Scheduling distributed energy resources in an isolated grid - an artificial neural network approach

Power Systems (PS), have been affected by substantial penetration of Distributed Generation (DG) and the operation in competitive environments. The future PS will have to deal with large-scale integration of DG and other distributed energy resources (DER), such as storage means, and provide to market agents the means to ensure a flexible and secure operation. Virtual power players (VPP) can aggregate a diversity of players, namely generators and consumers, and a diversity of energy resources, including electricity generation based on several technologies, storage and demand response. This paper proposes an artificial neural network (ANN) based methodology to support VPP resource schedule. The trained network is able to achieve good schedule results requiring modest computational means. A real data test case is presented.

Optimal methodology for renewable energy dispatching in islanded operation

The management of energy resources for islanded operation is of crucial importance for the successful use of renewable energy sources. A Virtual Power Producer (VPP) can optimally operate the resources taking into account the maintenance, operation and load control considering all the involved cost. This paper presents the methodology approach to formulate and solve the problem of determining the optimal resource allocation applied to a real case study in Budapest Tech���s. The problem is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming model (MILP) and solved by a deterministic optimization technique CPLEX-based implemented in General Algebraic Modeling Systems (GAMS). The problem has also been solved by Evolutionary Particle Swarm Optimization (EPSO). The obtained results are presented and compared.

Intelligent multi-player smart grid management considering distributed energy resources and demand response

The smart grid concept is rapidly evolving in the direction of practical implementations able to bring smart grid advantages into practice. Evolution in legacy equipment and infrastructures is not sufficient to accomplish the smart grid goals as it does not consider the needs of the players operating in a complex environment which is dynamic and competitive in nature. Artificial intelligence based applications can provide solutions to these problems, supporting decentralized intelligence and decision-making. A case study illustrates the importance of Virtual Power Players (VPP) and multi-player negotiation in the context of smart grids. This case study is based on real data and aims at optimizing energy resource management, considering generation, storage and demand response.

Energy resources management for more sustainable distribution systems: an intelligent approach

Energy Resources Management can play a very relevant role in future power systems in SmartGrid context, with high penetration of distributed generation and storage systems. This paper deals with the importance of resources management in incident situation. The system to consider a high penetration of distributed generation, demand response, storage units and network reconfiguration. A case study evidences the advantages of using a flexible SCADA to control the energy resources in incident situation.

Emergency energy resource management in SmartGrids

Energy resources management can play a very relevant role in future power systems in a SmartGrid context, with intensive penetration of distributed generation and storage systems. This paper deals with the importance of resource management in incident situations. The paper presents DemSi, an energy resources management simulator that has been developed by the authors to simulate electrical distribution networks with high distributed generation penetration, storage in network points and customers with demand response contracts. DemSi is used to undertake simulations for an incident scenario, evidencing the advantages of adequately using flexible contracts, storage, and reserve in order to limit incident consequences.

Distributed energy resources management with cyber-physical SCADA in the context of future smart grids

In the energy management of a small power system, the scheduling of the generation units is a crucial problem for which adequate methodologies can maximize the performance of the energy supply. This paper proposes an innovative methodology for distributed energy resources management. The optimal operation of distributed generation, demand response and storage resources is formulated as a mixed-integer linear programming model (MILP) and solved by a deterministic optimization technique CPLEX-based implemented in General Algebraic Modeling Systems (GAMS). The paper deals with a vision for the grids of the future, focusing on conceptual and operational aspects of electrical grids characterized by an intensive penetration of DG, in the scope of competitive environments and using artificial intelligence methodologies to attain the envisaged goals. These concepts are implemented in a computational framework which includes both grid and market simulation.

