Distributed Generation Technologies is a course that serves as an introduction to microgrids and the advanced generation and storage systems used in them. Its main objective is to provide an overview of the fundamentals and key aspects of the various technologies used in distributed generation systems. The course introduces the importance and characteristics of decentralized generation systems compared to conventional systems. Subsequently, it covers different topologies of electrical microgrids and their integration into the electrical system. It then addresses the most important advanced generation and storage systems. Finally, it examines hybrid systems that combine two or more generation and storage technologies in the context of cogeneration and trigeneration.

KNOWLEDGE OR CONTENT



RCO1: The graduate will be able to identify concepts and techniques from basic and specific subjects, enabling the learning of new methods, theories, and modern engineering tools, providing sufficient versatility to adapt to new situations in their professional practice.



RCO2: The graduate will be able to describe the fundamentals of electrical circuits, electrical machines, low and medium voltage electrical installations, as well as energy generation and storage technologies.



COMPETENCIES



RC4: The graduate will be able to apply the strategies inherent to the scientific methodology: analyze the problematic situation qualitatively and quantitatively, formulate hypotheses and solutions using models specific to renewable energy engineering.



SKILLS OR ABILITIES LINKED TO THE DEGREE



HT1: The graduate will be able to interpret specifications, regulations, and mandatory standards that are involved in the practice of the renewable energy engineer profession.



BROAD-SPECTRUM SKILLS OR ABILITIES



HE1: The graduate will be able to solve problems with initiative, decision-making, creativity, and critical reasoning.



HE3: The graduate will be able to interpret relevant data to make judgments that include reflection on social, scientific, or ethical issues, for conducting measurements, calculations, evaluations, appraisals, assessments, studies, reports, work plans, and other similar tasks.

Topic 1 Distributed Generation



Different issues that may arise within the current distribution framework due to Distributed Generation (DG) embedded in the network are discussed, both from a technical and regulatory standpoint.



Topic 2 Electrical Microgrids



The concept of electrical microgrid within the scope of DG is introduced. Various topologies of microgrids are analyzed in isolated and interconnected modes.



Topic 3 Advanced Generation Technologies



The operational principles of fuel cell technologies, Stirling engines, and gas microturbines are analyzed. The electrical performance of these devices for integration into DG is evaluated.



Topic 4 Storage Technologies



The characteristics and most relevant properties of energy storage technologies for integration into DG are reviewed. In this context, the electrical performance of systems involving supercapacitors, superconducting coils, hydrogen, compressed air, flywheels, batteries, water pumping, and thermal energy are studied.



Topic 5 Hybrid Technologies



Hybrid systems grouping two or more generation and storage energy technologies are introduced. This scenario considers aspects related to fuel cell hybridization, various renewable energy technologies, gas microturbines, Stirling engines, cogeneration, trigeneration, and energy storage technologies.

The course is organized into theory lectures (M), classroom practical sessions (GA), laboratory practical sessions (GL), and individualized tutorials, which are held in the professor's office. The theoretical classes are conducted using a combination of conventional and audiovisual means.



Through the Moodle platform (eGela), students have access to theory and exercises to solve, which are introduced as the necessary theoretical knowledge is taught. Additionally, students are provided with the set of laboratory practices that will be carried out during the semester. In this regard, the format of the practices includes the work to be done and a set of tables that record the individualized readings that students must carry out through their assembly.

• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Written test to be taken (%): 60
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 20
  • Individual works (%): 20

CONTINUOUS EVALUATION SYSTEM



To be evaluated through the continuous evaluation system, regular class attendance is required.



Grading Tools:



Written Exam: It will account for 60% of the final grade. The Written Exam will consist of two parts, corresponding to the first and second parts of the course. The value of each part is 50% of the total grade of the written exam. The fact of taking the first test implies that the continuous evaluation system cannot be waived.

A test for the first part will be held halfway through the semester. In the ordinary examination, students may choose to take only the second part (if they have obtained a minimum of 4 points out of 10 in the test for the first part), or the complete exam, which includes both parts. In any case, a minimum of 4 points out of 10 must be obtained in each part of the written exam. Moreover, to pass the written exam, the theoretical part of the exam as well as the exercises part must be passed with at least 4 points out of 10 each.



Laboratory Practices: It will account for 20% of the final grade. Attendance and completion of all laboratory practices are mandatory, with a minimum score of 5 out of 10 required.



Individual Assignments: Its value will be 20% of the final grade. Submitting an individual assignment implies that the continuous evaluation system cannot be waived.



In case sanitary conditions prevent the realization of face-to-face teaching activities and/or evaluations, a non-face-to-face mode will be activated, and students will be informed promptly.



