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Giovanni Tinè

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), INM - Institute of Marine Engineering, Researcher

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), CNR - ISSIA Istituto di Studi sui Sistemi Intelligenti per l'Automazione, Researcher

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Eng. Giovanni Tinè (male) Ph.D. in Electronic, Information Technology and Telecommunication Engineering (1994) from University of Palermo (Italy). He is at Institute of Intelligent System for Automation of Italian National Research Council (ISSIA-CNR) since 2000 as senior researcher. His main scientific interests are: electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), power-line communication in medium and low voltage systems, Intelligent Electronic Devices for Smart Grids, Distributed Measurement System for Smart Grids. His scientific activity is summarized in 100 papers published in national and international journals and presented in international and national conferences. He wrote also some research reports concerning his research activities for, 1 international patents with ST Microelectronics. (Citation 365, H-index 10, Scopus). He was scientific responsible of various projects funded by private and public subjects, also in partnership with SME.

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Papers by Giovanni Tinè

Arc Fault Detection Method Based on CZT Low-Frequency Harmonic Current Analysis

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2017

This paper presents a method for the detection of series arc faults in electrical circuits, which... more This paper presents a method for the detection of series arc faults in electrical circuits, which has been developed starting from an experimental characterization of the arc fault phenomenon and an arcing current study in several test conditions. Starting from this, the authors have found that is it possible to suitably detect arc faults by means of a high-resolution low-frequency harmonic analysis of current signal, based on chirp zeta transform, and a proper set of indicators. The proposed method effectiveness is shown by means of experimental tests, which were carried in both arcing and nonarcing conditions and in the presence of different loads, chosen according to the UL 1699 standard requirements.

LV Measurement Device Placement for Load Flow Analysis in MV Smart Grids

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2016

This paper deals with the issue of measurement device placement for load flow analysis in medium-... more This paper deals with the issue of measurement device placement for load flow analysis in medium-voltage (MV) distribution networks. The study is carried out using an innovative measurement algorithm for load flow analysis developed by the authors. It is based on low-voltage (LV) load power measurements applied on a backward/forward algorithm for the load flow resolution. The final aim is to identify the most suitable number and placement of the LV measurement points in order to limit the uncertainty on the power flow estimation to a target value. The proposed approach is based on the uncertainty evaluation of the estimated power flows; a sensitivity analysis is performed in order to assess the uncertainty contribution of each LV power measurement to the estimated power flow upstream of each MV feeder of the distribution network. The LV measurement device placement is presented and discussed in a real case study, i.e., the distribution network of the Ustica Island. Index Terms-Advanced metering infrastructure, load flow (LF) analysis, meter placement, power measurements, power quality analyzer (PQA), power system measurements, power system monitoring, smart grids. I. INTRODUCTION T HE INCREASING presence of distributed generation and energy storage systems, at both medium-voltage (MV) and low-voltage (LV) levels, is leading to important changes in the distribution network structure and management [1], [2]. The modern smart grids are characterized by bidirectional power flows and an increased number of monitoring, communication, and management systems and devices, which can guarantee many functionalities, such as voltage and frequency regulation, anti-islanding protection, fault location and isolation, service restoration, power quality monitoring, and system diagnostic [3], [4]. In this framework, a fundamental role of the smart grid monitoring system is the load flow (LF) analysis, which evaluates a lot of network electrical data, such as node voltages Manuscript

Power Line Communication in Medium Voltage Systems: Characterization of MV Cables

IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 2008

Abstract The aim of this paper is to illustrate the development of a theoretical and experimental... more

Li-ion Battery Modeling and State of Charge Estimation Method Including the Hysteresis Effect

Electronics, 2019

In this paper, a new approach to modeling the hysteresis phenomenon of the open circuit voltage (... more In this paper, a new approach to modeling the hysteresis phenomenon of the open circuit voltage (OCV) of lithium-ion batteries and estimating the battery state of charge (SoC) is presented. A characterization procedure is proposed to identify the battery model parameters, in particular, those related to the hysteresis phenomenon and the transition between charging and discharging conditions. A linearization method is used to obtain a suitable trade-off between the model accuracy and a low computational cost, in order to allow the implementation of SoC estimation on common hardware platforms. The proposed characterization procedure and the model effectiveness for SoC estimation are experimentally verified using a real grid-connected storage system. A mixed algorithm is adopted for SoC estimation, which takes into account both the traditional Coulomb counting method and the developed model. The experimental comparison with the traditional approach and the obtained results show the fea...

Electromagnetic immunity of a portable data acquisition system

Proc. XVII IMEKO World Congr. Metrol. 3rd …, 2003

In the paper the performance of a portable data acquisition system under radiated electromagnetic... more In the paper the performance of a portable data acquisition system under radiated electromagnetic disturbances is investigated, in order to find out if and how its peculiar characteristics change with respect to the ones measured in absence of electromagnetic field. The analysis is carried out by means of experimental tests, subjecting the system under test to the threats considered by the IEC-61326 standard and following the test procedures prescribed in the IEC-61000-4-3 standard. The results show that the electromagnetic influence can lead to a worsening of the tested data acquisition system features.

