Abstract
The environmental protection and energy conservation concerns have spurred the development of new solutions in the automotive industry. This has led to the popularity of electric vehicles (EV) and Plugin hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). On the other hand, this surge in popularity has created a challenge for the development of various new technologies and services, such as charging technology systems and stations. However, unidirectional charging offers hardware simplicity and easier interconnection and enable a G2V model, while bidirectional charging solutions enables G2V and V2G solutions, which can help stabilize AC power by utilizing the energy stored in the battery. This paper presents an EV battery charging system that uses a compact and straightforward bidirectional converter. The system can draw power from either traditional electrical sources or sustainable energy sources like photovoltaic modules, with the option of using lithium rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors as an Energy Storage System (ESS). Several Simulink simulations were conducted to investigate battery behavior under different power sources, and the results show the good effectiveness of the developed system, allowing it to be used in more comprehensive studies in the field of EV charging. © 2023 IEEE.

Abstract
Silicon carbide (SiC) switching devices have an enormous influence on power electronic systems, entitled to extraordinary outcomes attained in low switching and conduction losses. The research work exploration is to develop and analyze the interleaved SiC full-bridge converter. It is subjected to analyze the performance of silicon carbide (SiC) module-based converter design which can offer a power of 42kW. Power conversion is done between DC/AC by using a standard 1200V single-phase SiC module from Semikron [1]. The SiC-MOSFETs are controlled by an adequate galvanically isolated gate driver circuit. Several gate drivers' functionalities are added in the converter design for optimized performance and safe operation. The features include split turn-on/turn-off outputs, desaturation and active miller-clamp. The DC-link capacitors are designed to cancel the input ripple current and stabilizing the source voltage. The interleaving (180° phase-shift between the legs) helps to reduce ripple currents both, in the input capacitor as well as at the output. At the output coupled inductors are providing suppression of transverse currents between the interleaved legs. The coupled inductors help to reduce the size of the filter in the case of DC-DC or DC-AC grid-tie inverters. © 2023 IEEE.

Abstract
In recent years, sustainable power supply has become a necessary asset for the daily survival and development of populations. The incentive to the use of renewable energies has been increasing worldwide. Solar energy, in particular, is widespreading fast in countries whose location allows to obtain excellent radiation conditions. In this work, autonomous photovoltaic (PV) systems are studied, having as main aim its application in the supply of urban loads. For this purpose, a PV system is designed to supply the decorative lighting of a monument. Particular emphasis is given to studying the behavior of the energy storage system. The achieved results demonstrate that the use of this type of systems is a very efficient solution for the municipalities to supply several urban loads such as fountains, traffic lights, decorative lighting, among others.

Abstract
Currently, there is increasing implementation of renewable energy communities, where consumers and producers come together to form energy cooperatives. This growing trend has been accompanied by several studies aiming to optimize energy exchanges and sharing inside the community, always taking into account the most favorable tariff regimes for community members. This paper presents an analysis that, based on applying a linear programming model, optimizes energy transactions in a renewable energy community with the integration of storage systems. The results show the developed model's effectiveness, presenting substantial profits for the community.

Abstract
Power systems have been through deep changes in recent years, namely with the operation of competitive electricity markets in the scope and the increasingly intensive use of renewable energy sources and distributed generation. This requires new business models able to cope with the new opportunities that have emerged. Virtual Power Players (VPPs) are a new player type which allows aggregating a diversity of players (Distributed Generation (DG), Storage Agents (SA), Electrical Vehicles (V2G) and consumers), to facilitate their participation in the electricity markets and to provide a set of new services promoting generation and consumption efficiency, while improving players` benefits. A major task of VPPs is the remuneration of generation and services (maintenance, market operation costs and energy reserves), as well as charging energy consumption. This paper proposes a model to implement fair and strategic remuneration and tariff methodologies, able to allow efficient VPP operation and VPP goals accomplishment in the scope of electricity markets.

Abstract
This paper deals with some disturbances that reach the electric power systems. These problems originated some interest due to the changes of the electric loads characteristics, which were predominantly electromechanical and today are predominantly non-linear. This is due to the electronic systems involved. Results of some measurements performed in electric grid of the Oporto Engineering Faculty Campus and in the University of Vila Real (UTAD) are presented and some solutions that had been implemented for the related problems minimization are also described.