FINAL EVALUATION SYSTEM



According to Article 8 of the Regulation governing the evaluation of students in official Bachelor's degrees, students have the right to be evaluated through the final evaluation system. For this purpose, students must submit in writing to the responsible professor of the course the waiver of continuous evaluation within 9 weeks from the beginning of the semester. The final evaluation system assesses the learning outcomes through an examination that will take place during the official examination period. The test will consist of a written exam (80% of the grade) and evaluation activities for laboratory practices (20% of the grade). It is necessary to obtain at least 4 points out of 10 in each part of the written exam (theory and/or exercises) and at least 5 points out of 10 in the evaluation activity of the practices.



In case sanitary conditions prevent the realization of face-to-face teaching activities and/or evaluations, a non-face-to-face mode will be activated, and students will be informed promptly.



WAIVER



According to Article 12 of the Regulation governing the evaluation of students in official Bachelor's degrees, in the case of continuous evaluation, since the weight of the test is greater than 40% of the grade for the course, simply not showing up for that final test will result in a final grade of not presented. In the case of final evaluation, failure to attend the test set on the official examination date will automatically result in waiving the corresponding examination opportunity. Waiving an examination opportunity will result in a grade of not presented.



INFORMATION REGARDING THE USE OF MATERIALS, TOOLS, AND RESOURCES

In general, and unless otherwise indicated, during the administration of an evaluation test at UPV/EHU, the use of books, notes, or any kind of electronic, telephonic, or computing devices by students is prohibited. At the time of the test, if necessary, designated areas may be indicated for students to deposit unauthorized materials, ensuring they are out of reach of students.

According to Article 9 of the Regulation governing the evaluation of students in official Bachelor's degrees, the evaluation in the extraordinary examination period will be conducted exclusively through the final evaluation system. The final evaluation system assesses the learning outcomes through a test that will be held during the official examination period. The test will consist of a written exam (80% of the grade) and evaluation activities for laboratory practices (20% of the grade). It is necessary to obtain at least 4 points out of 10 in each part of the written exam (theory and/or exercises) and at least 5 points out of 10 in the evaluation activity of the practices. For this extraordinary examination period, positive results obtained by students in Laboratory Practices will be retained.



Failure to attend the test set on the official examination date will automatically result in waiving the corresponding examination opportunity. Waiving an examination opportunity will result in a grade of not presented.



In case sanitary conditions prevent the realization of face-to-face teaching activities and/or evaluations, a non-face-to-face mode will be activated, and students will be informed promptly.

Theoretical notes, exercises, and laboratory practice guides are available through the eGela platform.

Basic bibliography

• Gómez, J.L. Martínez, J.A. Rosendo, E. Romero, J.M. Riquelme, Sistemas Eléctricos de Potencia, Prentice Hall, 2003.

• Colmenar, D. Borge, E. Collado, M.A. Castro, Generación distribuida, autoconsumo y redes inteligentes, Uned, 14ª Ed., 2015.

• L. Hernández Callejo, Microrredes Eléctricas: Integración de generación renovable distribuida, almacenamiento distribuido e inteligencia, Garceta Grupo Editorial, 2019.

• R. Vicini, O. Micheloud, Smart Grid (Fundamentos, tecnologías y aplicaciones), Cengage Learning, 2012.

• F. Jurado, A. Cano, La generacion electrica distribuida con microturbinas de gas, koobeht int, 2005.

In-depth bibliography

• N.A. Hidayatullah, A. Kalam, State of the Art Distributed Generation and Smart Grid Technologies, Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012.
• Abdelhay A. Sallam, Om P. Malik, Power System Stability: Modelling, analysis and control, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, 2015.
• Ramesh Bansal, Handbook of Distributed Generation: Electric Power Technologies, Economics and Environmental Impacts, Springer, 2017.
• B. Sørensen, G. Spazzafumo, Hydrogen and Fuel Cells, Emerging Technologies and Applications, 3rd Edition, Academic Press, 2018.
• Fu-Bao Wu, Bo Yang, Ji-Lei Ye, Grid-scale Energy Storage Systems and Applications, Academic Press, 2019.

Journals

• Applied Energy
• Energies
• Energy
• IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion
• IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics
• International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
• Journal of energy Storage
• Sustainable Energy Reviews

Web addresses

• https://egela.ehu.es/
• https://www.ehu.eus/es/web/gisel/
• http://www.ree.es/es/
• https://www.omie.es/
• https://www.idae.es/
• https://www.epri.com/
• https://www.iea.org/
• https://www.energy.gov/