Distributed generation (DG) brought new challenges for protection engineers since standard relay settings of traditional system may no longer function properly under increasing presence of DG. The extreme case is coordination loss between primary and backup relays. The directional overcurrent relay (DOCR), which is the most implemented protective device in the electrical network, also suffers performance degradation in the presence of DG. Therefore, this paper proposes the mitigation of DG impact on DOCR coordination employing adaptive protection scheme (APS) using differential evolution algorithm while improving overall sensitivity of relays. The impacts of DG prior and after the application of APS are presented based on interconnected 6 bus and IEEE 14 bus system. As a consequence, general sensitivity improvement and mitigation scheme is proposed.

This paper deals with the relevance of analyzing the necessary development and of proposing a plan for research and remodeling the electrical infrastructures of port facilities. Good energy management principles, as well as electrical distribution architecture have a vital impact on performance of the installed system throughout its life cycle. The ports are the interface of maritime transport and are integrated in the surrounding land. They are required to arrange their electrical power distribution system, possibly in microgrids, that is, as a “utility” system, appropriate and adequate even to power the ship from shore. Harbors must have an energy master plan and their areas have to be considered as a unique customer. The energy management of a port area may be a great business opportunity for the port authority, which until now was not, involving different stakeholders who may benefit from service, including the same power utility company that benefits from the optimization and control of the energy flows.

The specific types of loads such as cranes, in particular, ship to shore (STS), rubber tyred gantry (RTG), rail mounted gantry (RMG) and cold ironing system in the ports present a distinctive load profile, due to their sudden peak load demand. To deal with the problem and avoid extra costs, it is possible to apply a delay time management to cranes operation and/or to implement energy storage systems (ESSs) to take benefit of regenerative energy. At this aim, the load profile characteristics require both energy storage with high power and energy densities and fast response time. Peak shaving can optimize the load demand and facilitate the participation of small power generation units based on renewable energy resources. In this regard, many approaches are introduced such as energy management strategies, modern technologies, and installing high-tech devices such as battery energy storage (BES), ultracapacitors (UCs), and flywheel energy storage (FES) acting as ESS. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to deal with an investigation for an integrated vision and a combination of ESSs application in the ports loads. Since the ports cannot persist to have independent and uncontrolled power systems, hence, the paper proposes the organization of their global design in a microgrid approach and the coordinated management for all the services such as cranes, reefers, col ironing, trucks, offices to increase the operation and energy performance. The statistical results show that the integration of ESSs can provide peak shaving, energy saving, and cost reduction in ports.

In Europe the amount of the electrical energy used in illuminating the interiors of medium and large buildings is considerable of about 40%. Energy saving actions could follow two basic directions: efficiency and effectiveness: efficiency, by new more performing equipment (lamps, control gear, etc.) and by utilization of improved lighting design practices (localised task lighting systems); effectiveness by improvements in lighting control systems to avoid energy waste and by adopting a technical building management system (maintenance and metering). By controlling the lighting in such a way that the lighting level is always accurately matched to the actual need allows to save on the energy costs and to improve the human comfort and efficiency. Establishing an integrated lighting control concept is a very important part of the lighting design process. Directly controlling and managing energy consumption it is possible to reach high effectiveness in energy management.

The paper presents a feasible model of architecture for the technical building systems (TBS) particularly suitable for nearly zero energy buildings (NZEBs). The suggested model aggregates the users around an electric node in order to reach up the threshold value of electric power, and to get a more virtuous and flexible cumulative load profile. Present proposal is a full electric common smart micro grid with a single point of connection, with heating and domestic hot water generated by a centralized electric heat pump system. The renewable energy is provided by a photovoltaic field connected to the common grid. A building automation control system operates those electric TBS modulating the global load for a building demand response (DR). The effectiveness of the proposed model consists of exploiting thermal inertia as an energy storage, by forcing both local and central set points of heating and air conditioning systems. The control is based on the integrated and common operation of all users and all systems of the building as one unique “large user.” The integrated management of the grid is operated to control the whole electric demand exploiting the self-consumption, avoiding peaks, and maintaining a flat load profile. The suggested microgrid model allows concretely the possibility to realize a building DR with benefits for the end-users in a consumer view point. A study of the effect of these control opportunities on whole electric demand is done by simulation on a case study.