A Resilient Distributed Measurement System for Smart Grid Application

Communications in Computer and Information Science, 2020

Since the production of energy from renewable energy sources is strongly increasing, the migratio... more Since the production of energy from renewable energy sources is strongly increasing, the migration from the classical electric grid toward the smart grid is becoming a reality. Distribution System Operators, along with the control of the entire network and its stability, need to address the security and the reliability of the communication channels and the data itself. In this paper a solution is proposed to address these issues. It is based on a distributed measurement system that relies on a wireless network as well as a redundant Power Line communication system in order to transfer the electrical measures to a centralized SCADA server. The collected data are used to run a power flow algorithm in order to give the operator the whole picture of the network energy flow and to suggest specific actions aimed to keep the electricity network stable. An external computational layer has the role to check and validate the data collected using different approaches, in order to avoid that a malicious alteration of data tricks the operator into performing an incorrect action on the electrical network

A Line Impedance Calculator Based on a G3 PLC Modem Platform

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2022

Power line communication (PLC) is one of the most today used technologies for both automatic mete... more Power line communication (PLC) is one of the most today used technologies for both automatic meter reading and many other smart grid applications. In this framework, a characterization of the electrical network in the PLC frequency range is needed in terms of impedance measurement and received signal level. This can allow choosing the most suitable and less noisy frequency ranges for PLC transmission. Usually, these characterization measurements are performed with dedicated instrumentation and in the absence of mains voltage. This article wants to propose an alternative solution, which allows these kinds of measurements to be performed using electronic boards currently used as on-field applications, such as smart meters. To this aim, an innovative measurement tool is proposed, which does not need a specific characterization signal to be injected because it uses the preamble of a generic PLC transmission. Moreover, the impedance calculation is performed using an FFT analysis, which d...

A simplified approach for load flow analysis in MV smart grids based on LV power measurements

2017 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), 2017

This paper presents a simplified approach for load flow analysis in medium voltage (MV) distribut... more This paper presents a simplified approach for load flow analysis in medium voltage (MV) distribution networks. It is a power summation Backward/Forward (B/F) algorithm, based on measurements of active and reactive powers at low voltage (LV) side of MV/LV distribution substations. The proposed solution allows achieving good accuracy, computational efficiency and fast convergence. In order to verify the algorithm performances, simulation studies are carried out in the case of a real test system, i.e. the distribution grid of Favignana Island (Mediterranean Sea, Italy). The compatibility between simulations results and power measurements at the MV bus bars of the generating substation shows the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

NB PLC and Software Defined Networking for Smart Grid Applications

2017 IEEE International Workshop on Applied Measurements for Power Systems (AMPS), 2017

During the last years, the installation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the expected d... more During the last years, the installation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the expected diffusion of Electrical Vehicles (EVs), is increasing the complexity of the distribution grid, making the management of the grid operated by Distribution System Operators (DSOs) more difficult. The Smart Grid approach tries to provide a response to these troubles, by means of a strong interaction between the power grid and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructures. The drawback of this approach is an increase in the management effort of the ICT infrastructures, for which the DSO are not prepared. Software Defined Networking (SDN) is an approach developed to manage complex ICT infrastructures of datacenters, and its main target is to simplify the network configuration and management. The Smart Grid could benefit from the use of an SDN approach for the management of the communication infrastructure, as highlighted from previous research works. The target of this paper is to present a real case application of the SDN technology for the management of DERs over the distribution grid. The communication between electrical devices placed along the power grid and the secondary substations is provided by using Modbus RTU protocol over narrowband power line communication (NB-PLC). The preliminary characterization highlights that the Round Trip Time (RTT) on NB-PLC segment is affected by the used frequency band and by the modulation scheme. In the worst case (i.e., transmission at 72 kHz and a BPSK coded modulation, for a total data rate of 4.9 kb/s), the RTT is in the order of 140 ms, compatible with the requirements of the application.

IEEE Std. 1459 power quantities ratio approaches for simplified harmonic emissions assessment

2018 18th International Conference on Harmonics and Quality of Power (ICHQP), 2018

The paper investigates the suitability of using power ratio parameters for harmonic emissions ass... more The paper investigates the suitability of using power ratio parameters for harmonic emissions assessment at the point of common coupling (PCC). The study is carried out starting from the IEEE Std. 1459-2010 apparent power decomposition, where power factors are defined for evaluating line utilization and harmonic pollution levels. In addition, the study investigates the behavior of new parameters, which are expressed in terms of ratio between IEEE Std. 1459-2010 power quantities. The study is carried out for both single-phase and three-phase case, also considering the presence of capacitors.

