Abstract
Microgrids are assumed to be established at the low voltage distribution level, where distributed energy sources, storage devices, controllable loads and electric vehicles are integrated in the system and need to be properly managed. The microgrid system is a flexible cell that can be operated connected to the main power network or autonomously, in a controlled and coordinated way. The use of storage devices in microgrids is related to the provision of some form of energy buffering during autonomous operating conditions, in order to balance load and generation. However, frequency variations and limited storage capacity might compromise microgrid autonomous operation. In order to improve microgrid resilience in the moments subsequent to islanding, this paper presents innovative functionalities to run online, which are able to manage microgrid storage considering the integration of electric vehicles and load responsiveness. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms is validated through extensive numerical simulations.

Abstract
The feasibility of the MicroGrid (MG) concept, as the pathway for integrating Electric Vehicles (EV) and other Distributed energy Resources (DER), has been the focus of several research projects around the world. However, developments have been mainly demonstrated through numerical simulation. Regarding effective smart grid deployment, strong effort is required in demonstration activities, addressing the feasibility of innovative control solutions and the need of specific communication requirements. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to provide an integrated overview of the laboratorial infrastructure under development at INESC Porto, where it will be possible to conceptualize, implement and test the performance of new control and management concepts for Smart Grid cells. The laboratorial infrastructure integrates two experimental MG, including advanced prototypes for power conditioning units to be used in micro generation applications, batteries for energy storage and a fully controlled bidirectional power converter. Preliminary experimental results and organization of the infrastructure are presented.

Abstract
The development of the microgrid (MG) concept endows distribution networks with increased reliability and resilience and offers an adequate management and control solution for massive deployment of microgeneration and electric vehicles (EVs). Within an MG, local generation can be exploited to launch a local restoration procedure following a blackout. EVs are flexible resources that can also be actively included in the restoration procedure, thus contributing to the improvement of MG operating conditions. The feasibility of MG service restoration, including the active participation of EVs, is demonstrated in this article through extensive numerical simulation and experimentation in a laboratorial setup. © 2007-2011 IEEE.

Abstract
Within the Smart Grid paradigm, the MicroGrid concept (MG) presents an adequate framework to monitor and manage the low voltage network and coordinate the resources connected to it, including the smart grid new players, namely the consumers, prosumers and the Electric Vehicles (EV). The coordinated management and control of the MG resources, enables the operation both connected to the main power network or autonomously, due to planned or unplanned outages. In order to operate autonomously, the MG relies in its storage capacity to provide some form of energy buffering capabilities to balance load and generation. This paper presents innovative methodology to coordinate the microgrid storage capacity with EV smart charging strategies and demand response schemes, in order to improve microgrid resilience in the moments subsequent to islanding and reduce the non-served load. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithms are validated though extensive numerical simulations.

Abstract
This paper describes a power conversion system that implements bidirectional power flow between the electric grid and a battery, based on a full bridge inverter associated with a dual active bridge. A method for power flow control based on the agreement between battery pack and low voltage grid requirements has been developed to allow the large penetration of both, electric vehicles (EV) and renewable microgeneration. A laboratory prototype containing all functions required to implement a vehicle-to-grid (V2G) power interface has been built. The hardware implementation is reported, including control scheme and high-frequency transformer design details. Converter key waveforms are presented to evaluate the power quality on batteries and grid, as well as its dynamic behavior. An experimental laboratory setup is described and results are shown to demonstrate the technical benefits for low-voltage (LV) microgrids, if electric vehicle charger includes a power flow control based on frequency-voltage droop concept. © 2013 IEEE.

Abstract
This paper presents an innovative Power System Restoration (PSR) that exploits the flexibility offered by large offshore wind parks, in particular with HVDC connection with Voltage Source converter (VSC) technology, to support restoration following a black out in a typical transmission grid. Restoration sequences comparing different strategies in a VHV AC network with conventional generation (thermal units and hydro units) were implemented for two cases: with and without the participation of a large offshore wind farm in the restoration plan. In order to evaluate the benefit of using Utility scale Wind Parks to support PSR, a typical transmission network with all its models (including HVDC link with DC converter) was implemented in EUROSTAG simulation platform. © 2013 IEEE.