Abstract
Motivated by initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), particularly SDG 1-Poverty Eradication and SDG 7-Clean and Accessible Energy, the search for solutions aiming to mitigate poverty has been recurrent in several studies. This paper main objective is to evaluate the dynamics of global research on the use of photovoltaic projects for poverty alleviation (PVPA) from 2003 to 2022. We use a bibliometric analysis to identify publication patterns and consequently list research trends and gaps of the area. A total of 336 publications from Scopus database are identified and complemented by a state-of-the-art study, where the articles are investigated and classified according to: Business model and financing and evaluation of PVPA results. The results show that PA is often associated with PV power and its application in rural areas. “Biomass” and “application in developing countries” have become a trend. Urban areas application, aiming to reduce poverty, and the need for a synergetic integration of energy and urban planning, to mitigate the risks associated with energy flow and efficiency, are the most relevant gaps identified. Most of the publications focus on macropolicies effects involving PV technology; papers on projects construction and ex-post are not identified.

Abstract
This article presents a methodology to estimate the evolution of QoS indices, based on investments and maintenance costs carried out in the DN. The indices were estimated at various disaggregated levels, including the global index, 3 different QoS zones (urban, semi-urban and rural) and 278 municipalities, thereby facilitating the mitigation of QoS asymmetries by allocating investments and maintenance actions to specific regions. To achieve this objective, an optimization problem was formulated to allocate investments and maintenance costs to municipalities with higher improvement benefit-cost ratios, potentially exhibiting lower levels of QoS. This methodology was adopted by the Portuguese DSO to establish the future investments plan from 2023 to 2027. The results demonstrate estimations of good performance, considering the stochastic nature of the phenomena affecting QoS (e.g. atmospheric conditions), which are included in this study, thus developing confidence levels for the global indices.

Abstract
This article proposes a methodology for high loss detection in LV network, based on a very small set of commonly available data/metadata from networks connected to an MV/LV substation. The approach is based on a combination of predictors from several distinct categories, including network data, metadata, and measured smart meter data. Several independent groups of unranked real networks were simulated, and it was possible to find the top ten networks with the highest level of losses with a very satisfactory success rate (76% to 98%), depending on selected groupings folds. Due to the impracticability of analyzing all LV networks, the identification of the highest loss ones is essential for the definition of loss reduction planning since, with this list filtering, it is possible to determine with a good degree of certainty which networks require maintenance or upgrade.

Abstract
Power-to-Hydrogen (P2H) clean systems have been increasingly adopted for Virtual Power Plant (VPP) to drive system decarbonization. However, current models for the joint operation of VPP and P2H often disregard the full impact on grid operation or hydrogen supply to multiple consumers. This paper contributes with a VPP operating model considering a full Alternating Current Optimal Power Flow (AC OPF) while integrating different paths for the use of green hydrogen, such as supplying hydrogen to a Combined Heat and Power (CHP), industry and local hydrogen consumers. The proposed framework is tested using a 37-bus distribution grid and the results illustrate the benefits that a P2H plant can bring to the VPP in economic, grid operation and environmental terms. An important conclusion is that depending on the prices of the different hydrogen services, the P2H plant can increase the levels of self-sufficiency and security of supply of the VPP, decrease the operating costs, and integrate more renewables.

Abstract
This paper aims to study battery response under two operation strategies to analyze the annual cycles and operation costs (revenues) via sensitivity analysis. A battery model that considers performance parameters (AC-AC RTE, DOD, and C-rates) for different technologies is approached to identify how these parameters influence battery behavior and revenue. Strategies refer to (A) energy arbitrage, EA, and (B) EA and the provision of tertiary reserve. Simulations conducted for real data from Portuguese electricity and regulation markets showed regardless of the strategy used, the annual cycles and revenue are dominated by the performance parameters, instead of price volatility. In addition, for batteries with higher C-rates, as the AC-AC RTE is reduced up to 80%, the annual cycles and revenues are significantly reduced to 50% and 45% respectively, regarding its ideal model (100% AC-AC RTE). For lower C-rates, the annual cycles and revenues are slightly reduced with AC-AC RTE reductions. Specifically, strategy B revealed that annual cycles and revenue could also be influenced by the capacity requirements and the control area where batteries are providing services. © 2024 IEEE.

Abstract
This paper addresses the challenges of integrating large shares of renewable energy sources into the power system, focusing on managing operational reserves in multi-area systems and their long-term adequacy. Unlike previous studies, this paper investigates the long-term impact of procurement and activation of operational reserve in adjacent areas, considering energy scheduling and interconnection line constraints. Three procurement schemes for multi-area energy and reserve exchanges are proposed and analyzed through Sequential Monte Carlo Simulation. These schemes vary in their approach to interconnection line capacity constraints and the simultaneous or phased procurement of energy and synchronized reserve. The mathematical operationalization of these schemes is achieved through simple linear programming models, facilitating the quantification of marginal prices for both products. The impact of these schemes on operational reserve adequacy, marginal prices, and interconnection line utilization is demonstrated using configurations of the IEEE RTS 96 system. This analysis incorporates long-term uncertainty and diverse operational conditions and provides valuable insights into the interplay between energy and reserve procurement strategies in multi-area systems.