KEYNOTES > Prof. Alfredo Vaccaro

Enabling Methodologies for Solving Uncertain Optimal Power Flow Problems in decarbonized power systems

Prof. Alfredo Vaccaro

IEEE Senior Member, Dept. of Engineering, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy

Abstract

Optimal power system operation requires intensive numerical analysis to study and improve system security and reliability. Optimization models are some of the most important tools to address this issue since they represent the mathematical foundation of many power engineering applications. However, the transition to decarbonized power systems poses unprecedented challenges to the conventional optimization and computation techniques currently deployed in electrical grid operation tools, which should enable rapid decisions in a data-rich but information-limited environment. In this context, the research for highly scalable optimization frameworks, which aim at coordinating small, distributed, and flexible energy sources, and for robust decision support systems, which aim at modeling the effects of complex and correlated data uncertainties on reliable power system operation, represent two relevant issues to address. In addressing these challenging issues, this talk will discuss the latest advances and the enabling methodologies for solving optimization problems in the context of realistic decarbonized power systems operation scenarios. The results of experimental studies obtained on the Italian power transmission system will be presented and discussed to emphasize modern optimization techniques' potential role in solving challenging operation problems.

Biography:

Alfredo Vaccaro (Senior Member, IEEE) received the M.Sc. (Hons.) degree in electronic engineering from the University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy, and the Ph.D. degree in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada. From 1999 to 2002, he was an Assistant Researcher with the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Salerno. From March 2002 to October 2015, he was an Assistant Professor of electric power systems with the Department of Engineering, University of Sannio, Benevento, Italy, where he is currently a Full Professor of electrical power systems. His research interests include soft computing and interval-based methods applied to power system analysis, and advanced control architectures for diagnosis and protection of distribution networks. He is an Associate Editor of IEEE Transactions on Power Systems and IEEE Transactions on Smart Grids