrid with multiple and hybrid energy sources, storages and loads, including electric vehicles charging stations and hydrogen, completely controlled and monitored by a supervisory control and data acquisition platform (SCADA). All the components communicate by an open protocol to the main control for management, analysis and diagnostic. The completely open and flexible structure makes this platform ideal for the conception, simulation and experimental development of innovative systems in the field of microgrids and hybrid energy systems.

In this article, a cost-based mathematical optimization is used to evaluate the optimal amount of imported power from the public main grid to a private microgrid (MG), that is the “LAMBDA lab MG” testbed placed at the Sapienza University of Rome. In this regard, this article considers five tests based on using different sources, including a photovoltaic (PV) array, an emergency generator set, a fuel cell, and the main grid, for load satisfaction. The “LAMBDA lab” can be considered as a “multisource multioutput energy hub” with three optional sources and both electrical and heat demands in output. This article considers PV production and load demand as indeterministic parameters and evaluates the problem under uncertainties. As a result, a stochastic programming model is defined, and a powerful optimization function is used to reach the optimal power received from the main grid. Besides, information gap decision theory is used to model the robustness of the problem against uncertainties associated with renewable generation units (PV system) and electricity loads applied on a real case for the first time. In the result section, the contribution of each source in electrical and heat load demands is presented in addition to the cost of each test by evaluating the effect of demand response of 15%. Finally, a comparison between the stochastic programming method and IGDT has been accomplished.

The paper proposes an innovative power-sharing model, i.e., a power-system architecture for aggregation of users able to share the power produced by common generators and energy services. The model is suitable for both multi-tenant buildings and groups of multiple buildings and it is applicable for both existing and new buildings. It is scalable for larger systems and suitable for an easier integration with storage systems. The novel principle of the model is that the energy produced by common generators can be shared among the end-users in a unidirectional way, so that each user remains passive towards the distributor, except a single active user that assumes the role of balance node. This key feature allows for easily implementing the model in all the residential and tertiary multi-units buildings in full compliance with national regulations, with the adoption of power sharing contracts as well. This paper discusses the feasibility of the model through a dynamic Matlab/Simulink model, which is used to show its effectiveness in several case studies. The significance of this work consists of approaching the energy sharing in buildings with a completely new strategy, based on an innovative system architecture that can be effectively implemented.

An important share of energy consumption is due to buildings. Smart grids and Nearly Zero Energy Buildings are among key technologies towards more efficient and sustainable power systems. The present work is part of a project for the implementation of a smart grid connecting energy efficient buildings in the historical center of an Italian city. In this work, two public buildings are considered. First, the energy consumption of the buildings has been analyzed. Then, the refurbishment of the buildings, efficient thermal systems with heat pumps, local photovoltaic generation, cogeneration and electrical mobility infrastructure have been designed. Also, the possibility of connection of a multi-vector smart grid is investigated. The results show how the implemented system can increasingly contribute to the energy performance.

Due to global concerns about environmental issues, renewable energy sources (RESs), such as photovoltaics (PV), Fuel Cells (FC), and wind turbines, play an outstanding role in energy production. Also, other devices are needed to achieve a smart grid. First of all, a Microgrid (MG), as a smart grid, must be equipped by the Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) due to its astonishing advantages, such as providing power when RESs are not generating power, power quality improvement, RES integration facilitation, and financial benefits. Secondly, distributed generators should be installed to reduce dependency of MG on the main grid. In this paper, a cost-based mathematical optimization is used to evaluate the optimal amount of imported power from the main grid to the LAMBDA lab MG testbed, which is placed at Sapienza University of Rome. In this regard, this study considers four scenarios based on using different source, including PV array, FC and main grid, for load satisfaction. The LAMBDA lab is considered as a power hub with three optional inputs and an electrical demand in output. In addition, this study considers PV production and load demand as indeterministic parameters and evaluates the problem under uncertainties. As a result, a robust optimization problem is defined, and a powerful optimization function is used to reach the optimal power received from main grid.

