Abstract
In this paper it is presented the study of the effect of Thyristor Controlled Series Compensation (TCSC) and Static Var Compensators (SVC) devices on voltage collapse phenomenon in power systems to increase system loadability. Comparative studies of TCSC and SVC performance on Dynamic Voltage Stability of an Electric Power System are presented. The models of TCSC and SVC were developed in EUROSTAG. The Automatic Voltage Regulators (AVR) of the generating units and the turbine speed governors were modelled in detail. Different load models were used and the Under Load Tap Changers (ULTC) were also taken into account. Finally, some conclusions that provide a better understanding of the dynamic voltage stability using Flexible AC transmission System (FACTS) devices during a disturbance are pointed out.

Abstract
The evolution of knowledge, where intellectual development and adaptive skills are required, has rendered the traditional rigid curricula and teaching methodologies outdated. Education and training must be acquired throughout life, hence the need to change the teaching-learning processes. The Bologna Process introduced new paradigms that resulted in curricula revisions, the reorganization of teaching-learning processes, the structuring of courses and curricular units. It shifted the teaching process to a new form that enhances and assesses the acquisition of learning skills based on the work performed by the students. It is student-centered teaching, where it is essential to define the intended levels of knowledge, how the students achieve them, and if they reach the necessary skills in each of those levels. Each student needs to be motivated to learn and to participate in the activities, which presupposes meaningful activities to arouse the interest in developing them. The purpose of this paper is to describe a design project, its implementation, orientation and effectiveness in problem-based learning (PBL). Another purpose is the establishment of a relationship between the Bologna process and the implicit implications in the structure of teaching and training in lighting projects. This paper presents a proposal of the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) using DIALux evo software. It is part of the learning methodology, supported by computer simulation for lighting projects, in the Electrical Installation and Lighting Engineering Master's Degree in Service Engineering of Construction, 1st semester of the 1st year, in the Department of Electrical Engineering of the Institute of Engineering of Coimbra (ISEC). PBL combined with Flipped Classroom is used as a pedagogical strategy to enable higher education students to approach problems, in groups and with the supervision of a teacher, in order to acquire specialized knowledge. The implementation of the PBL method aimed at bringing education and learning closer to the professional reality of the future engineers. © 2018 IEEE.

Abstract
With the rise of usage in digital content in education, deaf and blind communities face communication barriers which as a result makes education less inclusive. These barriers do not allow them to integrate within the larger scholarly communities as most tools used for information dissemination remain inaccessible to them. This paper presents BDC-API (Blind/Deaf Communications API), a free-to-use modular toolkit that will ease accessibility for the blind and deaf communities to digital education content. This content includes the use cases of Massive Online Open Courses and Serious Games used in education. BDC-API incorporates the use of state of the art technologies such as, 3D sign language translator, grammar translation, voice recognition and text-to-speech. This paper demonstrates in greater detail, how these technologies culminate in the creation of an API ready to use for any educational digital content and how the BDC-API can ensure higher quality of digital content.

Abstract
Distributed energy resources (DERs) can provide a number of functions to be used in grid services with proper establishment of control and communication systems. However, there are neither general standards for vendor independent integration of these assets in management activities, nor common consideration of specific flexibilities that different DERs have. This paper investigates characterization and comparison of individual power and energy management flexibilities of different types of distributed energy resources. Emerging DER capability identification approaches are used to highlight contrasting differences between several energy storage and distributed generation options. Experiments were conducted in a low voltage test facility to compare flexibility limits using the same control and communication infrastructure. © 2018 IEEE.

Abstract
Growing number of inverter-based distributed energy resources (DERs) and sensitive loads increase the need for coordinated power management activities in islanded operation of microgrids. Especially low voltage networks have low inertia and high RA ratio, causing instability due to fluctuations in distributed generation (DG) and local voltage problems in islanded operation. This study investigates management of DERs that operate in current mode for providing voltage regulation support to master unit(s) in islanded operation of microgrids. A special focus was set on local voltage issues in low voltage (LV) network feeders. Field experiments in a large test facility highlighted management accuracy and corrective impact potential of DERs connected to different parts of a feeder.

Abstract
The integration of Renewable Energy Sources, mainly in distribution grids, has been changing the paradigm of power systems operation. This constitutes an opportunity to make use of flexible energy resources to support DSOs and TSOs on network operation activities. The amount of total flexibility available in the system can be quantified starting from lower voltage levels considering the implementation of demand response schemes. This work is focused on the development of an expeditious methodology to assess the total flexibility of low voltage consumers and aggregate it by means of a bottom-up approach until reaching the transmission network nodes.