Systems for the production, distribution and use of energy are becoming more complex and articulated. More and more automation is present in them at any level, from production plants to district networks down to single units. Also, more and more integration is required, or example in a view to the coordinated generation and/or use of electricity and heat. Finally, also the needs are hanging, involving aspects such as comfort, economy, and environmental impact.

The aim of the course is to address this scenario by providing the student a system-level view - which is typical of the automation engineer - on the matter, the control problems encountered, the solutions adopted to date and their possible future developments, without delving into details on the various types of generators, utilisers and so forth, as said details that can be learned in specialised courses. The rationale of such a didactic approach is that the students' abstraction and generalisation capabilities will allow them to re-use the learned concepts wherever appropriate, and care will be taken to stimulate such an attitude.

Understand the basic principles behind the operation, the control and the management of energy systems, with particular reference - as paradigmatic examples - to electric and heat networks. Master the main control structures, including optimisation-related ones where applicable, devoted to the control of such systems. Be able of carrying out complete modelling, control synthesis and assessment cases, at a complexity level compatible with the course extent.

The course begins with an introduction to the subject (4 hours) designed to rapidly provide a high-level view of the matter. This section also introduces the basic concepts related to energy systems: generalities, basic functionalities, and a brief sketch of the major regulatory frameworks involved.

This is followed by a methodological part (6 hours) which recalls - and where necessary introduces - the mathematical and modelling principles that will be used below. This part mainly deals with balance equations of mass and energy, necessary to create the required (lumped) dynamic models.

The next part (12 hours) describes the main physical objects (generators, utilisers, distribution networks) involved in energy systems, briefly explaining their dynamic behaviour, and rapidly coming to derive simplified models for them, parametrised with a minimal amount of information so as to represent the role of the object described in the overall system to which it belongs. The main items covered include thermoelectric, hydroelectric, solar (thermal and photovoltaic) and wind power generators, electricity distribution networks (on which just an outline is given for space and time limitations) and the major electrical utilisers; combustion-based and solar thermal generators, heat distribution networks; building elements that play a relevant role in energy-related problems.

The following (approximately) 10 hours, in fact partially interlaced with the previous ones, describe the main control issues in energy systems and the strategies used to tackle them, based on the appropriate models previously obtained. This part also recalls - and if necessary introduces - the main control structures used in energy systems, and contains a brief treatise on the main control architectures used, such as DCS, fieldbus, and networked control systems, networks of sensors and actuators. Some considerations are also reported on the influence of the control architecture on the design of controllers, supported by commenting some simple examples.

The remaining 18 hours are composed of simple exercises and case studies, also with the use of open source simulation and control synthesis tools, which will be made available to the students. The case studies concern problems such as the basic optimisation of an electric network with multiple generators and loads, the control of temperature in a building with different heat sources, the control of a district heating system, and the automatic optimisation of the energy management of a housing unit.

Knowledge of the fundamentals about first-principle electric and thermal modelling. Fundamental control competence, at least at the level of a single loop synthesisable in the Bode hypotheses. A very short review on the above will be anyway provided in the course, essentially to establish a common jargon and notation.

The students will be required to carry out a project by using the presented methodologies and tools, and to deliver a written report following a template that will be provided during the course together with the project themes. The proposed projects concern modelling and control of simple electric and heat networks, including the simulation assessment of the synthesised controls. The project will contribute to about 2/3 of the total score, the rest coming from a written test covering the entire content of the course, and composed of both numerical exercises and open-answer questions.