In the last decade, the importance of modern grids is more sensible than before due to provided higher efficiency, reduced peak demand, improved security resulting in the alteration of grid shape from conventional grids to smart grids. The case study is the port of Long Beach (POLB), placed in California, which consists of 11 independent piers operating as a single microgrid that has an independent energy management system. This paper proposes an integrated energy management strategy based on blockchain technology for the POLB including all piers that significantly reduce the amount of peak power imposing extra cost from the port manager's point of view. In addition, the benefits of smart grids that are operating based on blockchain technology, such as high-level security, and efficient maintenance cost, will be discussed.

Distributed Monitoring Systems (DMS) are essential to implement global policies and daily practices to preserve and improve the energy efficiency of an organization. The Level of Coverage (LoC) is a primary aspect in design, evaluation and implementation/extension of a DMS. The LoC is a numeric indicator representing the ability of a DMS to properly monitor the energy consumption/production in specific Zones and for particular Uses. It allows comparison and choice among several DMS implementations, differing for number and positioning of the measuring instruments. This paper presents a new method for LoC computation. It can be easily implemented in SW and allows to directly calculate not only the LoC of the whole DMS and its subsections but also semi-aggregated LoCs referred to specific Uses or specific Zones. The latter aspect is very useful for assessing the energy monitoring plan adopted in mandatory or voluntary energy audits.

Great part of the Italian buildings have historical value and it make difficult to reach high energy performances, due to the limitations introduced by the legislation to preserve their cultural impact. Therefore, in the present paper is analyzed a possible retrofit scenario for the envelope of an historical edifice and the creation of a microgrid in order to optimize the electrical energy produced by PV panels with the goal of reaching the Nearly Zero Energy Building target, despite of the boundaries limiting the possible interventions.

The paper presents a vector control with two cascaded loops to improve the properties of Dynamic Voltage Restorer (DVR) to minimize Voltage Sags on the grid. Thereby, a vector controlled structure was built on the rotating dq-coordinate system with the combination of voltage control and the current control. The proposed DVR control method is modelled using MATLAB-Simulink. It is tested using balanced/unbalanced voltage sags as well as fluctuant and distorted voltages. As a result, by using this controlling method, the dynamic characteristics of the system have been improved significantly. The system performed with higher accuracy, faster response and lower distortion in the voltage sags compensation. The paper presents real time experimental results to verify the performance of the proposed method in real environments.

This paper investigates the feasibility of a recently proposed building energy community scheme where the energy of a single rooftop photovoltaic system is shared by costumers with a open and democratic participation. A Simulink/Matlab model is developed where we focus on the implementation and control aspects of all the relevant components, e.g., voltage source inverters for ac grid connection, dc/dc converter with maximum power point tracking strategy, inverters control for energy sharing among end-user. Preliminary results confirm the efficiency and flexibility of the proposed scheme.

The growth of the world&rsquo, s energy demand over recent decades in relation to energy intensity and demography is clear. At the same time, the use of renewable energy sources is pursued to address decarbonization targets, but the stochasticity of renewable energy systems produces an increasing need for management systems to supply such energy volume while guaranteeing, at the same time, the security and reliability of the microgrids. Locally distributed energy storage systems (ESS) may provide the capacity to temporarily decouple production and demand. In this sense, the most implemented ESS in local energy districts are small&ndash, medium-scale electrochemical batteries. However, hydrogen systems are viable for storing larger energy quantities thanks to its intrinsic high mass-energy density. To match generation, demand and storage, energy management systems (EMSs) become crucial. This paper compares two strategies for an energy management system based on hydrogen-priority vs. battery-priority for the operation of a hybrid renewable microgrid. The overall performance of the two mentioned strategies is compared in the long-term operation via a set of evaluation parameters defined by the unmet load, storage efficiency, operating hours and cumulative energy. The results show that the hydrogen-priority strategy allows the microgrid to be led towards island operation because it saves a higher amount of energy, while the battery-priority strategy reduces the energy efficiency in the storage round trip. The main contribution of this work lies in the demonstration that conventional EMS for microgrids&rsquo, operation based on battery-priority strategy should turn into hydrogen-priority to keep the reliability and independence of the microgrid in the long-term operation.

