LEARNING OUTCOMES

Introduction to the basic aspects related to the operation and technical-economic management of energy production and distribution systems. Particular attention is paid to application examples and current energy scenarios at European and national level.

The course is focused on the current energy transition from fossil fuels to renewable sources. The architecture of the national electric power system is described by analyzing the main characteristics of electricity production, transmission and distribution systems. The evolution from centralized to distributed generation is highlighted and the main features of energy generation and storage systems are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to polygeneration microgrids (equipped with renewable power plants, high performance cogeneration and trigeneration units, storage batteries, flexible loads, etc.) and energy communities, taking into account the most recent EU and national policies related to energy markets and incentive mechanisms. The main tools used to design and manage the aforesaid energy infrastructures are described together with the basic economic and environmental indicators for the evaluation of the profitability of investments in the sustainable energy sector. Moreover, the role of electric mobility within these new energy scenarios is described and deeply analyzed.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

The main aim of the course is to enable students to acquire knowledge and methodologies of analysis for the study and management of production, distribution and storage energy systems, with particular attention to the field of renewable sources, microgrids, energy communities and energy markets, as well as electric mobility. The objective is the acquisition of knowledge on issues concerning complex structures such as the electrical system in order to make the student able to interact with specialists of technical sectors in working groups that operate in large Utilities or in energy management structures.

At the end of the course, students will have acquired useful skills in order to develop technical-economic analyses of the main energy systems that are at the basis of the current energy transition.

PREREQUISITES

Basic knowledge of mathematics and physics.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

• Basic concepts about the architecture of the national electric power system. Load diagrams. The national electrical balance.
• Electricity production power plants: fossil fuel and renewable power plants.
• Distributed generation and polygeneration microgrids: technological and operational management aspects.
• Electric mobility systems: main characteristics of vehicles and charging infrastructures.
• Economic definition of the operating point, dispatching of generation resources, continuity of service and management in normal, alert and emergency conditions.
• Electricity dispatching and functioning of the electricity market.
• Regulation services offered by energy production plants and other possible market players within the electrical power system.
• Description of the forms of incentives for energy production by renewable power plants and high performance cogeneration units, with reference also to energy communities: technological, economic and regulatory aspects.
• Analysis of business plans in the energy production sector: analysis of real case studies with calculation of economic indicators.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

Handouts and teaching materials provided by the teachers.

Books recommended by the teachers.