Researcher profile

Md Umar Hashmi

Md Umar Hashmi contributes to research discovery and scholarly infrastructure.

ResearcherAffiliation not importedOpen to collaborate

Trust snapshot

Quick read

Trust 21 - EmergingVerification L1Unclaimed author
11works
0followers
5topics
4close collaborators

Actions

Decide how to stay connected

Follow researcher0

Identity and collaboration

How to connect with this researcher

Claiming links this public author record to a researcher profile and unlocks direct collaboration workflows.

Log in to claim

Direct collaboration

Open a focused conversation when the fit is right

Claim this author entity first to unlock direct invitations.

Research graph

See the researcher in context

Open full explorer

Inspect adjacent work, topics, institutions and collaborators without jumping out to a separate graph page.

Building this graph slice

BZPEER is loading the nearby papers, people, topics and institutions for this page.

Published work

11 published item(s)

preprint2026arXiv

Fairness for distribution network operations and planning

The incorporation of fairness into the distribution network (DN) planning and operation has become a key goal of recent studies. The cost of implementing fairness, denominated the price of fairness (PoF), covers the efficiency that is renounced for attaining social cohesion through fair outcomes. Locational disparity makes fairness schemes emerge to level the consumers playing field. However, fairness encompasses a range of notions. From egalitarian to merit-based criteria, various metrics are implemented as a tool for measuring equitable utility distribution. These have different mathematical complexities, from linear to non-linear programming cases, which affect their overall applicability. Hence, this study compiles the overarching fairness notions and metrics, reviewing how these affect stakeholders and the inherent mathematical optimisation in resource allocation problems. The aim is to support consistent and transparent planning and decision-making within DN operations.

preprint2023arXiv

Consensus based phase connectivity identification for distribution network with limited observability

The mitigation of distribution network (DN) unbalance and the use of single-phase flexibility for congestion mitigation requires accurate phase connection information, which is often not available. For a large DN, the naive phase identification proposed in the majority of the prior works using a single voltage reference does not scale well for a multi-feeder DN. We present a consensus algorithm-based phase identification mechanism which uses multiple three-phase reference points to improve the prediction of phases. Due to the absence of real measurements for a real-suburban German DN, the algorithms are developed and evaluated over synthetic data using a digital twin. To utilize strongly correlated measurements, the DN is clustered into zones. We observe those reference measurements located in the same zone as the single-phase consumer leads to accurate prediction of DN phases. Four consensus algorithms are developed and compared. Using numerical results, we recommend the most robust phase identification mechanism. In our evaluation, measurement error, and the impact of the neutral conductor are also assessed. We assume limited DN observability and apply our findings to a German DN without smart meters, but only less than 8% of nodes have measurement boxes along with single-phase consumers with a home energy management system. Voltage time series for 1 month (hourly sampled) is utilized. The numerical results indicate that for 1% accuracy class measurement, the phase connectivity of 308 out of 313 single-phase consumers in a German DN can be identified. Further, we also propose metrics quantifying the goodness of the phase identification. The phase identification framework based on consensus algorithms for DN zones is scalable for large DN and robust towards measurement errors as the estimation is not dependent on a single measurement point.

preprint2022arXiv

Chance constrained day-ahead robust flexibility needs assessment for low voltage distribution network

For market-based procurement of low voltage (LV) flexibility, DSOs identify the amount of flexibility needed for resolving probable distribution network (DN) voltage and thermal congestion. A framework is required to avoid over or under procurement of flexibility in the presence of uncertainty. To this end, we propose a scenario-based robust chance-constrained (CC) day-ahead flexibility needs assessment (FNA) framework. The CC level is analogous to the risk DSO is willing to take in flexibility planning. Multi-period optimal power flow is performed to calculate the amount of flexibility needed to avoid network issues. Flexibility is defined in terms of nodal power ramp-up and ramp-down and cumulative energy needs over a full day for each node. Future uncertainties are considered as multiple scenarios generated using multivariate Gaussian distribution and Cholesky decomposition. These scenarios are utilized to solve the flexibility needs assessment optimal power flow (FNA-OPF) problem. Zonal clustering of an LV feeder is performed using electrical distance as a measure and spatial partitioning. The FNA tool calculates ramp-up and ramp-down flexibility's power and energy requirements. Energy and power needs are often valued differently in many energy markets. We identify the marginal value of flexibility associated with energy and power needs separately. From numerical results for an LV feeder, it is observed that zonal flexibility needs assessment is more immune to uncertainty than nodal flexibility needs, making it more useful for DSOs to evaluate day-ahead flexibility procurement. We also propose a Pareto optimal mechanism for selecting CC level to reduce flexibility needs while reducing DN congestion.