The operation of Photovoltaic (PV) system mainly rely on appropriate modeling of solar cells and optimum approximation of parameters associated with them. Recently, various hybrid, numerical and analytical techniques were proposed to extract optimal parameters of PV cell. This paper presents an efficient approach, A Simulated Annealing Inertia Weight Particle Swarm Optimization (SAIW-PSO) for optimal estimation of PV parameters for double and single diode models. In addition, fitness indicator is guided using the Newton Raphson Method (NRM) that supports SAIW -PSO to explore the optimal solution. The premature convergence problem of typical PSO is resolved by the proposed framework. The strength of proposed approach is validated under standard test conditions (STC) on RTC France Silicon Solar cell. The SAIW-PSO is capable to explore optimum solution in smaller number of iterations and less computation time. The obtained results clearly depict that the proposed framework is fast, efficient and much accurate for PV cells parameters approximation.

The paper proposes an innovative system of supervision and data acquisition, oriented to fire safety through a dynamic risk analysis, called SCADRA (Supervisory Control and Dynamic Risk Analysis). SCADRA achieves operation and management benefits for safety, functionality and energy optimization, by means of dynamic control and monitoring measures. A “Smart Tunnel” can be defined as a model where technical systems are designed and installed in an advanced way, by using digital components and sensors. SCADRA has been developed to offer a complete tool (human machine interface HMI) for real time monitoring of tunnel safety by tunnel operators, integrated with the innovative dynamic risk analysis. SCADRA offers compensatory and/or supplementary safety measures for emergency management and supports fire rescue teams that are operating in tunnel in which some requirements couldn't be realized.

The evolution of the building automation and control systems (BACS) systems presents the challenge of defining new concepts for a clear and unambiguous definition of functionalities. While for traditional electrical systems it is possible to unequivocally infer functionalities from wiring diagrams and component characteristics, in BACS systems this may not be so immediate. A comprehensive description of the functionalities of such systems may require additional descriptors, so as to also consider logical connections among devices, as well as their configurations. Designers of BACS systems must therefore become familiar with software that may be used to properly express the logic functionalities of the system, and be able to provide system integrators with pertinent details for the hardware settings. In BACS, a logical layer (setting and addressing) is superimposed on a physical layer (wiring). The logical layer determines the functionality of the system. Software should allow the implementation of networks parameters with any communication standards (e.g. KNX, proprietary systems, etc.) and be transparent to the designer. This paper critically reviews the state-of-the-art in BACS, and examines major parameters that may be universally applicable to both KNX systems, as well as to proprietary systems with gateway (e.g., Xiaomi, Google Home, etc.). BACS is one of the most important enabling technologies for the creation of microgrids for smart buildings and energy communities.

The paper shows a case study of high efficiency lighting system realized in a library room at the University of Rome, Italy. The paper describes the lighting and control systems and highlights the impact on the energy performance. The adoption of LED modules and building automation approach permitted to obtain high level of performance both for lighting comfort and for energy performance. The library was divided in different zones. In each zone the optimal control was adopted. The energy results demonstrate that LED renovation coupled with electronic controls permit to obtain high values both of energy savings and performance.

The new challenge in power systems design and operation is to organize and control smart micro grids supplying aggregation of users and special loads as electric vehicles charging stations. The presence of renewable and storage can help the optimal operation only if a good control manages all the elements of the grid. New models of green buildings and energy communities are proposed. For a real application they need an appropriate and advanced power system equipped with a building automation control system. This article presents an economic model predictive control approach to the problem of managing the electric and heating resources in a smart building in a coordinated way, for the purpose of achieving in real time nearly zero energy consumption and automated participation to demand response programs. The proposed control, leveraging a mixed integer quadratic programming problem, allows to meet manifold thermal and electric users’ requirements and react to inbound demand response signals, while still guaranteeing stable operation of the building's electric and thermal storage equipment. The simulation results, performed for a real case study in Italy, highlight the peculiarities of the proposed approach in the joint handling of electric and thermal building flexibility.

