In a world striving to reduce the environmental impact of energy production, intelligent Energy Management Systems (EMS) can play a key role in increasing energy production and consumption efficiency, and facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources within conventional generation systems. EMS can locally handle the supply of different energy services, controlling renewable and conventional distributed energy resources, storage systems, and dispatchable loads to exploit internal synergies and minimise operation cost and / or environmental impact. Our objective is to devise the architecture of advanced multi-energy microgrids, and develop dispatch optimisation algorithms that can ensure optimal and reliable performances.
The GECOS group has developed an inter-departmental laboratory to test and analyse microgrids performance. Check out our Multi-Good Micro-Grid Laboratory (MG2Lab)
Cogeneration, trigeneration and multigeneration
GECOS group has a long history in designing distributed generation systems for the combined production of electricity, heat and cooling.
Development and testing of innovative distributed energy devices
Techno-economic assessment of complex systems and development of user-friendly tools for energy assessment (CHP design web app)
Advanced optimisation algorithms and control logic to identify the best operational strategy in complex systems
Collaboration with energy services providers to deploy and field test our solutions
Recently, our know-how has extended to multi-energy systems, where generic goods that can represent services, energy fluxes or actual products are exchanged and converted into one another within a local microgrid.
The future of electricity is digital!
The increasing electrification of our society (involving transports, HVAC systems, and most of domestic and non-domestic appliances), and the diffuse digitalisation of control systems, offers great opportunities for integrated energy production and consumption management. Our research focuses on:
Integration of Electric Vehicles (EV) recharge stations in multi-energy microgrids
Collective management of distributed demand (aggregators) and generation (virtual power plants)
Home automation and high-penetration renewable energy domestic systems
Microgrids for rural development
GECOS group has been active for many years in the field of rural electrification and development focusing on:
Design and operation optimisation of islanded microgrids for the electrification of remote locations
Exploitation of local resources (biomass, solar, wind) to provide electricity and services, like water potabilization
Strategic evaluation of investments in microgrids considering competition with grid-extension planning and electric demand evolution
For further information, please contact Prof. Giampaolo Manzolini (giampaolo.manzolini@polimi.it).
Want to know more about the high efficiency cogeneration regulatory framework in Italy?
Have a look at this incentives guideline summary proposed by GECOS.
For additional information, please contact Ing. Nicola Fergnani (nicola.fergnani@polimi.it).
Related Projects
Recent publications
2019 |
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Di Marcoberardino, G; Chiarabaglio, L; Manzolini, G; Campanari, S A Techno-economic comparison of micro-cogeneration systems based on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell for residential applications Journal Article Applied Energy, 239 , pp. 692–705, 2019. @article{DiMarcoberardino2019,
title = {A Techno-economic comparison of micro-cogeneration systems based on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell for residential applications}, author = {G {Di Marcoberardino} and L Chiarabaglio and G Manzolini and S Campanari}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85061091469&doi=10.1016%2Fj.apenergy.2019.01.171&partnerID=40&md5=762986b5333d0d4192918d2dca28fe94}, doi = {10.1016/j.apenergy.2019.01.171}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, journal = {Applied Energy}, volume = {239}, pages = {692–705}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Moretti, L; Astolfi, M; Vergara, C; Macchi, E; Pérez-Arriaga, J I; Manzolini, G A design and dispatch optimization algorithm based on mixed integer linear programming for rural electrification Journal Article Applied Energy, 233-234 , pp. 1104–1121, 2019. @article{Moretti2019,
title = {A design and dispatch optimization algorithm based on mixed integer linear programming for rural electrification}, author = {L Moretti and M Astolfi and C Vergara and E Macchi and J I Pérez-Arriaga and G Manzolini}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85056392574&doi=10.1016%2Fj.apenergy.2018.09.194&partnerID=40&md5=ca5b95830d382aaa6680e1d48b1dd9fb}, doi = {10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.09.194}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, journal = {Applied Energy}, volume = {233-234}, pages = {1104–1121}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Prina, M G; Lionetti, M; Manzolini, G; Sparber, W; Moser, D Transition pathways optimization methodology through EnergyPLAN software for long-term energy planning Journal Article Applied Energy, pp. 356–368, 2019. @article{Prina2019,
