Abstract
Emerging technologies are helping to accelerate the ongoing energy transition. At the forefront of these new technologies is blockchain, which has the potential to disrupt energy trading markets. This article explores this potential by presenting an innovative multilevel transactive energy (TE) optimization model for the scheduling of distributed energy resources (DERs) within connected virtual power plants (VPPs). The model allows for energy transactions within a given VPP as well as between connected VPPs. A blockchain-based smart contract layer is applied on top of the TE optimization model to automate and record energy transactions. The model is formulated to adhere to the new regulations for the self-generation and self-consumption of energy in Portugal. This new set of regulations can ease barriers to entry for consumers and increase their active participation in energy markets. Results show a decrease in energy costs for consumers and increased generation of locally produced electricity. This model shows that blockchain-based smart contracts can be successfully integrated into a hierarchical energy trading model, which respects the novel energy regulation. This combination of technologies can be used to increase consumer participation, lower energy bills, and increase the penetration of locally generated electricity from renewable energy sources.

Abstract
End users have become active participants in local electricity market transactions because of the growth of the smart grid concept and energy storage systems (ESS). This participation is optimized in this article using a stochastic two-stage model considering the day-ahead and real-time electricity market data. This model optimally schedules the operation of a Smart Home (SH) to meet its energy demand. In addition, the uncertainty of wind and photovoltaic (PV) generation is considered along with different appliances. In this paper, the participation of an EV (electric vehicle), together with the battery energy storage systems, which allow for the increase in bidirectional energy transactions are considered. Demand Response (DR) programs are also incorporated which consider market prices in real-time and impact the scheduling process. A comparative analysis of the performance of a smart home participating in the electricity market is carried out to determine an optimal DR schedule for the smart homeowner. The results show that the SH's participation in a real-time pricing scheme not only reduces the operating costs but also leads to better than expected profits. Moreover, total, day-ahead and real-time expected profits are better in comparison with existing literature. The objective of this paper is to analyze the SH performance within the electrical market context so as to increase the system's flexibility whilst optimizing DR schedules that can mitigate the variability of end-users generation and load demand.

Abstract
The generation mix of Portugal now contains a significant amount of variable renewable energy sources (RES) and the amount of RES is expected to grow substantially. This has led to concerns being raised regarding the security of the supply of the Portuguese electric system as well as concerns relating to system inertia. Deploying and efficiently using various flexibility options is proposed as a solution to these concerns. Among these flexibility options proposed is the use of battery energy storage systems (BESSs) as well as relaxing system inertia constraints such as the system nonsynchronous penetration (SNSP). This article proposes a stochastic mixed-integer linear programming problem formulation, which examines the effects of deploying BESS in a power system. The model is deployed on a real-world test case and results show that the optimal use of BESS can reduce system costs by as much as 10% relative to a baseline scenario and the costs are reduced further when the SNSP constraint is relaxed. The amount of RES curtailment is also reduced with the increased flexibility of the power system through the use of BESS. Thus, the efficiency of the Portuguese transmission system is greatly increased by the use of flexibility measures, primarily the use of BESS.

Abstract
Electric power systems are in state of transition as they attempt to evolve to meet new challenges provided by growing environmental concerns, increases in the penetration of distributed renewable energy sources (DRES) as well as the challenges associated with integrating new technologies to enable smart grids. New techniques to improve the electrical power system, including the distribution system, are thus needed. One such technique is dynamic distribution system reconfiguration (DNSR), which involves altering the network topology during operation, providing significant benefits regarding the increased integration of DRES. This paper lays out an improved model which aimed to optimize the system operation in a coordinated way, where DRES, energy storage systems (ESS) and DNSR are considered as well as the uncertainty of these resources. The objective function was modeled to incentivize the uptake of DRES by considering the cost of emissions to incentivize the decarbonization of the power system. Also, the switching costs were modeled to consider not only the switching, but also the cost of degradation of these mechanisms in the system operation. Two systems are used to validate the model, the IEEE 119-bus system, and a real system in Sao Miguel Island. The results of this paper show that using DNSR, DRES, and ESS can lead to a significant 59% reduction in energy demand through a 24-hour period. In addition, using these technologies results in a healthier, more efficient, and higher quality system. This shows the benefits of using a variety of smart grid technologies in a coordinated manner.

Abstract
The optimal management of distributed energy resources (DERs) and renewable-based generation in multi -energy systems (MESs) is crucial as it is expected that these entities will be the backbone of future energy sys-tems. To optimally manage these numerous and diverse entities, an aggregator is required. This paper proposes the self-scheduling of a DER aggregator through a hybrid Info-gap Decision Theory (IGDT)-stochastic approach in an MES. In this approach, there are several renewable energy resources such as wind and photovoltaic (PV) units as well as multiple DERs, including combined heat and power (CHP) units, and auxiliary boilers (ABs). The approach also considers an EV parking lot and thermal energy storage systems (TESs). Moreover, two demand response (DR) programs from both price-based and incentive-based categories are employed in the microgrid to provide flexibility for the participants. The uncertainty in the generation is addressed through stochastic pro-gramming. At the same time, the uncertainty posed by the energy market prices is managed through the application of the IGDT method. A major goal of this model is to choose the risk measure based on the nature and characteristics of the uncertain parameters in the MES. Additionally, the behavior of the risk-averse and risk -seeking decision-makers is also studied. In the first stage, the sole-stochastic results are presented and then, the hybrid stochastic-IGDT results for both risk-averse and risk-seeker decision-makers are discussed. The pro-posed problem is simulated on the modified IEEE 15-bus system to demonstrate the effectiveness and usefulness of the technique.