This paper presents a robust framework for active and reactive power management in distribution networks using electric vehicles (EVs). The method simultaneously minimizes the energy cost and the voltage deviation subject to network and EVs constraints. The uncertainties related to active and reactive loads, required energy to charge EV batteries, charge rate of batteries and charger capacity of EVs are modeled using deterministic uncertainty sets. First, based on duality theory, the max min form of the model is converted to a max form. Second, Benders decomposition is employed to solve the problem. The effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated with a 33-bus distribution network.

The penetration of renewable energies in the energy market has increased significantly over the last two decades due to environmental concerns and clean energy requirements. The principal advantage of renewable energy resources (RESs) over non‐RESs is that it has no direct carbonisation impact on the environment and that it has none of the global warming effects which are caused by carbon emissions. Furthermore, the liberalisation of the energy market has led to the realisation of the virtual power plant (VPP) concept. A VPP is a unified platform for distributed energy resources that integrates the capacities of various renewable energies together for the purpose of improving power generation and management as well as catering for the buying and selling of energy in wholesale energy markets. This review study presents a comprehensive review of existing approaches to planning, operation and scheduling of the VPP system. The methodologies that were adopted, their advantages and disadvantages are assessed in detail in order to benefit new entrants in the power system and provide them with comprehensive knowledge, techniques and understanding of the VPP concept.

Smart Grid is a concept for transforming the electric power grid by using advanced automatic control and communications techniques and other forms of information technology. It integrates innovative tools and technologies from generation, transmission and distribution all the way to consumer appliances and equipment. This concept integrates energy infrastructure, processes, devices, information and markets into a coordinated and collaborative process that allows energy to be generated, distributed and consumed more effectively and efficiently. This paper reviews some researches and studies on Smart Grids (SGs) technology.

The low‐voltage (LV) distribution network is the last stage of the power network, which is connected directly to the end‐user customers and supplies many dispersed small‐scale loads. To achieve environmental targets and to address the energy shortage issue, governments worldwide increase the renewable energy sources (RESs) into the electricity grid. In addition, different types of low carbon technologies (LCTs) such as electric vehicles are becoming widely used. A significant portion of RES and LCTs is penetrated into the LV distribution network, which poses a wide range of challenges. To address these challenges, there is a persistent need to develop traditional planning and operation frameworks to cope with these new technologies. In this context, this study provides a comprehensive review of planning, operation, and management of LV distribution networks. The characteristics, types, and topologies of LV distribution networks plus different aspects of operation and planning are investigated. An insightful investigation of the reasons impacts and mitigation of voltage and current unbalanced in LV networks is provided. Moreover, the main three‐phase power flow techniques used to analyse the LV networks are analysed.