Modeling Tools for

Energy Smart Grids

Centro Interdipartimentale per l’Energia e l’Ambiente – CIDEA

Università di Parma
 Energy Systems and Smart Grids

Users (thermal & electrical loads)

Generation (boilers, CHP, Heat Pumps, PV,

Prosumers
solar thermal, gasifiers, ORC, etc.)

Storage (PCM, batteries, etc.)

Distribution links (pipes, AC/DC lines, etc.)

Design of efficient Smart Grids (thermal & electric)

Integration of FER & Storage

 Energy Systems and Grid Modelling
1 – Why?

2 – How?

3 – Tools:
• Systems Dynamics (Matlab/Simulink®)
• Energy Systems and Buildings (TRNSYS®)

4 – Application: the Campus grids

5 – XiL approach:
• system layout definition & design
• management strategies design & validation

6 – The role of control strategies: Dynamic Programming

for Optimized Strategy definition
 Fuel
From an old architecture...
Electricity
Heating
Cooling Energy
plant
SPACE
HEATING
BOILER

ELECTRIC HOT
GRID
WATER

GAS
NETWORK
SPACE
COOLING

CHILLER

LIGHTING &
APPLIANCES
 Radiation
Fuel SUN AIR
GROUN ...to new smart
D
Electricity
Heating
solutions
Cooling Energy
SOLAR HEAT PUMP
plant
PHOTOVOLTAIC (GSHP and SPACE
(PV) ASHP) HEATING
AUXILIARY
BOILER
(AB)
SOLAR
ELECTRIC THERMAL
HOT
GRID (SH)
COGENERAT WATER
OR
(CHP)
GAS
NETWORK
ABSORPTION
CHILLER
SPACE
(ABS) COOLING
DISTRICT AUXILIARY
HEATING CHILLER
(AC)
LIGHTING &
APPLIANCES
 Design, Improve and Manage Energy Grids
Model complexity
Models can be used
<0,1 Map Based Models
in each step of the
Mean Value
Models Concepts & process to limit
Architecture Testing & costs & time.
1 0D fast running (prosumers) Running
Models

Components Management
1D fast running
10 Models
Options & Sizes System

Integration System or
1D-3D detailed
CPU Time Models subsystem models
100 vs. Detailed with different level
Model design
approach
3D Models of complexity for
each step.
x Real Time

In-field Monitoring + Simulation Models allow to shorten

development time and costs and improve Management Strategies
 UniPR Simulation Tools
In the last decade several models for the dynamic simulation of Energy
Systems have been developed and included in Simulink ® libraries.
Real Application: the Campus grids

THERMAL
THERMAL POWER
POWER
STATION
STATION
South New branch of the Campus grids

10°
10°
6°
TH
7° ER
MA
8° ST L PO
AT
IO W E R
N
11°
11° 5°
9°
4°
1°

3°
2°
 Modelling Approach: pipe loop
Mass flow rate is determined Temperature change is
from the fluid mass dynamics determined from the heat flow
taking account of pressure estimated from pipe
losses and available pE. characteristics and int&ext
temperatures.
pl1 Tl1

pE pl2 TE Tl2
pl3 Tl3
pE = pin-pout TE = Tin-Tout
pli = press.losses Tli = temp.losses
The first pipe loop can be coupled with the two Dampers.
Further loops can be added linking them to any pair of nodes of the
previous loop.
 Results: Steady-state
Earth Sciences Building Dept.of Chemistry Building
Supply Pressure 4.4 [bar] Supply Pressure 3.2 [bar]
Return Pressure 4.3 [bar] Return Pressure 3.1 [bar]
Flow rate 10.2 [kg/s] Flow rate 37.3 [kg/s]
Return TEMPERATURE Return TEMPERATURE
Results: Transients
 Systems Models for XiL applications
Mathematical Models for MiL/SiL/HiL applied to Energy Grids:
•Co-simulation with very low CPU time. Design costs & time
•Optimization of grids architecture and sizing. Energy consumption
•Design & Testing of management strategies. Emissions

Grids and Systems Models

+ Management Strategies

Grids & Systems

behavior
Costs and emissions

Data input (from

data base or real
“on-road” monitoring
 Optimization
A modelling approach is necessary in order to concurrently optimize
architecture, sizing and management strategy

size optimization algorithm

control optimization algorithm

multi-source energy
system model

Project submitted to PRIN 2015: “Development of methodologies and

instruments for the optimal design and management of distributed
multi-energy systems connected to district heating and cooling
networks”