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Publications

Publications by Alexandre Lucas

2019

Modeling a Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage System for Power Grid Application Analysis

Authors
Rancilio, G; Lucas, A; Kotsakis, E; Fulli, G; Merlo, M; Delfanti, M; Masera, M;

Publication
Energies

Abstract
The interest in modeling the operation of large-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS) for analyzing power grid applications is rising. This is due to the increasing storage capacity installed in power systems for providing ancillary services and supporting nonprogrammable renewable energy sources (RES). BESS numerical models suitable for grid-connected applications must offer a trade-off, keeping a high accuracy even with limited computational effort. Moreover, they are asked to be viable in modeling for real-life equipment, and not just accurate in the simulation of the electrochemical section. The aim of this study is to develop a numerical model for the analysis of the grid-connected BESS operation; the main goal of the proposal is to have a test protocol based on standard equipment and just based on charge/discharge tests, i.e., a procedure viable for a BESS owner without theoretical skills in electrochemistry or lab procedures, and not requiring the ability to disassemble the BESS in order to test each individual component. The BESS model developed is characterized by an experimental campaign. The test procedure itself is framed in the context of this study and adopted for the experimental campaign on a commercial large-scale BESS. Once the model is characterized by the experimental parameters, it undergoes the verification and validation process by testing its accuracy in simulating the provision of frequency regulation. A case study is presented for the sake of presenting a potential application of the model. The procedure developed and validated is replicable in any other facility, due to the low complexity of the proposed experimental set. This could help stakeholders to accurately simulate several layouts of network services.

2019

Load Flexibility Forecast for DR Using Non-Intrusive Load Monitoring in the Residential Sector

Authors
Lucas, A; Jansen, L; Andreadou, N; Kotsakis, E; Masera, M;

Publication
Energies

Abstract
Demand response services and energy communities are set to be vital in bringing citizens to the core of the energy transition. The success of load flexibility integration in the electricity market, provided by demand response services, will depend on a redesign or adaptation of the current regulatory framework, which so far only reaches large industrial electricity users. However, due to the high contribution of the residential sector to electricity consumption, there is huge potential when considering the aggregated load flexibility of this sector. Nevertheless, challenges remain in load flexibility estimation and attaining data integrity while respecting consumer privacy. This study presents a methodology to estimate such flexibility by integrating a non-intrusive load monitoring approach to load disaggregation algorithms in order to train a machine-learning model. We then apply a categorization of loads and develop flexibility criteria, targeting each load flexibility amplitude with a corresponding time. Two datasets, Residential Energy Disaggregation Dataset (REDD) and Refit, are used to simulate the flexibility for a specific household, applying it to a grid balancing event request. Two algorithms are used for load disaggregation, Combinatorial Optimization, and a Factorial Hidden Markov model, and the U.K. demand response Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) program is used for market integration. Results show a maximum flexibility power of 200–245 W and 180–500 W for the REDD and Refit datasets, respectively. The accuracy metrics of the flexibility models are presented, and results are discussed considering market barriers.

2019

Design of experiments in the methodology for interoperability testing: Evaluating AMI message exchange

Authors
Andreadou N.; Lucas A.; Tarantola S.; Poursanidis I.;

Publication
Applied Sciences (Switzerland)

Abstract
Interoperability is a challenge for the realisation of smart grids. In this work, we apply the methodology for interoperability testing and the design of experiments developed at the Smart Grids Interoperability Laboratory of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission on a simple use case. The methodology is based on the Smart Grid Architecture Model (SGAM) of CEN/CENELEC/ETSI and includes the concept of Basic Application Profiles (BAP) and Basic Application Interoperability Profiles (BAIOP). The relevant elements of the methodology are the design of experiments and the sensitivity/uncertainty analysis, which can reveal the limits of a system under test and give valuable feedback about the critical conditions which do not guarantee interoperability. The design and analysis of experiments employed in the Joint Research Centre (JRC) methodology supply information about the crucial parameters that either lead to an acceptable system performance or to a failure of interoperability. The use case on which the methodology is applied describes the interaction between a data concentrator and one or more smart meters. Experimental results are presented that show the applicability of the methodology and the design of experiments in practice. The system is tested under different conditions by varying two parameters: the rate at which meter data are requested by the data concentrator and the number of smart meters connected to the data concentrator. With this use case example the JRC methodology is illustrated at work, and its effectiveness for testing interoperability of a system under stress conditions is highlighted.

2019

EV idle time estimation on charging infrastructure, comparing supervised machine learning regressions

Authors
Lucas A.; Barranco R.; Refa N.;

Publication
Energies

Abstract
The adoption of electric vehicles (EV) has to be complemented with the right charging infrastructure roll-out. This infrastructure is already in place in many cities throughout the main markets of China, EU and USA. Public policies are both taken at regional and/or at a city level targeting both EV adoption, but also charging infrastructure management. A growing trend is the increasing idle time over the years (time an EV is connected without charging), which directly impacts on the sizing of the infrastructure, hence its cost or availability. Such a phenomenon can be regarded as an opportunity but may very well undermine the same initiatives being taken to promote adoption; in any case it must be measured, studied, and managed. The time an EV takes to charge depends on its initial/final state of charge (SOC) and the power being supplied to it. The problem however is to estimate the time the EV remains parked after charging (idle time), as it depends on many factors which simple statistical analysis cannot tackle. In this study we apply supervised machine learning to a dataset from the Netherlands and analyze three regression algorithms, Random Forest, Gradient Boosting and XGBoost, identifying the most accurate one and main influencing parameters. The model can provide useful information for EV users, policy maker and network owners to better manage the network, targeting specific variables. The best performing model is XGBoost with an R 2 score of 60.32% and mean absolute error of 1.11. The parameters influencing the model the most are: The time of day in which the charging sessions start and the total energy supplied with 22.35%, 15.57% contribution respectively. Partial dependencies of variables and model performances are presented and implications on public policies discussed.

2013

Energy supply infrastructure LCA model for electric and hydrogen transportation systems

Authors
Lucas, A; Neto, RC; Silva, CA;

Publication
ENERGY

Abstract
Many transportation environmental life cycle analyses neglect the contribution of the energy supply infrastructures. In alternative light duty vehicle technologies, it has been shown through case studies that this can be a relevant factor. However, no model that can generalise the evaluation of energy and emissions from construction, maintenance and decommissioning of such infrastructure to analyse different scenarios currently exists. A model is proposed, focussing on electricity and on hydrogen supply through centralised steam methane reforming (H-2(a)) and on-site electrolysis (H-2(b)). The model outputs are in gCO(2eq)/MJ and MJ(eq)/MJ of the final energy. Model main inputs are the region's electricity mix, the annual distance driven, supply chain losses and the number of vehicles per station or chargers. The evaluation of the number of vehicles served per each charger/station as a function of annual distance driven is presented. The uncertainty is estimated by using the pedigree matrix, impact uncertainty and literature estimates. The model shows consistency in the results and uncertainty range. Charging policies that minimise the electricity infrastructure burden should incentivise approximately 37% of normal charging. H-2(a) pipeline lifetime should be extended. Efforts in the electrolyser should be undertaken to approximate the ratio of vehicles per station with a conventional one.

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