Dual source/dual energy-renal applications

Development of Dual Source Computed Tomography (Definition, Siemens Medical Solutions, Erlanger, Germany) allowed advances in temporal resolution, with the addition of a second X-ray source and an array of detectors to the TCM 64 slices. The ability to run exams on Dual Energy, allows greater differentiation of tissues, showing differences between closer attenuation coefficients. In terms of renal applications, the distinction of kidney stones and masses become one of the main advantages of the use of dual-energy technology. This article pretends to demonstrate operating principles of this equipment, as its main renal applications.

A hybrid recommendation approach for a tourism system

Many current e-commerce systems provide personalization when their content is shown to users. In this sense, recommender systems make personalized suggestions and provide information of items available in the system. Nowadays, there is a vast amount of methods, including data mining techniques that can be employed for personalization in recommender systems. However, these methods are still quite vulnerable to some limitations and shortcomings related to recommender environment. In order to deal with some of them, in this work we implement a recommendation methodology in a recommender system for tourism, where classification based on association is applied. Classification based on association methods, also named associative classification methods, consist of an alternative data mining technique, which combines concepts from classification and association in order to allow association rules to be employed in a prediction context. The proposed methodology was evaluated in some case studies, where we could verify that it is able to shorten limitations presented in recommender systems and to enhance recommendation quality.

AI in power systems and energy markets

In a world increasingly conscientious about environmental effects, power and energy systems are undergoing huge transformations. Electric energy produced from power plants is transmitted and distributed to end users through a power grid. The power industry performs the engineering design, installation, operation, and maintenance tasks to provide a high-quality, secure energy supply while accounting for its systems��� abilities to withstand uncertain events, such as weather-related outages. Competitive, deregulated electricity markets and new renewable energy sources, however, have further complicated this already complex infrastructure.Sustainable development has also been a challenge for power systems. Recently, there has been a signifi cant increase in the installation of distributed generations, mainly based on renewable resources such as wind and solar. Integrating these new generation systems leads to more complexity. Indeed, the number of generation sources greatly increases as the grid embraces numerous smaller and distributed resources. In addition, the inherent uncertainties of wind and solar energy lead to technical challenges such as forecasting, scheduling, operation, control, and risk management. In this special issue introductory article, we analyze the key areas in this field that can benefi t most from AI and intelligent systems now and in the future.We also identify new opportunities for cross-fertilization between power systems and energy markets and intelligent systems researchers.

Cyclotech - contribution to solve the Technetium shortage by using low energy medical cyclotrons

This paper presents work in progress, to develop an efficient and economic way to directly produce Technetium 99metastable (99mTc) using low-energy cyclotrons. Its importance is well established and relates with the increased global trouble in delivering 99mTc to Nuclear Medicine Departments relying on this radioisotope. Since the present delivery strategy has clearly demonstrated its intrinsic limits, our group decided to follow a distinct approach that uses the broad distribution of the low energy cyclotrons and the accessibility of Molybdenum 100 (100Mo) as the Target material. This is indeed an important issue to consider, since the system here presented, named CYCLOTECH, it is not based on the use of Highly Enriched (or even Low Enriched) Uranium 235 (235U), so entirely complying with the actual international trends and directives concerning the use of this potential highly critical material. The production technique is based on the nuclear reaction 100Mo (p,2n) 99mTc whose production yields have already been documented. Until this moment two Patent requests have already been submitted (the first at the INPI, in Portugal, and the second at the USPTO, in the USA); others are being prepared for submission on a near future. The object of the CYCLOTECH system is to present 99mTc to Nuclear Medicine radiopharmacists in a routine, reliable and efficient manner that, remaining always flexible, entirely blends with established protocols. To facilitate workflow and Radiation Protection measures, it has been developed a Target Station that can be installed on most of the existing PET cyclotrons and that will tolerate up to 400 ��A of beam by allowing the beam to strike the Target material at an adequately oblique angle. The Target Station permits the remote and automatic loading and discharge of the Targets from a carriage of 10 Target bodies. On other hand, several methods of Target material deposition and Target substrates are presented. The object was to create a cost effective means of depositing and intermediate the target material thickness (25 - 100��m) with a minimum of loss on a substrate that is able to easily transport the heat associated with high beam currents. Finally, the separation techniques presented are a combination of both physical and column chemistry. The object was to extract and deliver 99mTc in the identical form now in use in radiopharmacies worldwide. In addition, the Target material is recovered and can be recycled.