In this paper, to avoid peak demand rising and energy management for ship to shore (STS) cranes, three main steps based on the optimization method are considered. The first step for peak shaving in this paper is demand side management (DSM). Since the new generation of STS cranes installed at the port of Long Beach (POLB) are equipped with regenerative capabilities to absorb up to 90% of the energy by the coordination of cranes' duty cycles. For the second part, the utilization of ultracapacitor (UC) is made for local peak shaving for each STS Crane. Finally, a Hybrid Energy Storage System (HESS) for comprehensive peak shaving is used. Since each STS Crane has a separate DC bus, the UC cannot do the peak shaving for the group cranes. For this purpose, for each DC bus in an STS Crane and UC bank can be considered to provide the local peak shaving and HESS is able to do the general peak shaving for two STS groups cranes where each group consists of 4 or 5 STS cranes. This is because for all groups there is a common AC bus and HESS can be installed between the groups. Also, integration on HESS is able to decrease significantly the required power in point of POLB as well. The control strategy proposed in this paper is capable to control the sudden power increase in CTs due to the use of a greater number of STS cranes and enhance the productivity of the system.

Considering the complexity of controller systems in and also managing a microgrid (MGs), using automation systems can be an effective step in increasing energy efficiency, high reliability, as well as economic and environmental issues. In order to achieve these goals, this paper presents a comprehensive testbed for control and energy management in MG lab project is called LAMBDA MG in Sapienza University of Rome. The MG is composed of several sources (Photovoltaic, Storage, Emergency Generator Set) a smart switchboard and loads (lights, HVAC, plugs). The control strategy consists of two different subnets: the first one is based on a distributed home and building electronic system (HBES) for the supervisory and control for energy and comfort goals and the second one based on a central PLC for the operation of the different sources in grid and island mode respect the grid. The two subnets are integrated in a common SCADA system able to provide a real time monitoring, alarm handling, human machine interfacing, event and data.

The home and building automation systems evolution, creates the necessity to define new formalities for the clear and univocal description of their functionalities. To describe the operation of such a system, it is necessary therefore to add a further level that keeps in mind the logical connections among devices and their configurations. The addition of this level makes unambiguous the description of the plant functionalities. From the current state of the art it arises the demand of creating a software that allows the home automation system designer to exclusively focus on the logical functionalities of the system, furnishing to the system integrator the general details for the hardware settings. Particularly, the new network implementation details (KNX system, proprietary systems, etc.) will be completely transparent to the designer. The objective is to get a project documentation that is possible to adapt both for KNX home automation systems and for proprietary systems managed by a gateway (Xiaomi or Google Home).

This paper presents a strategy to avoid peak demand rising and energy management due to existing cranes at container terminals (CT). The new generation of the Ship to Shore (STS) cranes installed at the port of Long Beach (POLB) are equipped with the capabilities to absorb up to 90% of the regenerative energy (RE). Hence, a percent of RE is fed into the dc-bus in an STS Crane and deliver to the Ultracapacitor (UC) bank energy storage system (ESS). As an effective method, UC sizing is able to do the local peak shaving in each STS Crane and then with the remaining percent of the RE by the duty cycle coordination for the STS group Cranes the overall peak power minimization in point of delivery has been reviewed based on PSO algorithm. Results in MATLAB shows the two proposed methods can reduce the peak power demand and increase the percentage of the utilization energy factor (UEF) in STS cranes.

The technological innovation of systems in tunnels allows to reach high levels not only in energy efficiency but also in safety, where the legislation requires safety measures based on systematic considerations of all aspects of the system (infrastructure, operations, users, vehicles).In many existent tunnels, some structural safety measures could be implemented only through technical solutions with a disproportionate cost because of difficulties due to old infrastructures, unfavorable orographic situation or tunnels in sequence in wich simultaneously road works could cause a paralysis of traffic with unbearable economic and social costs. Therefore, a new layout of the SCADA system, able to perform a Dynamic Risk Analysis (DRA), has been developed to achieve immediate and effective benefits through the implementation of operational measures in Smart Tunnels in which advanced systems and sensors are installed. DRA can be associated with Energy Management Analysis (EMA) in order to perfectly fits within the "Industry 4.0" new European approach: through low costs it is possible to know real time what happens inside the tunnel, the environmental conditions, traffic data and system status (Smart Production), to apply operational measures in order to ensure the safety required (Smart Services) and to operate in energy saving mode whenever possible (Smart Energy).

