Data Description

Condition monitoring and early diagnostics methodologies for hydropower plants

Condition monitoring and early diagnostics methodologies for hydropower plants

Nov 15, 2019

AUTHORS:
Alessandro Betti, Emanuele Crisostomi, Gianluca Paolinelli, Antonio Piazzi, Fabrizio Ruffini and Mauro Tucci.
ABSTRACT:
Hydropower plants are one of the most convenient option for power generation, as they generate energy exploiting a renewable source, they have relatively low operating and maintenance costs, and they may be used to provide ancillary services, exploiting the large reservoirs of available water. The recent advances in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and in machine learning methodologies are seen as fundamental enablers to upgrade and modernize the current operation of most hydropower plants, in terms of condition monitoring, early diagnostics and eventually predictive maintenance. While very few works, or running technologies, have been documented so far for the hydro case, in this paper we propose a novel Key Performance Indicator (KPI) that we have recently developed and tested on operating hydropower plants. In particular, we show that after more than one year of operation it has been able to identify several faults, and to support the operation and maintenance tasks of plant operators. Also we show that the proposed KPI outperforms conventional multivariable process control charts, like the Hotelling t2 index.

MOWGLI (MicrO reneWable Grid for ruraL Indian areas) project on ETN magazine

MOWGLI (MicrO reneWable Grid for ruraL Indian areas) project on ETN magazine

Oct 15, 2019

AUTHORS:
Ciro Lanzetta and Fabrizio Ruffini.
ABSTRACT:
The Mowgli feasibility study started in 2018 funded by the European Space Agency (ESA) with the involvement of the India Energy Storage Alliance (IESA) as stakeholder. The aim is to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of satellite-based services for microgrids. Designed by i-EM, Mowgli is a solution that provides a set of services for optimal microgrid planning, designing and operational and maintenance (O&M) applications in urban and rural areas developing countries, with focus on India as a user case.

A Machine Learning model for long-term power generation forecasting at bidding zone level

A Machine Learning model for long-term power generation forecasting at bidding zone level

Sep 11, 2019

AUTHORS:
Michela Moschella, Alessandro Betti, Emanuele Crisostomi and Mauro Tucci.
ABSTRACT:
The increasing penetration level of energy generation from renewable sources is demanding for more accurate and reliable forecasting tools to support classic power grid operations (e.g., unit commitment, electricity market clearing or maintenance planning). For this purpose, many physical models have been employed, and more recently many statistical or machine learning algorithms, and data-driven methods in general, are becoming subject of intense research. While generally the power research community focuses on power forecasting at the level of single plants, in a short future horizon of time, in this time we are interested in aggregated macro-area power generation (i.e., in a territory of size greater than 100000 km2) with a future horizon of interest up to 15 days ahead. Real data are used to validate the proposed forecasting methodology on a test set of several months.

A scalable predictive maintenance model for detecting wind turbine component failures based on SCADA data

A scalable predictive maintenance model for detecting wind turbine component failures based on SCADA data

Jun 8, 2019

AUTHORS:
Lorenzo Gigoni, Alessandro Betti, Emanuele Crisostomi and Mauro Tucci.
ABSTRACT:
This work presents a novel Predictive Maintenance model for the main Wind Turbine components based on SCADA data and combination of Machine Learning and Classical Statistical approach. According to the impact of maintenance cost on the wind power Levelized Cost of Energy (LCOE), the components Gearbox, Generator, and Main Bearing have been modelled. The model was trained on historical nominal behavior periods of components specific SCADA tags. Test campaign was divided in two stages: test on historical faults for model training and validation, and Real-Time test for proper integration in the plant operators’ activities. Test on historical faults of six wind farms located in Italy and Romania, corresponding to an overall installed nominal power of 283 MW, demonstrate outstanding capabilities of anomaly prediction up to 2 months before device unscheduled downtime. Additionally, test on 12- months Real-Time phase confirm its ability to detect several anomalies, therefore allowing the operators to identify root case and schedule maintenance before reaching the catastrophic stage.

A Decision Support System based on Earth observation exploitation for renewable energy plants management

A Decision Support System based on Earth observation exploitation for renewable energy plants management

May 12, 2019

AUTHORS:
Andrea Masini, Ciro Lanzetta, Giuseppe Leotta, Gian Lorenzo Giuliattini Burbui, Pasquale Guerrisi and Maria Luisa Lo Trovato.
ABSTRACT:
Nowadays remote sensing information can be exploited to support the management of renewable energy plants during all its life cycles. Earth observation satellite can provide a continuous monitoring of each location of the earth. Low-resolution and high-resolution imagery can be exploited to obtain accurate descriptions of the monitored scenarios/plants. Moreover, the use of unmanned air vehicle can provide complementary information to monitor important features not detectable with satellite sensors. i-EM and Flyby developed and tested a system, called 4D-REDSS (4D Renewable plants Decision Support System) aimed to exploit remote sensed data to advantage and support the management of solar plant during the construction and pre-commissioning phase.