Present research activities of the Electric Power Engineering research group deal with:
Electric power systems
- operation and management of deregulated electric systems (electricity markets, dispatching, tariffs, regulation, public procurement)
- large power system reliability (operation of interconnected systems, probabilistic approach, decision support, emergency and restoration, resilience, Net Transfer Capability, operating reserve, advance dispatching, impact of not-programmable resources and of electric vehicle charging)
- electricity transmission (Dynamic Thermal Rating, active shielding of electric lines, visual and electromagnetic impact, HVDC, DC grids)
- thermal power plant modelling (dynamic performances, restoration and emergency procedures, flexibility)
- Smart Grids e Distibuted Generation (Large Scale Virtual Power Plants, storage system management, Power Quality and compensation, Demand Response, Energy Management Systems and Power Management Systems,)
- Rural electrification in developing countries (sizing and operation, planning, load diagram assessment)
- Smart Yard (hybrid systems for construcion yard supply)
Energy Storage
- Modelling and simulation of storage and hybrid systems (electrochemical batteries, supercapacitors, compressed and liquefied air, liquefied oxygen, Power to Gas)
- Laboratory tests on batteries and supercapacitors (performance and life tests)
- Optimal sizing and operation of storage systems integrated in static and on-board storage systems, adopting deterministic and stochastic criteria
On-board electric systems
- Modelling, simulation and design of hybrid and electric vehicles (innovative hybrid powertrains, object-oriented modelling and simulation, energy management, sizing, prototyping and pilot units, urban busses, hybrid working machines)
- Elctrificed urban transport systems (modelling and simulation, static and on-board storage systems, testing, Demand Response)
Simulation tools
- Sofware improvement for the Modelica language through the Cooperation with Modelica Association and OpenModelica Consortium;
- Developing and testing of Functional Mockup Unit (FMU)
- Development of models for the simulation of hybrid and electric power trains, and for the analysis of electrified transport systems.
Electrical machines
- Study and analysis of brushless motors with radial, axial, tubular flux and LSPM configuration, for the application in:
- road vehicle power trains;
- direct drive motors for use in building machines;
- hybrid systems for earthmoving machines;
- hydraulic pump drives;
- very high-speed brushless generators (> 100000 rpm) for oil & gas industry use.
- Medium voltage transformers with amorfhous core,
- software for FEM analysis (Ansys Multiphisics, Magnet) and 3D cad modelling (Solidworks). Lab equipment enables to experimentally test the prototypes.
- Magnetic levitation systems
- Electromagnetic launchers
Machines with limited use of Critical Raw Materials
