Abstract
In this paper, a stochastic mixed-integer linear programming approach is proposed to find the optimal operations planning of a hydro producer acting as a risk-neutral price-maker trading in the day-ahead market based on a pool. The proposed approach optimizes a set of scenarios using as decision variables the amount of power supplied by each generation unit facing the 24-hours residual demand curves of each scenario. The supply competitive curves are built and the optimal bidding strategy is developed in the day-ahead market, in order to maximize the expected profit of the price-maker hydro producer. Results from a real-world case study are presented. Finally, conclusions are duly drawn.

Abstract
This paper presents descriptive equations on the voltage breakdown in ultra-quick circuit breakers (UQCB). In this paper, main breakdown characteristics of UQCB's are presented. Gaseous breakdown in the sub-nanosecond regime is of interest for fast pulsed power switching, short pulse electromagnetics, and for plasma limiters to protect devices from high power microwave radiation. In order to study pulsed gas breakdown initiation dynamics, a sub-nanosecond voltage pulse is simulated by Electro-Magnetic Transient Program (EMTP). © Indian Society for Education and Environment (iSee).

Abstract
In order to participate in the electricity market, electric vehicles (EV) need to be aggregated by a market agent, since the current rules do not allow the participation of small loads. The EV aggregator purchases electrical energy for charging its clients, and can offer reserve services. This activity requires forecasting methods for several variables. This paper presents a global view of the relevant variables for an EV aggregation agent participating in the electricity market and discusses the associated forecasting issues. The load forecast problem for direct and indirect control of the EV charging process is discussed. Variables from the market-side, such as reserve price and direction, are also addressed. Existing approaches are reviewed, discussed and tested according to different metrics.

Abstract
The current grid must be updated and controlled with automated systems that offer the intelligence of the smart grid. In this task the wireless networks for sensors and actuators are very important component of the future grid infrastructure, being the "nerve cells" of the entire system. The most important player in the smart grid is probably the consumer, that can use the electricity and at the same time can have its own generation to be feed into the grid. Hence, metering devices are essential components in the smart grid, monitoring the consumer's behavior and offering valuable information to the utilities and electric entities that will adapt the generation to match the consumption in a seamless way. The ZigBee standard is getting an increased adoption for the creation of cheap wireless networks that will connect the smart grid devices with each other. Still, there are little or no works that study the actual installation approaches, minimizing possible obstacles and decreasing costs. This paper present new field tests that study the integration and installation of ZigBee capable meters, offering at the same time several installation approaches.

Abstract
Security Constraint Generation Scheduling (SCGS) is one of the most important issues in modern power system shortterm operation. In the SCGS the optimal and secure operation of power system has been taken into account. SCGS includes the timing and production of available energy resources in order to maintaining customer demands. In this paper, we present a new approach for SCGS in Day-Ahead market considering both heat and power demands entire the system. Harmony Search Algorithm, (HSA) which is a recent meta-heuristic optimization algorithms is addressed in this paper to solve the SCGS problem which is a large-scale, non-convex, nonlinear with both continuous and discrete variables. It is shown that HSA, as a meta-heuristic optimization algorithm, may solve power system scheduling problem (Heat and Power) in a better fashion in comparison with the other evolutionary search algorithm that are implemented in such complicated issue. HSA was conceptualized using the musical process of searching for a perfect state of harmony. Compared to the earlier meta-heuristic optimization algorithms, HSA imposes fewer mathematical requirements that can be easily adopted for various types of engineering optimization problems, such as Combined Heat and Power SCGS (CHP-SCGS). An adopted case study is conducted to facilitate the effectiveness of the proposed method. This case study is recently presented in order to analysis the Day-Ahead power system studies with a 24-h scheduling horizon, which considers the Hydro-Thermal and conventional Unit Commitment (UC) problem. Simulation results show the effectiveness and fastness of the proposed method. © Indian Society for Education and Environment (iSee).

Abstract
The information and communication technologies (ICT) have the potential to improve the quality of life of individual with functional particularities, potentiating their activity in society, as well supplying the conditions for a prolonged active life, counter acting the natural age related lost of faculties. As such, the software component - of ICT - is lacking a good and attentive construction to these functioning details which, often, are of difficult assessment. Adding to these constrains, the existing information is, not exclusively but especially, focused on Web contents. Attending to these matters, a checklist of proposals has been elaborated, and presented in this paper, that tries to cover these flaws, allowing for an evaluation of the accessibility of Integrated Development Environments (IDE), their capacity of generating accessible software - native software and not Web contents - and even the accessibility of the final product - the native software. Conceived through the reutilization and inspired on the general knowledge created by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI), the drafts of this checklist are easily understandable and applicable. With the objective of facilitating the work of information systems technician who may already have concerns regarding these topics, it further has the important potential of encouraging agents to initiate themselves into the cares that this are requires. © 2012 AISTI.