Ateneo - UPO

This course deals with the production and distribution of energy, mainly electricity, and its environmental impact. The structure and operation principle of generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization for networks at various voltage levels are studied, depending on the power consumed. Short notes are dedicated to the gas and district heating networks, with their environmental impact.

M. Patel, Wind and Solar Power Systems, 2006, CRC Press, USA.
T. Markvart, Solar Electricity, 2nd Edition, 2000, J. Wiley and Sons Ltd., USA.
B.M. Weedy, B. J. Cory, N. Jenkins, J.B. Ekanayake, G. Strbac, Electric power systems, Fifth Edition 2012, J. Wiley and Sons Ltd., USA.
F. Spertino, A. Ciocia, Generazione fotovoltaica ed eolica di energia elettrica, 2025, Edizioni CLUT.

Regarding the mission, the knowledge of these topics is a declared target:
- the structure of the electric power system from centralized generation to smart grid with distributed generation and microgrids;
- the main technologies to convert wind energy into electricity by AC rotating generators, power electronic converters, transformers and distribution lines for the grid connection;
- the photovoltaic energy conversion into electricity by solar cells as P-N junctions in crystalline silicon, DC-AC converters based on power electronics, power transformers and distribution lines;
- the electric model of both transmission and distribution lines.
Then, the students will acquire the following skills and abilities:
- the determination of voltage profile and power losses in a distribution network in the presence of power factor correction;
- the calculation of wind-speed frequency and the energy productivity, according to the manufacturer power curve and the variations of wind speed (magnitude and direction);
- the calculation of PV power production by database of solar irradiance and ambient temperature;
- the calculation of power losses, efficiencies and voltage regulation of AC rotating generators with their power electronic converters, transformers and distribution lines.

Electric circuit theory for both DC circuits and AC circuits, both single-phase and three-phase.

The course consists of in-person theoretical lessons (about 4 credits) and practical exercises (about 2 credits) which can be computational in classroom or in laboratory or carried out in technical visits.
Learning will be assessed through questions during in-person lectures and exercises.

Students with physical disabilities, Learning Disabilities or Special Education Needs can request specific services and tools via the Staff Sviluppo e Coordinamento Carriere e Servizi alle Studentesse e agli Studenti,
consulting the University webpage: https://www.uniupo.it/en/services/services-students-physical-or-learning-disabilities
Students with disabilities, learning disabilities or special education needs, once they have contacted the University Staff, can refer to the tutor in charge of the course to define the examination modalities, concerning academic aspects.

The learning assessment consists of a written test (lasting approximately 1,5 h) with questions on theoretical aspects and simple exercises to be solved using a portable calculator. It is not permitted to use teaching materials or notes taken in class.
In detail, the score is composed of:
1. a 7-point exercise on the voltage profile and power losses in a distribution network with power factor correction;
2. a 6-point exercise on the irradiance and temperature dependence of power (and energy), current, and voltage generation in photovoltaic generators;
3. a 4-point theoretical question on the structure of the electric power system and its evolution from a centralized to a distributed system;
4. a 5-point theoretical question on the structure, operation, and typical characteristics of photovoltaic electricity generation;
5. a 4-point theoretical question on the structure, operation, and typical aspects of wind turbine electricity generation;
6. a 4-point theoretical question on the structure and operation of transmission networks, including their solution using the power flow problem.
A passing grade is achieved if a score of 18 is obtained, calculated as the sum of the 6 partial scores described above.

Basic concepts on technological networks: electricity network, railway, gas network, district heating, water distribution network.
Analytical representation of voltages and currents in sinusoidal alternating current circuits. Basic knowledge of three-phase alternating current systems: star and delta connections; single-phase equivalent circuit; structure of a low voltage distribution network with MV/LV transformer, line and load. Power factor correction for an inductive load.
Structure of the national electricity system: generation, transmission, distribution and utilization. Determination of the voltage level based on the maximum power of the user. Global frequency regulation and local regulation of the RMS value of the mains voltage. Daily load curves and generation share with renewable energy sources and fossil fuels. From the centralized grid to the smart grid.
Structure and operating principle by means of appropriate equivalent circuits of: three-phase AC static machines (transformer) and rotating electric machines (synchronous and asynchronous); electronic DC-DC and DC-AC converters for grid connection of photovoltaic generators and variable-speed wind turbines; transmission/distribution lines (pi-Greek models for long lines and short lines) and protection components (power circuit breakers, equipped with relays, and fuses); photovoltaic and wind systems, connected to the grid in order to obtain their best integration, based on geographical location and through storage systems.
Frequency regulation with the active power-frequency control; regulation of the RMS of the voltage with the reactive power-voltage control. Management, when steady state of the AC transmission system through the modeling of meshed transmission networks with a large number of nodes or radial distribution networks (node potential method for the solution of the load flow problem or power flow).

After passing the exam, the students will acquire the following knowledge, skills and abilities:
- theoretical and practical knowledge on the processes of energy production and distribution and on the connected environmental impact.
- acquisition of skills and abilities to learn autonomously and to assess one’s knowledge, in order to proceed to further studies with a high degree of autonomy.
This course contributes to the educational objectives (Mission) of the track "Energy and silicon technology".