Panel Sessions
Panel Session 1: Enhanced Grid Resilience by Data Sharing Between Protective and Control Systems, Operators and Significant Grid Users
Transmission system operators (TSO & DSO) are struggling with energy mix dominantly led by intermittent distributed energy resources (RES), decommission of traditional generation units, high cross border load flows and shadows behind the curtains, that describes distribution system on interface with transmission system that causes unpredictable load flows, from higher to lower voltage level but also via verse. State of the art is that under the term of “Smart Grid”, “Advance systems” or “Intelligent solutions” enormous number of new devices, technologies and methodologies are emerging to the power system that are often characterized by different protocols and a large amount of data, thus providing assistance in part of the system, while in fact making a mess in the operation of the system operator (TSO and DSO).
This panel will focus on existing and new developed resilience applications on different power system locations and voltage levels, in a way to allow mutual key data sharing based on developed data sharing system and defined set of rules.
To be more precise it is expected a new level of overall TSO-DSO data exchange and more focused on coordination of ancillary services on TSO & DSO level Panel aim is to discuss on:
- Developed novel and adapted disturbance detection and mitigation solutions that are applicable to representative parts of the power system based on synchronized measurement platform – IoT platform
- Methodology that determines the rules for exchange key data information between disturbance detection and mitigation systems to in order to achieve improvement of their resilience functionality for power system in general
- Algorithms suitable to the variety of the entire grid for event detection and mitigation in interconnected TSO & DSO grid that includes big data analysis and artificial intelligence
- Architecture of data management services, key data identification for exchange between embedded systems, data access and information acquisition that includes data mining
- Architecture of data sharing, data access and archiving services across system operators and significant interconnected grid users
Moderators:
- Dr. Srdjan Skok, Algebra University College, Croatia
- Dr. Alfredo Vaccaro, University of Sannio, Italy
Panelists
- Dr. Massimo La Scala, Politecnico di Bari, Bari, Italy
Enabling Technologies for Disturbance Detection and Corrective Control in Large-scale Power Systems
- Dr. Vladimir Terzija, Skoltech, Russia
Horizontal and Vertical Data Transfer for Smart Ancillary Services of Future Electrical Power Systems
- Dr. Fabrizio de Caro, University of Sannio, Italy
Data Sharing Between Heterogenous Information Sources: The Enabler for Resilient Power Grids
- Dr. Sasa Djokic, The University of Edinburgh, UK
Big-Data and NN Approaches for Modelling and Forecasting Outage and Curtailment Events of Wind
Turbines in Neighbouring Wind Farms
- Dr. Srdjan Skok, Algebra University College, Croatia
TSO-DSO Resilience Algorithms Based on IoT Data Sharing Platform
Panel Session 2: Role of Quantum Computing in Building the Grid of the Future
The unprecedented transformation of the electric power grid, driven primarily by the changing electric generation and load landscape and growing frequency and intensity of natural disasters, is necessitating new sets of analytics and computing practices. However, an ongoing challenge is that using existing solutions on more powerful computers is not a practical approach to addressing emerging complexities. This further requires the grid operators to move beyond classical computing solutions for system management, operation, and control. This panel brings together subject matter experts to discuss the applications of quantum computing technology and how it can support building the electric grid of the future.
Moderators:
Dr. Amin Khodaei, University of Denver, USA
Panelists
- Dr. Rozhin Eskandarpour, Resilient Entanglement, USA
- Dr. Aleksandar Vukojevic, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), USA
- Dr. Ali Arab, University of Denver, USA
Panel Session 3: Research Capabilities and Thrusts of U.S. Department of Energy’s National Laboratories
This panel will introduce attendees to the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). NREL is a world-class institution focused on renewable energy research, development, and deployment. ORNL delivers scientific discoveries and technical breakthroughs needed to realize solutions in energy and national security.
Topics to be covered in the panel include:
- NREL’s new, groundbreaking research platform called ARIES that is designed to support the transition to a decarbonized energy system. It allows for research at the 20-MW level and is amplified by a virtual emulation environment powered by NREL’s 8-petaflop supercomputer.