title = {Transition pathways optimization methodology through EnergyPLAN software for long-term energy planning}, author = {M G Prina and M Lionetti and G Manzolini and W Sparber and D Moser}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85056154590&doi=10.1016%2Fj.apenergy.2018.10.099&partnerID=40&md5=55f8a10c3c566ff14aa0acc67d57e43f}, doi = {10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.10.099}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, journal = {Applied Energy}, pages = {356–368}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Colbertaldo, P; Agustin, S B; Campanari, S; Brouwer, J Impact of hydrogen energy storage on California electric power system: Towards 100% renewable electricity Journal Article International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 44 (19), pp. 9558–9576, 2019, ISSN: 03603199. @article{Colbertaldo2019,
title = {Impact of hydrogen energy storage on California electric power system: Towards 100% renewable electricity}, author = {P Colbertaldo and S B Agustin and S Campanari and J Brouwer}, url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.062}, doi = {10.1016/j.ijhydene.2018.11.062}, issn = {03603199}, year = {2019}, date = {2019-01-01}, journal = {International Journal of Hydrogen Energy}, volume = {44}, number = {19}, pages = {9558–9576}, publisher = {Elsevier Ltd}, abstract = {Decarbonization of the power sector is a key step towards greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Due to the intermittent nature of major renewable sources like wind and solar, storage technologies will be critical in the future power grid to accommodate fluctuating generation. The storage systems will need to decouple supply and demand by shifting electrical energy on many different time scales (hourly, daily, and seasonally). Power-to-Gas can contribute on all of these time scales by producing hydrogen via electrolysis during times of excess electrical generation, and generating power with high-efficiency systems like fuel cells when wind and solar are not sufficiently available. Despite lower immediate round-trip efficiency compared to most battery storage systems, the combination of devices used in Power-to-Gas allows independent scaling of power and energy capacities to enable massive and long duration storage. This study develops and applies a model to simulate the power system balance at very high penetration of renewables. Novelty of the study is the assessment of hydrogen as the primary storage means for balancing energy supply and demand on a large scale: the California power system is analyzed to estimate the needs for electrolyzer and fuel cell systems in 100% renewable scenarios driven by large additions of wind and solar capacities. Results show that the transition requires a massive increase in both generation and storage installations, e.g., a combination of 94 GW of solar PV, 40 GW of wind, and 77 GW of electrolysis systems. A mix of generation technologies appears to reduce the total required capacities with respect to wind-dominated or solar-dominated cases. Hydrogen storage capacity needs are also evaluated and possible alternatives are discussed, including a comparison with battery storage systems.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } Decarbonization of the power sector is a key step towards greenhouse gas emissions reduction. Due to the intermittent nature of major renewable sources like wind and solar, storage technologies will be critical in the future power grid to accommodate fluctuating generation. The storage systems will need to decouple supply and demand by shifting electrical energy on many different time scales (hourly, daily, and seasonally). Power-to-Gas can contribute on all of these time scales by producing hydrogen via electrolysis during times of excess electrical generation, and generating power with high-efficiency systems like fuel cells when wind and solar are not sufficiently available. Despite lower immediate round-trip efficiency compared to most battery storage systems, the combination of devices used in Power-to-Gas allows independent scaling of power and energy capacities to enable massive and long duration storage. This study develops and applies a model to simulate the power system balance at very high penetration of renewables. Novelty of the study is the assessment of hydrogen as the primary storage means for balancing energy supply and demand on a large scale: the California power system is analyzed to estimate the needs for electrolyzer and fuel cell systems in 100% renewable scenarios driven by large additions of wind and solar capacities. Results show that the transition requires a massive increase in both generation and storage installations, e.g., a combination of 94 GW of solar PV, 40 GW of wind, and 77 GW of electrolysis systems. A mix of generation technologies appears to reduce the total required capacities with respect to wind-dominated or solar-dominated cases. Hydrogen storage capacity needs are also evaluated and possible alternatives are discussed, including a comparison with battery storage systems.
