Coordinated management of distributed energy resources in electrical distribution systems

Current electrical distribution systems are facing significant challenges due to the widespread deployment of Distributed Energy Resources (DER), particularly the integration of variable Renewable Energy Sources (RES). This requires a change in the paradigm of distribution grids from a purely passive perspective into fully active networks within the smart grid vision. This new paradigm involves new control and management architectures as well as advanced planning methods and operational tools for distribution systems exploiting a smart metering infrastructure. This infrastructure will enable leveraging data from smart meters and short-term forecasts of load demand and RES in order to manage the distribution system in a more efficient and cost-effective way, thus enabling large scale integration of RES. Future tests to be carried out in a new, state of the art laboratory environment will bring additional added-value to the validation of the proposed concepts and tools.