Software de apoio �� implementa����o de sistemas h��bridos de produ����o de energia el��ctrica baseados em energias renov��veis

O aumento da popula����o Mundial, particularmente em Pa��ses emergentes como �� o caso da China e da ��ndia, tem-se relevado um problema adicional no que confere ��s dificuldades associadas ao consumo mundial de energia, pois esta situa����o limita inequivocamente o acesso destes milh��es de pessoas �� energia el��ctrica para os bens b��sicos de sobreviv��ncia. Uma das muitas formas de se extinguir esta necessidade, come��a a ser desenvolvida recorrendo ao uso de recursos renov��veis como fontes de energia. Independentemente do local do mundo onde nos encontremos, essas fontes de energia s��o abundantes, inesgot��veis e gratuitas. O problema reside na forma como esses recursos renov��veis s��o geridos em fun����o das solicita����es de carga que as instala����es necessitam. Sistemas h��bridos podem ser usados para produzir energia em qualquer parte do mundo. Historicamente este tipo de sistemas eram aplicados em locais isolados, mas nos dias que correm podem ser usados directamente conectados �� rede, permitindo que se realize a venda de energia. Foi neste contexto que esta tese foi desenvolvida, com o objectivo de disponibilizar uma ferramenta inform��tica capaz de calcular a rentabilidade de um sistema h��brido ligado �� rede ou isolado. Contudo, a complexidade deste problema �� muito elevada, pois existe uma extensa pan��plia de caracter��sticas e distintos equipamentos que se pode adoptar. Assim, a aplica����o inform��tica desenvolvida teve de ser limitada e restringida aos dados dispon��veis de forma a poder tornar-se gen��rica, mas ao mesmo tempo permitir ter uma aplicabilidade pr��tica. O objectivo da ferramenta inform��tica desenvolvida �� apresentar de forma imediata os custos da implementa����o que um sistema h��brido pode acarretar, dependendo apenas de tr��s vari��veis distintas. A primeira vari��vel ter�� de ter em considera����o o local de instala����o do sistema. Em segundo lugar �� o tipo de liga����o (isolado ou ligado �� rede) e, por fim, o custo dos equipamentos (e��lico, solar e restantes componentes) que ser��o introduzidos. Ap��s a inser����o destes dados a aplica����o inform��tica apresenta valores estimados de Payback e VAL.