Implementation of a Management System for Prosumer Energy Storage Scheduling in Smart Grids

2020 IEEE 20th Mediterranean Electrotechnical Conference ( MELECON), 2020

Scheduling of energy storage systems of distributed generation is a key element for optimal renew... more Scheduling of energy storage systems of distributed generation is a key element for optimal renewable energy sources (RES) exploitation in smart grids, demand side response strategies implementation and prosumers interaction with Distribution System Operators (DSOs). In this context, this paper presents the implementation of a management system for energy storage scheduling, which allows taking appropriate account of the storage system behavior in real cases. To properly consider the real system operation, the employed battery model is modified, in order to include also the hysteresis phenomena in state of charge estimation in both charging and discharging operation. The validation of the proposed methodology is supported by experimental tests which allow comparing two different battery models. The obtained results show that better results can be obtained with the model including the hysteresis effect.

An Experimental Characterization of Time of Arrival Accuracy for Time Synchronization of Medium Voltage Smart Grid Solutions

2019 IEEE 10th International Workshop on Applied Measurements for Power Systems (AMPS), 2019

The time synchronization of smart grid devices is a critical feature for the successful applicati... more The time synchronization of smart grid devices is a critical feature for the successful application of advanced grid monitoring and control techniques. Synchronization mechanisms based on the accurate estimation of the Time of Arrival (ToA) of network messages - sent over power line cables - are a promising solution to achieve synchronization tasks over distribution lines. In this paper, a chirp-based synchronization technique over the Medium Voltage (MV) grid has been proposed and characterized. Such approach has the benefit of not requiring the installation of a dedicated infrastructure, thanks to the exploitation of power distribution lines for the transmission of time synchronization data. The effectiveness of the approach has been experimentally evaluated on a simplified MV line available in a testing laboratory. Although, the tested chirp has a limited frequency bandwidth (80 kHz), the maximum variation of the ToA estimation is on the order of 3.5 µs, which fulfills the requir...

A PLC based monitoring and remote control architecture for Distributed Generation and Storage systems in LV smart grids

2021 IEEE 6th International Forum on Research and Technology for Society and Industry (RTSI), 2021

(Abstract) This paper proposes a new power line communication (PLC) architecture for monitoring a... more (Abstract) This paper proposes a new power line communication (PLC) architecture for monitoring and remote control of Distributed Generators (DG) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) connected to low voltage distribution networks. The final aim is to improve the performance of the PLC link in terms of robustness and efficiency in devices addressing. The proposed solution is based on a concentrator, to be installed in secondary substation, and a new PLC bridge, to be linked both to inverters and interface protection systems of DGs or ESSs. In this way, a communication link is obtained between distribution system operator (DSO) and DG or ESS owners. The proposed system is able to provide advanced functions for the remote control of DGs and ESSs inverters, not only in terms of remote disconnection but also in terms of adjusting the inverter operating modes.

Measurement uncertainty impact on simplified load flow analysis in MV smart grids

2018 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), 2018

This work is focused on the measurement uncertainty impact on load flow analysis in medium voltag... more This work is focused on the measurement uncertainty impact on load flow analysis in medium voltage (MV) distribution networks. In more detail, the paper presents the uncertainty evaluation of a simplified load flow algorithm, which is based on the load power measurements at each secondary substation and one voltage measurement at the slack bus (i.e. the voltage at the MV bus bars of the primary substation). To reduce the costs of the monitoring system, the load flow algorithm makes use of LV load power measurements for all the substations except those of MV users, where MV transducers are usually already installed. The uncertainties on the algorithm input quantities (load powers and slack bus voltage) are calculated, considering the actual values of the loads power factors and currents and the accuracy specifications of the measurement instruments installed in the distribution network. Starting from the input quantities uncertainties, the power flows uncertainties are obtained applying the Monte Carlo analysis. The analysis is carried out on a real test system, i.e. the distribution network of Favignana Island. The compatibility is also shown between the algorithm power flow estimations and the power measurements.

Metrological performances of voltage and current instrument transformers in harmonics measurements

2018 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), 2018

In the new electrical system scenario, the increasing presence of non-linear loads and renewable ... more In the new electrical system scenario, the increasing presence of non-linear loads and renewable energy sources makes the measurement of harmonics an essential task. The accuracy of harmonic measurement firstly depends on the used instrument transformers for voltage and current sensing. Since the behavior of instrument transformers in non-sinusoidal conditions is not always well defined, this paper presents an experimental study on the metrological performances of current and voltage instrument transformers (CTs and VTs) in the presence of harmonics. Proper tests procedures are defined and measurement setups are developed for both CTs and VTs calibration. The analysis is carried out by using test waveforms composed of a fundamental and one harmonic component. The harmonic ratio and phase errors are evaluated; the distortion effects on the errors on the fundamental component measurement are also investigated. The obtained results show how the metrological performances in harmonics measurement are influenced by both amplitude and phase shift of the harmonics.