- ORNL’s unique wide-area grid monitoring network known as GridEye/FNET, hosted in partnership with The University of Tennessee. GridEye/FNET provides observation of the entire electrical grid’s dynamic performance continuously and in real time. These low-cost and easy-to-install monitors are deployed all over the world and can improve a grid’s state of observability.
- NREL’s and ORNL’s latest work to validate and advance key technologies at all scales (grid edge to transmission). This includes evaluating smart home devices, microgrids, and advanced distribution grid control solutions prior to implementation.
Meeting today’s energy challenges requires collaboration. DOE national laboratories partner with utilities, industry, communities, and other research organizations from across the world. NREL and ORNL panelists will be joined by an industry partner who will provide insights into their experience working with a DOE national laboratory.
Moderator:
Dr. Annabelle Pratt, NREL, USA
Panelists:
- Dr. Annabelle Pratt, NREL, USA
NREL’s laboratory evaluation platforms for grid controls and technologies
- Dr. Murali Baggu, NREL, USA
Capabilities and initiatives at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory
- Dr. Srijib Mukherjee, ORNL, USA
Applications in Advanced Power System Protection & Grid Emulation
- Ms. Ivana Krstic, Schneider Electric, Serbia
Innovating together to enable grids of the future
Panel Session 4: Active Network Management – solutions to support distribution grid development
This panel will present final results of the European research project ANM4L ‐ Active Network Management for All. The aim of ANM4L has been to develop solutions enabling secure increase in grid utilization, providing agile and sustainable means for DSOs to enable new customer uptake, regarding both load and generation. ANM4L has focused mainly on capacity limitations due to distributed generation, and solutions to support both operation and planning.
The panel will present conclusions from both development and demonstration of tools and solutions, with the following issues to be addressed:
- Swedish and Hungarian perspectives on today’s challenges in operation and planning of distribution grids
- Financial decision support through CBA based tools
- Technical control solutions utilizing ANM control for enhanced DG utilization
- User interaction for Flexibility providers solutions to allow owners of small‐scale assets to capture additional revenues by offering flexibility
Moderator:
Dr. Emil Hillberg, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Sweden
Panelists
- Mr. Neil Hancock E.ON Energidistribution Sweden
- Mr. Bálint Borovics, E.ON Hungária, Hungary
- Dr. Olof Samuelsson, Lund University, Sweden
- Mr. Johannes Weber, Lumenaza, Germany
Panel Session 5: Powering System flexibility in the Future through Renewable, H2020 POSYTYF project
In the H2020 POSYTYF project https://posytyf-h2020.eu a new concept of Dynamic Virtual Power Plant (DVPP) is introduced to fully integrate the dynamic aspects at all levels: locally (for each RES generator), globally (for grid ancillary services and interaction with other neighbor elements of the grid) and economically (for internal optimal dispatch and participation to electricity markets). This concept is presented along with the global control architecture on which it relays.
3 topics of the approach are next detailed:
- Simulation: suitability of EMT and phasor models to simulate large grids with renewable generation and power-electronics-interfaced storage is discussed. The objective is to provide criteria to state which simulation method should be used in each given power system situation and the implications and drawbacks of each one.
- Reduced physical models of Renewable energy-based power plants for DVPP control design: interpretable dynamic models of Renewable energy-based power plants for the controller design of DVPPs are proposed in a unified mathematical form of matrices of transfer functions. Different renewable energy sources (wind, sun, biogas), electrical connection to the grid (synchronous machine -, inverter-based) and support levels for the grid (following, forming) are considered. Thereby, both the power tracking behavior and disturbance behavior of the individual power plants of the DVPP are described.
- Optimization for simultaneous participation of the DVPP in Energy and Reserve Markets in Europe: A robust optimal bidding which takes into account the uncertainties that characterize non-dispatchable renewable energy sources, the willingness and availability of demand response, the market prices, and the features of the synchronous, dispatchable renewable energy sources.
