Browsing by Author "Lazo, Joaquin"

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    Economic Model of Ancillary Services in Real Time for Frequency Control
    (2023) Balzer, Kristian; Lazo, Joaquin; Watts, David
    Modern power systems integrate ancillary services (ASs) to provide security and quality of service in real-time operation (RTO) due to the intense frequency variations caused by the uncertainty of solar-wind generation. To this end, the ancillary services market focuses on power reserves for secondary and tertiary frequency control. The adjustment and dispatch of reserves from plants are manual instructions executed by the system operator in order to maintain the frequency within the normal operating range (49.80 & LE; f & LE; 50.20 Hz). This work proposes a methodology for the economic modeling of the ancillary services market in real time using a dynamic hourly mathematical model that integrates the variability of solar-wind generation, a demand monitoring curve, and the trajectory of marginal cost (MgC). This is a segmented methodology in which plants with costs close to the marginal cost are identified in real time using the Supramarginal (SMg) and Inframarginal (IMg) methods. Finally, this economic model for real-time power reserve reallocation represents an innovation in the ancillary services market because its results allow for the operation costs (OC) of the reserves to be reduced by up to 60% and for the displacement of marginal costs to be reduced by 10 to 40% with respect to traditional methodologies such as the economic merit list and the technical minimum methodology, which cause plants to operate without economic justification.
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    From blackouts to breakthroughs: Examining electricity's relevance in healthcare during COVID-19 and the future role of renewable energy
    (2023) Lazo, Joaquin; Escobar, Carolina; Watts, David
    Power supply played a critical role during the COVID-19 pandemic in keeping hospitals and critical medical equipment operating, which was quickly reflected in electricity consumption and new consumption patterns. However, not all countries faced the same challenges. While developed countries could react adequately to changes in hospital electricity consumption patterns, low-income countries faced infrastructure and energy ac-cess challenges during the pandemic, which hampered the management of the pandemic in all of its dimensions. This paper reviews the importance of power supply in hospitals through a literature review and divides the discussion into three sections. First, the factors influencing new hospital consumption patterns during the pandemic are discussed. Then, the consequences of the lack of electricity in remote areas on managing the pandemic are reviewed. Finally, the impact of the pandemic on the design of hybrid power generation systems is reviewed, which must not only provide autonomy for similar future scenarios but also be prepared to respond to sudden increases in power consumption due to a greater number of patients or longer working hours, an increase in the number of critical loads, and possible restrictions on access to fuel. Thus, this work provides valuable insights for policymakers, academics, and researchers on the importance of updating hospital power supply standards and contributes to demonstrating the need to electrify remote hospitals.
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    Regulatory response to COVID-19 in the Ibero-American electricity sector: Policy implications and critical analysis of support measures
    (2023) Aguirre, Gerson; Lazo, Joaquin; Watts, David
    The confinement measures implemented to curb the spread of COVID-19 caused massive job destruction and increased residential electricity consumption due to the increased time people spent in their homes, putting millions of people around the world at risk of energy poverty at a time when they depended on it for tele-commuting, distance learning, recreation, and communication. Governments reacted quickly and introduced various emergency measures to secure the power supply. This article reviews and classifies the emergency measures implemented in the electricity sector in 22 Ibero-American countries, identifying the validity of the measures, the benefits provided, and the requirements to apply. The paper focuses on economic support mea-sures for residential customers. The main measures include the prohibition of disconnection of electricity service, deferment of payment of the electricity bill, installment payments of the electricity debt, and reduction of the electricity tariff. However, measures aimed at commercial and industrial customers and companies participating in the electricity supply chain are also reviewed. We argue that these measures, applicable not only during health crises but also during any event that confines the population for an extended period, should be targeted at the most vulnerable population to reduce fiscal expenditure and increase social impact.
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    Stochastic model for active distribution networks planning: An analysis of the combination of active network management schemes
    (2024) Lazo, Joaquin; Watts, David
    The widespread adoption of distributed generation (DG) is changing the operation of distribution networks. To increase the control of power flows and avoid the detriments of DG intermittency, active distribution networks (ADN) emerge as a feasible solution. In this paper, we propose a convex model for ADN expansion planning. Four active network management (ANM) schemes are considered: DG active power curtailment, DG reactive power control, on-load tap changer (OLTC) tap adjustment, and shunt compensation device control. The problem is formulated as a mixed integer second-order cone programming problem (MISOCP) using the distflow equations and second-order cone relaxations (SOCR). By scenario analysis, we address the uncertainty associated with power demand, renewable generation, and electricity prices. The proposed model is used to study the benefits of different combinations of ANM schemes to a modified IEEE 33-bus system and compare them with the individual benefits of each scheme. The results indicate that ANM schemes can reduce total network costs, reduce losses, delay network reinforcement, and improve the voltage profile. In addition, some combinations of schemes develop synergies in which the combined economic benefits are greater than the sum of the individual benefits.