Title: Optimization Problems for Reactive Power Dispatch in Electricity Markets

The deregulation/privatization of electricity markets has brought the pressing need to properly consider both economics and security in the operation of the power grid, so that adequate pricing signals can be given to market participants to incentivize their participation in these markets. In the area of reactive power dispatch, these particular needs are leading to the proposition of some novel and interesting optimization problems. Thus, this presentation will first describe some relevant optimization problems for active and reactive power dispatch within the context of electricity markets that have been recently proposed and solved, and that are the base for new reactive power dispatch optimization problems that are currently under study. The latter will then be described in some detail, highlighting the challenges that are being faced and the techniques that are being considered in the solution process.