Measurement Uncertainty of Harmonic Emission Indicators based on IEEE Std. 1459-2010

2020 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), 2020

The study presented in this paper is aimed at analyzing the measurement uncertainty impact on the... more The study presented in this paper is aimed at analyzing the measurement uncertainty impact on the evaluation of some power ratio parameters for harmonic emissions assessment based on IEEE Std. 1459-2010 apparent power decomposition. In addition to power factors for line utilization and harmonic pollution levels evaluation defined in the Standard, the study covers also some new parameters, which have been introduced by the authors as IEEE Std. 1459-2010 power quantities ratios. The measurement of the aforesaid parameters is implemented on a PC-based wattmeter, in order to investigate the measurement uncertainty impact on the evaluation of the power ratios. The obtained results show that, in comparison with IEEE Std. 1459-2010 indicator for harmonic pollution level, better results can be reached with the new power ratios, whose behavior is more similar to the traditional power factors.

Comparison of two different approaches for harmonic distortion sources assessment

2021 IEEE 11th International Workshop on Applied Measurements for Power Systems (AMPS), 2021

The paper focuses the attention on the comparison of two approaches for power quality assessment ... more The paper focuses the attention on the comparison of two approaches for power quality assessment in the electric grid. Both approaches are suitable for investigating the harmonic pollution source and discovering if the harmonic source comes from the customer or the utility grid. The two approaches have the same purpose but they are deeply different. The first approach is based on the knowledge of the customer and utility equivalent impedance while the second is based on single point measurement at point of common coupling PCC. In this paper, the advantages and drawbacks of the two approaches are investigated also supported by a case study.

Design of a Time Dissemination System using Chirp Modulation for Medium Voltage Smart Grid Applications

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2020

System-level mixed-criticality design aims at reducing production cost and enhancing resource eff... more System-level mixed-criticality design aims at reducing production cost and enhancing resource efficiency. This paper studies the technology of integrating mixed-criticality avionics traffics for Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet (AFDX) network, which can transmit both critical and non-critical traffics. These two traffics have different QoS requirements, such as low latency for critical traffics and high bandwidth for non-critical traffics. We use system-level compositional scheduling to integrate mixed-criticality traffics into one network to enhance the scalability of AFDX network. In the architecture of the proposed compositional scheduling, critical traffics are scheduled by bandwidth allocation gap-based scheduler, and non-critical traffics by Round Robin manner. To estimate the delay bound meeting requirements of applications, end-to-end delay for both critical and non-critical traffics are analyzed by using network calculus. Finally, a true time-based simulation of AFDX networks is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. INDEX TERMS Avionics full-duplex switched ethernet (AFDX), mixed-criticality, end-to-end delay, network calculus.

Real-Time Power Flow Monitoring and Control System for Microgrids Integration in Islanded Scenarios

IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 2019

This paper presents an enhanced system for real time power flow monitoring and control (PFMC) for... more This paper presents an enhanced system for real time power flow monitoring and control (PFMC) for microgrids integration in medium voltage (MV) distribution networks. The developed solution includes both system architecture and monitoring and control algorithms and it has low implementation and installation costs. It is based on the use of hardware and software solutions previously proposed by the authors, i.e. a distributed measurement, control and communication architecture and a Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) software, which have been enhanced and integrated for the considered application. The SCADA implements a load flow (LF) algorithm for real time power flows estimation in MV network branches, based only on load powers measurements at low voltage (LV) level. The system architecture includes new devices specifically designed for distributed generators (DGs) and energy storage systems (ESSs) remote control. The algorithm implemented on the developed PFMC system has been enhanced by including a real-time verification of LF results, which allows detecting devices unavailability or malfunction occurrence. The PFMC has been implemented in the islanded scenario of the MV distribution network of Ustica Island (Mediterranean Sea) and it has been verified experimentally, in a measurement campaign of one year. In order to deal with different scenarios of DGs/ESSs presence in the microgrid, different operating conditions were reproduced during the measurement campaign, including the case of power flow inversion; such conditions have been obtained by means of an ad-hoc developed on-field DG emulator which was remotely controlled by the SCADA system.

Characterization of IP-Based Communication for Smart Grid Using Software-Defined Networking

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2018

The smart grid (SG) approach is based on a strong interaction between the network communication i... more The smart grid (SG) approach is based on a strong interaction between the network communication infrastructure and the power grid. Usually the management of the infrastructure is done by the distribution system operators (DSOs) that are worried about the increasing managing complexity due to the presence of increasing number of distributed energy resources and electrical vehicles. The use of software-defined networking (SDN) may simplify the network configuration and management for DSO, as highlighted from previous research works. The objective of this paper is to introduce and characterize an internet protocol (IP)-based communication architecture with specialized SDN bridges operating also over narrowband power line communication (PLC) to reach the last mile applications (e.g., smart meters and inverters). The feasibility of this approach depends on the communication performance of the supervisory level used to dynamically configure the SDN bridges. The characterization of this level is done using the following performance indicators: the round trip time (RTT), the packet loss (PL) ratio, and the actual IP throughput. The experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed architecture, since the limitations are given only by the physical implementation of the PLC modem. In detail, results of the case study show that the minimum RTT is on the order of 30 ms, the PL ratio is always less than 1.7% and the maximum throughput is of 95 Mbit/s, fully compatible with the requirements of the applications.