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2018 |
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Foresti, S; Manzolini, G Optimization of PEM Fuel Cell Operation with High-purity Hydrogen Produced by a Membrane Reactor Journal Article Fuel Cells, 18 (3), pp. 335–346, 2018. @article{Foresti2018,
title = {Optimization of PEM Fuel Cell Operation with High-purity Hydrogen Produced by a Membrane Reactor}, author = {S Foresti and G Manzolini}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85047793385&doi=10.1002%2Ffuce.201700119&partnerID=40&md5=a2c9986fce1984f6297caf522e1ca584}, doi = {10.1002/fuce.201700119}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Fuel Cells}, volume = {18}, number = {3}, pages = {335–346}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Di Marcoberardino, G; Manzolini, G; Guignard, C; Magaud, V Chemical Engineering and Processing – Process Intensification, 131 , pp. 70–83, 2018. @article{DiMarcoberardino2018b,
title = {Optimization of a micro-CHP system based on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell and membrane reactor from economic and life cycle assessment point of view}, author = {G {Di Marcoberardino} and G Manzolini and C Guignard and V Magaud}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85050069870&doi=10.1016%2Fj.cep.2018.06.003&partnerID=40&md5=13199da37412692c7fb99a95fdd37c25}, doi = {10.1016/j.cep.2018.06.003}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Chemical Engineering and Processing – Process Intensification}, volume = {131}, pages = {70–83}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Foresti, S; Di Marcoberardino, G; Manzolini, G; De Nooijer, N; Gallucci, F; van Sint Annaland, M A comprehensive model of a fluidized bed membrane reactor for small-scale hydrogen production Journal Article Chemical Engineering and Processing – Process Intensification, 127 , pp. 136–144, 2018. @article{Foresti2018a,
title = {A comprehensive model of a fluidized bed membrane reactor for small-scale hydrogen production}, author = {S Foresti and G {Di Marcoberardino} and G Manzolini and N {De Nooijer} and F Gallucci and M {van Sint Annaland}}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85044602139&doi=10.1016%2Fj.cep.2018.01.018&partnerID=40&md5=c6220d8778bb8e61d361468951b9b088}, doi = {10.1016/j.cep.2018.01.018}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Chemical Engineering and Processing – Process Intensification}, volume = {127}, pages = {136–144}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Mastropasqua, L; Campanari, S; Brouwer, J Electrochemical Carbon Separation in a SOFC-MCFC Polygeneration Plant With Near-Zero Emissions Journal Article Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power, 140 (1), 2018. @article{Mastropasqua2018,
title = {Electrochemical Carbon Separation in a SOFC-MCFC Polygeneration Plant With Near-Zero Emissions}, author = {L Mastropasqua and S Campanari and J Brouwer}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85029692013&doi=10.1115%2F1.4037639&partnerID=40&md5=dd0365a3ff099b9556bc17a046338048}, doi = {10.1115/1.4037639}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Journal of Engineering for Gas Turbines and Power}, volume = {140}, number = {1}, abstract = {The modularity and high efficiency at small-scale make high temperature (HT) fuel cells an interesting solution for carbon capture and utilization at the distributed generation (DG) scale when coupled to appropriate use of CO2 (i.e., for industrial uses, local production of chemicals, etc.). The present work explores fully electrochemical power systems capable of producing a highly pure CO2 stream and hydrogen. In particular, the proposed system is based upon integrating a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). The use of these HT fuel cells has already been separately applied in the past for carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications. However, their combined use is yet unexplored. The reference configuration proposed envisions the direct supply of the SOFC anode outlet to a burner which, using the cathode depleted air outlet, completes the oxidation of the unconverted species. The outlet of the burner is then fed to the MCFC cathode