Ricerc@Sapienza

This paper presents a control strategy for enabling a large scale Virtual Power Plant (VPP) constituted by a traditional power plant, distributed Energy Storage Systems (ESSs) and wind turbine driven Doubly Fed Induction Generators (DFIGs) to virtual slack bus functions in electricity transmission networks. The VPP in question is in charge of covering the network losses and a portion of the day ahead generation schedule of unsecured power plants, in presence of short term notifications about possible malicious/natural adverse events affecting them.

Contrary to many expectations, the development of smart (mini-)grids is slow, notwithstanding drastic improvements in innovative technologies, and the reasons for this are not strictly technical. The problem lies in regulatory barriers. Moreover, the current business models accommodate utilities more so than customers. Net metering is a key enabling factor for smart (mini-)grids. This article addresses the economic benefits of net metering for residential customers.