Moderator:
Dr. Bogdan Marinescu, Ecole Centrale Nantes, France
Panelists
- Dr. Bogdan Marinescu, Ecole Centrale Nantes, France
Overview of the new Dynamic Virtual Power Plant (DVPP) concept and approach and the POSYTYF project
- Dr. Horst Schulte, HTW Berlin, Germany
Modeling and Control of Renewable energy-based power plants for participation in DVPP
- Dr. Vinicius Lacerda, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Spain
Suitability of EMT and Phasor models to simulate large grids with renewable generation and power electronics
- Dr. Alvaro Ortega Manjavacas, UPC-IIT Madrid, Spain
Simultaneous Participation of Dynamic Virtual Power Plants in Energy and Reserve Markets in Europe – A Robust Optimal Bidding Strategy
Panel Session 6: Enabling the energy transition while maintaining power system stability
As the European Union (EU) continues to accelerate the energy transition, as shown by the implementation of the “Clean Energy for all Europeans” package and the “European Green Deal”, and prepares for finalising the “Fit for 55” package, the IEEE European Public Policy Committee (EPPC), representing a large community of European engineering professionals, calls on EU policy makers to take action to maintain and enhance the security and stability of the electric power grid during the transition to a greener power system. Efficient, reliable and sustainable delivery of energy is critical to the health and welfare of the society at large. With an increasing penetration of renewable energy resources (RES) and high expectations from end-users for energy, business models are the key to integrating innovative technology into the grid. Developing business models within the transitioning energy sector can bridge the gap between technological innovation and climate impact, while leveraging an enormous economic potential. Maintaining power system stability is a complex task which greatly depends on the changes in the business models, technological developments and their roll up in the power system, policy and regulatory decisions related to it. This panel session will present the main challenges as well as indicating possible solutions to be further discussed:
- Stability and Control Challenges and Opportunities
- Modelling, analyses and information exchange/accessibility challenges
- HVDC, power electronics challenges
- DER and standardization harmonization challenges
Moderator:
Dr. Costas Vournas, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Panelists
- Dr. Chavdar Ivanov, gridDigIt, Hungary
IEEE/EPPC recommendations on power system stability and Security
- Mr. Said Cosic, gridDigIt, Hungary
Power system modelling and information exchange for enhancing stability
- Dr. Yannis Kabouris, SEleNe CC, Greece
The role of Regional Coordination Centers in addressing stability challenges in the European Power System
- Ms. Bojana Mihic, TenneT TSO B.V., Netherlands
Stability Aspects of Offshore Wind Integration
- Mr. Mario Dionisio, formerly DG Ener, European Commission
Energy Transition and Power System Stability: challenges and opportunities
Panel Session 7: Pushing the Boundaries of Real-Time Simulations for Validation of Future Complex Power Systems
The complexity of power systems is increasing with the fast emergence of active network controls, high penetrations of converter-connected generation, new digitization schemes, flexibility markets, and intelligent controls. At the same time, researchers and industrial practitioners have increasingly considered controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL), power hardware-in-the-loop (PHIL), and geographically distributed real-time simulation (GDRTS) for the real-time experimental validation of innovative schemes. However, to support the pace of transition required by climate policy commitments, there is a growing need to find novel techniques for real-time simulation and hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) experimentation that can characterize the intricate dependencies and interactions between control schemes and power technologies, and across integrated energy systems as they operate under a vastly greater range of operating conditions. This panel session focuses on the key challenges for the real-time simulation and validation of complex power systems, and presents the advancements that are pushing beyond existing limitations towards high fidelity, trusted validation of future grid solutions. The panelists will comprise a mix of real-time simulator manufacturers, internationally recognized academic researchers in real-time simulations and HIL approaches, and industrial adopters.
Moderators:
- Dr. Mazher Syed, University of Strathclyde, UK
- Dr. Thomas Strasser, Austrian Institute of Technology, Austria
Panelists
- Ms. Kati Sidwall, RTDS Technologies, Canada
Shaping Future Power Systems with Real-Time Simulation
- Dr. Alexandros Paspatis, National Technical University of Athens, Greece
Interface Algorithms for Power-Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation: Addressing the Stability and Accuracy Constraints
- Dr. Adrien Genic, Typhoon HIL, Serbia
Ultra High-Fidelity Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation for Microgrids and Electrical Distribution Networks
- Mr. Zhiwang Feng, University of Strathclyde, UK
Experiences with Next Generation Validation Methods for the Derisking of the Renewables Dominated Grids: Black Start
Panel Session 8: Control and Optimization of Microgrids with Hybrid & Hydrogen Energy Storage Systems: Challenges and Solutions
Future networks will incorporate a combination of microgrids and different types of renewable-based distributed energy resources (DERs), allowing them to provide ancillary services in grid-connected mode and, if necessary, operate in an islanded mode to increase network proactivity, continuity of supply, reliability, and resilience. Also, energy storage has become a critical issue in microgrid and residential building applications due to varying limitations such as capacity-loss over time and aging.
