Today’s transmission network is reliable and controllable, although its stability could soon be threatened by the upcoming high penetration of renewable energy sources (RES) required to achieve the 2050 decarbonization target and by the extensive growth of Energy Communities.

The number of synchronous generators (SGs), which help ensure system frequency and dynamic stability through their inherent inertia and damping, is expected to decline progressively. At the same time, the integration of RES-equipped micro/nanogrids and motor loads connected to the grid through electronic converters is expected to increase. Since both RES and loads are converter-interfaced, they do not provide inertia or damping. As a result, the overall inertia and damping decrease, thereby endangering system frequency and dynamic stability.

To help the electrical system maintain its stability, DCNanoSyn (Distributed DC nanogrids to restore the system frequency and dynamic stability by providing SYNthetic inertia and damping) concentrates on the emulation of synthetic inertia and damping through converters installed in DC nanogrids (DCNGs).

The objective of DCNanoSyn is to define and implement a central controller responsible for determining the appropriate amount of synthetic inertia and damping support to be requested at the distribution feeder node level. The central controller will assess how this support should be allocated among a set of distributed DCNGs, each associated with a distribution node. A controller at the individual DCNG level will also be designed to deliver the elementary contribution of each DCNG. DCNanoSyn also seeks to analyze some of the main effects of the widespread deployment of DCNGs across a nationwide power grid.

UniGe Unit Responsible: Matteo Saviozzi

Team: Matteo Lodi, Gabriele Mosaico, Alberto Oliveri, Alessandro Ravera

Other units: Politecnico di Milano, Università della Calabria

Funding Scheme: PRIN (Relevant National Interest Projects)

Project Length: 24 months

Start date: 2023-10-01