Abstract
Allocation of flexible AC transmission systems (FACTS) devices is a challenging power system problem. This paper proposes a new particle swarm optimisation (PSO) variant, called enhanced leader PSO (ELPSO), for solving this problem. This algorithm is capable of solving FACTS allocation problem in a way leading to lower amounts of power flow violations, voltage deviations and power losses with respect to other optimisation algorithms. Distributed thyristor controlled series compensators (D-TCSC's) are used. D-TCSC's are installed at all branches except those with regulating transformers. The reactances of D-TCSC's are found in optimisation process. ELPSO features a five-staged successive mutation strategy which mitigates premature convergence problem of conventional PSO. ELPSO and other optimisation algorithms are applied to IEEE 14 bus and 118 bus power systems for N-1 contingencies and also for simultaneous outage of four branches. The results show that it leads to lower amounts of power flow violations, voltage deviations and power losses with respect to conventional PSO (CPSO) and eight other optimisation algorithms including genetic algorithm (GA), gravitational search algorithm (GSA), galaxy based search algorithm (GBSA), invasive weed optimisation (IWO), asexual reproduction optimisation (ARO), threshold acceptance (TA), pattern search and nonlinear programming (NLP).

Abstract
The objective of the retailer in medium-term planning is managing the portfolio of contracts from different sources as well as determining the optimal selling price offered to its customers. When supplying the electricity sold to the costumers, two main challenges are faced by retailers. The first problem occurs during the electricity procurement procedure. In this stage, the retailer must deal with the uncertainty due to the pool price that propels the retailers to move towards agreeing to forward contracts signed at higher average prices. Besides, when the retailer decides on selling the electricity, another problem is to face the uncertainty caused by the demand while taking into consideration the possibility of reducing its clients in the case of high selling price. In this regard, this paper proposes a stochastic multi-objective framework for the retailer with profit maximization and risk minimization as two objective functions. The risk, due to the market price uncertainty, is modeled, employing the expected downside risk. The problem is formulated as mixed-integer programming while the stochastic optimization problem is characterized using the roulette wheel mechanism and lattice Monte Carlo simulation. Furthermore, lexicographic optimization and augmented epsilon-constraint method are used to solve the proposed multi-objective problem, and the best compromise solution is determined employing a fuzzy satisfying method. The presented model has been implemented using a realistic case study to verify the effectiveness of the method used in this paper. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Abstract
Fast charging is perceived by users as a preferred method for extending the average daily mobility of electric vehicles (EV). The rated power of fast chargers, their expected operation during peak hours, and clustering in designated stations, raise significant concerns. On one hand it raises concerns about standard requirements for power quality, especially harmonic distortion due to the use of power electronics connecting to high loads, typically ranging from 18 to 24 kW h. On the other hand, infrastructure dimensioning and design limitations for those investing in such facilities need to be considered. Four sets of measurements were performed during the complete charging cycle of an EV, and individual harmonic's amplitude and phase angles behaviour were analysed. In addition, the voltage and current total harmonic distortion (THD) and Total Demand Distortion (TDD) were calculated and the results compared with the IEEE519, IEC 61000/EN50160 standards. Additionally, two vehicles being fast charged while connected to the same feeder were simulated and an analysis was carried out on how the harmonic phase angles would relate. The study concluded that the use of TDD was a better indicator than THD, since the former uses the maximum current (IL) and the latter uses the fundamental current, sometimes misleading conclusions, hence it is suggested it should be included in IEC/EN standard updates. Voltage THD and TDD for the charger analysed, were within the standard's limits of 1.2% and 12% respectively, however individual harmonics (11th and 13th) failed to comply with the 5.5% limit in IEEE 519 (5% and 3% respectively in IEC61000). Phase angles tended to have preferential range differences from the fundamental wave. It was found that the average difference between the same harmonic order phase angles was lower than 90°, meaning that when more than one vehicle is connected to the same feeder the amplitudes will add. Since the limits are dependable on the upstream short circuit current (ISC), if the number of vehicles increases (i.e. IL), the standard limits will decrease and eventually be exceeded. The harmonic limitation is hence the primary binding condition, certainly before the power limitation. The initial limit to the number of chargers is not the power capacity of the upstream power circuit but the harmonic limits for electricity pollution.

Abstract
Energy system pathways which are projected to deliver minimum possible deployment cost, combined with low Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions, are usually considered as 'no-regrets' options. However, the question remains whether such energy pathways present 'no-regrets' when also considering the wider environmental resource impacts, in particular those on land and water resources. This paper aims to determine whether the energy pathways of the UK's Carbon Plan are environmental "no-regrets" options, defined in this study as simultaneously exhibiting low impact on land and water services resulting from resource appropriation for energy provision. This is accomplished by estimating the land area and water abstraction required by 2050 under the four pathways of the Carbon Plan with different scenarios for energy crop composition, yield, and power station locations. The outcomes are compared with defined limits for sustainable land appropriation and water abstraction.The results show that of the four Carbon Plan pathways, only the "Higher Renewables, more energy efficiency" pathway is an environmental "no-regrets" option, and that is only if deployment of power stations inland is limited. The study shows that policies for future low-carbon energy systems should be developed with awareness of wider environmental impacts. Failing to do this could lead to a setback in achieving GHG emission reductions goals, because of unforeseen additional competition between the energy sector and demand for land and water services in other sectors.

Abstract
The UK's 2008 Climate Change Act sets a legally binding target for reducing territorial greenhouse gas emissions by 80% by 2050, relative to 1990 levels. Four pathways to achieve this target have been developed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, with all pathways requiring increased us of bioenergy. A significant amount of this could be indigenously sourced from crops, but will increased domestic production of energy crops conflict with other agricultural priorities?To address this question, a coupled analysis of the UK energy system and land use has been developed. The two systems are connected by the production of bioenergy, and are projected forwards in time under the energy pathways, accounting for various constraints on land use for agriculture and ecosystem services. The results show different combinations of crop yield and compositions for the pathways lead to the appropriation of between 7% and 61% of UK's agricultural land for bioenergy production. This could result in competition for land for food production and other land uses, as well as indirect land use change in other countries due to an increase in bioenergy imports. Consequently, the potential role of bioenergy in achieving UK emissions reduction targets may face significant deployment challenges.

Abstract
This paper aims at presenting the main results of an energy audit performed to a gypsum production plant, in Portugal, which due to the amount of energy consumed must comply with the Portuguese program SGCIE (Intensive Energy Consumption Management System). The program was created in 2008 to promote energy efficiency and energy consumption monitoring in intensive energy consuming facilities (energy consumption higher than 500 toe per year). Facilities operators are required to perform energy audits and take actions to draw up an action plan for energy efficiency, establishing targets for energy consumption reduction and greenhouse gases emissions indexes. An energy audit was carried out to identify potential energy conservation measures for improving energy efficiency, and also typical energy consumption patterns, sector/equipment load profiles and thermal equipment performance. This tool gives managers the information to support decision making on improving energy performance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A number of tangible targets and measures were devised and set to be implemented in the next few years. Results show that there is a considerable potential for reduction in the energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions of gypsum manufacturing plants. Here, as elsewhere in the industrial sector, energy efficiency can only be achieved through a continuous energy monitoring and management system.