preprint2022arXiv

Flexible and curtailable resource activation in three-phase unbalanced distribution networks

The need for flexibility and curtailable resources is crucial for ensuring the healthy operation of future distribution networks (DN). In this work, we propose a network-state driven framework that distribution system operators (DSOs) can utilize for activating flexible and curtailable resources for alleviating network voltage and thermal issues, while accounting for network voltage and current imbalances. This approach assumes the availability of dynamic network state information and uses nodal sensitivities for calculating a flexibility activation signal (FAS). The signal design is motivated by volt-Var and volt-watt inverter control, and thus bounded. The FAS also considers network voltage and current imbalances and incentivizes activation of active and reactive power flexibilities for reducing imbalance in addition to mitigating voltage and thermal imbalances in a three-phase unbalanced distribution network. The FAS design resembles optimal power flow duals, often used as locational marginal prices. The gains associated with the imbalance component of the objective function of three-phase unbalanced resource activation (TPU-RA) is performed using Pareto optimality. A numerical case study is presented showing the efficacy of the proposed framework in avoiding network issues while reducing voltage unbalance factor by more than 80\%. Further, DN's flexibility needs are quantified for location and time of day.

preprint2022arXiv

Optimal Operation of HVDC Interconnector: Irish Case

In September 2018 EirGrid launched the new electricity market. These new market arrangements integrate the all island electricity market with European electricity markets, making optimal use of cross border transmission assets. Ireland operates three operational HVDC interconnectors: Moyle, East-West, and Greenlink and one in development Celtic interconnector which connect Ireland to Scotland, Wales, and France respectively. Irish market operator, EirGrid, can maximize their operational profit by using the price difference in these electricity markets. We propose a profit maximization modelling which considers the line losses and price difference in these different electricity markets and identifies the optimal import/export of power using HVDC interconnectors. These models in future should incorporate the distribution losses, renewable energy curtailment, and Irish power network congestion levels. The proposed modeling is the first step towards implementing a multi-objective HVDC interconnector operating strategy.

preprint2022arXiv

WEcharge: democratizing EV charging infrastructure

The sustainable growth of EVs will have to be met with proportional growth in EV charging infrastructure. With limited urban spaces to place new charging stations, shrinking profitability, privately owned charging facilities need to be shared. WEcharge will allow privately owned charging infrastructure to be shared with public EV owners using a business model. We propose a resource matching algorithm that takes into account incoming EV preferences, hard constraints for such EV, and provides the best suited resource for charging. We demonstrate the applicability of the matching model by showing a realistic case study with a Nissan Leaf 40 kW EV and 25 company and publicly owned charging stations (DC fast charger, AC rapid charger, level 1 and level 2 charger) in Hasselt, Belgium. The case study shows that consumer preferences will govern resource matching.

preprint2020arXiv

Arbitrage with Power Factor Correction using Energy Storage

The importance of reactive power compensation for power factor (PF) correction will significantly increase with the large-scale integration of distributed generation interfaced via inverters producing only active power. In this work, we focus on co-optimizing energy storage for performing energy arbitrage as well as local power factor correction. The joint optimization problem is non-convex, but can be solved efficiently using a McCormick relaxation along with penalty-based schemes. Using numerical simulations on real data and realistic storage profiles, we show that energy storage can correct PF locally without reducing arbitrage profit. It is observed that active and reactive power control is largely decoupled in nature for performing arbitrage and PF correction (PFC). Furthermore, we consider a real-time implementation of the problem with uncertain load, renewable and pricing profiles. We develop a model predictive control based storage control policy using auto-regressive forecast for the uncertainty. We observe that PFC is primarily governed by the size of the converter and therefore, look-ahead in time in the online setting does not affect PFC noticeably. However, arbitrage profit are more sensitive to uncertainty for batteries with faster ramp rates compared to slow ramping batteries.

