Special sessions

The Art of Resilience: Engineering Economics of Climate Change Adaptation in Power & Energy Systems

Monday 23 October 2023 – 16h30-18h00 – Kilimandjaro 1-2

Climate change is one of the most complex issues of our time. It poses an increasing risk to our critical infrastructure and requires significant investment for upgrades, mitigation, and adaptation. Power grids in particular are expected to be highly stressed by these events, combined with an ever-increasing power demand, reduced operational capacity, and increased probability of system failures resulting in significant power outages. The physical, operational, and financial losses caused by climate-related events such as wildfires, heatwaves, and hurricanes can reach hundreds of billions of dollars, threatening the financial health and solvency of the utilities and local governments. In addition, they can significantly hinder the ability of utilities and infrastructure owners to recover, which can lead to dire consequences for shareholders, ratepayers, and policymakers. That requires to develop a wide range of innovative engineering solutions, financial mechanisms, and policy incentives to achieve the financial, operational, and physical resilience expected from a 21st century power infrastructure. This panel brings together four distinguished panelists to discuss this topic.

Moderated by: Ali Arabnya, Research Professor & Industry Advisory Board Member, University of Denver, USA

Panelists:

  1. Dr. Hong Chen, Principal Engineer, PJM Interconnection, “Grid Operation under extreme weather”
  2. Dr. Damir Novosel, Founder & President, Quanta Technology, USA, “Importance of Electrical System Resilience to Mitigate Impacts from and Adapt to Climate Change”
  3. Dr. Martha Symko-Davies, Laboratory Program Manager for Energy Systems Integration, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, USA, “Community driven equitable and resilient clean energy transitions – from flexible designs to implementation.”
  4. Dr. Vladimir Terzija, F.IEEE, F.Humboldt, Professor of Energy Systems and Networks, Newcastle University, UK, “On Data‐driven and technology supported solutions for future resilient energy systems”

Exploring the Role of Data Science in Overcoming Challenges of Sustainable Energy Transition

Monday 23 October 2023 – 16h30-18h00 – Kilimandjaro 3-4

The energy sector current scientific challenges, mostly linked to energy transition and digitalization, could benefit from the most recent developments in data science. With relevant use cases of invited papers proposing a range of presentations from academics and industrial partners (big companies and smaller start-ups), the idea is to illustrate major aspects of deep changes in the way energy systems have to be managed on operational and long-term planning perspectives. Data science, in relation to AI techniques, is one possible set of techniques that is able to propose solutions where more traditional methods are failing, because of the size of the new problems to solve, the uncertainty to consider when taking decisions, the ever-changing environment, etc.

Moderated by:  Vincent Debusschere, Assoc. Prof. Grenoble INP

Panelists:

  1. Rémy RIgo Mariani, CNRS Researcher, “Artificial intelligence for the management of energy systems, context and case studies”
  2. Mladen Kezunovic, Prof. at TAMU, USA, “The use of Big Data and ML/AI for predicting the risk of grid outages and DERs for improving the grid resilience”
  3. Hussain Syed Kazmi, Assist. Prof. KU Leuven Belgium, “Improving renewable forecasting or engaging distributed flexibility: opportunities and challenges in energy data science”
  4. Claude Le Pape-Gardeux, Schneider Electric France, “Data and Artificial Intelligence to Manage Energy Flexibility on the Demand Side”
  5. Mònica Aragüés Peñalba, Assoc. Prof. at UPC Barcelona, “Data driven services for distribution grids with increasing penetration of renewables. BD4OPEM H2020”
  6. Arturo Bretas, Senior Power Systems Research Engineer, PNNL, “Cross-Layered Physics-informed Machine Learning models for Cyber-Secure Distributed Energy Management Systems”

Intelligent applications for energy communities and storage applications

Tuesday 24 October 2023 – 8h30-10h00 – Kilimandjaro 1-2

Growing global environmental concerns have prompted a quest for more sustainable energy sources and more efficient methods of energy management. Since their utilization is on the rise, renewable energy sources have less of an impact on the conventional generation’s flexibility. The system must include new sources of flexibility, such as the demand flexibility provided by demand response programs and the use of storage. Together with distributed generation, demand response, and electric car management, distributed storage is a key component of effective local energy resource management, particularly in energy communities. Artificial intelligence (AI) offers potential answers to the difficult energy management issue in the current conditions. This panel discussion will concentrate on how to effectively use intelligent and/or AI-based solutions in both rural and urban energy areas. The interaction between members of energy communities and with outsider players is covered.

