Abstract
Stationary batteries are currently seen as an interesting solution to deal with the variability of the renewable energy sources. In the same way as other types of storage, e.g. pumped-hydro units, this new type of storage equipment can improve the use of Renewable Energy Sources (RES). Additionally, the stationary batteries location in the grid is not as physically constrained as other storage systems and can be optimally selected to maximize its overall benefits. This paper proposes a new methodology to represent the unique stochastic behavior of stationary batteries while integrated into an electrical power system. This methodology includes not only the technical restrictions of this type of storage system but also how its operation strategy affects its lifetime. The methodology was tested on a small test system, which is based on the IEEE-RTS 79, using sequential Monte Carlo simulation as its core to accurately reproduce the chronology of events of stationary batteries. The results of the simulation are focused on the potential impacts of these storage devices not only in terms of renewable energy used but also in the adequacy of supply.

Abstract
This paper explores a technique denoted LASCA to solve large scale optimization problems with metaheuristics by reducing the search space dimension with autoassociative neural networks. The technique applies autoencoders as a reversible mapping between the original problem space and a reduced space. A metaheuristic then evolves in the latter, having its objective function assessed in the original space. The technique is illustrated with an application of an Evolutionary Particle Swarm Optimization (EPSO) algorithm to four benchmarking unconstrained optimization functions and to a wind-hydro constrained coordination problem. The new technique allows an improvement in the quality of the solutions attained.

Abstract
This work presents a methodology for selecting the most relevant measurements for real-time power system monitoring. A genetic algorithm is employed to find the meter plan, composed of relevant, real-time measurements and pseudo-measurements that present the best compromise between investment costs and state estimation performance. This is achieved by minimizing both the number of real-time measurements in the power network and the degradation of the estimated states. Performance measures based on the Information Theory are investigated. Simulation results illustrate the performance of the proposed method.

Abstract
The growing penetration of solar power technology at low voltage (LV) level introduces new challenges in the distribution grid operation. Across the world, Distribution System Operators (DSO) are implementing the Smart Grid concept and one key function, in this new paradigm, is solar power forecasting. This paper presents a new forecasting framework, based on vector autoregression theory, that combines spatial-temporal data collected by smart meters and distribution transformer controllers to produce six-hour-ahead forecasts at the residential solar photovoltaic (PV) and secondary substation (i.e., MV/LV substation) levels. This framework has been tested for 44 micro-generation units and 10 secondary substations from the Smart Grid pilot in Evora, Portugal (one demonstration site of the EU Project SuSTAINABLE). A comparison was made with the well-known Autoregressive forecasting Model (AR - univariate model) leading to an improvement between 8% and 12% for the first 3 lead-times.

Abstract
This paper discusses mechanisms for establishing an efficient decentralized methodology for the reconstruction of topology in power systems. The maximum mutual information criterion is proposed as a selection criterion for the inputs of a distributed topology estimator, based on mosaic of local auto-associative neural networks. The proposed concepts offer some strong theoretical support for an information theoretic perspective on power system state estimation. The results are confirmed by extensive tests conducted on the IEEE RTS 24-bus system.

Abstract
This paper presents a new stochastic programming model for PAR/PST definition and location in a network with a high penetration of wind power, with probabilistic representation, to maximize wind power penetration. It also presents a new optimization meta-heuristic, denoted DEEPSO, which is a variant of EPSO, the Evolutionary Particle Swarm Optimization method, borrowing the concept of rough gradient from Differential Evolution algorithms. A test case is solved in an IEEE test system. The performance of DEEPSO is shown to be superior to EPSO in this complex problem.