Operation of non interconnected islands with high RES penetration

Non interconnected island power systems (NIIPS) are characterized by high operating costs and restrictions in the renewable energy sources (RES) penetration, despite the high potential that might exist in them. Many island system operators have installed or consider pioneering projects that comprise novel control techniques and energy storage to increase the renewable energy penetration and decrease the operating costs.
However, operational security of non-interconnected island systems under high-RES penetration levels is a challenging task introducing new threats and requiring new control techniques to address them. Research and industry have not defined clearly which are the necessary ancillary services by inverter-based technologies that ensure safe operation in the islands under those circumstances. Furthermore, taking into consideration the impact of the services and the uncertainty in RES production for the assessment of dynamic security and economic operation of the system is an open research topic.

In Smart4RES, Dimitrios Lagos participates in the assessment of the ancillary services deployed by a central battery storage system in islands with high-RES penetration, the development of a stochastic economic dispatch module that takes into consideration the battery storage system ancillary services and a dynamic security assessment algorithm for non-interconnected island that considers demand and RES production uncertainty. Dimitrios is also involved in the assessment of the aforementioned modules in a living lab with real time interaction with actual Greek islands.

“Advanced testing schemes can be applied to investigate the island’s operation and evaluate the SMART4RES developed tools under realistic conditions in high RES penetration scenarios.”

Figure: Living Lab for the evaluation of Smart4RES forecast and EMS modules for Greek islands

More about Dimitrios Lagos

On his background
“I received my Diploma in Electrical Engineering in 2015 from the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). In 2022, I received my PhD degree in NTUA for my research on the secure operation of non interconnected islands under high RES penetration levels. Since 2015, I have been working as a researcher in the Smartgrids Research Unit where I have involved in European and National R&D projects in collaboration with native and European research institutes and universities.”

On his research interests
My research interests lie in the field of non-interconnected island power system operation under high RES penetration, microgrids, control of power electronics and hardware in the loop (HIL).

On choosing Smart4RES and NTUA for his research
“Smart4RES project and NTUA have provided me the opportunity to conduct research in a topic, the operation of island systems with high RES penetration, which highly interests me, is relevant to the electrification of several islands in my country including novel techniques and technologies that are part of the transition to a net zero world.”

Where he sees himself in 5 years
“In the following years I aim to expand further my skills and knowledge. My passion is to keep working for a net zero world and the innovative technologies that facilitate this transition.”

On Mentors with an impact
“Professor Nikos Hatziargyriou was a great mentor throughout my PH.D studies. I consider him a role model of a professor, scientist and a person in general, while his appetite for working and evolving his knowledge never seizes to amaze me.”