Interdisciplinarity and Design Conceptualisation: Contributions from a Small-Scale Design Experiment

Literature emphasises the sparse research focused in collaborative and open approaches in the design conceptualisation stage, also known as the Fuzzy Front-End (FFE). Presently, the most challenging discussion arising from this specific field of research lies in understanding on whether or not to structure the referred conceptual stage. Accordingly, the established hypothesis behind this study sustains that a structured approach in the FFE would benefit the interdisciplinary dialogue. Therefore, two objectives support this study: to understand the benefits of an interdisciplinary approach in the FFE, and to test one proposed model for this conceptual stage. By means of a small-scale design experiment, this paper pretends to give additional contributions to this area of research, in the context of new product development (NPD). The general research supporting this specific study aims to conceptualise in the area of newly and futuristic aircraft configurations. Hence, this same topic based the conceptualisation process in the conducted ideation sessions, which are conducted by five different teams of three elements each. The results of the different ideation sessions reinforce the contemporary paradigm of Open Innovation (OI), which is based in trust and communication to better collaborate. The postulated hypothesis for this study is partially validated as teams testing the proposed and structured model generally consider that its usage would benefit the integration of different disciplines. Besides, a general feeling that a structured approach integrates different perspectives and gives creativity a focus pervades. Nevertheless, the small-scale of the design experiment attributes some limitations to this study, despite giving new insights in how to better organise coming and more sustained studies. Interestingly, the importance of sketching as an interdisciplinary means of communication is underlined with the obtained results.

Predicting Pollicipes pollicipes (Crustacea: Cirripedia) abundance on intertidal rocky shores of SW Portugal: a multi-scale approach based on a simple fetch-based wave exposure index

Understanding and predicting patterns of distribution and abundance of marine resources is important for con- servation and management purposes in small-scale artisanal fisheries and industrial fisheries worldwide. The goose barnacle (Pollicipes pollicipes) is an important shellfish resource and its distribution is closely related to wave exposure at different spatial scales. We modelled the abundance (percent coverage) of P. pollicipes as a function of a simple wave exposure index based on fetch estimates from digitized coastlines at different spatial scales. The model accounted for 47.5% of the explained deviance and indicated that barnacle abundance increases non-linearly with wave exposure at both the smallest (metres) and largest (kilometres) spatial scales considered in this study. Distribution maps were predicted for the study region in SW Portugal. Our study suggests that the relationship between fetch-based exposure indices and P. pollicipes percent cover may be used as a simple tool for providing stakeholders with information on barnacle distribution patterns. This information may improve assessment of harvesting grounds and the dimension of exploitable areas, aiding management plans and support- ing decision making on conservation, harvesting pressure and surveillance strategies for this highly appreciated and socio- economically important marine resource.

Avaliação do potencial eólico da zona de Évora - Contribuição para a redução de emissões de CO2

Neste trabalho é analisado o potencial eólico da região de Évora, tendo sido considerados quatro locais: Mitra, Portel, Reguengos e Colégio Verney. Com os dados de potência obtidos, foram escolhidas duas turbinas existentes no mercado, de potências nominais diferentes, para uma análise mais objectiva do real potencial da região. Apurou-se que, com a instalação de três turbinas menores, se obtém praticamente a mesma potência, por um preço consideravelmente inferior. Foi ainda possível verificar-se que a quantidade evitada de C02 para a atmosfera, ao considerar uma turbina de 5000 W (B) ou três 1000 W (A), é semelhante, concluindo-se que, considerando a eficiência, potencial, preço e emissões de co2 evitadas, a instalação de diversas turbinas A é a melhor opção. Este trabalho reveste-se de particular interesse considerando o facto de ser do conhecimento geral que, nas regiões costeiras e montanhosas, o potencial eólico está bastante estudado, ao passo que nas regiões interiores tal não acontece. ABSTRACT: ln this work, we assess the potential wind power in Évora, and four locations have been considered: Mitra, Portel, Reguengos and Évora. Based on the local wind power potential, two kinds of turbines were selected, for a more objective analysis of the region's useful wind power. It was found that the option for three small turbines allows the extraction of the same wind power that is extracted by the bigger turbine and at a considerably lower installation cost. lt was also found that the reduction in co2 emissions to the atmosphere, when considering the cases of one 5000 W (B) turbine and three 1000 W (A) turbines, is similar, therefore was concluded that, given the efficiency, potential, price and reduction of C02 emissions, the installation of several A turbines is the best option. This work is of particular interest because in coastal and mountain areas the wind potential is quite known, while this is not the case of inland areas.

Revisiting compressed air energy storage.

The use of renewable energies as a response to the EU targets defined for 2030 Climate Change and Energy has been increasing. Also non-dispatchable and intermittent renewable energies like wind and solar cannot generally match supply and demand, which can also cause some problems in the grid. So, the increased interest in energy storage has evolved and there is nowadays an urgent need for larger energy storage capacity. Compressed Air Energy Storage (CAES) is a proven technology for storing large quantities of electrical energy in the form of high-pressure air for later use when electricity is needed. It exists since the 1970’s and is one of the few energy storage technologies suitable for long duration (tens of hours) and utility scale (hundreds to thousands of MW) applications. It is also one of the most cost-effective solutions for large to small scale storage applications. Compressed Air Energy Storage can be integrated and bring advantages to different levels of the electric system, from the Generation level, to the Transmission and Distribution levels, so in this paper a revisit of CAES is done in order to better understand what and how it can be used for our modern needs of energy storage.