Abstract:In recent years, power systems worldwide undergo dramatic changes in many respects of system operation, control and planning. With growing penetration of renewable energies and other emerging technologies, power grids today are facing various uncertainties and risks. Meanwhile, rapid development of smart grids demands innovative solutions to coordinate and optimize many new and old technologies of different properties to ensure overall system security and efficiency at large. To fulfill the need, this special issue is focused on applications of classical and emerging optimization techniques applied to solve the difficulties and challenges facing power system operation and planning in smart grid environments. Quite a number of high quality papers have been received. The covered topics are topical and broad.