Abstract
The increasing number of Power-Electronic (PE) interfaced devices in the new generation of distribution systems results in concerns about the power quality of modern grids. Besides the loads, the harmonic-injecting devices are increasingly penetrating the generation, storage, and delivering levels of energy dispatch systems in the microgrids and the LV networks which can be easily reflected in the primary distribution systems. As an economic, applicable, and efficient solution, the passive filters can be optimized and added to the grid to absorb the harmonics. Furthermore, in the presence of controllable devices such as PE-interfaced DGs and storage units, a coordination strategy can be implemented to actively decrease the effect of the nonlinear loads. Accordingly, the idea of a virtually-hybrid filter can be developed by the use of passive filters and the coordinated active harmonic filtering strategy. In this paper, by providing an explanation for the developed coordination strategy of active filters, the probabilistic techno-economic planning of virtually-hybrid filters is studied considering the different combinations of the linear and nonlinear loads in a modern primary distribution system. Simulation results have proved that the proposed method is capable of minimizing harmonic distortions and grid loss by the use of the optimal passive filters and the suggested coordination strategy of the active devices. © 2023 IEEE.

Abstract
Due to the complementarity of renewable energy sources, there has been a focus on technology hybridization in recent years. In the area of hybrid offshore power plants, the current research projects mostly focus on the combinational implementation of wind, solar, and wave energy technologies. Accordingly, considering the already existing offshore wind farms, there is the potential for the implementation of hybrid power plants by adding wave energy converters and floating photovoltaics. In this work, a stochastic sizing model is developed for the hybridization of existing offshore wind farms using wave energy converters and floating photovoltaics considering the export cable capacity limitation. The problem is modeled from an investor perspective to maximize the economic profits of the hybridization, while the costs and revenues regarding the existing units and the export cable are excluded. Furthermore, to tackle the uncertainties of renewable energy generation, as well as the energy price, a scenario generation method based on copula theory is proposed to consider the dependency structure between the different random variables. Altogether, the hybridization study is modeled in a mixed integer linear programming optimization framework considering the net present value of the project as the objective function. The results showed that hybrid-sources-based energy generation provided the highest economic profit in the studied cases in the different geographical locations. Furthermore, the technical specifications of the farms have also been considerably improved providing more stable energy generation, guaranteeing a minimum level of power in a high share of the time, and with a better utilization of the capacity of the cable while the curtailment of energy is maintained within the acceptable range.

Abstract
The deviation of the demand levels of the modern LV distribution systems due to the more loads and distributed generations connected in the same grid leads to the loss of acceptable quality of voltage. These voltage quality problems occur in case of the high difference between the power of the loads and distributed generations in the same area. Accordingly, the high loading conditions lead to the bus voltage decrease while the bus voltage increment occurs in scenarios with the excess of generation. In this condition, the successful voltage stabilization in MV/LV substation can effectively suppress the deviations of the grid voltage values and increase the hosting capacity of the network. There are different custom power devices introduced in the literature which can provide the stabilization of voltage in the grids. In this paper, among the available tools, the application of Open-UPQC is examined in hosting capacity improvement maintaining a desired power quality level; this capability is provided through the successful voltage regulation in the different probable high/low loading scenarios in the grid. According to the results, while the uncoordinated operation of the series and shunt devices does not have the capability of stabilization of the base grid, the Open-UPQC has successfully maintained the voltage profile inside the limits in both the base case and in the presence of high load and PV penetration levels. It should be emphasized that the services of the Open-UPQC are provided in an economical and effective way making the solution strategy applicable in real-world cases. © 2023 IEEE.

Abstract
Regulatory changes associated with distributed generation have occurred in several countries (e.g., the USA, Germany, the UK, and Australia). However, there is a lack of robust and holistic analytical models that can be used to implement the best regulatory framework among possible options. In this context, the present paper proposes a cutting-edge regulatory framework for distributed generation based on multi-objective optimization, taking into account socioeconomic (socioeconomic welfare created by the regulated electricity market and electricity tariff affordability) and environmental (global warming potential) indicators. Such indicators are modeled primarily based on the optimized tariff model (socioeconomic regulated electricity market model), Bass diffusion model (forecasting model of distributed generation deployment), and life cycle assessment (environmental impact assessment method). The design variables are assumed to be the regulated electricity tariff and remuneration of the electricity injected into the grid over the years. First, the proposed methodology is applied to fifteen large-scale Brazilian concession areas with a significant deployment of distributed generation assuming two approaches, a multi-compensation scenario, where the compensation is set individually for each concession area, and a single-compensation scenario, where the compensation is set equally for all concession areas. Then, the optimal solutions are compared to Ordinary Law 14300, which is a recently implemented regulatory framework for distributed generation in Brazil. Results demonstrate that Ordinary Law 14300 is a dominated or non-optimal solution since it is not located on the optimal Pareto frontiers for any of the assessed concession areas. Assuming the Euclidian knee points, benefits averaging 33% and 15% were achieved in terms of electricity tariff affordability for the multi and single-compensation scenarios, respectively, with small losses of 8% and 3% in terms of socioeconomic welfare and global warming potential. Though the proposed methodology is applied in the Brazilian context, it can also be applied to other countries with regulated electricity markets; thus, it is expected to be valuable for researchers, government institutions, and regulatory agencies worldwide.

Abstract
Future electrical grids, particularly the distribution networks, may face more severe voltage rises/drops, and in general, more power quality problems in the presence of new loads such as electric vehicle chargers and renewable energy generation units like photovoltaic systems. This necessitates investing in additional high-cost infrastructure to increase the capability of the feeder in hosting higher levels of loads and generation units while the existing capacity is not utilized effectively. In the stated condition, effective voltage stabilization strategies in electrical distribution networks can contribute to hosting capacity improvement and the better utilization of the existing infrastructure. Accordingly, in this paper, the application of Open-UPQC in voltage profile improvement and hosting capacity enhancement is evaluated in low-voltage distribution networks. Furthermore, a dynamic reference voltage adjustment strategy is applied to the device to improve its capabilities in power quality improvement and hosting capacity enhancement. Simulation studies have been implemented to evaluate the capability of Open-UPQC either with static reference voltage or the dynamically-adjusted one in low-voltage networks with real measured data while different cases are assessed regarding the topology and the length of the feeder. The simulation results approved the capability of Open-UPQC especially with the dynamic reference voltage in hosting capacity enhancement while providing the highest level of voltage profile improvement among all the assessed custom power devices in the studied low-voltage networks.

Abstract
Modern electrical distribution networks are prone to more severe voltage fluctuations due to the presence of variable loads such as electric vehicles and renewable energy generation units. These fluctuations decrease both the quality of power and the hosting capability of the grid. In such a condition, a Dynamic Voltage Compensator (DVC) can be used to stabilize the voltage of the LV networks. DVC is generally designed to resolve voltage fluctuations reflected from MV systems maintaining the voltage on a constant value. However, it will more effectively improve the voltage quality in the grid if the reference voltage is dynamically adjusted based on measurements inside the LV system. On the other hand, the more complex measurement and coordination strategy may lead to the inapplicability of the methods. Hence, voltage reference adjustment strategies should be developed to conform to the availability of data and measurements inside the grid. Accordingly, in this paper, novel voltage reference adjustment strategies have been developed for DVC based on the measurements at the installation point of the device. In order to examine the proposed methods, they are applied to an LV grid with real measured data and the results are discussed. Based on the provided simulation results, the developed dynamic reference voltage adjustment strategies can successfully improve the quality of voltage and improve the hosting capacity of the LV network. © 2023 IEEE.