Moderated by: Prof. Bruno François (L2EP-Centrale Lille, France)

Panelists:

  1. Diva Alyssa Mustika (Ph.D. at Sween and Univ. Grenoble Alpes, France): “Optimization Methods for Renewable Energy Communities – Practical case with Sween”
  2. Prof. Zita Vale (Polytechnic Institute of Porto, Portugal): “Exploring the Potential of Artificial Intelligence for Sustainable Energy Communities”
  3. Cindy Paola Guzman, Postdoc Researcher, University of Lisbon (Portugal), ” Electric Vehicles Management for Carbon Neutrality in Europe: An overview and main innovations”
  4. Akhtar Hussain, Postdoc Researcher, University of Alberta (Canada), “Energy Allocation of Community Energy Storage System”
  5. Bas Kruimer, DNV: “Building the NextGen GridOps Real-time Data Machine”

Grid Decarbonization Challenges: Global Perspectives

Tuesday 24 October 2023 – 8h30-10h00 – Kilimandjaro 3-4

The urgent need for addressing climate change has driven the transformation of power systems worldwide, with a primary focus on decarbonization through the integration of renewable energy sources. Bringing together leading experts, this special session delves into the intricate challenges faced during the pursuit of grid decarbonization in Europe and across the globe, to shed light on these challenges and explore innovative solutions.

Moderated by:  Vincent Debusschere, Assoc. Prof. Grenoble INP |UGA

Panelists:

  1. Costas Vournas, Prof. National Technical University of Athens, “Challenges for Grid Stability and Security in a Decarbonized  Power System”
  2. Claire Lajoie Mazenc, Senior scientific counselor RTE / past president IEEE F/ CIGRE F, “Contribution to European decarbonization policies”
  3. Juan Carlos Montero, Utility CostaRica, “SG decarbonation in Costa Rica”
  4. Zhenyu (Henry) Huang, F.IEEE, Division Director, Argonne National Laboratory, “Grid Modernization for Clean Energy Transition”
  5. Lara Lapotnikoff, Business Development, envelio GmbH, “Intelligent grids for a sustainable future worldwide – Why the digital twin of the power grid is the fastest way to achieve the climate goals”

Powering System Flexibility in the Future Through Renewable Energy Sources (Conclusions of the Posytyf EU H2020 project)

Tuesday 24 October 2023 – 16h30-18h00 – Kilimandjaro 3-4

In the H2020 POSYTYF project https://posytyf-h2020.eu a new concept of Dynamic Virtual Power Plant (DVPP) has been 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). It facilitates grid integration of renewables without a specific need for electrochemical storage. This DVPP concept relies on advanced modeling and control methodologies. Generators of a DVPP are actuated via centralized controls for full performance and robustness or via decentralized controls to increase resilience, implementation, and operation. These control, modeling, and analysis methodologies will be discussed in this section along with their implementations in simulation and hardware in the loop.

Moderated by:  Bogdan Marinescu, Prof. Centrale Nantes, France

Panelists:

  1. Bogdan Marinescu, Prof, Ecole Centrale Nantes, France, “Dynamic Virtual Power Plant (DVPP) concept – coordination and decentralization in control of the DVPP renewable generators for grid ancillary services”
  2. Vinu Thomas, Assistant Prof., Ecole Centrale Nantes, France, “Hardware in the loop validation of DVPP controls”
  3. Oriol Gomis, Prof, Technical Univ. of Catalonia, Spain, “Modeling and analysis of modern power systems including DVPPs”
  4. Patrick Panciatici, Senior Scientific Advisor, RTE R&D Paris La Défence, France, “Energy transition: coordinating a large population of partially autonomous agents”

Smart Meters: the gateway to user-centric energy services

Wenesday 25 October 2023 – 8h30-10h00 – Kilimandjaro 1-2

Many European countries have already transitioned to or are in the process of deploying a fully connected and bidirectional metering infrastructure. This transformation in the energy metering and billing systems is the result of several years of European legislation. The aim of these efforts is to increase the overall efficiency of the system, liberalise the energy market and promote the active participation of consumers.

