Abstract
This paper addresses the problem of decision making in Unit Commitment in systems with a significant penetration of wind power. Traditional approaches to Unit Commitment are inadequate to fully deal with the uncertainties associated to wind, represented by scenarios of forecasted wind power qualified by probabilities. Departing from a critique of planning paradigms, the paper argues that a stochastic programming approach, while a step in the good direction, is insufficient to model all aspects of the decision process and therefore proposes the adoption of models based on a Risk Analysis paradigm. A case study is worked out reinforcing this perspective. In a multi-objective context, the properties of the cost vs. risk Pareto-optimal fronts are analyzed, where risk may be represented by aversion to a worst scenario or a worst event. It is shown that the Pareto-optimal front may not be convex, which precludes a simplistic use of tradeoff concepts. It is also shown that decisions based on stochastic programming may in fact put the system at risk. An evaluation of risk levels and cost of hedging against undesired events is proposed as the paradigm to be followed in Unit Commitment decision making. (C) 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Abstract
This paper proposes a methodology using Hybrid Control System (HS) to manage the integration of Variable Renewable Electricity Sources (VRES). The HS define a combination of discrete and continuous signals, in this case, discrete by Pump-Hydro-Storage (PHS) and continuous performance is the Wind Power (WP). The coupling of Wind Power and PHS to produce a dispatchable power output could be a significant benefit to those in an energy trading system. Improving VRES prediction reduces system dispatch errors, however does not give total economic opportunities to the generator. Increased dispatchable backup power generation can improve the system's ability to handle deviations of WP, as verified when the proposed approach is applied to Brazilian and Portuguese power system. © 2018 IEEE.

Abstract
This paper presents the concept of a tapered deep neural network, subject to unsupervised training layer by layer, under a criterion of maximum entropy, to perform the estimation of breaker status in the absence of a specific sensor signal. The almost perfect prediction power of the model confirms the conjecture that the knowledge of the topology of a network is hidden in the electric measurement values in the network. A test case is presented with computing speed accelerated by using a GPU (graphics processing unit). The comparison with a previous model illustrates the superiority of the novel approach. © 2018 IEEE.

Abstract
The increasing penetration of renewable energy sources characterized by a high degree of variability and uncertainty is a complex challenge for network operators that are obligated to ensure their connection while keeping the quality and security of supply. In order to deal with this variable behavior and forecast uncertainty, the distribution networks are equipped with flexible distributed energy resources capable of adjusting their operating point to avoid technical issues (voltage problems, congestion, etc.). Within this paradigm, the flexibility that, in fact, can be provided by such resources, needs to be estimated/forecasted up to the transmission network node (primary substation) and requires new tools for TSO/DSO coordination. This paper addresses this topic by developing a methodology capable of finding the flexibility area while taking into account the technical grid constraints. The proposed approach is based on the formulation of a single optimization problem which is run several times, according with the expected precision for the flexibility area estimation. To each optimization problem run, a different objective function belonging to a family of straight lines is assigned. This allows exploring the active and reactive power flow limits at the TSO/DSO boundary nodes - which define the flexibility area. The effectiveness of the proposed model has been evaluated on two test networks and the results suggest a step forward in the TSO/DSO coordination field. Nevertheless, further investigations to study the effect of assets with discrete control nature (e.g., on load tap changers - OLTC, capacitor banks) on the occurrence of disjoint flexibility areas should be carried.

Abstract
Power systems are becoming more complex and the need for increased awareness at the lower voltage levels of the distribution grid requires new tools that provide a reliable and accurate estimation of the system state. This paper describes an innovative state estimation method for low voltage (LV) grids that analyses similarities between a real-time snapshot comprising only a subset of smart meters with real-time communications and fully observed system states present in historical data. Real-time estimates of voltage magnitudes are obtained by smoothing the most similar past snapshots with a data-driven methodology that does not relies on full knowledge of the grid topology and electrical characteristics. Moreover, the output of the LV state estimator is a conditional probability distribution obtained with kernel density estimation. The results show highly accurate estimation of voltage magnitude, even in a scenario characterized by a strong integration of photovoltaic (PV) microgeneration.

Abstract
The penetration of distributed renewable energy sources in the distribution grid is increasing considerably in the last years. This is one of the main causes that contributed to the growth of technical problems in both transmission and distribution systems. An effective solution to improve system security is to exploit the flexibility that can be provided by distributed energy resources (DER), which are mostly located at the distribution grids. Their location combined with the lack of power flow coordination at the system operators interface creates difficulties in taking advantage of these flexible resources. This paper presents a methodology based on the solution of a set of optimization problems that estimate the flexibility ranges at the distribution and transmission system operators (TSO-DSO) boundary nodes. The estimation is performed while considering the grid technical constraints and a maximum cost that the user is willing to pay. The novelty behind this approach comes from the development of flexibility cost maps, which allow the visualization of the impact of DER flexibility on the operating point at the TSO-DSO interface. The results are compared with a sampling method and suggest that a higher accuracy in the TSO-DSO information exchange process can be achieved through this approach.