Abstract
Regulatory changes associated with distributed generation have occurred in several countries (e.g., the USA, Germany, the UK, and Australia). However, there is a lack of robust and holistic analytical models that can be used to implement the best regulatory framework among possible options. In this context, the present paper proposes a cutting-edge regulatory framework for distributed generation based on multi-objective optimization, taking into account socioeconomic (socioeconomic welfare created by the regulated electricity market and electricity tariff affordability) and environmental (global warming potential) indicators. Such indicators are modeled primarily based on the optimized tariff model (socioeconomic regulated electricity market model), Bass diffusion model (forecasting model of distributed generation deployment), and life cycle assessment (environmental impact assessment method). The design variables are assumed to be the regulated electricity tariff and remuneration of the electricity injected into the grid over the years. First, the proposed methodology is applied to fifteen large-scale Brazilian concession areas with a significant deployment of distributed generation assuming two approaches, a multi-compensation scenario, where the compensation is set individually for each concession area, and a single-compensation scenario, where the compensation is set equally for all concession areas. Then, the optimal solutions are compared to Ordinary Law 14300, which is a recently implemented regulatory framework for distributed generation in Brazil. Results demonstrate that Ordinary Law 14300 is a dominated or non-optimal solution since it is not located on the optimal Pareto frontiers for any of the assessed concession areas. Assuming the Euclidian knee points, benefits averaging 33% and 15% were achieved in terms of electricity tariff affordability for the multi and single-compensation scenarios, respectively, with small losses of 8% and 3% in terms of socioeconomic welfare and global warming potential. Though the proposed methodology is applied in the Brazilian context, it can also be applied to other countries with regulated electricity markets; thus, it is expected to be valuable for researchers, government institutions, and regulatory agencies worldwide.

Abstract
Due to the complementarity of renewable energy sources, there has been a focus on technology hybridization in recent years. In the area of hybrid offshore power plants, the current research projects mostly focus on the combinational implementation of wind, solar, and wave energy technologies. Accordingly, considering the already existing offshore wind farms, there is the potential for the implementation of hybrid power plants by adding wave energy converters and floating photovoltaics. In this work, a stochastic sizing model is developed for the hybridization of existing offshore wind farms using wave energy converters and floating photovoltaics considering the export cable capacity limitation. The problem is modeled from an investor perspective to maximize the economic profits of the hybridization, while the costs and revenues regarding the existing units and the export cable are excluded. Furthermore, to tackle the uncertainties of renewable energy generation, as well as the energy price, a scenario generation method based on copula theory is proposed to consider the dependency structure between the different random variables. Altogether, the hybridization study is modeled in a mixed integer linear programming optimization framework considering the net present value of the project as the objective function. The results showed that hybrid-sources-based energy generation provided the highest economic profit in the studied cases in the different geographical locations. Furthermore, the technical specifications of the farms have also been considerably improved providing more stable energy generation, guaranteeing a minimum level of power in a high share of the time, and with a better utilization of the capacity of the cable while the curtailment of energy is maintained within the acceptable range.

Abstract
The deviation of the demand levels of the modern LV distribution systems due to the more loads and distributed generations connected in the same grid leads to the loss of acceptable quality of voltage. These voltage quality problems occur in case of the high difference between the power of the loads and distributed generations in the same area. Accordingly, the high loading conditions lead to the bus voltage decrease while the bus voltage increment occurs in scenarios with the excess of generation. In this condition, the successful voltage stabilization in MV/LV substation can effectively suppress the deviations of the grid voltage values and increase the hosting capacity of the network. There are different custom power devices introduced in the literature which can provide the stabilization of voltage in the grids. In this paper, among the available tools, the application of Open-UPQC is examined in hosting capacity improvement maintaining a desired power quality level; this capability is provided through the successful voltage regulation in the different probable high/low loading scenarios in the grid. According to the results, while the uncoordinated operation of the series and shunt devices does not have the capability of stabilization of the base grid, the Open-UPQC has successfully maintained the voltage profile inside the limits in both the base case and in the presence of high load and PV penetration levels. It should be emphasized that the services of the Open-UPQC are provided in an economical and effective way making the solution strategy applicable in real-world cases. © 2023 IEEE.

Abstract
The increasing number of Power-Electronic (PE) interfaced devices in the new generation of distribution systems results in concerns about the power quality of modern grids. Besides the loads, the harmonic-injecting devices are increasingly penetrating the generation, storage, and delivering levels of energy dispatch systems in the microgrids and the LV networks which can be easily reflected in the primary distribution systems. As an economic, applicable, and efficient solution, the passive filters can be optimized and added to the grid to absorb the harmonics. Furthermore, in the presence of controllable devices such as PE-interfaced DGs and storage units, a coordination strategy can be implemented to actively decrease the effect of the nonlinear loads. Accordingly, the idea of a virtually-hybrid filter can be developed by the use of passive filters and the coordinated active harmonic filtering strategy. In this paper, by providing an explanation for the developed coordination strategy of active filters, the probabilistic techno-economic planning of virtually-hybrid filters is studied considering the different combinations of the linear and nonlinear loads in a modern primary distribution system. Simulation results have proved that the proposed method is capable of minimizing harmonic distortions and grid loss by the use of the optimal passive filters and the suggested coordination strategy of the active devices. © 2023 IEEE.

Abstract
The growing concern about global climate change has led the European Union and the Portuguese Government to set targets for the percentage of electricity to be produced from renewable sources. In order to achieve the defined targets, Distributed Generation (DG) is expected to be increasingly integrated into networks. However, the intermittency of some of those DGs (such as wind energy) may enhance network operating costs or decrease network security. Thus, Network Operators started to concern about these effects and in order to avoid them, new wind parks were required to provide ancillary services to the network. These ancillary services include the ride-through-fault capability. Although some wind parks can already supply ride-through-fault capability to the distribution network (i.e. wind parks with Double Fed Induction Generators (DFIG)), most of them are still largely unable to do so due to the current DG protection scheme. This work concentrates on the development of new settings for the DG protection scheme which aims at allowing DG to provide ride-through fault capability to the distribution network. A DFIG with ride-through-fault capability was modeled on PSCAD/EMTDC and tested under the Portuguese Distributed Generation Protection Scheme Regulation Code. New relay settings for the DG protection scheme are advanced and simulated on PSCAD/EMTDC software in order to permit DGs providing ride-through fault capability to the distribution network. Conclusions of the new relay settings performance are withdrawn and commented on.

Abstract
The integration of larger and larger amounts of wind power is a major target of the European Union, however it represents a challenge for power system planning and operation. The paper analyses stability aspects concerning the operation of Multi-Terminal HVDC networks connecting offshore wind farms to the AC systems. Modelling issues are tackled, relevant to control schemes needed for a secure operation of the overall AC-DC system in case of contingencies both on the AC side and on the DC side. First, power flow control principles are described for the "backbone" HVDC grid topology (consisting of point-to-point connections between offshore wind farms and mainland grid, linked by a DC connection). Second, dynamic converter models suitable to investigate electromechanical transients are illustrated and some stability issues connected to the network performance under contingencies/disturbances are pointed out. The need both to survive severe disturbances and to provide ancillary services calls for the adoption of advanced control schemes. Some simulations are described to illustrate the behaviour of the mixed AC-DC network under contingencies concerning both faults on DC cables and faults on AC lines. The work has been carried out within Working Package 5 of EU co-founded Project TWENTIES.