Soft open points (SOPs) are power electronic devices which can replace conventional normally open points in distribution networks. SOPs enable full control of active power flow between the interconnected feeders and can inject reactive power at each node to which they are connected. SOPs integrated with energy storage (ES) have been recently proposed to realize both spatial and temporal flexibility in active distribution networks. The flexibility provided by integrated ES-SOP devices will allow network operators to run their networks closer to their limits, but only if there is appropriate management of the uncertainty arising from demand and renewable generation. The only existing model of an ES-SOP uses nonconvex nonlinear equations, neglects uncertainty, and represents converter losses in an oversimplistic manner. This paper presents a robust mixed-integer convex model for the optimal scheduling of integrated ES-SOPs to ensure a zero probability of constraint violation. Losses of the subsystems comprising the ES-SOP are modeled using a proposed binary-polynomial model, enabling efficient scheduling of the energization state of subsystems to reduce no-load losses. The ES-SOP is considered in this paper to be owned by the network operator to: 1) manage power flow constraints, 2) minimize cost of losses, and 3) maximize arbitrage profit.

In this work, the possibility of using different generations of $\beta$ -Ga ₂ O ₃ as an ultra-wide-bandgap power semiconductor device for high power converter applications is explored. The competitiveness of $\beta$ -Ga ₂ O ₃ for power converters in still not well quantified, for which the major determining factors are the on-state resistance, $R_{\text{ON}}$ , reverse blocking voltage, $V_{\text{BR}}$ , and the thermal resistance, $R_{\text{th}}$ . We have used the best reported device specifications from literature, both in terms of reports of experimental measurements and potential demonstrated by computer-aided designs, to study power converter performance for different device generations. Modular multilevel converter-based voltage source converters are identified as a topology with significant potential to exploit these device characteristics. The performance of MVDC & HVDC converters based on this topology have been analysed, focusing on system level power losses and case temperature rise at the device level. Comparisons of these $\beta$ -Ga ₂ O ₃ devices are made against contemporary SiC-FET and Si-IGBTs. The results have indicated that although the early $\beta$ -Ga ₂ O ₃ devices are not competitive to incumbent Si-IGBT and SiC-FET modules, the latest experimental measurements on NiO $_\mathrm{X}$ / $\beta$ -Ga ₂ O ₃ and $\beta$ -Ga ₂ O ₃ /diamond significantly surpass the performance of incumbent modules. Furthermore, parameters derived from semiconductor-level simulations indicate that the $\beta$ -Ga ₂ O ₃ /diamond in superjunction structures delivers even superior performance in these power converters.

This letter introduces the Hybrid Open Point (HOP), a device consisting of an electromechanical switch connected in parallel with a power converter, for the purpose of providing additional network capacity in interconnected distribution systems. The HOP switch is used for bulk power transfer at low-cost, whilst the HOP converter provides targeted power transfer when the HOP switch is open. The device can replace either a Normally Open Point (Type 1 HOP) or a Normally Closed Point (Type 2 HOP). Simple interconnection and teed interconnection configurations are studied considering fault level and radiality constraints, with realistic use-cases identified for both HOP types. The HOP is shown to provide secure network capacity more cost-effectively than the classical Soft Open Point.