Buildings with mixed residential and commercial units show relevant power peak that are further increased by shifting from gas-driven systems to an electric source. The proposed solution is to organize a microgrid for such type of buildings, aggregating different users with a common electric distribution system with a single connection to the grid, a local common generation, and a common heating/cooling system (electric driven). This approach upgrades a group of independent small users with rigid loads and chaotic behavior to a large user with a flexible and controlled profile. A central building automation control system managing all built-in technical systems and smart appliances may control the load, minute by minute, shifting in time shiftable and controllable loads, and merging different kinds of loads, obtaining a flatter diagram. The authors consider the suggested approach convenient to realize a demand side management (DSM) for residential/commercial buildings. distribution system operator (DSM) exploits the flexibility of smart appliances and the thermal inertia of the structure, by imposing local and central set points of heating and cooling systems, according to actual global net load and generation at a given moment. In this paper, main aspects of the proposed control system are presented and simulations for a given case study with a local photovoltaic system generation are provided. Results show that this approach may lead to a power peak reduction up to 20% even in the unfavorable case of combining commercial and residential units. Moreover, full self-consumption of locally generated energy from renewable energy systems may be achieved.

Currently, despite the use of renewable energy sources (RESs), distribution networks are facing problems, such as complexity and low productivity. Emerging microgrids (MGs) with RESs based on supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) are an effective solution to control, manage, and finally deal with these challenges. The development and success of MGs is highly dependent on the use of power electronic interfaces. The use of these interfaces is directly related to the progress of SCADA systems and communication infrastructures. The use of SCADA systems for the control and operation of MGs and active distribution networks promotes productivity and efficiency. This paper presents a real MG case study called the LAMBDA MG testbed laboratory, which has been implemented in the electrical department of the Sapienza University of Rome with a centralized energy management system (CEMS). The real-time results of the SCADA system show that a CEMS can create proper energy balance in a LAMBDA MG testbed and, consequently, minimize the exchange power of the LAMBDA MG and main grid.

In this paper a non isolated, non inverting, single switch, high gain modified SEPIC with voltage multiplier dc-to-dc converter is proposed. The proposed circuit is a combination of modified version of conventional SEPIC converter and voltage multiplier unit. The voltage gain of proposed converter is increases to n time of (1/ (1-D) by extending the voltage multiplier unit by n time. The advantage of proposed topology is reduced voltage stress across switching device, which results into better efficiency and voltage gain is increased without disturbing the main circuit. In this paper, the detail operation of proposed converter with mathematical analysis is done. The proposed converter is simulated in MatLab R2016a for three level with 120W power. The mathematical analysis and simulation results validates the functionality of proposed converter.

The commercial routes interconnection in maritime world transport requires common criteria for the standardization of shore connection's rules in port areas. A brief focus on the part 1: High Voltage Shore Connection (HVSC) Systems (IEC-ISO-IEEE 80005–1) has been presented that is an example of global harmonization. This paper reports the cold ironing system issues due to the grounding systems. Several aspects must be taken into account as transferred touch potentials according to the workers safety for interferences due to the ground loops. The same standard 80005–1 highlights the problem about the ship's integrity related to galvanic corrosion. The goal of this paper is to show the current TN-system multiple grounding solutions adopted and to discuss the introduction of a TN-island system for HVSC, showing the decrease of the risks for corrosion of the ships and the transfer of touch potentials.

Most of the power demand at Container Terminals (CT) is related to Ship to Shore (STS) cranes. These cranes work simultaneously together for loading and unloading container. This issue causes the peak demand increase significantly. Considering the STS group crane's activity to move containers (from ship to shore and vice versa), finding the best delay time between STS cranes can play an important role to reduce the total power demand. The peak shaving strategy which has been used in this paper is Demand Side Management (DSM). DSM method increases e $\square$ cient energy utilization and power quality of the system as well as the peak power and energy costs reduction. Simulations have been made for a preliminary evaluation of prospected efficiency goals. Results in MATLAB related to reference data shows the proposed method can reduce the peak power demand in STS group cranes around 60 – 70%. The simulations confirm also that the evaluation of the peak shaving assuming an equal time delay in the cranes duty offers acceptable preliminary estimates and reassures a simpler management.