Arc Fault Detection Method Based on CZT Low-Frequency Harmonic Current Analysis

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2017

This paper presents a method for the detection of series arc faults in electrical circuits, which... more This paper presents a method for the detection of series arc faults in electrical circuits, which has been developed starting from an experimental characterization of the arc fault phenomenon and an arcing current study in several test conditions. Starting from this, the authors have found that is it possible to suitably detect arc faults by means of a high-resolution low-frequency harmonic analysis of current signal, based on chirp zeta transform, and a proper set of indicators. The proposed method effectiveness is shown by means of experimental tests, which were carried in both arcing and nonarcing conditions and in the presence of different loads, chosen according to the UL 1699 standard requirements.

LV Measurement Device Placement for Load Flow Analysis in MV Smart Grids

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2016

This paper deals with the issue of measurement device placement for load flow analysis in medium-... more This paper deals with the issue of measurement device placement for load flow analysis in medium-voltage (MV) distribution networks. The study is carried out using an innovative measurement algorithm for load flow analysis developed by the authors. It is based on low-voltage (LV) load power measurements applied on a backward/forward algorithm for the load flow resolution. The final aim is to identify the most suitable number and placement of the LV measurement points in order to limit the uncertainty on the power flow estimation to a target value. The proposed approach is based on the uncertainty evaluation of the estimated power flows; a sensitivity analysis is performed in order to assess the uncertainty contribution of each LV power measurement to the estimated power flow upstream of each MV feeder of the distribution network. The LV measurement device placement is presented and discussed in a real case study, i.e., the distribution network of the Ustica Island. Index Terms-Advanced metering infrastructure, load flow (LF) analysis, meter placement, power measurements, power quality analyzer (PQA), power system measurements, power system monitoring, smart grids. I. INTRODUCTION T HE INCREASING presence of distributed generation and energy storage systems, at both medium-voltage (MV) and low-voltage (LV) levels, is leading to important changes in the distribution network structure and management [1], [2]. The modern smart grids are characterized by bidirectional power flows and an increased number of monitoring, communication, and management systems and devices, which can guarantee many functionalities, such as voltage and frequency regulation, anti-islanding protection, fault location and isolation, service restoration, power quality monitoring, and system diagnostic [3], [4]. In this framework, a fundamental role of the smart grid monitoring system is the load flow (LF) analysis, which evaluates a lot of network electrical data, such as node voltages Manuscript

Power Line Communication in Medium Voltage Systems: Characterization of MV Cables

IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, 2008

Abstract The aim of this paper is to illustrate the development of a theoretical and experimental... more

Li-ion Battery Modeling and State of Charge Estimation Method Including the Hysteresis Effect

Electronics, 2019

In this paper, a new approach to modeling the hysteresis phenomenon of the open circuit voltage (... more In this paper, a new approach to modeling the hysteresis phenomenon of the open circuit voltage (OCV) of lithium-ion batteries and estimating the battery state of charge (SoC) is presented. A characterization procedure is proposed to identify the battery model parameters, in particular, those related to the hysteresis phenomenon and the transition between charging and discharging conditions. A linearization method is used to obtain a suitable trade-off between the model accuracy and a low computational cost, in order to allow the implementation of SoC estimation on common hardware platforms. The proposed characterization procedure and the model effectiveness for SoC estimation are experimentally verified using a real grid-connected storage system. A mixed algorithm is adopted for SoC estimation, which takes into account both the traditional Coulomb counting method and the developed model. The experimental comparison with the traditional approach and the obtained results show the fea...

Electromagnetic immunity of a portable data acquisition system

Proc. XVII IMEKO World Congr. Metrol. 3rd …, 2003

In the paper the performance of a portable data acquisition system under radiated electromagnetic... more In the paper the performance of a portable data acquisition system under radiated electromagnetic disturbances is investigated, in order to find out if and how its peculiar characteristics change with respect to the ones measured in absence of electromagnetic field. The analysis is carried out by means of experimental tests, subjecting the system under test to the threats considered by the IEC-61326 standard and following the test procedures prescribed in the IEC-61000-4-3 standard. The results show that the electromagnetic influence can lead to a worsening of the tested data acquisition system features.

