Sharif Digital Repository

The rapid rise in the grid integration of low-carbon technologies, e.g. renewable energy sources (RESs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), has led to several challenges in distribution networks (DNs). This is due to the intermittent generation of RESs and uncertain loads of PEVs, both of which necessitate enhancing the flexibility requirements at the distribution level so as to accommodate the high penetration of these clean technologies in the future. To address such issues, this study proposes a mixed-integer linear programming-based expansion planning model for DNs considering the impact of high RES and PEV penetration, the associated uncertainties, and providing flexibility... 

Increasing grid integration of intermittent renewable energy sources (RESs) and plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) with uncertain behaviours have necessitated enhancing the flexibility requirements of distribution networks. Thus, in the state-of-The-Art distribution network expansion planning (DNEP) models, both flexibility requirements and high penetration of RESs and PEVs should be taken into consideration. In this respect, a novel collaborative planning model for power distribution network (PDN) and plug-in Electric Vehicle Parking Lots (EVPLs) is proposed in this paper, which leverages sizing, siting, and operation of EVPLs to enhance the distribution network flexibility. Also, to model... 

Limited access to energy resources and increasing demand for mitigation of the environmental impacts have necessitated higher production efficiencies. Therefore, the promotion of R&D activities has been one of the main parts of national energy policies. In this research work, two methods are used for assessing the effectiveness of the R&D capital on resource conservation. First, by developing the resource-included knowledge production function of the energy sector and second, through direct assessment of the functionality of resource productivity from R&D capital. Based on official data provided by national statistical centers, a comparative analysis has been conducted to examine the... 

In this paper, the problem of frequency-constrained electricity market (FCEM) is modeled in the presence of renewable energy sources (RESs) and price-maker players by using equilibrium problem with equilibrium constraints formulation. It is worth mentioning that due to the intermittency of RESs, the FCEM problem in the presence of price-maker players becomes more imperative as stability of power system frequency is a public good and the free-rider problem arises. Moreover, as players of FCEM do not know their rivals' objective functions, the problem is modeled based on Bayesian game theory. The FCEM problem is converted into a game of complete but imperfect information under the common prior... 

The objective of the present study is the development of an optimization model for identifying the best configuration of renewable-based integrated energy systems. The system includes a combination of renewable energy systems such as wind, solar, hydropower and hydrogen production, storage facilities and conventional fossil-fuel generators. The developed tool consists of various modules where water heating assumes the utilization of waste energy as an option. Furthermore, the application, which is demonstrated for a case study in Tehran, has been considered. The power exchange with the distribution network and injection of hydrogen produced from excess renewable sources into gas network are... 

Nowadays, the high penetration of renewable energy resources, with variable and unpredictable nature, poses major challenges to operation and planning studies of power systems. Employing energy storage systems (ESSs) has been introduced as an effective solution to alleviate these challenges. Several studies have been presented in the literature to provide a framework for expansion planning studies of ESSs. However, they usually have two main drawbacks: i) ignoring the positive effect of independent-locally operated ESSs on the bulk power system preferences, ii) inability to model the charge/discharge schedule of independent-locally operated ESSs based on their investors' acceptable risk... 

The global demand for renewable energy sources has arisen significant research interests in marine hydrokinetic energy harvesting from flow induced vibrations. The current study deals with the hydrokinetic energy harvesting potentials of diamond and square oscillators at various inline configurations. Both the sharp edge sections and the wake induced vibrations in tandem arrangement can lead to galloping type of instability with high energy efficiency ratios. The present in-water towing tank experiments comprise 1DoF vibrating systems at Re ranging from 2 × 103 to 4.8 × 104. The results show that the upstream wake generally enhances the system efficiency and the mechanical work done by the... 

In this paper a strategic planning framework for selecting the best configuration and capacity of different power generating technologies including renewable energy resources in stand-alone micro-power systems is proposed. The proposed framework is composed of three decision making techniques to identify the most feasible and efficient plans according to attributes and uncertain parameters in the planning environment. The framework considers the robustness and risk analysis of different plans exposed to uncertainties in the planning environment and selects the configurations that meet the objectives with the least risk exposure. The proposed methodology is implemented as a case study of a... 

This paper presents a new approach for unit commitment (UC); where a large scale wind power exists and the wind speed has a fuzzy characteristic; by using particle swarm optimization method (PSO). In this approach, the system reserve requirements, the requirement of having a load balance, and the wind power availability constraints are realized. A proper modeling of these constraints is an important issue in power system scheduling. Since these constraints are "fuzzy" in nature, any crisp treatment of them in this problem may lead to over conservative solutions. In this paper, a fuzzy optimization-based method is developed to solve power system UC problem with a fuzzy objective function and... 

A cost-effective, durable, and easy-to-produce improvement in bifunctional electrocatalysts for water splitting is crucial for future renewable energy systems. In this present study, shape-controlled one-dimensional (1D) phosphorized cobalt (CoP) on 3D porous nickel foam (NiF) was synthesized through successive treatment of commercial NiF with acetone and ethanol, followed by hydrothermal growth of Co and final process of phosphorization by thermochemical reactions. The evaluations of products proved reduced overpotential (270 mV at 10 mA. cm−2 for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) process and a low overpotential of 320 mV to reach a high current density of 20 mA. cm−2), low Tafel slope... 