Sistema de controlo de um ve��culo aut��nomo terrestre

A crescente necessidade imposta pela gama de aplica����es existentes, torna o estudo dos ve��culos aut��nomos terrestres um objecto de grande interesse na investiga����o. A utiliza����o de robots m��veis aut��nomos originou quer um incremento de efici��ncia e efic��cia em in��meras aplica����es como permite a interven����o humana em contextos de elevado risco ou inacessibilidade. Aplica����es de monitoriza����o e seguran��a constituem um foco de utiliza����o deste tipo de sistemas quer pela automatiza����o de procedimentos quer pelos ganhos de efici��ncia (desde a efici��ncia de solu����es multi-ve��culo �� recolha e detec����o de informa����o). Neste contexto, esta disserta����o endere��a o problema de concep����o, o desenvolvimento e a implementa����o de um ve��culo aut��nomo terrestre, com ��nfase na perspectiva de controlo. Este projecto surge pois no ��mbito do desenvolvimento de um novo ve��culo terrestre no Laborat��rio de Sistemas Aut��nomos (LSA) do Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto (ISEP). �� efectuado um levantamento de requisitos do sistema tendo por base a caracteriza����o de aplica����es de monitoriza����o, transporte e vigil��ncia em cen��rios exteriores pouco estruturados. Um estado da arte em ve��culos aut��nomos terrestres �� apresentado bem como conceitos e tecnologias relevantes para o controlo deste tipo de sistemas. O problema de controlo de locomo����o �� abordado tendo em particular aten����o o controlo de motores DC brushless. Apresenta-se o projecto do sistema de controlo do ve��culo, desde o controlo de trac����o e direc����o, ao sistema computacional de bordo respons��vel pelo controlo e supervis��o da miss��o. A solu����o adoptada para a implementa����o mec��nica da estrutura do ve��culo consiste numa plataforma de ve��culo todo terreno (motociclo 4X4) dispon��vel comercialmente. O projecto e implementa����o do sistema de controlo de direc����o para o mesmo �� apresentado quer sob o ponto de vista da solu����o electromec��nica, quer pelo subsistema de hardware de controlo embebido e respectivo software. Tendo em vista o controlo de trac����o s��o apresentadas duas solu����es. Uma passando pelo estudo e desenvolvimento de um sistema de raiz capaz de controlar motores BLDC de elevada pot��ncia, a segunda passando pela utiliza����o de uma solu����o atrav��s de um controlador externo. A gest��o energ��tica do sistema �� abordada atrav��s do projecto e implementa����o de um sistema de controlo e distribui����o de energia espec��fico. A implementa����o do ve��culo foi alcan��ada nas suas vertentes mec��nica, de hardware e software, envolvendo a integra����o dos subsistemas projectados especialmente bem como a implementa����o do sistema computacional de bordo. S��o apresentados resultados de valida����o do controlo de locomo����o b��sico quer em simula����o quer descritos os testes e valida����es efectuados no ve��culo real. No presente trabalho, s��o tamb��m tiradas algumas conclus��es sobre o desenvolvimento do sistema e sua implementa����o bem como perspectivada a sua evolu����o futura no contexto de miss��es coordenadas de m��ltiplos ve��culos rob��ticos.

Coordena����o de ve��culo de inspec����o subaqu��tica com ve��culo de superf��cie aut��nomo

O LSA/ISEP(Laborat��rio de sistemas Aut��nomos do Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto) tem vindo nos ��ltimos anos a desenvolver sistemas rob��ticos inovadores para opera����o em ambiente marinho sendo o ve��culo de superf��cie aut��nomo ROAZ II um exemplo de renome internacional. Neste contexto, e tendo em vista a satisfa����o dos requisitos parciais conducentes �� obten����o do grau de Mestre em Eng. Electrot��cnica e de Computadores - Ramo de Sistemas Aut��nomos do ISEP, o presente trabalho visou a integra����o de um rob�� submarino operado remotamente (ROV) com o rob�� de superf��cie ROAZ II. Esta solu����o inovadora de opera����o coordenada e integrada de um ASV/ROV permite dotar o ASV de mobilidade e vis��o subaqu��tica. Ap��s a caracteriza����o e an��lise de requisitos de diversos cen��rios operacionais foi apresentada uma arquitectura de controlo coordenado dos dois ve��culos baseada em manobras de controlo descritas por aut��matos h��bridos. Os dois ve��culos foram modelados e as manobras coordenadas projectadas foram validadas com um simulador em ambiente Matlab/Simulink. Foi desenvolvido um sistema de localiza����o relativa do ROV atrav��s da fus��o sensorial de um sistema INS com um sistema ac��stico USBL utilizando um filtro EKF. O ve��culo ROV (VideoRay) do LSA foi instrumentado com os sensores necess��rios e efectuada a integra����o de hardware e software com o ASV ROAZ II permitindo a opera����o remota. Foi realizada uma miss��o demonstrativa de inspec����o de pilares subaqu��ticos em cen��rio real com a opera����o conjunta dos dois rob��s.