This panel covers all types of smart solutions that exploit microgrid optimisation under uncertainty, new probabilistic methods for managing microgrid energy management systems, including Hydrogen (H2) as one of the key energy vectors for long-term storage. A sub-topic considers innovative approaches to the analytical and simulation techniques for assessing the optimal operation and control of microgrids and DERs, while dispatching different ancillary services for the grid in a reliable and economical manner. The panel insight will also extend to self-optimizing control solutions of building microgrids for the integration in net-zero energy buildings, as well as electric mobility (vehicle-to-grid, V2G, or boat-to-grid, B2G) within maritime, island microgrids, or integrated port energy systems.
The scope includes the predictive maintenance and fault detection capabilities in hybrid (grid-connected and islanded) microgrids to ensure a smooth operation and maximize self-consumption of renewable energy intermittency through predictive control, artificial intelligence, machine learning and/or novel forecasting techniques.
Moderator:
Dr Ignacio Hernando Gil, ESTIA Institute of Technology (University of Bordeaux), France
Panelists
- Dr. Ignacio Hernando Gil, ESTIA Institute of Technology (University of Bordeaux), France
Quality of Supply and Uncertainty: Risk and Reliability Implications from DERs and Hybrid Microgrids
- Dr. Milan Prodanovic, Head of Electrical Systems Unit, IMDEA Energy Institute, Madrid, Spain
Battery storage systems for frequency and voltage support in microgrids
- Dr. Barry Hayes, University College Cork, Ireland
Grid Integration of DER, Energy Storage, and Microgrids: An Irish Perspective
- Dr. Sasa Djokic, The University of Edinburgh, UK
Deployment of Multi-Vector Mini-Grids in Africa: Some Results and Experiences from UK PACT RESILIENT Project
- Mr. Fahad Sarwar, H2Gremm, France
Design and Feasibility of Hydrogen-Based Hybrid Microgrids for LV Residential Services: A French Perspective from H2GREMM
- Dr. Daniela Yassuda Yamashita, Schneider Electric, France
Smart Architecture Enabling the Integration of Electric Vehicles to Buildings
Panel Session 9: Modelling of flexibility and DER integration for low-carbon communities
The launch of the EU European Union’s Clean Energy for All Europeans Package resulted in a major increase in public and research interest in energy communities. One of the goals is to involve citizens in the transition to a carbon-neutral future. This shift in how we consume and generate electricity has a significant impact on how the future distribution system must operate. Modelling this pathway as realistically as possible is a crucial but complex step. Many new aspects must be incorporated into the models, such as local markets and peer-to-peer trading, aggregators managing an energy community or even creating a virtual power plant to manage devices, the transition to e-mobility and alternative fuels, sector coupling, particularly with heating moving more toward electricity, and flexibility measures such as demand side response.
Moderator:
Dr. Lia Gruber, Graz University of Technology, Austria
Panelists
- Dr. Lia Gruber, Graz University of Technology, Austria
Optimizing energy communities: From autarky to self-consumption
- Dr. Matteo Troncia, Comillas Pontifical University, Spain
Local markets for energy communities: designing efficient markets and assessing the integration from the electricity system perspective
- Dr. Pedro Crespo del Granado, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway
Trends in Local electricity market designs: Emerging Business models and incentivizing Flexibility
- Dr. Ivana Kockar, University of Strathclyde, UK
Local Provision of Flexibility: approaches, challenges and solutions
Panel Session 10: The role of flexibility in enabling the energy transition
This panel will discuss recent innovations in the design, provision and activation of energy flexibility, and how it can be used to accelerate the ongoing energy transition. This is especially important in the context of increasing demand electrification (e.g. heat, transport) and the proliferation of variable renewable energy sources. More specifically, the panel will draw inspiration from activities carried out in the context of the IEA Annex 82 on Energy Flexible Buildings, as well as several large scale national and European projects. In doing so, the panel members will bring different perspectives on modelling and activating flexibility at different aggregation levels ranging from the electric distribution and transmission grid down to the building and appliance level. The discussion will also cover practical topics such as trade-offs in the choice of algorithms, flexible assets (electric batteries and vehicles to thermal loads), objective functions (risk stacking, value hopping) and constraints (local vs. grid-based), as well as the challenges that arise in real world projects.