In recent years, increased integration of renewable energy sources (RES) calls for extensive and costly investments in transmission networks. In response, power system decision-makers try to apply alternative solutions aimed to decrease the imposed investment costs. In this context, the presence of large-scale energy storage systems (ESSs) in transmission network can be a practical option for deferring investment in expansion plans of transmission lines, alleviating system congestions, and attaining higher flexibility. In this paper, an efficient model is proposed for co-planning expansion studies of compressed air energy storage (CAES) units and transmission networks. The associated... 

The concept of flexibility is defined as the power systems’ ability to effectively respond to changes in power generation and demand profiles to maintain the supply–demand balance. However, the inherent flexibility margins required for successful operation have been recently challenged by the unprecedented arrival of uncertainties, driven by constantly changing demand, failure of conventional units, and the intermittent outputs of renewable energy sources (RES). Tackling these challenges, energy storage systems (ESS) as one important player of the new power grids can enhance the system flexibility. It, therefore, calls for an efficient planning procedure to ensure flexibility margins by... 

Ethylene dichloride thermal cracking is one of the conventional methods for hydrogen chloride production. A critical issue concerned with this method is to provide thermal energy for cracking reaction, which is generally provided by the flammable gasses inside the furnace. Utilizing renewable energy sources can be an interesting topic in this case. Hence, in this paper, the thermal integration feasibility of an ethylene dichloride cracking unit with a hybrid renewable plant, based on geothermal and wind energies, is investigated, while the case study for wind turbines system (Alstom ECO 74/1670/ Class II model) is Meshkin Shahr, located in Iran. To utilize geothermal energy, a... 

The multiple uncertainties in a microgrid, such as limited photovoltaic generations, ups and downs in the market price, and controlling different loads, are challenging points in managing campus energy with multiple microgrid systems and are a hot topic of research in the current era. Microgrids deployed at multiple campuses can be successfully operated with an exemplary energy management system (EMS) to address these challenges, offering several solutions to minimize the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, maintenance costs, and peak load demands of the microgrid infrastructure. This literature survey presents a comparative analysis of multiple campus microgrids’ energy management at different... 

Thermal power generation needs great volumes of water for cooling purposes. A multi-period Low Water Generation Expansion Planning (LW-GEP) model is proposed to plan the future generation mix including type, capacity, time of installation, and proper cooling system of generation technologies to supply the future electric peak loads under the water resource limitations. Different types of generation technologies with conventional and modern cooling systems are considered as expansion candidates in the proposed LW-GEP model. The access of candidate and existing power plants to the water resources are considered. Renewable resources as water smart solutions are integrated in the proposed energy... 

Presence of microgrids (MGs) and renewable energy sources (RESs) in distribution power systems could result in dramatic changes in operation and planning of these systems. In this regard, operational procedures employed by utilities should take into account the intermittent nature of RESs, while coping with the independent operation of MGs. In this perspective, this paper develops a distributed power management framework based on alternating direction method of multipliers (ADMM) for distribution networks with multi-MG (MMG) structures. The proposed approach develops a transactive signal in the context of ADMM to coordinate operation of MGs in a distributed manner. In this context, the... 

In recent years, the need to reduce environmental impacts and increase flexibility in the energy sector has led to increased penetration of renewable energy sources and the shift from concentrated to decentralized generation. A fuel cell is an instrument that produces electricity by chemical reaction. Fuel cells are a promising technology for ultimate energy conversion and energy generation. We see that this system is integrated, where we find that the wind and photovoltaic energy system is complementary between them, because not all days are sunny, windy, or night, so we see that this system has higher reliability to provide continuous generation. At low load hours, PV and electrolysis... 

In recent years, the need to reduce environmental impacts and increase flexibility in the energy sector has led to increased penetration of renewable energy sources and the shift from concentrated to decentralized generation. A fuel cell is an instrument that produces electricity by chemical reaction. Fuel cells are a promising technology for ultimate energy conversion and energy generation. We see that this system is integrated, where we find that the wind and photovoltaic energy system is complementary between them, because not all days are sunny, windy, or night, so we see that this system has higher reliability to provide continuous generation. At low load hours, PV and electrolysis... 

Nowadays, the increasing integration of variable renewable energies (VREs) in power systems have resulted in operational transformations of energy systems. Respectively, the high-amount of integrated VREs could cause severe-ramping in the net-load of energy systems due to abrupt changes in their power production. Accordingly, based on the limited flexibility capacity in transmission systems, severe ramping-up/down (RU/RD) in distribution systems should be addressed by employing local flexible resources (LFRs). Nevertheless, evolution of multi-agent structured distribution systems has limited the direct access of distribution system operators (DSOs) in scheduling of LFRs. Consequently, this... 

The development of emerging smart grid technologies has led to more and more penetration of renewable energy resources and electric energy storage in the residential sectors. Besides, owing to the significant evolution of power electronic devices, there is a rapid growth in penetration of DC loads and generations, such as PV and electric vehicles (EVs), into the buildings and homes as a building block of the future smart cities. This is despite the fact that the electricity infrastructure of the conventional buildings is designed based on AC electricity and as a result, there would be a lot of losses due to the frequent power conversion from AC to DC and vice versa. Besides, according to a...