509681 - SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE SMART GRID

courses

ID:

509681

Duration (hours):

60

CFU:

SSD:

CONVERTITORI, MACCHINE E AZIONAMENTI ELETTRICI

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)

Course Objectives

The course provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution of high-, medium-, and low-voltage electrical systems, culminating in the development of smart grids. It explores the ongoing transformation of the power system from technological, regulatory, modeling, and analytical perspectives, with a focus on key aspects of the energy transition, such as the increasing integration of variable renewable energy sources, the electrification of end-use sectors, and the advancement of electric mobility. The primary objective is to provide students with a clear understanding of how the power system has evolved over recent decades, highlighting innovative solutions already implemented to enhance the system’s reliability and resilience, as well as the future challenges that lie ahead. The course aims to develop students’ ability to: • Understand the significant impacts of the energy transition on power grids; • Analyze and discuss technical and scientific issues related to grid planning and management in the context of the energy transition; • Read and interpret specialized literature concerning the evolution of power grids towards smart grids; • Identify key problems and outline potential solutions. Students will also gain practical skills in data collection and processing, applying tools such as Excel, Python, and PowerWorld to derive and analyze results. They will learn to critically evaluate these results, propose solutions, and develop an understanding of the key parameters that influence system behavior. The ability to assess and compare alternative solutions will be an integral part of the competencies acquired during the course.

Course Prerequisites

• Basic knowledge of electrotechnics and power systems; • Basic knowledge of power flow and short-circuit modeling.

Teaching Methods

The course content will be delivered through lectures, numerical applications, and tutorials. PowerPoint presentations, made available to students in the teaching section on the KIRO platform, are used for lessons. Moreover, some seminars delivered by industry experts will be organized to present real-life applications of power systems planning and operations. At the end of the course, a technical visit will be arranged to a real primary substation and either to a smart grid lab or to a distribution network control room located in Milan.

Assessment Methods

The exam consists of an individual oral test covering the content from lectures, tutorials, and seminars to verify the skills acquired in the course. The test focuses on at least two topics covered during the course. The final evaluation is based on the depth and understanding of the topics presented, as well as the ability to integrate the knowledge acquired during the course. The test evaluation is carried out on a scale of 0-30.

Texts

[1] Mini S. Thomas, John Douglas McDonald, Power System SCADA and Smart Grids, 1st ed. New York: CRC Press, 2015. [2] P.E. Gellings, Smart Grid Planning and Implementation, 1st ed. Gistrup: River Publishers, 2020. [3] Krzysztof Iniewski. Smart Grid Infrastructure & Networking, 1st ed. New York: Mcgraw-Hill, 2013. [4] H.L. Willis, Power Distribution Planning Reference Book, 2nd ed. New York: Marcel Dekker, 2004. [5] R. E. Brown, Electric Power Distribution Reliability, 2nd ed. New York: CRC Press, 2009, p. 9; [6] T. Gönen, Electric Power Distribution Engineering, 3rd ed. New York: CRC Press, 2014. [7] J. D. Glover, T. J. Overbye, M. S. Sarma, Power System Analysis & Design, 6st ed. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2017. [8] R. Baldwin, M. Cave, M. Lodge, Understanding Regulation, 2nd ed. New York: Oxford, 2012

The main topics addressed throughout the course include: • A comprehensive overview of electricity transmission and distribution networks; • An overview of electricity generation and consumption patterns in Italy; • Current and emerging challenges for power grids in the framework of the energy transition; • The present and future evolution of power grids towards smart grids, analyzed from technological, regulatory, modeling, and analytical perspectives; • Advanced technologies, systems, and models enabling the development and deployment of smart grids; • The evolution of technical standards to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources and electric mobility within transmission and distribution networks; • The role of artificial intelligence and machine learning in supporting the transformation of power grids into smart grids; • Pilot projects fostering new functionalities and paradigms in the smart grid context.

Course Language

English

More information

Students who participate in the course will also have the opportunity to apply for an internship preparatory to the Master's Degree Thesis, to be carried out at the leading electricity/energy companies in Lombardy. Students are advised to include the course 'PLANNING AND OPERATION OF POWER SYSTEMS' in their study plan as well. The course is available in the second semester and focuses on the planning and operation of power systems.