Probabilistic Modeling of electric load is a key aspect for the study of distribution system. Characteristics of electric load patterns are extracted by using appropriate probabilistic model. Characterization of aggregated load pattern is very helpful for the system operator or aggregator at microgrid level. Inter-temporal evaluation of electric load patterns is a challenging task. Intertemporal load patterns behavior of residential consumers are extracted by using Weibull distribution and generalized regression neural network. Weibull distribution based probabilistic model with neural network is used for the generation of load patterns from the characteristics extracted from the reference load patterns. Generated load patterns are useful for the scenario analysis, offline testing of power system, distributed generation studies, analysis of equipment before installation. Goodness of Fit (GOF) indicators are used for calculating the accuracy and validation of proposed probabilistic model.

Considering the highest power demand by Ship to Shore (STS) cranes in pier E at the port of Long Beach, designing a proper control system can harness the peak load increasing. In this paper, tw o strategies have been used for the peak load shaving. First, demand side management (DSM) in order to peak power demand minimization by duty cycle coordination between STS cranes based on PSO algorithm and in the second part utilization of Flywheel Energy Storage System (FESS) to make a power balance between generation and demand side. Results in MATLAB related to reference data shows the proposed method can reduce the peak power demand in the STS group cranes and provide a proper power balance between generation and demand.

Residential and non-residential buildings are responsible for approximately 40% of energy consumption and CO2 emissions in the EU. Considering that almost 75% of the building stock in EU is energy inefficient, the European energy policy promotes the improvement of the energy performance of existing buildings by introducing the innovative model of nearly zero energy building (nZEB). In the nZEB model, local energy sources (generation, storage and load management), building automation (BACS) and electronic monitoring of technical building systems (TBS) play a fundamental role. In electric systems, smart grids are a key feature of future energy scenarios, with the overarching goal of better aligning energy generation and demand. The challenge is the role of the users. The nZEB model with its “smart microgrid” can represent an effective driver according to the new policies of user's aggregation. In this framework demand side management (DSM) strategies can be implemented. The paper presents an innovative approach to use BACS present in nZEBS not only to increase the efficiency of TBS but also to operate an energy storage by heating systems for DSM strategies.

This paper analyzes the requirements for implementing an Energy Management Information System (EMIS) and proposes some methodology criteria and tools for its design, deployment and management. An EMIS combines software, hardware, and data modelling and processing to support people in their efforts to daily manage energy at any level (process, system, facility, and enterprise) year after year. An EMIS has to be designed and operated to fulfill national and international standards and to support improvements of energy performance within the organization. The distributed metering system (DMS) represents just a subset (in terms of signal collection and management) of the EMIS that monitor the energy parameters and the factors that influence energy use in monitored systems. In the paper two main point will be addressed; the first one provides an overview, in the field of energy efficiency measurement and monitoring; the second one of the technical standards that can be considered as essential, furnishes architectural criteria for the design and the implementation of an EMIS. The paper introduces a procedure to assess the DMS introducing the Level of Coverage.

In the modern power system, characterization of customer's demand plays a vital role for Demand Side Management. Demand flexibility information, extracted from the aggregate demand behaviour of customers, presents more comprehensive picture for the aggregator or system operator. There is an existence of diverse flexible time slots during a day in different time periods. Due to the diverse energy consumption behaviour of the residential customers, extraction of flexibility and its associated potential time durations is a challenging task. To extract flexibility information from aggregate residential customers, a flexibility indicator is formulated in this paper. Information presented gives an indication about flexible time slots in terms of numerical value that is useful for a system operator or an aggregator for demand side flexibility assessment and this will lead to design and initiate DSM programs.

In last years, the power system operators are tackling many challenges for the renewable energies integration on the grid. Further, the expected increase of electrical demand due to the uncoordinated contemporary charging of a huge number of Electric Vehicles (EVs) can create chaotic phenomena with a negative impact especially on the distribution network. Help can be offered by the deployment of Smart Grid technologies, such as Smart Metering Systems (SMSs), Information and Communications Technology (ICT) and Energy Storage Systems (ESSs). In particular, in Micro-Grids, Battery ESSs (BESSs) can play a fundamental role and can become fundamental for the integration of EV fast charging stations and distributed generations. In this case the storage can have peak shaving, load shifting and power quality functions. The ESSs can provide ancillary services also on the grid as the reactive control to adjust the power factor. In the present paper, a monitoring control program to manage the reactive power of a real ESS in a Micro-Grid has been implemented. The system is a prototype, designed, implemented and now available at ENEA (Italian National Agency for New Technologies, Energy and Sustainable Economic Development) labs. A wide experimental activity has been performed on the prototype system in order to test this functionality for the integration in a bigger Smart Grid available at the same ENEA labs including the Micro-grid. The integration has been possible, thanks to the free ICT protocols used by the researchers and which are described here. The results of the experimental tests show that the system can have good performance to adjust the power factor in respect to the main distribution grid and an EV charging station. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