Unfortunately, the way in which intelligent metering infrastructures or “smart meters” are contributing towards the last goal, namely, the active participation of consumers, is still not clear nowadays. Even though the third energy package of the European Union already stated that “Member States shall ensure the implementation of intelligent metering systems that shall assist the active participation of consumers in the electricity supply market.” smart meters remain mostly as billing tools that only seem to provide tangible benefits to the upstream stakeholders, i.e., distribution and transmission system operators (DSO/TSO).
Given the current energy context and the goal of a user-centric energy transition set in the “Clean Energy for all European” package in 2019, it is important to shift the focus towards the direct benefits that end-users can reap from smart metering systems.

The aim of this panel is to discuss the challenges, developments and research opportunities in the following areas, where smart metering infrastructures can play a crucial role.

  1. Energy-as-a-service business models: Use of smart meters in new paradigms such as peer-to-peer trading in renewable and citizen energy communities, as well as tools for energy service providers (ESP) to measure and value users’ flexibility.
  2. Increasing energy efficiency and awareness: Characterisation of behind-the-meter consumption patterns, evaluation of flexibility potential without expensive sub-metering and close-to-real-time user feedback.
  3. Enhancing users’ trust in smart meters: Cybersecurity and privacy-preserving techniques to protect user data not only during storage and transmission but also when these data need to be processed by third parties.

Moderated by:  Emilio José Palacios-García. Postdoctoral Research Fellow, KU Leuven/EnergyVille

Panelists:

  1. Geert Deconinck. Full Professor at KU Leuven (Belgium), “Extending the Flemish Smart Meter for Privacy-Friendly Energy Trading”
  2. Nikolaos Efkarpidis. Software Product Manager at Secure Switzerland AG (Switzerland), “Smart Meter Applications – Main Concepts and Business Models”
  3. Barry Hayes. Associate Professor at University College Cork (Ireland), “User-centric Energy Services from Smart Meters: Research and Industry Experiences from Ireland.”
  4. Mustafa Mustafa Senior Lecturer, University of Manchester (UK), “Privacy-friendly Smart Meter Applications”
  5. Sandro Iacovella. Founder and CEO at ThermoVault (Belgium), “The Opportunities of Smart Metering for Energy Services Companies in the Residential Sector”

Contemporary and emergent methods for planning and analysis of distribution networks

Wenesday 25 October 2023 – 16h30-18h00 – Kilimandjaro 1-2

Widespread electrification will result in distribution networks becoming a crucial bottleneck on the path to a resilient and carbon-neutral power system, and new approaches must be developed to enable network planners to achieve net zero goals in a reliable, cost-effective, and timely manner. This Special Session will consider emerging challenges and options for distribution system planners, including novel planning frameworks, new AC/DC distribution architectures, climate and weather risks, and the necessity of ensuring a fair and just transition. This Special Session is sponsored by the IEEE Modern and Future Distribution System Planning Working Group (IEEE MFDSP WG).

Moderated by:  Matthew Deakin, Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow, Newcastle University

Panelists:

  1. Dr. Marie-Cecile Alvarez-Hérault, Associate Professor, Grenoble Institute of Technology, “Perspectives on distribution network planning practices in the context of a high penetration of distributed energy resources”
  2. Dr. Davis Montenegro, Technical Leader, EPRI, “Advancing Utility Business Models through dynamic Distribution Planning”
  3. Dr. Daniel Donaldson, Assistant Professor, University of Birmingham, UK, “Embedding Consideration of Weather and Climate Hazards in Distribution System Planning Processes”
  4. Barry Hayes, Associate Professor, University College Cork, Ireland, “Sharing the Grid: The Challenge of Fairness in Future Electricity Distribution Networks”
  5. Martha Symko-Davies, Senior Laboratory Program Manager, Energy Systems Integration, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, “Accelerate jurisdictions’ ambitions to energy transitions—future replicable models that achieve just, clean energy systems”