1,720,998 research outputs found
The Italian regulatory framework for developing smart distribution grids
No full textThe integration of Dispersed Generation (DG) is by far the most important and challenging issue that modern power systems are facing nowadays, and is the only way of exploiting Renewable Energy Sources (RES) for electric production. This revolution is running particularly fast in Europe, where significant incentive schemes have been promoted by many Member States in order to match the targets decided by the European institutions. As a consequence of the important share of RES already connected (especially to low voltage and medium voltage networks), new technical challenges have to be faced both at a distribution network level and at a transmission system level. Some of these challenges are covered by Smart grids that represent a new framework for improved management of distribution and transmission networks with attention to interoperability, security, resilience problems, and quality of service (QoS). It is recognized that an intelligent use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), as enabling technology, is the only approach able to solve new problems arising on energy networks due to larger DG penetration, without hindering system security and QoS. The paper focuses on the Italian case and in particular on the Italian regulatory framework for developing Smart Grids, and describes the technical foundations of the regulatory innovations introduced by the Italian energy regulatory authority (Autorità per l'energia elettrica e il gas-AEEG). After a selection process based on cost/benefit assessment, some demonstration projects for Smart Grid proposed by Distribution System Operators have been awarded with special capital cost remuneration (extra WACC of 2% for 12 years, on top of the ordinary WACC equal to 7% for distribution investments). The smart grid demonstration projects founded by AEEG introduce and test a new advanced management of DG in order to avoid the problems coming from reverse power flowing and maintain the necessary level of security, availability and quality of service. © 2012 De Gruyter. All rights reserved
Approccio neuro-fuzzy per la classificazione di reti rappresentative del sistema di distribuzione MT italiano
No full textChanging the regulation for regulating the change. Innovation-driven regulatory developments in Italy: smart grids, smart metering and e-mobility
No full textFor a long time considered as technologically mature, electric systems are now facing a period of rapid evolution, inspired by climate change concerns. Several studies show that current regulation of natural monopolies does not offer sufficient incentives for network operators (and network users) to participate in this process.
Taking Italy as a case study, this paper analyses how energy regulation can change to support the current transformation. We describe the recent regulatory interventions in the domain of smart grids, smart metering and electromobility, with a specific emphasis on the provisions aimed at fostering innovation - an issue that until recently has received almost no attention in the literature nor in the practice of regulation.
The progress we observe is considerable in all new areas of concern, and, above all, in the regulator's commitment to provide the right incentives for investments in demonstration projects: the acquisition of experience is regarded as essential to move to more sophisticated regulatory instruments. Finally, regulation is also increasingly concerned with network users, both traditional and new, with the objective to stimulate more active behaviors
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