Increase of the Delivered Power Probability in Distribution Networks using Pareto DC Programming

A methodology to increase the probability of delivering power to any load point through the identification of new investments in distribution network components is proposed in this paper. The method minimizes the investment cost as well as the cost of energy not supplied in the network. A DC optimization model based on mixed integer non-linear programming is developed considering the Pareto front technique in order to identify the adequate investments in distribution networks components which allow increasing the probability of delivering power for any customer in the distribution system at the minimum possible cost for the system operator, while minimizing the energy not supplied cost. Thus, a multi-objective problem is formulated. To illustrate the application of the proposed methodology, the paper includes a case study which considers a 180 bus distribution network

Application-Specific Modified Particle Swarm Optimization for energy resource scheduling considering vehicle-to-grid

This paper presents a modified Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) methodology to solve the problem of energy resources management with high penetration of distributed generation and Electric Vehicles (EVs) with gridable capability (V2G). The objective of the day-ahead scheduling problem in this work is to minimize operation costs, namely energy costs, regarding the management of these resources in the smart grid context. The modifications applied to the PSO aimed to improve its adequacy to solve the mentioned problem. The proposed Application Specific Modified Particle Swarm Optimization (ASMPSO) includes an intelligent mechanism to adjust velocity limits during the search process, as well as self-parameterization of PSO parameters making it more user-independent. It presents better robustness and convergence characteristics compared with the tested PSO variants as well as better constraint handling. This enables its use for addressing real world large-scale problems in much shorter times than the deterministic methods, providing system operators with adequate decision support and achieving efficient resource scheduling, even when a significant number of alternative scenarios should be considered. The paper includes two realistic case studies with different penetration of gridable vehicles (1000 and 2000). The proposed methodology is about 2600 times faster than Mixed-Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) reference technique, reducing the time required from 25 h to 36 s for the scenario with 2000 vehicles, with about one percent of difference in the objective function cost value.

Sistema de televisão interactiva para o mercado hoteleiro

A Nonius Software é uma empresa nacional de engenharia na área de telecomunicações, que se dedica ao desenvolvimento de soluções para a gestão de sistemas informáticos e de entretenimento, tendo como finalidade o mercado mundial hoteleiro e hospitalar. A solução de TV interactiva da Nonius oferece uma experiência única ao hóspede, ao disponibilizar várias opções de entretenimento e acesso a conteúdos de elevada qualidade e interesse. O hóspede tem acesso a canais de TV, aluguer de filmes, Internet, jogos, informações, promoções e compras na TV. O objectivo principal desta dissertação foi implementar alguns serviços de entretenimento numa televisão LG Pro: Centric. Este equipamento tem como principal vantagem o facto de conter a set-top-box inserida dentro da própria televisão. Em termos arquitectónicos, o sistema Nonius TV tem dois elementos fundamentais: o backend, responsável pelo processamento e tratamento da informação centralizada e o frontend instalado nos dispositivos com os quais o hóspede contacta directamente. Uma parte significativa do trabalho desenvolvido centrou-se na implementação de funcionalidades no backend. Foram, no entanto, também desenvolvidas algumas funcionalidades nos serviços de frontend. Para o cumprimento dos objectivos estabelecidos, foi utilizada a tecnologia FLASH, tendo como linguagem de programação a segunda versão do ActionScript. Relativamente ao desenvolvimento de backend são utilizados o PHP e o JavaScript.

A Modular Programming Approach for IoTBased Wireless Sensor Networks

Poster presented in 12th European Conference on Wireless Sensor Network (EWSN 2015). 9 to 11, Feb, 2015. Porto, Portugal.

Ensemble: an innovative approach to practice computer programming

Currently, the teaching-learning process in domains, such as computer programming, is characterized by an extensive curricula and a high enrolment of students. This poses a great workload for faculty and teaching assistants responsible for the creation, delivery, and assessment of student exercises. The main goal of this chapter is to foster practice-based learning in complex domains. This objective is attained with an e-learning framework—called Ensemble—as a conceptual tool to organize and facilitate technical interoperability among services. The Ensemble framework is used on a specific domain: computer programming. Content issues are tacked with a standard format to describe programming exercises as learning objects. Communication is achieved with the extension of existing specifications for the interoperation with several systems typically found in an e-learning environment. In order to evaluate the acceptability of the proposed solution, an Ensemble instance was validated on a classroom experiment with encouraging results.

Design a computer programming learning environment for Massive Open Online Courses

Teaching and learning computer programming is as challenging as difficult. Assessing the work of students and providing individualised feedback to all is time-consuming and error prone for teachers and frequently involves a time delay. The existent tools and specifications prove to be insufficient in complex evaluation domains where there is a greater need to practice. At the same time Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) are appearing revealing a new way of learning, more dynamic and more accessible. However this new paradigm raises serious questions regarding the monitoring of student progress and its timely feedback. This paper provides a conceptual design model for a computer programming learning environment. This environment uses the portal interface design model gathering information from a network of services such as repositories and program evaluators. The design model includes also the integration with learning management systems, a central piece in the MOOC realm, endowing the model with characteristics such as scalability, collaboration and interoperability. This model is not limited to the domain of computer programming and can be adapted to any complex area that requires systematic evaluation with immediate feedback.

A filter inexact-restoration method for nonlinear programming

A new iterative algorithm based on the inexact-restoration (IR) approach combined with the filter strategy to solve nonlinear constrained optimization problems is presented. The high level algorithm is suggested by Gonzaga et al. (SIAM J. Optim. 14:646–669, 2003) but not yet implement—the internal algorithms are not proposed. The filter, a new concept introduced by Fletcher and Leyffer (Math. Program. Ser. A 91:239–269, 2002), replaces the merit function avoiding the penalty parameter estimation and the difficulties related to the nondifferentiability. In the IR approach two independent phases are performed in each iteration, the feasibility and the optimality phases. The line search filter is combined with the first one phase to generate a “more feasible” point, and then it is used in the optimality phase to reach an “optimal” point. Numerical experiences with a collection of AMPL problems and a performance comparison with IPOPT are provided.