Abstract
This paper investigates small-signal stability and decentralized control design for distribution electric energy systems with a large penetration of distributed generators. Two real world distribution systems are studied in this paper. The first system is the IEEE 30-node distribution system and the second one is the distribution system on Flores Island, one of the western group islands of the Azores Archipelago. The Block Gerschgorin Theorem and Liapunov function-based stability criteria are applied to formally state sufficient conditions for small-signal stability. The results illustrate that when the governor control of distributed generators is designed without considering interactions between generators, small-signal instability could occur in the system and even the sufficient conditions for stability would not be satisfied. In the next step, the paper assesses control design to stabilize potentially unstable distribution systems. The main focus is on designing enhanced decentralized control based on the introduced stability criteria. The findings illustrate that implementing the enhanced decentralized control could ensure stability and support a large penetration of distributed generators.

Abstract
This paper highlights findings of the European Commission funded project called MERGE (Mobile Energy Resources in Grids of Electricity). MERGE is a collaborative research project that includes utilities, regulators, commercial organisations and universities with interests in the power generation, automotive, electronic commerce and hybrid and electric vehicle sectors across the entire European Union (EU). This major two-year research initiative began in January 2010. The MERGE project mission is to evaluate the impacts that electric vehicles (EV) will have on the European Union (EU) electric power systems with regards to planning, operation and market functioning. The focus is placed on EV and SmartGrid/MicroGrid simultaneous deployment, together with renewable energy increase, leading to CO2 emission reduction through the identification of enabling technologies and advanced control approaches. In this paper indicative results from the impact of the additional EV load will have in the daily and yearly system load diagrams and in the operation of the transmission and distribution networks of five European countries (Greece, UK, Spain, Portugal, and Germany) in 2020 are presented. General conclusions are drawn.

Abstract
In this contribution international experiences concerning the integration of electrified cars (e-cars) into the grid in particular when there is a high penetration of renewable energies are presented. Future shortage of fossil fuels and concerns about security of supply derived the idea of electrified mobility which requires a new approach to design a complex system for future transportation. This system will be based on existing infrastructures (electricity system, road infrastructure, etc.) but it can also partially be considered as a "green field" approach. In the paper new strategies and global trends in the development of an e-mobility system will be presented, including strategies to combine the power system with the information and communication systems as well as a logistics. Practical experiences and data based on few projects e.g. Harz.EE-Mobility in Germany. European research as well as industry projects with these aims will be introduced and results will be presented. The main focus is twofold: integrating the upcoming mobile loads into the grid and likely storage possibilities that can operate bidirectional within the power grid. Simulations show that single-phase charging (3.7 kW) in the low and medium voltage grid does not lead to grid situations that require any significant adjustments in the power network regarding the loading of the assets. However, uncoordinated single-phase charging could create significant voltage deviations due to unbalanced loading of the three-phase low voltage grid. The different phases influence each other in unbalanced situations, through the common neutral conductor. These effects can already occur at low market penetration levels, due to the presence of local penetration levels being significantly higher than the average market level. For a significant amount of e-cars and high power charging (up to 22 kW in Germany) after 2020 the main concerns of investigation will be the forecasting of the requested charging power, the location of this demand and the impact on power grid operation security without active grid control (e.g. voltage, asset overloading). On the low-voltage grid Further, a full integration of renewable generation is also important as the amount of thermal power plants decrease, because they currently balance the intermittent, renewable generation. The future integration of e-cars into the power grid and the coordinated operation/charging with renewable energies (mobile electricity storage) will be one of the most important challenges. The conflict between mobility and the availability of storage capacity in contrast to the generation will be discussed and some recommendations based on the modeling and simulations will be presented in the paper, too.

Abstract

Abstract
This paper provides a general overview of the initial developments in the REIVE project (Smart Grids with Electric Vehicles). The main focus of the project is on smart grid infrastructures for large scale integration of EV and micro-generation units. It is a natural evolution of the InovGrid project promoted by the EDP Distribuição - the Portuguese Distribution Network Operator - and allows the development of seminal concepts and enabling technological developments within the Smart Grid paradigm. This paper presents the management and control architecture developed to allow electric vehicle integration in smart grid operation. Additionally, it presents the major impacts in distribution grids of the simultaneous deployment of electric vehicles, micro-generation and smart grid technologies.

Abstract
This paper describes the main results of the MERGE project relative to Electric Vehicle (EV) charging strategies and the impacts of EV integration on the steady-state grid operation. MERGE is a €4.5m, collaborative research project supported by the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The consortium includes utilities, regulators, commercial organisations and universities with interests in the power generation, automotive, electronic commerce and hybrid and electric vehicle sectors across the entire European Union (EU). One of the MERGE project missions is to evaluate the impacts that EV will have on EU electric power systems, exploring EV and SmartGrid/MicroGrid simultaneous deployment, together with renewable energy increase, to achieve CO 2 emission reduction through the identification of enabling technologies and advanced control approaches. The work presented proposes three charging strategies, dumb charging, multiple price tariffs and smart charging, and uses EV integration scenarios of adherence to these charging schemes. The resulting scenarios are tested using an algorithm coded with Python and using PSS/E, created within the MERGE framework to study EU grids steady-state behaviour. Additionally, the critical mass of EV adherence to smart charging schemes that brings positive impacts to the distribution grids operation was also evaluated.