Urubu: energy scavenging in wireless sensor networks

For the past years wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have been coined as one of the most promising technologies for supporting a wide range of applications. However, outside the research community, few are the people who know what they are and what they can offer. Even fewer are the ones that have seen these networks used in real world applications. The main obstacle for the proliferation of these networks is energy, or the lack of it. Even though renewable energy sources are always present in the networks environment, designing devices that can efficiently scavenge that energy in order to sustain the operation of these networks is still an open challenge. Energy scavenging, along with energy efficiency and energy conservation, are the current available means to sustain the operation of these networks, and can all be framed within the broader concept of ���Energetic Sustainability���. A comprehensive study of the several issues related to the energetic sustainability of WSNs is presented in this thesis, with a special focus in today���s applicable energy harvesting techniques and devices, and in the energy consumption of commercially available WSN hardware platforms. This work allows the understanding of the different energy concepts involving WSNs and the evaluation of the presented energy harvesting techniques for sustaining wireless sensor nodes. This survey is supported by a novel experimental analysis of the energy consumption of the most widespread commercially available WSN hardware platforms.

An��lise t��cnica e econ��mico-financeira de um sistema de abastecimento de ve��culos zero emiss��es integrando um sistema fotovoltaico

Com o aumento da popula����o mundial registado nos ��ltimos anos surgiu tamb��m uma maior procura energ��tica. Esse aumento foi inicialmente colmatado recorrendo essencialmente a fontes de origem f��ssil, pelo facto destas serem mais baratas. No entanto, essa tend��ncia de pre��os baixos sofreu o primeiro abalo nos anos 70 do s��culo passado, altura em que o pre��o do petr��leo disparou, devido a quest��es pol��ticas. Nessa altura ficou vis��vel para os pa��ses ocidentais o quanto estes eram dependentes dos pa��ses produtores de petr��leo que, em geral, s��o inst��veis politicamente. Come��ou ent��o a procura de fontes energ��ticas alternativas. Al��m da quest��o econ��mica do aumento do pre��o dos combust��veis, existe tamb��m o problema ambiental. Os maiores respons��veis pela emiss��o de gases efeito estufa (GEE) s��o os combust��veis f��sseis. Os GEE contribuem para o aquecimento global, o que origina fen��menos ambientais severos que poder��o levar a mudan��as clim��ticas significativas. As energias renov��veis apresentam-se como a solu����o mais vi��vel ao problema energ��tico e ambiental que se verifica actualmente, porque permitem colmatar o aumento da procura energ��tica de uma forma limpa e sustent��vel. Na sequ��ncia destes problemas surgiram nos ��ltimos anos ve��culos que permitem reduzir ou mesmo eliminar o consumo de combust��veis f��sseis, como os ve��culos h��bridos el��ctricos, el��ctricos e a hidrog��nio. Nesta disserta����o analisa-se um sistema que foi pensado para ser implementado em ��reas de servi��o, que permite efectuar o carregamento de electric vehicles (EV) utilizando energia el��ctrica de origem fotovoltaica e a produ����o de hidrog��nio para os fuels cell electric vehicles (FCEV). �� efectuada uma an��lise econ��mica do sistema, uma an��lise ambiental e analisou-se tamb��m o impacto na redu����o da depend��ncia do pa��s em rela����o ao exterior, sendo ainda efectuada uma pequena an��lise ao sistema MOBIE. No caso dos ve��culos a hidrog��nio, foi determinada qual seria a melhor op����o em termos econ��micos, para a produ����o de hidrog��nio considerando tr��s regimes de produ����o: recorrendo apenas �� energia el��ctrica proveniente do sistema fotovoltaico, apenas �� energia el��ctrica da rede, ou uma combina����o dos dois regimes. O sistema estudado nesta disserta����o apresenta um enorme potencial a n��vel energ��tico e ambiental, surgindo como alternativa para abastecer os ve��culos que ir��o permitir, no futuro, eliminar a depend��ncia energ��tica em rela����o ��s fontes f��sseis e ao mesmo tempo diminuir a quantidade de gases efeito estufa emitidos para a atmosfera.