inlet, which separates the CO2 from the stream. This layout has the significant advantage of achieving the required CO2 purity for liquefaction and long-range transportation without requiring the need of cryogenic or distillation plants. Furthermore, different configurations are considered with the final aim of increasing the carbon capture ratio (CCR) and maximizing the electrical efficiency. Moreover, the optimal power ratio between SOFC and MCFC stacks is also explored. Complete simulation results are presented, discussing the proposed plant mass and energy balances and showing the most attractive configurations from the point of view of total efficiency and CCR. Copyright textcopyright 2018 by ASME.}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } The modularity and high efficiency at small-scale make high temperature (HT) fuel cells an interesting solution for carbon capture and utilization at the distributed generation (DG) scale when coupled to appropriate use of CO2 (i.e., for industrial uses, local production of chemicals, etc.). The present work explores fully electrochemical power systems capable of producing a highly pure CO2 stream and hydrogen. In particular, the proposed system is based upon integrating a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) with a molten carbonate fuel cell (MCFC). The use of these HT fuel cells has already been separately applied in the past for carbon capture and storage (CCS) applications. However, their combined use is yet unexplored. The reference configuration proposed envisions the direct supply of the SOFC anode outlet to a burner which, using the cathode depleted air outlet, completes the oxidation of the unconverted species. The outlet of the burner is then fed to the MCFC cathode inlet, which separates the CO2 from the stream. This layout has the significant advantage of achieving the required CO2 purity for liquefaction and long-range transportation without requiring the need of cryogenic or distillation plants. Furthermore, different configurations are considered with the final aim of increasing the carbon capture ratio (CCR) and maximizing the electrical efficiency. Moreover, the optimal power ratio between SOFC and MCFC stacks is also explored. Complete simulation results are presented, discussing the proposed plant mass and energy balances and showing the most attractive configurations from the point of view of total efficiency and CCR. Copyright textcopyright 2018 by ASME.
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Gabrielli, P; Gazzani, M; Martelli, E; Mazzotti, M Corrigendum to “Optimal design of multi-energy systems with seasonal storage” [Appl. Energy (2017)] Journal Article Applied Energy, 212 , pp. 720, 2018. @article{Gabrielli2018720,
title = {Corrigendum to “Optimal design of multi-energy systems with seasonal storage” [Appl. Energy (2017)]}, author = {P Gabrielli and M Gazzani and E Martelli and M Mazzotti}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85038806652&doi=10.1016%2Fj.apenergy.2017.12.070&partnerID=40&md5=84c7388d61a2039ae43d947c987d9c42}, doi = {10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.12.070}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Applied Energy}, volume = {212}, pages = {720}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |
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Prina, M G; Cozzini, M; Garegnani, G; Manzolini, G; Moser, D; Filippi Oberegger, U; Pernetti, R; Vaccaro, R; Sparber, W Multi-objective optimization algorithm coupled to EnergyPLAN software: The EPLANopt model Journal Article Energy, 149 , pp. 213–221, 2018. @article{Prina2018a,
title = {Multi-objective optimization algorithm coupled to EnergyPLAN software: The EPLANopt model}, author = {M G Prina and M Cozzini and G Garegnani and G Manzolini and D Moser and U {Filippi Oberegger} and R Pernetti and R Vaccaro and W Sparber}, url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85042179234&doi=10.1016%2Fj.energy.2018.02.050&partnerID=40&md5=bae2936cadef1bdb05c8c0abf3cbfdd9}, doi = {10.1016/j.energy.2018.02.050}, year = {2018}, date = {2018-01-01}, journal = {Energy}, volume = {149}, pages = {213–221}, keywords = {}, pubstate = {published}, tppubtype = {article} } |