1) aging and life modeling of insulating materials and
systems;
2) statistical methods for failure data processing of power
systems components;
3) innovative diagnostic techniques for insulating materials and
systems;
4) power systems components life reduction in the presence of
harmonic distortion;
5) innovative reliability models of the “Stress-Strength” type
for power systems components;
6) new applications of the enlargement formula for breakdown
perfomance characterization of cable insulation;
7) combined effects of electrothermal stress, load cycling and
thermal transients on residual reliability of power cables;
8) estimation of magnetic fields generated by power systems;
9) innovative four-phase power transmission systems;
10) high voltage direct current (HVDC) cable systems with
extruded insulation;
11) tecnical-economical issues relevant to renewable energy
sources.
6) The research activity enlargement law in the
breakdown performances of high voltage cable
insulation consists in new developments of the
"enlargement law" for the extrapolation of the values of the
breakdown voltages obtained in the laboratory to insulations of
power cables installed in the field, accounting for the the effect
of the length and cross section of cables installed. The
"enlargement law" - traditionally developed and used for high
voltage AC cables - has recently been extended to high-voltage DC
cables.
7) The research activity combined effects of
electrothermal stress, load cycling and thermal transients on power
cable reliability consists in the analysis of the
effects of cyclic loading and thermal transients on the remaining
life of the power cables based on the theory of cumulative damage,
the equivalent electrical circuit IEC-CIGRE for thermal transients
and electrothermal life models and has for result the estimate of
(residual) life of high voltage cables subjected to service load
cycles.
8) The research activity estimation of magnetic
fields generated by power systems consists in the
evaluation via calculation and measurement methods of the level of
the magnetic fields produced by electrical systems in residential
areas. With the help of ad hoc computer codes and an innovative 3D
sensor, the magnetic fields are analyzed generated by:
- single and double circuit transmission and distribution
overhead lines;
- single and double circuit twisted three-phase cables;
- Multiple sources in complex 3D configuration.
9) The research activity innovative four-phase power
transmission systems concerns the comparison between
innovative four-phase transmission systems and traditional
three-phase and high-voltage DC systems, considering:
- technical aspects (reliability, transport capacity, stable
transmission, special three-to-four-phase transformers);
- the environmental impact of transmission lines (electric
and magnetic fields, visual impact);
- economic aspects (costs of construction, energy losses,
reliability, impact, land).
10) The research activity HVDC cable systems with
extruded insulation consists in the analysis of the
problems peculiar to HVDC extruded insulation cable systems,
namely:
- the profiles of electric field and temperature in the
insulation under varying load conditions and laying environment
temperature;
- the accumulation of space charge in the insulation
thickness;
- the manufacturing techniques;
- the estimate of cable life in service;
- the main realizations of HVDC cables with extruded
insulation in the world.
11) The research activity tecnical-economical issues
relevant to renewable energy sources consists in the
analysis of some technical and economic aspects related to the
development of renewable energy sources in Italy, namely:
- electrical energy storage systems to support renewable energy
sources;
- the availability of "stand-alone" generation systems of renewable
type;
- the technical and economic assessment of photovoltaic plants in
Italy in relation to the different versions of the "Conto Energia"
(Energy Account).