A Resilient Distributed Measurement System for Smart Grid Application

Communications in Computer and Information Science, 2020

Since the production of energy from renewable energy sources is strongly increasing, the migratio... more Since the production of energy from renewable energy sources is strongly increasing, the migration from the classical electric grid toward the smart grid is becoming a reality. Distribution System Operators, along with the control of the entire network and its stability, need to address the security and the reliability of the communication channels and the data itself. In this paper a solution is proposed to address these issues. It is based on a distributed measurement system that relies on a wireless network as well as a redundant Power Line communication system in order to transfer the electrical measures to a centralized SCADA server. The collected data are used to run a power flow algorithm in order to give the operator the whole picture of the network energy flow and to suggest specific actions aimed to keep the electricity network stable. An external computational layer has the role to check and validate the data collected using different approaches, in order to avoid that a malicious alteration of data tricks the operator into performing an incorrect action on the electrical network

A Line Impedance Calculator Based on a G3 PLC Modem Platform

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2022

Power line communication (PLC) is one of the most today used technologies for both automatic mete... more Power line communication (PLC) is one of the most today used technologies for both automatic meter reading and many other smart grid applications. In this framework, a characterization of the electrical network in the PLC frequency range is needed in terms of impedance measurement and received signal level. This can allow choosing the most suitable and less noisy frequency ranges for PLC transmission. Usually, these characterization measurements are performed with dedicated instrumentation and in the absence of mains voltage. This article wants to propose an alternative solution, which allows these kinds of measurements to be performed using electronic boards currently used as on-field applications, such as smart meters. To this aim, an innovative measurement tool is proposed, which does not need a specific characterization signal to be injected because it uses the preamble of a generic PLC transmission. Moreover, the impedance calculation is performed using an FFT analysis, which d...

A simplified approach for load flow analysis in MV smart grids based on LV power measurements

2017 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), 2017

This paper presents a simplified approach for load flow analysis in medium voltage (MV) distribut... more This paper presents a simplified approach for load flow analysis in medium voltage (MV) distribution networks. It is a power summation Backward/Forward (B/F) algorithm, based on measurements of active and reactive powers at low voltage (LV) side of MV/LV distribution substations. The proposed solution allows achieving good accuracy, computational efficiency and fast convergence. In order to verify the algorithm performances, simulation studies are carried out in the case of a real test system, i.e. the distribution grid of Favignana Island (Mediterranean Sea, Italy). The compatibility between simulations results and power measurements at the MV bus bars of the generating substation shows the effectiveness of the proposed solution.

NB PLC and Software Defined Networking for Smart Grid Applications

2017 IEEE International Workshop on Applied Measurements for Power Systems (AMPS), 2017

During the last years, the installation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the expected d... more During the last years, the installation of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) and the expected diffusion of Electrical Vehicles (EVs), is increasing the complexity of the distribution grid, making the management of the grid operated by Distribution System Operators (DSOs) more difficult. The Smart Grid approach tries to provide a response to these troubles, by means of a strong interaction between the power grid and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructures. The drawback of this approach is an increase in the management effort of the ICT infrastructures, for which the DSO are not prepared. Software Defined Networking (SDN) is an approach developed to manage complex ICT infrastructures of datacenters, and its main target is to simplify the network configuration and management. The Smart Grid could benefit from the use of an SDN approach for the management of the communication infrastructure, as highlighted from previous research works. The target of this paper is to present a real case application of the SDN technology for the management of DERs over the distribution grid. The communication between electrical devices placed along the power grid and the secondary substations is provided by using Modbus RTU protocol over narrowband power line communication (NB-PLC). The preliminary characterization highlights that the Round Trip Time (RTT) on NB-PLC segment is affected by the used frequency band and by the modulation scheme. In the worst case (i.e., transmission at 72 kHz and a BPSK coded modulation, for a total data rate of 4.9 kb/s), the RTT is in the order of 140 ms, compatible with the requirements of the application.

IEEE Std. 1459 power quantities ratio approaches for simplified harmonic emissions assessment

2018 18th International Conference on Harmonics and Quality of Power (ICHQP), 2018

The paper investigates the suitability of using power ratio parameters for harmonic emissions ass... more The paper investigates the suitability of using power ratio parameters for harmonic emissions assessment at the point of common coupling (PCC). The study is carried out starting from the IEEE Std. 1459-2010 apparent power decomposition, where power factors are defined for evaluating line utilization and harmonic pollution levels. In addition, the study investigates the behavior of new parameters, which are expressed in terms of ratio between IEEE Std. 1459-2010 power quantities. The study is carried out for both single-phase and three-phase case, also considering the presence of capacitors.

Implementation of a Management System for Prosumer Energy Storage Scheduling in Smart Grids

2020 IEEE 20th Mediterranean Electrotechnical Conference ( MELECON), 2020

Scheduling of energy storage systems of distributed generation is a key element for optimal renew... more Scheduling of energy storage systems of distributed generation is a key element for optimal renewable energy sources (RES) exploitation in smart grids, demand side response strategies implementation and prosumers interaction with Distribution System Operators (DSOs). In this context, this paper presents the implementation of a management system for energy storage scheduling, which allows taking appropriate account of the storage system behavior in real cases. To properly consider the real system operation, the employed battery model is modified, in order to include also the hysteresis phenomena in state of charge estimation in both charging and discharging operation. The validation of the proposed methodology is supported by experimental tests which allow comparing two different battery models. The obtained results show that better results can be obtained with the model including the hysteresis effect.

