Modelling Energy Distribution in Residential Areas: A Case Study Including Energy Storage Systems in Catania, Southern Italy
Complexity is a widely acknowledged feature of urban areas. Among the different levels to which this definition applies, the energy sector is one of the most representative of this way of conceiving cities. An evidence of this complexity can be detected in the growing impact of prosumers. Prosumers...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-07-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/14/3715 |
| _version_ | 1797562008254545920 |
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| author | Alberto Fichera Alessandro Pluchino Rosaria Volpe |
| author_facet | Alberto Fichera Alessandro Pluchino Rosaria Volpe |
| author_sort | Alberto Fichera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Complexity is a widely acknowledged feature of urban areas. Among the different levels to which this definition applies, the energy sector is one of the most representative of this way of conceiving cities. An evidence of this complexity can be detected in the growing impact of prosumers. Prosumers produce energy to meet their own demands, distribute it directly to neighbors and, eventually, store the energy neither consumed nor distributed. The modelling of distribution networks is a challenging task that requires <i>ad hoc</i> models to simulate the mutual energy exchanges occurring among prosumers. To serve at this scope, this paper proposes an agent-based model aiming at determining which operating conditions enhance the energy distribution among prosumers and diminish the supply from traditional power plants. An application of the model within a residential territory is then presented and simulations are conducted under two scenarios: the first investigating the distribution among prosumers equipped with photovoltaics (PV) systems, the second integrating energy storage systems to PV panels. Both scenarios are studied at varying the installed PV capacity within the territory, the allowed distance of connection among prosumers, as well as the rate of utilization of the links of the network. Results from the simulated case study reveal that the energy distribution among prosumers can be enhanced by providing short-range links for the electricity exchange. Similar advantages can be achieved by integrating storage systems to PV, along with a significant reduction in the electricity requested to the centralized grid. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:22:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-34072dc342214d2682c60ec7d5e89cdd |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T18:22:33Z |
| publishDate | 2020-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj.art-34072dc342214d2682c60ec7d5e89cdd2023-11-20T07:15:36ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732020-07-011314371510.3390/en13143715Modelling Energy Distribution in Residential Areas: A Case Study Including Energy Storage Systems in Catania, Southern ItalyAlberto Fichera0Alessandro Pluchino1Rosaria Volpe2Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Physics and Astronomy “Ettore Majorana”, University of Catania, 95124 Catania, ItalyDepartment of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, ItalyComplexity is a widely acknowledged feature of urban areas. Among the different levels to which this definition applies, the energy sector is one of the most representative of this way of conceiving cities. An evidence of this complexity can be detected in the growing impact of prosumers. Prosumers produce energy to meet their own demands, distribute it directly to neighbors and, eventually, store the energy neither consumed nor distributed. The modelling of distribution networks is a challenging task that requires <i>ad hoc</i> models to simulate the mutual energy exchanges occurring among prosumers. To serve at this scope, this paper proposes an agent-based model aiming at determining which operating conditions enhance the energy distribution among prosumers and diminish the supply from traditional power plants. An application of the model within a residential territory is then presented and simulations are conducted under two scenarios: the first investigating the distribution among prosumers equipped with photovoltaics (PV) systems, the second integrating energy storage systems to PV panels. Both scenarios are studied at varying the installed PV capacity within the territory, the allowed distance of connection among prosumers, as well as the rate of utilization of the links of the network. Results from the simulated case study reveal that the energy distribution among prosumers can be enhanced by providing short-range links for the electricity exchange. Similar advantages can be achieved by integrating storage systems to PV, along with a significant reduction in the electricity requested to the centralized grid.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/14/3715urban energy distribution networkEnergy Storage Systemsagent-based modelprosumersenergy exchangesdistribution patterns |
| spellingShingle | Alberto Fichera Alessandro Pluchino Rosaria Volpe Modelling Energy Distribution in Residential Areas: A Case Study Including Energy Storage Systems in Catania, Southern Italy Energies urban energy distribution network Energy Storage Systems agent-based model prosumers energy exchanges distribution patterns |
| title | Modelling Energy Distribution in Residential Areas: A Case Study Including Energy Storage Systems in Catania, Southern Italy |
| title_full | Modelling Energy Distribution in Residential Areas: A Case Study Including Energy Storage Systems in Catania, Southern Italy |
| title_fullStr | Modelling Energy Distribution in Residential Areas: A Case Study Including Energy Storage Systems in Catania, Southern Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modelling Energy Distribution in Residential Areas: A Case Study Including Energy Storage Systems in Catania, Southern Italy |
| title_short | Modelling Energy Distribution in Residential Areas: A Case Study Including Energy Storage Systems in Catania, Southern Italy |
| title_sort | modelling energy distribution in residential areas a case study including energy storage systems in catania southern italy |
| topic | urban energy distribution network Energy Storage Systems agent-based model prosumers energy exchanges distribution patterns |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/14/3715 |
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