Alessandra Parisio

Bio: Alessandra Parisio is an academic researcher from University of Manchester. The author has contributed to research in topics: Model predictive control & Microgrid. The author has an hindex of 23, co-authored 52 publications receiving 3706 citations. Previous affiliations of Alessandra Parisio include Royal Institute of Technology & University of Sannio.

A Model Predictive Control Approach to Microgrid Operation Optimization

Abstract: Microgrids are subsystems of the distribution grid, which comprises generation capacities, storage devices, and controllable loads, operating as a single controllable system either connected or isolated from the utility grid. In this paper, we present a study on applying a model predictive control approach to the problem of efficiently optimizing microgrid operations while satisfying a time-varying request and operation constraints. The overall problem is formulated using mixed-integer linear programming (MILP), which can be solved in an efficient way by using commercial solvers without resorting to complex heuristics or decompositions techniques. Then, the MILP formulation leads to significant improvements in solution quality and computational burden. A case study of a microgrid is employed to assess the performance of the online optimization-based control strategy and the simulation results are discussed. The method is applied to an experimental microgrid located in Athens, Greece. The experimental results show the feasibility and the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

Energy efficient building climate control using Stochastic Model Predictive Control and weather predictions

Abstract: One of the most critical challenges facing society today is climate change and thus the need to realize massive energy savings. Since buildings account for about 40% of global final energy use, energy efficient building climate control can have an important contribution. In this paper we develop and analyze a Stochastic Model Predictive Control (SMPC) strategy for building climate control that takes into account weather predictions to increase energy efficiency while respecting constraints resulting from desired occupant comfort. We investigate a bilinear model under stochastic uncertainty with probabilistic, time varying constraints. We report on the assessment of this control strategy in a large-scale simulation study where the control performance with different building variants and under different weather conditions is studied. For selected cases the SMPC approach is analyzed in detail and shown to significantly outperform current control practice.

Reducing peak electricity demand in building climate control using real-time pricing and model predictive control

Abstract: A method to reduce peak electricity demand in building climate control by using real-time electricity pricing and applying model predictive control (MPC) is investigated. We propose to use a newly developed time-varying, hourly-based electricity tariff for end-consumers, that has been designed to truly reflect marginal costs of electricity provision, based on spot market prices as well as on electricity grid load levels, which is directly incorporated into the MPC cost function. Since this electricity tariff is only available for a limited time window into the future we use least-squares support vector machines for electricity tariff price forecasting and thus provide the MPC controller with the necessary estimated time-varying costs for the whole prediction horizon. In the given context, the hourly pricing provides an economic incentive for a building controller to react sensitively with respect to high spot market electricity prices and high grid loading, respectively. Within the proposed tariff regime, grid-friendly behaviour is rewarded. It can be shown that peak electricity demand of buildings can be significantly reduced. The here presented study is an example for the successful implementation of demand response (DR) in the field of building climate control.

I and i

Abstract: There is, I think, something ethereal about i —the square root of minus one. I remember first hearing about it at school. It seemed an odd beast at that time—an intruder hovering on the edge of reality. Usually familiarity dulls this sense of the bizarre, but in the case of i it was the reverse: over the years the sense of its surreal nature intensified. It seemed that it was impossible to write mathematics that described the real world in …

A Survey on Smart Grid CommunicationInfrastructures: Motivations, Requirements andChallenges

Abstract: A communication infrastructure is an essential part to the success of the emerging smart grid. A scalable and pervasive communication infrastructure is crucial in both construction and operation of a smart grid. In this paper, we present the background and motivation of communication infrastructures in smart grid systems. We also summarize major requirements that smart grid communications must meet. From the experience of several industrial trials on smart grid with communication infrastructures, we expect that the traditional carbon fuel based power plants can cooperate with emerging distributed renewable energy such as wind, solar, etc, to reduce the carbon fuel consumption and consequent green house gas such as carbon dioxide emission. The consumers can minimize their expense on energy by adjusting their intelligent home appliance operations to avoid the peak hours and utilize the renewable energy instead. We further explore the challenges for a communication infrastructure as the part of a complex smart grid system. Since a smart grid system might have over millions of consumers and devices, the demand of its reliability and security is extremely critical. Through a communication infrastructure, a smart grid can improve power reliability and quality to eliminate electricity blackout. Security is a challenging issue since the on-going smart grid systems facing increasing vulnerabilities as more and more automation, remote monitoring/controlling and supervision entities are interconnected.

State of the Art in Research on Microgrids: A Review

Abstract: The significant benefits associated with microgrids have led to vast efforts to expand their penetration in electric power systems. Although their deployment is rapidly growing, there are still many challenges to efficiently design, control, and operate microgrids when connected to the grid, and also when in islanded mode, where extensive research activities are underway to tackle these issues. It is necessary to have an across-the-board view of the microgrid integration in power systems. This paper presents a review of issues concerning microgrids and provides an account of research in areas related to microgrids, including distributed generation, microgrid value propositions, applications of power electronics, economic issues, microgrid operation and control, microgrid clusters, and protection and communications issues.