Abstract
This paper proposes a comprehensive stochastic decision making model for wind power producers' (WPPs) participation in a competitive market. The presented model incorporates three trading floors: 1) day-ahead; 2) intraday; and 3) balancing markets. An efficient integration of intraday markets allows market players to react to the latest information (e. g., more accurate wind forecast). Creating a platform that allows demand response resources (DRRs) to contribute to the intraday markets improves both WPP's business and power system flexibility. In this context, providing an intraday demand response exchange (IDRX) market for trading demand response (DR) between DR providers and DR users (e. g., WPPs) is proposed. The problem uncertainties, such as wind power and market prices, are considered using a scenario-based approach. Moreover, an appropriate risk measurement, conditional value-at-risk (CVaR), is incorporated with the model. Numerical results illustrate that utilizing DR to compensate wind generation imbalances can increase WPP's profit and reduce the related risks.

Abstract
Grid-enabled vehicles (GEVs) such as plug-in electric vehicles present environmental and energy sustainability advantages compared to conventional vehicles. GEV runs solely on power generated by its own battery group, which supplies power to its electric motor. This battery group can be charged from external electric sources. Nowadays, the interaction of GEV with the power grid is unidirectional by the charging process. However, GEV can be operated bi-directionally by modifying its power unit. In such operating conditions, GEV can operate as an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and satisfy a portion or the total energy demand of the consumption center independent from utility grid, which is known as vehicle-to-home (V2H). In this paper, a power unit is developed for GEVs in the laboratory to conduct simulation and experimental studies to test the performance of GEVs as a UPS unit in V2H mode at the time of need. The activation and deactivation of the power unit and islanding protection unit are examined when energy is interrupted.

Abstract
Large-scale integration of renewable resources for power generation is a propitious mode to mitigate the impact of human activities in order to reach an environmentally and sustainable way of life. However, uncontrollability and variability of renewable resources is an important barrier that could be overcome by incorporating energy storage systems (ESSs). Among ESSs technologies, Vanadium Redox Battery (VRB) is a promising technology able to be incorporated in isolated and insular power systems with limited geographical conditions and high natural resources, thus increasing the system framework flexibility. Under this context, development of a proper strategy to control VRB in daily scheduling of insular systems, considering charge controller operation and VRB dynamic behavior, is a necessity. Hence, this paper presents an optimization model based on cycle charging strategy capable to include these features. The proposed approach is illustrated by analyzing two systems, obtaining a reduction on generating costs between 1.35% and 25.3% depending on system characteristics, wind power profile, and its penetration level.

Abstract
With the rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) in distribution systems, a new player, called EV parking lot operator (EV PLO), is emerging around the world. Furthermore, the integration of distributed generation in the distribution level, in particular, renewable energy sources, is leading to the establishment of various markets in distribution systems. On one hand, such PLOs aim at managing their EVs within their parking lots to participate in the distribution markets and to maximize their profits. On the other hand, a distribution system operator seeks to minimize the system-wide cost while minimizing renewable power spillage and the side-effects of its intermittency. This interaction inspires the innovative two-level model proposed in this paper. In the first level, a new model is proposed for EV PLOs which models the EVs' characteristics, including EV owners' uncertainties, in a reasonably accurate manner. These PLOs are allowed to participate in energy, reserve and regulation distribution markets by optimally managing their EVs. In the second level, a new model is developed to ensure that the technical constraints in the distribution networks are met while minimizing the overall system cost. In addition, this paper evaluates the effects of the penetration level and the placement of wind and solar PV on the offering strategies of EV parking lots, as well as on the overall performance of the distribution systems.

Abstract
This paper deals with a control strategy of multilevel converter topologies for integration of distributed generation (DG) resources into the power grid. The proposed control plan is based on the direct Lyapunov control (DLC) technique, which is an appropriate tool for the analysis and definition of a stable operating condition for DG link in the power grid. The compensation of instantaneous variations in the reference current components in ac side and dc voltage variations of cascaded capacitors in dc side of the interfacing system is considered properly, which is the main contribution and novelty of this paper in comparison with other control methods. By utilization of the proposed control technique, DG can provide continuous injection of active power in fundamental frequency from the dispersed energy sources to the grid. In addition, reactive power and harmonic current components of nonlinear loads can be provided with fast dynamic response, by setting a multiobjective reference current component in the current loop of DLC-based model. Therefore, achieving sinusoidal grid currents in phase with load voltages are possible, while the required power from the load side is more than the maximum capacity of interfaced multilevel converter. Simulation results confirm the effectiveness of the proposed control strategy in DG technology during dynamic and steady-state operating conditions.

Abstract
Nowadays, with the large-scale penetration of distributed and renewable energy resources, Electrical Energy Storage (EES) stands out for its ability of adding flexibility, controlling intermittence and providing back-up generation to electrical networks. It represents the critical link between the energy supply and demand chains and, moreover, a key element for increasing the role and attractiveness of renewable generation into the power grid, providing numerous technical and economic benefits to the power system stakeholders. On islanded systems and micro-grids, being updated about the state-of-the-art of EES systems and their benefits becomes even more relevant. Hence, in the present paper a comprehensive analysis of EES leading technologies' main assets, research issues, global market figures, economic benefits and technical applications is provided.