A method for the identification of a large number of defects supporting Partial Discharges (PD) in MV cables is presented in the paper. A specific set of parameters that summarize features related to the shape of the Phase-Resolved PD (PRPD) patterns, is organized in a tree structure on the assumption of a correlation between the PRPD shapes and the defect typologies. Tree inspection resorts to the Fuzzy-Logic to take into account the inherent uncertainty of the identification results. Predicates that address PRPD to the defect typologies and the relevant membership values are provided as the output taking into account even more than one option. Both training and working examples obtained testing artificial defects and real cables, are presented and discussed.
The contact of overhead lines with vegetation represents a significant cause of failures, also as secondary effects of weather events such as strong wind, ice/snow accumulation. Recent developments in LiDar (Light Detection and ranging) systems allow a frequently updated monitoring of the tree interference along the right of way of the line spans. LiDar data overcome the limits (e.g. low rate of updating) of land cover database CORINE, moreover they are useful to accurately characterize the vulnerability of overhead line spans to indirect effects of wind and wet snow acting on potentially interfering vegetation. This paper proposes an advanced probabilistic vulnerability model of overhead line failure due to inadvertent contact with vegetation, which integrates data from LiDar. The simulations performed on a representative set of Overhead Lines (OHLs) in the Italian Extra-High Voltage (EHV) and High Voltage (HV) transmission grid demonstrate how the advanced model provides failure return periods of the OHLs which are more in line with operational experience and less conservative than the ones obtained without using LiDar data.
The paper presents the results of an experimental measurement campaign to verify 2G and 3G mobile networks voice quality in the refarming and switch-off transition phase towards migration to 4G/5G technologies. Measurements have been performed on the whole Italian territory including main cities, suburban areas and extra-urban scenarios (e.g., highways). The results illustrated in this paper are focused on the probability of success in making 2G/3G voice calls through the analysis of appropriate indicators as a function of different parameters such as speed mobility, environment scenarios. Data from different operators are aggregated at national level and a comparison of 4 different campaigns performed from 2019 to 2022 is presented.
Reducing emissions from ports is crucial to achieving climate targets. The integration of renewable energy sources and alternative propulsion methods holds immense potential for transforming ports into clean energy hubs. Inland ports manage smaller ship sizes and shorter inland journeys, making them particularly suited to adopt technologies for transport electrification and renewable power supply. This paper analyzes the benefit of integrating renewable energy sources into the port supply system of the north Italian Lake Maggiore. Different local and port-specific aspects have been considered in the analysis: port’s load characterization, local availability and site potential of renewable energy production, and the additional load introduced by an electrified ferry. Three use cases have been investigated as a transition from the existing port supply system to a green port configuration, with a rooftop photovoltaic power plant and an additional stationary storage system. A comprehensive technical and economic assessment has been conducted, taking into account the initial investments as well as the operational costs. Finally, a sensitivity analysis has been performed to investigate the influence of energy prices on economic performances.
Renewable Energy Communities are a new paradigm promoted by the European Union as a promising solution to reduce both the carbon footprint and the impact of Renewable Energy Sources in distribution grids. Promoting the transition to a sustainable energy system involves several strategies and initiatives. A key aspect is the regulatory framework established by each member state to effectively manage the aggregation and management of new customers. In Italy for example, specific eligible configurations, incentives, and bureaucratic procedures have been defined to facilitate the creation of Energy Communities. However, these regulatory frameworks do not provide guidelines on the optimal design and management of such communities. To address this gap, new research projects such as “Samothrace - SiciliAn MicronanOTecH Research And innovation CEnter” aim at developing new technologies and approaches that can promote the development of Energy Communities. In this context, this paper presents the definition of an algorithm to choose the optimal mix of consumers within the energy community to maximize the economic benefit from self-consumption for a given PV plant or conversely to choose the best size of the PV system, for a given set of consumers. In both cases, loads will not be either shifted or curtailed and electricity will not be stored. In order to ease the widespread adoption of the method, the optimization problem was conceived to be developed in a spreadsheet environment. The algorithm was applied to the case study of the island of Pantelleria, thus deriving the potential economic benefits for the components of the community.
