Abstract
This paper presents a mathematical formulation for the active/reactive dispatch in electricity markets, recognizing that the typical sequential activities organized in terms of pool markets and the dispatch of ancillary services may lead to economic inefficiencies or technical difficulties. The developed model admits that it is known the purely economic pool dispatch and then it aims at dispatching reactive resources considering voltage and branch limit constraints and constraints reflecting the alternator capability curve. We also admitted that some constraints have a soft nature and used a symmetrical fuzzy decision formulation to model this aspect within an SLP based algorithm. Finally, the paper includes a case study based on the IEEE 24 bus/38 branch system to illustrate the results obtained with the developed approach.

Abstract
This paper describes and evaluates the feasibility of control strategies to be adopted for the operation of a microgrid when it becomes isolated. Normally, the microgrid operates in interconnected mode with the medium voltage network; however, scheduled or forced isolation can take place. In such conditions, the microgrid must have the ability to operate stably and autonomously. An evaluation of the need of storage devices and load shedding strategies is included in this paper.

Abstract
This paper proposes an optimized dispatch control strategy for active and reactive powers delivered by a doubly fed induction generator in a wind park. In this control approach, wind turbines are supposed to operate over a deloaded maximum power extraction curve and with respond to a supervisory wind farm control after a request from a system operator for adjusting the outputs of the wind park. The definition of the active and reactive powers operating points, for each wind turbine, is defined from an optimization algorithm that uses the primal-dual predictor corrector interior point method. The control strategy used at the wind generator level exploits a combination of pitch control and control of the static converters to adjust the rotor speed for the required operation points. A small wind park is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the developed approach.

Abstract
This paper presents the performed steps to design an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) tool, able to evaluate, within the framework of on-line security assessment, the dynamic security of interconnected power systems having an increased penetration of wind power production. This approach exploits functional knowledge generated off-line, the Linear Regression (LR) variable selection stepwise method to perform automatic Feature Subset Selection (FSS) and ANN to provide a way for fast evaluation of the system security degree. In order to choose the best input/output set of variables for the ANN tool, a comparative analysis is performed, regarding the obtained predicting error, by performing a statistical hypothesis test. The reduced error results confirm the feasibility and quality of the derived security structures.

Abstract
Microgrids comprise Low Voltage distribution systems with distributed energy sources, such as micro-turbines, fuel cells, PVs, etc., together with storage devices, i.e. flywheels, energy capacitors and batteries, and controllable loads, offering considerable control capabilities over the network operation. These systems are interconnected to the Medium Voltage Distribution network, but they can be also operated isolated from the main grid, in case of faults in the upstream network. From the customer point of view, Microgrids provide both thermal and electricity needs, and in addition enhance local reliability, reduce emissions, improve power quality by supporting voltage and reducing voltage dips, and potentially lower costs of energy supply. This paper outlines selected research findings of the EU funded MICROGRIDS project (Contract ENK-CT-2002-00610). These include: • Development and enhancement of Microsource controllers to support frequency and voltage based on droops. Application of software agents for secondary control. • Development of the Microgrid Central Controller (MGCC). Economic Scheduling functions have been developed and integrated in a software package able to simulate the capabilities of the MGCC to place bids to the market operator under various policies and to evaluate the resulting environmental benefits. • Analysis of the communication requirements of the Microgrids control architecture • Investigation of alternative market designs for trading energy and ancillary services within a Microgrid. Development of methods for the quantification of reliability and loss reduction. • Initial measurements from an actual LV installation.

Abstract
The use of wind energy has developed significantly worldwide. Wind power is the strongest growing form of renewable energy, ideal for a future with pollution-free electric power. But the integration of wind farms in power networks has become an important problem for the unit commitment and control of power plants in electric power systems. The intermittent nature of wind makes it difficult to forecast wind-produced electric energy in a wind farm even in the next hours. This paper compares the results obtained with a set of selected models for hourly electric power production forecasting in a real-life wind farm. The results show a significant improvement if previous numerical weather forecasts are used as input in hourly power forecasting models.