An Experimental Characterization of Time of Arrival Accuracy for Time Synchronization of Medium Voltage Smart Grid Solutions

2019 IEEE 10th International Workshop on Applied Measurements for Power Systems (AMPS), 2019

The time synchronization of smart grid devices is a critical feature for the successful applicati... more The time synchronization of smart grid devices is a critical feature for the successful application of advanced grid monitoring and control techniques. Synchronization mechanisms based on the accurate estimation of the Time of Arrival (ToA) of network messages - sent over power line cables - are a promising solution to achieve synchronization tasks over distribution lines. In this paper, a chirp-based synchronization technique over the Medium Voltage (MV) grid has been proposed and characterized. Such approach has the benefit of not requiring the installation of a dedicated infrastructure, thanks to the exploitation of power distribution lines for the transmission of time synchronization data. The effectiveness of the approach has been experimentally evaluated on a simplified MV line available in a testing laboratory. Although, the tested chirp has a limited frequency bandwidth (80 kHz), the maximum variation of the ToA estimation is on the order of 3.5 µs, which fulfills the requir...

A PLC based monitoring and remote control architecture for Distributed Generation and Storage systems in LV smart grids

2021 IEEE 6th International Forum on Research and Technology for Society and Industry (RTSI), 2021

(Abstract) This paper proposes a new power line communication (PLC) architecture for monitoring a... more (Abstract) This paper proposes a new power line communication (PLC) architecture for monitoring and remote control of Distributed Generators (DG) and Energy Storage Systems (ESS) connected to low voltage distribution networks. The final aim is to improve the performance of the PLC link in terms of robustness and efficiency in devices addressing. The proposed solution is based on a concentrator, to be installed in secondary substation, and a new PLC bridge, to be linked both to inverters and interface protection systems of DGs or ESSs. In this way, a communication link is obtained between distribution system operator (DSO) and DG or ESS owners. The proposed system is able to provide advanced functions for the remote control of DGs and ESSs inverters, not only in terms of remote disconnection but also in terms of adjusting the inverter operating modes.

Measurement uncertainty impact on simplified load flow analysis in MV smart grids

2018 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), 2018

This work is focused on the measurement uncertainty impact on load flow analysis in medium voltag... more This work is focused on the measurement uncertainty impact on load flow analysis in medium voltage (MV) distribution networks. In more detail, the paper presents the uncertainty evaluation of a simplified load flow algorithm, which is based on the load power measurements at each secondary substation and one voltage measurement at the slack bus (i.e. the voltage at the MV bus bars of the primary substation). To reduce the costs of the monitoring system, the load flow algorithm makes use of LV load power measurements for all the substations except those of MV users, where MV transducers are usually already installed. The uncertainties on the algorithm input quantities (load powers and slack bus voltage) are calculated, considering the actual values of the loads power factors and currents and the accuracy specifications of the measurement instruments installed in the distribution network. Starting from the input quantities uncertainties, the power flows uncertainties are obtained applying the Monte Carlo analysis. The analysis is carried out on a real test system, i.e. the distribution network of Favignana Island. The compatibility is also shown between the algorithm power flow estimations and the power measurements.

Metrological performances of voltage and current instrument transformers in harmonics measurements

2018 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), 2018

In the new electrical system scenario, the increasing presence of non-linear loads and renewable ... more In the new electrical system scenario, the increasing presence of non-linear loads and renewable energy sources makes the measurement of harmonics an essential task. The accuracy of harmonic measurement firstly depends on the used instrument transformers for voltage and current sensing. Since the behavior of instrument transformers in non-sinusoidal conditions is not always well defined, this paper presents an experimental study on the metrological performances of current and voltage instrument transformers (CTs and VTs) in the presence of harmonics. Proper tests procedures are defined and measurement setups are developed for both CTs and VTs calibration. The analysis is carried out by using test waveforms composed of a fundamental and one harmonic component. The harmonic ratio and phase errors are evaluated; the distortion effects on the errors on the fundamental component measurement are also investigated. The obtained results show how the metrological performances in harmonics measurement are influenced by both amplitude and phase shift of the harmonics.

Measurement Uncertainty of Harmonic Emission Indicators based on IEEE Std. 1459-2010

2020 IEEE International Instrumentation and Measurement Technology Conference (I2MTC), 2020

The study presented in this paper is aimed at analyzing the measurement uncertainty impact on the... more The study presented in this paper is aimed at analyzing the measurement uncertainty impact on the evaluation of some power ratio parameters for harmonic emissions assessment based on IEEE Std. 1459-2010 apparent power decomposition. In addition to power factors for line utilization and harmonic pollution levels evaluation defined in the Standard, the study covers also some new parameters, which have been introduced by the authors as IEEE Std. 1459-2010 power quantities ratios. The measurement of the aforesaid parameters is implemented on a PC-based wattmeter, in order to investigate the measurement uncertainty impact on the evaluation of the power ratios. The obtained results show that, in comparison with IEEE Std. 1459-2010 indicator for harmonic pollution level, better results can be reached with the new power ratios, whose behavior is more similar to the traditional power factors.

