Cookies Policy
The website need some cookies and similar means to function. If you permit us, we will use those means to collect data on your visits for aggregated statistics to improve our service. Find out More
Accept Reject
  • Menu
About

About

I am a senior researcher at the Centre for Power and Energy and member of the Board of Directors of INESC TEC. My research areas are distributed electrical resources integration (renewable based electricity generation, electric vehicles, storage, etc.) in distribution and transmission grids, dynamic analysis of electrical systems, smart grids and energy efficiency.

Details

Details

  • Name

    Luís Seca
  • Role

    Member of the Executive Board
  • Since

    01st September 2002
019
Publications

2018

The challenges of estimating the impact of distributed energy resources flexibility on the TSO/DSO boundary node operating points

Authors
Silva, J; Sumaili, J; Bessa, RJ; Seca, L; Matos, M; Miranda, V;

Publication
COMPUTERS & OPERATIONS RESEARCH

Abstract
The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources characterized by a high degree of variability and uncertainty is a complex challenge for network operators that are obligated to ensure their connection while keeping the quality and security of supply. In order to deal with this variable behavior and forecast uncertainty, the distribution networks are equipped with flexible distributed energy resources capable of adjusting their operating point to avoid technical issues (voltage problems, congestion, etc.). Within this paradigm, the flexibility that, in fact, can be provided by such resources, needs to be estimated/forecasted up to the transmission network node (primary substation) and requires new tools for TSO/DSO coordination. This paper addresses this topic by developing a methodology capable of finding the flexibility area while taking into account the technical grid constraints. The proposed approach is based on the formulation of a single optimization problem which is run several times, according with the expected precision for the flexibility area estimation. To each optimization problem run, a different objective function belonging to a family of straight lines is assigned. This allows exploring the active and reactive power flow limits at the TSO/DSO boundary nodes - which define the flexibility area. The effectiveness of the proposed model has been evaluated on two test networks and the results suggest a step forward in the TSO/DSO coordination field. Nevertheless, further investigations to study the effect of assets with discrete control nature (e.g., on load tap changers - OLTC, capacitor banks) on the occurrence of disjoint flexibility areas should be carried.

2017

DESIGN AND CONTROL OF PARALLEL THREE PHASE VOLTAGE SOURCE INVERTERS IN LOW VOLTAGE AC MICROGRID

Authors
Margoum, E; Krami, N; Seca, L; Moreira, C; Mharzi, H;

Publication
ADVANCES IN ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC ENGINEERING

Abstract
Design and hierarchical control of three phase parallel Voltage Source Inverters are developed in this paper. The control scheme is based on synchronous reference frame and consists of primary and secondary control levels. The primary control consists of the droop control and the virtual output impedance loops. This control level is designed to share the active and reactive power correctly between the connected VSIs in order to avoid the undesired circulating current and overload of the connected VSIs. The secondary control is designed to clear the magnitude and the frequency deviations caused by the primary control. The control structure is validated through dynamics simulations. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of the control structure.

2016

Assessing DER flexibility in a German distribution network for different scenarios and degrees of controllability

Authors
Silva, A; Carvalho, L; Bessa, R; Sumaili, J; Seca, L; Schaarschmidt, G; Silva, J; Matos, M; Hermes, R;

Publication
IET Conference Publications

Abstract
This paper evaluates the flexibility provided by distributed energy resources (DER) in a real electricity distribution network in Germany. Using the Interval Constrained Power Flow (ICPF) tool, the maximum range of flexibility available at the primary substation was obtained for different operation scenarios. Three test cases were simulated, differing mainly in the considered level of renewable energy sources (RES) production. For each test case, the obtained results enabled the construction of flexibility areas that define, for a given operating point, the limits of feasible values for the active and reactive power that can be exchanged between the TSO and the DSO. Furthermore, the tool can also be used to evaluate the contribution from each type of DER to the overall distribution network flexibility.

2016

Control and Management Architectures

Authors
Matos, MA; Seca, L; Madureira, AG; Soares, FJ; Bessa, RJ; Pereira, J; Peças Lopes, J;

Publication
Smart Grid Handbook

Abstract

2016

EvolvDSO grid management tools to support TSO-DSO cooperation

Authors
Fonseca, N; Silva, J; Silva, A; Sumaili, J; Seca, L; Bessa, R; Pereira, J; Matos, M; Matos, P; Morais, AC; Caujolle, M; Sebastian Viana, M;

Publication
IET Conference Publications

Abstract
This paper presents two contributions developed in the framework of evolvDSO Project to support TSO-DSO cooperation. The Interval Constrained Interval Power Flow (ICPF) tool estimates the flexibility range at primary substations by aggregating the distribution network flexibility. The Sequential Optimal Power Flow (SOPF) tool defines a set of control actions that keep the active and reactive power flow within pre-agreed limits at primary substations level, by integrating different types of flexibility levers. Several study test cases were simulated using data of four real distribution networks from France and Portugal, with different demand/generation profiles and several degrees of flexibility.