A zero-energy building can be defined as a building with almost zero net energy consumption. This means that the total amount of energy spent in the building in a year is approximately equal to the amount of energy generated on the site by renewables or cogeneration. A smart meter system is very important for these buildings in order to manage and control the energy flows. In fact, the smart meter system monitors, supervises, visualizes and stores the energy generated and the energy consumption in the building providing the information to the users. Typically, it consists in a complex architecture with a central server with a supervisory system. The scope of the present work is to propose an innovative approach for the implementation of smart metering systems in zero-energy buildings and a practical methodology to classify the systems. The proposed classification rates the system performance via a set of weighted indicators-according to the positioning of meters, measured data, system architecture, data visualization and monitored loads-, then calculates an overall grade. © 2015 IEEE.

The generation of electricity from solar thermal source has continued to garner more attention due to the very attractive environmental performance, the applicability to small distributed users and as alternative to the fossil fuels power generation. Indeed, solar thermal energy, through the coupling with ORC systems, becomes fit for electric power generation as well and, with a proper thermal storage, can deliver more equivalent hours than other residential systems. The paper analyses, by means of system modelling simulation, a small solar power plant composed by a CPC heat pipe solar collector device feeding a thermal storage, an ORC and an absorber unit. Beside the analysis of configuration and design, this paper proposes an economic analysis taking into consideration the applicable incentive. The evaluation highlights the economic viability of the proposed system and tries to define a roadmap to optimize results consisting in acceptable PBT and positive NPV.

The external luminance, the climatic conditions as limpid sky or haze, the road surface wet or dry, the traffic speed and the related safe driver stopping distance, strongly influence the quantity of artificial support light necessary at the entrance of the tunnel. The design of the support lighting system in the road tunnel takes into account the critical conditions for these parameters that determine very high demand of electric power. With the aims to improve the safety and comfort for the drivers, avoiding the excesses of luminance and mitigating the cost and the energetic impact, in the paper is proposed a smart control able to operate and tune automatically the luminous flux emitted by the lighting system according to the input signals of the external luminance, the climatic condition and the traffic intensity.

In Europe the amount of the electrical energy used in illuminating the interiors of medium and large buildings is considerable of about 40%. Energy saving actions could follow two basic directions: efficiency and effectiveness: efficiency, by new more performing equipment (lamps, control gear, etc.) and by utilization of improved lighting design practices (localised task lighting systems); effectiveness by improvements in lighting control systems to avoid energy waste and by adopting a technical building management system (maintenace and metering). By controlling the lighting in such a way that the lighting level is always accurately matched to the actual need allows to save on the energy costs and to improve the human comfort and efficiency. Establishing an integrated lighting control concept is a very important part of the lighting design process. Directly controlling and managing energy consumption it is possible to reach high effectiveness in energy management.

In electrical power systems bolted short-circuits are rare and the fault usually involves arcing and burning; mostly the limit value of minimum short-circuit depends on arcing-fault. In AC low voltage systems, the paper examines the arcing-fault branch circuits as weak points. Different protection measures are available against the arc-faults. A first measure that can guarantee a probabilistic protection is allowed by the adoption of overcurrent protective devices (OCPD), optimizing the design of the structure of the system and/or the coordination of protection. A well known complete protection is allowed by adopting arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCI) for the protection of branch circuits. The authors suggest a new complete protection allowed wiring of the branch circuits, particularly including extension cords, with special power cables, protected by ordinary ground fault protective devices (GFPD). The suggested design for single-core or multi-core power cables is that each insulated core has a concentric conductor shield. Converting the line-to-line fault into a line to ground fault or into a mixed type is the goal of this special cable type faults ground-forced cable (FGFC).