Abstract
Interoperability may be defined as the ability of intelligent electronic devices (IED's) to exchange and use information correctly. Although the IEC 61850 standards define a consistent methodology for interconnecting IEDs in substation using LAN based technologies to promote interoperability, this ability to exchange information correctly is not always achieved between different IED's from different manufactures. This paper reports the assessment of IED's, featured with IEC 61850 standards and connected to the same communication network from different manufactures. Different interoperability tests are performed and the difficulty and challenges to exchange and receive information is also reported. Possible solutions on the XML schema to generate a compliant SCL file as well as the way to scale up the standardization of the substation project is also explored and discussed in this paper.

Abstract
Smart grids aim at ensuring a secure, reliable and efficient operation of power systems and for that purpose they need communications infrastructures capable of meeting different requirements. Current and emerging wireless multi-hop solutions based on standard technologies are strong candidates for communications networks associated and integrated with electric distribution grids but a suitable methodology to evaluate and deploy them is missing. This paper presents a holistic methodology supported by contextual information used to generate different scenarios of distribution grids and to evaluate and deploy wireless communications networks for smart grids. Simulation results show that the methodology is suitable for the evaluation of wireless multi-hop networks in the smart grid context and prove that the performance of such networks meets the expected requirements of different applications.

Abstract
The development of the Smart Grid concept is the pathway for assuring high reliability, control and management requirements in future electric power distribution systems. The Smart Grid can be defined as an electricity network supported by an intelligent infrastructure, both hardware and software, capable of accommodating high shares of Distributed Energy Resources. Within this line, a Smart Grid laboratorial infrastructure was developed, being dedicated to advanced research and demonstration activities. The adopted laboratorial architecture was developed according to the Microgrid concept, where Electric Vehicles are regarded as active and flexible players. Following the laboratory implementation, this paper provides a detailed description of its infrastructure and experimental capabilities, presenting and discussing different experimental set-ups and associated results.

Abstract
The reduction or elimination of incentives for the installation of decentralized generation directly at the customers' premises, favoring self-consumption, can bring significant changes for distribution network operation. According to the new Portuguese law, injection of energy into the distribution grid is discouraged since prosumers receive only 90% of the energy cost in the Iberian Energy Market. In order to lower energy bills, the possibility of storing excess energy is being considered as a possible solution. In this paper, an optimization framework is proposed to model the operation of consumers with renewable-based Distributed Generation (DG) and storage capacity and assess their aggregated effect at the level of the MV grid using a multi-temporal Optimal Power Flow (OPF). The proposed algorithm is then tested in a real Portuguese MV network to evaluate its performance. Finally, a financial viability analysis is performed considering the installation of small PV generators and storage devices at the residential level.

Abstract

Abstract
This paper presents an approach to design the transformer and the link inductor for the high-frequency link matrix converter. The proposed method aims to systematize the design process of the HF-link using analytic and software tools. The models for the characterization of the core and winding losses have been reviewed. Considerations about the practical implementation and construction of the magnetic devices are also provided. The software receives the inputs from the mathematical analysis and runs the optimization to find the best design. A 10 kW / 20 kHz transformer plus a link inductor are designed using this strategy achieving a combined efficiency of 99.32%.