preprint2020arXiv

Energy storage applications for low voltage consumers in Uruguay

Energy storage can be used for many applications in the Smart Grid such as energy arbitrage, peak demand shaving, power factor correction, energy backup to name a few, and can play a major role at increasing the capacity of power networks to host renewable energy sources. Often, storage control algorithms will need to be \textit{tailored} according to power networks billing structure, reliability restrictions, and other local power networks norms. In this paper we explore residential energy storage applications in Uruguay, one of the global leaders in renewable energies, where new low-voltage consumer contracts were recently introduced. Based on these billing mechanisms, we focus on energy arbitrage and reactive energy compensation with the aim of minimizing the cost of consumption of an end-user. Given that in the new contacts the buying and selling price of electricity are equal and that reactive power compensation is primarily governed by the installed converter, the storage operation is not sensitive to parameter uncertainties and, therefore, no lookahead is required for decision making. A threshold-based \textit{hierarchical} controller is proposed which decides on the optimal active energy for arbitrage and uses the remaining converter capacity for reactive power compensation, which is shown to increase end-user profit. Numerical results indicate that storage could be profitable, even considering battery degradation, under some but not all of the studied contracts. For the cases in which it is not, we propose the best-suited contract. Results presented here can be naturally applied whenever the tariff structure satisfies the hypothesis considered in this work.

preprint2020arXiv

Energy Storage Optimization for Grid Reliability

Large scale renewable energy integration is being planned for multiple power grids around the world. To achieve secure and stable grid operations, additional resources/reserves are needed to mitigate the inherent intermittency of renewable energy sources (RES). In this paper, we present formulations to understand the effect of fast storage reserves in improving grid reliability under different cost functions. Our formulations and solution schemes not only aim to minimize imbalance but also maintain state-of-charge (SoC) of storage. In particular, we show that accounting for system response due to inertia and local governor response enables a more realistic quantification of storage requirements for damping net load fluctuations. The storage requirement is significantly lower than values determined when such traditional response are not accounted for. We demonstrate the performance of our designed policies through studies using real data from the Elia TSO in Belgium and BPA agency in the USA. The numerical results enable us to benchmark the marginal effect on reliability due to increasing storage size under different system responses and associated cost functions.

preprint2020arXiv

Storage Optimal Control under Net Metering Policies

Electricity prices and the end user net load vary with time. Electricity consumers equipped with energy storage devices can perform energy arbitrage, i.e., buy when energy is cheap or when there is a deficit of energy, and sell it when it is expensive or in excess, taking into account future variations in price and net load. Net metering policies indicate that many of the utilities apply a {customer selling} rate lower than or equal to the retail {customer buying rate} in order to compensate excess energy generated by end users. In this paper, we formulate the optimal control problem for an end user energy storage device in presence of net metering. We propose a computationally efficient algorithm, with worst case run time complexity of quadratic in terms of number of samples in lookahead horizon, that computes the optimal energy ramping rates in a time horizon. The proposed algorithm exploits the problem's piecewise linear structure and convexity properties for the \textit{discretization} of optimal Lagrange multipliers. The solution has a \textit{threshold-based structure} in which optimal control decisions are independent of past or future price as well as of net load values beyond a certain time horizon, defined as a \textit{sub-horizon}. Numerical results show the effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of forecasting errors on the proposed technique. We consider an Auto-Regressive Moving Average (ARMA) based forecasting of net load together with the Model Predictive Control (MPC). We numerically show that adaptive forecasting and MPC significantly mitigate the effects of forecast error on energy arbitrage gains.

preprint2020arXiv

Towards Phase Balancing using Energy Storage

Ad-hoc growth of single-phase-connected distributed energy resources, such as solar generation and electric vehicles, can lead to network unbalance with negative consequences on the quality and efficiency of electricity supply. Case-studies are presented for a substation in Madeira, Portugal and an EV charging facility in Pasadena, California. These case studies show that phase imbalance can happen due to a large amount of distributed generation (DG) and electric vehicle (EV) integration. We conducted stylized load-flow analysis on a radial distribution network using an openDSS-based simulator to understand such negative effects of phase imbalance on neutral and phase conductor losses, and in voltage drop/rise. We evaluate the integration of storage in the distribution network as a possible solution for mitigating effects caused by imbalance. We present control architectures of storage operation for phase balancing. Numerically we show that relatively small-sized storage (compared to unbalance magnitude) can significantly reduce network imbalance. We identify the end node of the feeder as the best location to install storage.