Abstract
This paper models a novel demand response (DR) trading strategy. In this model, the DR aggregator obtains the DR from the end-users via two types of DR programs, i.e. a time-of-use (TOU) program and an incentive-based DR program. Then, it offers this DR to the wholesale market. Three consumer sectors, namely residential, commercial and industrial, are included in this problem. The DR program is dependent on their corresponding load profiles during the studied time horizon. This paper uses a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) problem and it is solved using the CPLEX solver through a stochastic programming approach in GAMS. The risk measure chosen to represent the load uncertainty of the users who are participating in the DR program is Conditional Value-at-Risk (CVaR). The proposed problem is simulated and assessed through a case study of a test system. The results indicate that the industrial loads play a major role in the power system and this directly affects the DR program. Moreover, the risk-averse decision-maker in this model favors a reduced participation in the DR programs when compared to a decision-maker who is risk-neutral, since the risk-averse decision maker prefers to be more secure against uncertainties. In other words, an increase in risk factor results in a decrease in the participation rate of the consumers in DR programs.

Abstract
Yearly, the number of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) integrated into the power grid increases has increased, having a large impact on power generation globally, promoting the introduction of renewable energy resources (RER). To increase the flexibility of the power system with integrated RER, the introduction of energy storage systems (ESS) is essential. Demand response (DR) programs also help to increase grid flexibility, resulting in increased grid reliability as grid congestion and losses decrease. However, this new paradigm shift needs further research and careful analysis. In this work, two types of DR programs are addressed to promote greater participation by different consumers features. To interconnect the different consumers, DR aggregators are inserted to ensure that individual consumers have influence on the power market. All these aspects, if accompanied by information, measurement, communication, and control systems, give rise to the smart grids, playing an essential role. The results show, considering the worst uncertainty case scenario, that there is a suitable total RER of 2151.50 kW, against 3227.30 kW, by not considering the RER uncertainty.

Abstract
The penetration of electric vehicles (EVs) in vehicle markets is increasing; however long charging time in battery charging stations is an obstacle for larger adoption of EVs. In order to address this problem, battery swap stations (BSSs) have been introduced to exchange near-empty EV batteries with fully charged batteries. Refilling an EV in BSS takes only a few minutes. With decentralization of power systems, BSSs are typically connected to the microgrid (MG) in their neighborhood. Although the location of BSS in MG affects MG operation cost, to the best knowledge of the author, optimal placement of BSS has not been done from the perspective of MG. Therefore, in this paper, the objective is to find optimal location of BSSs in a MG with micro pumped hydro storage (PHS), photovoltaic, wind and geothermal units, while reactive power dispatch and all network constraints are considered by AC optimal power flow. The effect of BSS capacity and maximum charging/discharging power, BSS to MG link capacity, PHS capacity and maximum power of PHS unit on MG operation and optimal BSS location are investigated. DICOPT solver in general algebraic mathematical system (GAMS) is used to solve the formulated mixed-integer nonlinear optimisation problem.

Abstract
This paper presents a self-scheduling model for home energy management systems (HEMS) in which a novel formulation of a linear discomfort index (DI) is proposed, incorporating the preferences of end-users in the daily operation of home appliances. The HEMS self-scheduling problem is modelled as a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) multi-objective problem, aimed at minimizing the energy bill and DI. In this framework, the proposed DI determines the optimal time slots for the operation of home appliances while minimizing end-users? bills. The resulting multi-objective optimization problem has then been solved by using the epsilon-constraint technique and the VIKOR decision maker has been employed to select the most desired Pareto solution. The proposed model is tested considering tariffs in the presence of various price-based demand response programs (DRP), namely time-of-use (TOU) and real-time pricing (RTP). In addition, different scenarios considering the presence of electrical energy storage (EES) are investigated to study their impact on the optimal operation of HEMS. The simulation results show that the self-scheduling approach proposed in this paper yields significant reductions in the electricity bills for different electricity tariffs.

Abstract
With the penetration of smart homes in distribution systems, and due to the effect of their schedulable load on reducing the peak load of the network as well as their comfort index, microgrid?s scheduling in the presence of smart homes has become an important issue. In this regard, this paper presents a tri-objective optimization framework for energy management of microgrids in the presence of smart homes and demand response (DR) program. The model is implemented on an 83-bus distribution system with 11 microgrids. The uncertainties of renewable energy resources (RESs) output power and load demand have been taken into account and the objective function is modeled in the form of bi-objective and tri-objective models using the max-min fuzzy method. The objectives include the operating cost, emissions, and peak-to-average ratio (PAR). The results indicate that an increase in DR penetration reduces the PAR and operating costs and leads to a decrease in the customers? comfort. Besides, the simulation results show that the best results are obtained from the tri-objective model, and in this model, three goals, including the operating costs, emissions, and PAR index are close to their optimal values, while the customers? comfort index is also satisfactory. Finally, the results show that considering smart homes in the network reduces the operation cost and emission by about 16 % and 17 %, respectively.

Abstract
An original graph-based model and algorithm for optimal industrial task scheduling is proposed in this article. The innovative algorithm designed, dubbed "Dijkstra optimal tasking" (DOT), is suitable for fully distributed task scheduling of autonomous industrial agents for optimal resource allocation, including energy use. The algorithm was designed starting from graph theory fundamentals, from the ground up, to guarantee a generic nature, making it applicable on a plethora of tasking problems and not case-specific. For any industrial setting in which mobile agents are responsible for accomplishing tasks across a site, the objective is to determine the optimal task schedule for each agent, which maximizes the speed of task achievement while minimizing the movement, thereby minimizing energy consumption cost. The DOT algorithm is presented in detail in this manuscript, starting from the conceptualization to the mathematical formulation based on graph theory, having a thorough computational implementation and a detailed algorithm benchmarking analysis. The choice of Dijkstra as opposed to other shortest path methods (namely, A* Search and Bellman-Ford) in the proposed graph-based model and algorithm was investigated and justified. An example of a real-world application based on a refinery site is modeled and simulated and the proposed algorithm's effectiveness and computational efficiency is duly evaluated. A dynamic obstacle course was incorporated to effectively demonstrate the proposed algorithm's applicability to real-world applications.