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Publications

Publications by Clara Sofia Gouveia

2025

IMPROVED ADMS WITH AN OPERATOR FRIENDLY INTERFACE

Authors
Pereira, JC; Gouveia, CS; Portelinha, RK; Viegas, P; Simões, J; Silva, P; Dias, S; Rodrigues, A; Pereira, A; Faria, J; Pino, G;

Publication
IET Conference Proceedings

Abstract
The purpose of an Advanced Distribution Management System (ADMS) is to consolidate the key operational functions of a SCADA system, Outage management System (OMS) and Distribution Management System (DMS) into a unified platform. This includes several key functions: SCADA operation, incidents and outages management, teams and field works management including switching operations and advanced applications for network analysis and optimization. The new generation of ADMS also implements a predictive operation strategy to enhance real-time operator responsiveness. The innovative aspects related to the new generation of ADMS built on top of an open architecture will be presented in this paper. © The Institution of Engineering & Technology 2025.

2025

Local flexibility markets based on grid segmentation

Authors
Retorta, F; Mello, J; Gouveia, C; Silva, B; Villar, J; Troncia, M; Chaves Avila, JP;

Publication
UTILITIES POLICY

Abstract
Local flexibility markets are a promising solution to aid system operators in managing the network as it faces the growth of distributed resources and the resulting impacts on voltage control, among other factors. This paper presents and simulates a proposal for an intra-day local flexibility market based on grid segmentation. The design provides a market-based solution for distribution system operators (DSOs) to address near-real-time grid issues. The grid segmentation computes the virtual buses that represent each zone and the sensitivity indices that approximate the impact of activating active power flexibility in the buses within the zone. This approach allows DSOs to manage and publish their flexibility needs per zone and enables aggregators to offer flexibility by optimizing their resource portfolios per zone. The simulation outcomes allow for the assessment of market performance according to the number of zones computed and show that addressing overloading and voltage control through zonal approaches can be cost-effective and counterbalance minor errors compared to node-based approaches.

2025

Risk assessment of future power systems: Assuring resilience of electrification for decarbonization

Authors
Reiz, C; Gouveia, C; Bessa, RJ; Lopes, JP; Kezunovic, M;

Publication
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY GRIDS & NETWORKS

Abstract
Increased electrification of various critical infrastructures has been recognized as a key to achieving decarbonization targets worldwide. This creates a need to better understand the risks associated with future power systems and how such risks can be defined, assessed, and mitigated. This paper surveys prior work on power system risk assessment and management and explores the various approaches to risk definition, assessment, and mitigation. As a result, the paper proposes how future grid developments should be assessed in terms of risk causes, what methodology may be used to reduce the risk impacts, and how such approaches can increase grid resilience. While we attempt to generalize and classify various approaches to solving the problem of risk assessment and mitigation, we also provide examples of how specific approaches undertaken by the authors in the past may be expanded in the future to address the design and operation of the future electricity system to manage the risk more effectively. The importance of the metrics for risk assessment and methodology for quantification of risk reduction are illustrated through the examples. The paper ends with recommendations on addressing the risk and resilience of the electricity system in the future resilient implementation while achieving decarbonization goals through massive electrification.

2025

The Role of Flexibility Markets in Maintenance Scheduling of MV Networks

Authors
Tavares, B; Soares, F; Pereira, J; Gouveia, C;

Publication
2025 21ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE EUROPEAN ENERGY MARKET, EEM

Abstract
Flexibility markets are emerging across Europe to improve the efficiency and reliability of distribution networks. This paper presents a methodology that integrates local flexibility markets into network maintenance scheduling, optimizing the process by contracting flexibility to avoid technical issues under the topology defined to operate the network during maintenance. A meta-heuristic approach, Evolutionary Particle Swarm Optimization (EPSO), is used to determine the optimal network topology.

2024

Enhancing Power Distribution Protection: A Comprehensive Analysis of Renewable Energy Integration Challenges and Mitigation Strategies

Authors
Alves, E; Reiz, C; Melim, A; Gouveia, C;

Publication
IET Conference Proceedings

Abstract
The integration of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) imposes challenges to the operation of distribution networks. This paper conducts a systematic assessment of the impact of DER on distribution network overcurrent protection, considering the behavior of Inverter Based Resources (IBR) during faults in the coordination of medium voltage (MV) feeders' overcurrent protection. Through a detailed analysis of various scenarios, we propose adaptive protection solutions that enhance the reliability and resilience of distribution networks in the face of growing renewable energy integration. Results highlight the advantages of using adaptive protection over traditional methods and topology changes, and delve into current protection strategies, identifying limitations and proposing mitigation strategies. © The Institution of Engineering & Technology 2024.

2024

Reinforcement Learning Based Dispatch of Batteries

Authors
Benedicto, P; Silva, R; Gouveia, C;

Publication
2024 IEEE 22ND MEDITERRANEAN ELECTROTECHNICAL CONFERENCE, MELECON 2024

Abstract
Microgrids are poised to become the building blocks of the future control architecture of electric power systems. As the number of controllable points in the system grows exponentially, traditional control and optimization algorithms become inappropriate for the required operation time frameworks. Reinforcement learning has emerged as a potential alternative to carry out the real-time dispatching of distributed energy resources. This paper applies one of the continuous action-space algorithms, proximal policy optimization, to the optimal dispatch of a battery in a grid-connected microgrid. Our simulations show that, though suboptimal, RL presents some advantages over traditional optimization setups. Firstly, it can avoid the use of forecast data and presents a lower computational burden, therefore allowing for implementation in distributed control devices.

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