Comparison of two different approaches for harmonic distortion sources assessment

2021 IEEE 11th International Workshop on Applied Measurements for Power Systems (AMPS), 2021

The paper focuses the attention on the comparison of two approaches for power quality assessment ... more The paper focuses the attention on the comparison of two approaches for power quality assessment in the electric grid. Both approaches are suitable for investigating the harmonic pollution source and discovering if the harmonic source comes from the customer or the utility grid. The two approaches have the same purpose but they are deeply different. The first approach is based on the knowledge of the customer and utility equivalent impedance while the second is based on single point measurement at point of common coupling PCC. In this paper, the advantages and drawbacks of the two approaches are investigated also supported by a case study.

Design of a Time Dissemination System using Chirp Modulation for Medium Voltage Smart Grid Applications

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2020

System-level mixed-criticality design aims at reducing production cost and enhancing resource eff... more System-level mixed-criticality design aims at reducing production cost and enhancing resource efficiency. This paper studies the technology of integrating mixed-criticality avionics traffics for Avionics Full-Duplex Switched Ethernet (AFDX) network, which can transmit both critical and non-critical traffics. These two traffics have different QoS requirements, such as low latency for critical traffics and high bandwidth for non-critical traffics. We use system-level compositional scheduling to integrate mixed-criticality traffics into one network to enhance the scalability of AFDX network. In the architecture of the proposed compositional scheduling, critical traffics are scheduled by bandwidth allocation gap-based scheduler, and non-critical traffics by Round Robin manner. To estimate the delay bound meeting requirements of applications, end-to-end delay for both critical and non-critical traffics are analyzed by using network calculus. Finally, a true time-based simulation of AFDX networks is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach. INDEX TERMS Avionics full-duplex switched ethernet (AFDX), mixed-criticality, end-to-end delay, network calculus.

Real-Time Power Flow Monitoring and Control System for Microgrids Integration in Islanded Scenarios

IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, 2019

This paper presents an enhanced system for real time power flow monitoring and control (PFMC) for... more This paper presents an enhanced system for real time power flow monitoring and control (PFMC) for microgrids integration in medium voltage (MV) distribution networks. The developed solution includes both system architecture and monitoring and control algorithms and it has low implementation and installation costs. It is based on the use of hardware and software solutions previously proposed by the authors, i.e. a distributed measurement, control and communication architecture and a Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) software, which have been enhanced and integrated for the considered application. The SCADA implements a load flow (LF) algorithm for real time power flows estimation in MV network branches, based only on load powers measurements at low voltage (LV) level. The system architecture includes new devices specifically designed for distributed generators (DGs) and energy storage systems (ESSs) remote control. The algorithm implemented on the developed PFMC system has been enhanced by including a real-time verification of LF results, which allows detecting devices unavailability or malfunction occurrence. The PFMC has been implemented in the islanded scenario of the MV distribution network of Ustica Island (Mediterranean Sea) and it has been verified experimentally, in a measurement campaign of one year. In order to deal with different scenarios of DGs/ESSs presence in the microgrid, different operating conditions were reproduced during the measurement campaign, including the case of power flow inversion; such conditions have been obtained by means of an ad-hoc developed on-field DG emulator which was remotely controlled by the SCADA system.

Characterization of IP-Based Communication for Smart Grid Using Software-Defined Networking

IEEE Transactions on Instrumentation and Measurement, 2018

The smart grid (SG) approach is based on a strong interaction between the network communication i... more The smart grid (SG) approach is based on a strong interaction between the network communication infrastructure and the power grid. Usually the management of the infrastructure is done by the distribution system operators (DSOs) that are worried about the increasing managing complexity due to the presence of increasing number of distributed energy resources and electrical vehicles. The use of software-defined networking (SDN) may simplify the network configuration and management for DSO, as highlighted from previous research works. The objective of this paper is to introduce and characterize an internet protocol (IP)-based communication architecture with specialized SDN bridges operating also over narrowband power line communication (PLC) to reach the last mile applications (e.g., smart meters and inverters). The feasibility of this approach depends on the communication performance of the supervisory level used to dynamically configure the SDN bridges. The characterization of this level is done using the following performance indicators: the round trip time (RTT), the packet loss (PL) ratio, and the actual IP throughput. The experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed architecture, since the limitations are given only by the physical implementation of the PLC modem. In detail, results of the case study show that the minimum RTT is on the order of 30 ms, the PL ratio is always less than 1.7% and the maximum throughput is of 95 Mbit/s, fully compatible with the requirements of the applications.