Moderator:
Dr. Hussain Kazmi, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (KU Leuven), Belgium
Panelists
- Dr. Geert Deconinck, KU Leuven, Belgium
Stacking flexibility from batteries based on stochastic optimisation
- Dr. Jelena Ponocko, University of Manchester, UK
Assessing and managing demand-side flexibility for more sustainable power systems
- Dr. Vincent Debusschere, Grenoble-INP, France
Modelling and optimizing energy flexibility in the distribution grid
Panel Session 11: FLEXI-GRID – Enabling Flexibility for Future Distribution Grids with High Penetration of Variable Renewable Generation
FLEXI-GRID aims to digitalize the distribution grids to the end-customers level which will enhance the flexibility of distribution grids to ensure the security of supply and use flexibilities from the end-users while integrating large shares of variable renewables. This will be enabled by an IoT platform which supports different market designs for energy exchanges and flexibility provisions. The project has demonstration sites from Bulgaria, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey which allow the demonstration of the solutions of i) grid monitoring, control and flexibility intervention; ii) centralized markets for energy and flexibilities services; iii) blockchain based provision of flexibility services; iv) flexibility services provided by local battery energy storage, V2G and local renewable energy production.
This panel session will present the main development and demonstration results achieved so far, focusing on how flexibilities provision would work in real-life, the benefits and challenges.
Moderator:
Dr. Tuan Le, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Panelists
- Dr. Tuan Le, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
FLEXI-GRID: Introduction and main achievements
- Dr. Phuong Nguyen, Technical University of Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Enhancing grid flexibility with advanced monitoring, control, and flexibility intervention functionalities
- Dr. David Steen, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Grid controls and provision of flexibilities from distributed energy resources at Chalmers campus
- Dr. Thong Vu Van, EMAX, Belgium
A blockchain based peer-to-peer flexibility trading platform for the future DSOs
- Mr. Ibrahim İbrahim Gazioglu, OEDAS, Turkey
Intelligent EVs management platform and provisions of flexibilities from battery storage and V2G: DSO’s perspectives
Panel Session 12: The Economics of Decarbonization: Optimizing Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions Energy Systems
Decarbonization of the world economy is one of the grand challenges of the 21st century. Transitioning to net-zero emissions (NZE) energy systems by the middle of this century is at the center of this challenge. Achieving NZE milestone by 2050 requires a set of policies, technologies, and economic solutions to design realistic decarbonization targets that can be achieved under time and economic constraints. There is a wide range of transition pathways that can be adopted to achieve decarbonization targets. The adopted pathway, however, will directly impact the decarbonization timeline and economic variables for stakeholders in the process. Reaching these targets without considering the short-, medium-, and long-term economic costs and benefits of reaching and maintaining these targets can result in serious impediment to sustainability of NZE energy systems. Therefore, the economics of decarbonization should be incorporated in technological solutions to streamline their success. This panel intends to address this issue.
Moderator:
Dr. Ali Arab, University of Denver, USA
Panelists
- Dr. Vladimir Terzija, Skoltech, Russia
Technological Enablers and Data-driven Solutions for Decarbonization
- Dr. Murali Baggu, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), USA
Accelerating Clean Energy at Scale: Analysis and Technology Solutions
- Dr. Sonja Wogrin, Graz University of Technology, Austria
Economic Solutions for Optimizing Pathways to Net-Zero Emissions Energy Systems
- Dr. Dino Lelic, Quanta Technology, USA
The Economics of Decarbonization: A Power & Utilities Industry Perspective