A new approach for multi-agent coalition formation and management in the scope of electricity markets

This paper presents a new methodology for the creation and management of coalitions in Electricity Markets. This approach is tested using the multi-agent market simulator MASCEM, taking advantage of its ability to provide the means to model and simulate VPP (Virtual Power Producers). VPPs are represented as coalitions of agents, with the capability of negotiating both in the market, and internally, with their members, in order to combine and manage their individual specific characteristics and goals, with the strategy and objectives of the VPP itself. The new features include the development of particular individual facilitators to manage the communications amongst the members of each coalition independently from the rest of the simulation, and also the mechanisms for the classification of the agents that are candidates to join the coalition. In addition, a global study on the results of the Iberian Electricity Market is performed, to compare and analyze different approaches for defining consistent and adequate strategies to integrate into the agents of MASCEM. This, combined with the application of learning and prediction techniques provide the agents with the ability to learn and adapt themselves, by adjusting their actions to the continued evolving states of the world they are playing in.

Multi-agent negotiation for coalition formation and management in electricity markets

Negotiation is a fundamental tool for reaching understandings that allow each involved party to gain an advantage for themselves by the end of the process. In recent years, with the increasing of compe-titiveness in most sectors, negotiation procedures become present in practically all of them. One particular environment in which the competitiveness has been increasing exponentially is the electricity markets sector. This work is directed to the study of electricity markets’ partici-pating entities interaction, namely in what concerns the formation, management and operation of aggregating entities – Virtual Power Players (VPPs). VPPs are responsible for managing coalitions of market players with small market negotiating influence, which take strategic advantage in entering such aggregations, to increase their negotiating power. This chapter presents a negotiation methodology for the creation and management of coalitions in Electricity Markets. This approach is tested using MASCEM, taking advantage of its ability to provide the means to model and simulate VPPs. VPPs are represented as coalitions of agents, with the capability of negotiating both in the market, and internally, with their members, in order to combine and manage their individual specific characteristics and goals, with the strategy and objectives of the VPP itself.

Relatório de estágio de qualificação profissional

Relatório EPE - Relatório de estágio em Educação Pré-Escolar: O presente relatório de estágio de qualificação profissional surge como parte integrante do 2º ciclo de estudos do mestrado em educação pré-escolar e ensino do 1º ciclo do ensino básico, na escola superior de educação do instituto politécnico do Porto, no âmbito da unidade curricular de prática pedagógica supervisionada, no contexto de educação pré-escolar. Este relatório visa refletir o percurso da mestranda ao longo do período de prática profissional no contexto. Com a perspetiva de que melhor se compreendam as ações desenvolvidas, este documento incide nos referentes teóricos e legais que sustentaram as ações da mestranda, bem como na teoria subjacente à sua prática. Neste sentido, durante o seu percurso, a mestranda baseou-se em práticas construtivistas, que fomentam a aprendizagem ativa das crianças, bem como o processo de investigação-ação por parte do educador. No que concerne ao paradigma da investigação-ação, este pressupõe a observação, planificação, avaliação e reflexão. Importa salientar que o processo reflexivo se revelou constante ao longo de todo o processo, uma vez que a reflexão permite uma avaliação constante das práticas, bem como a sua adequação às diferentes crianças e situações. Relativamente ao processo educativo, centrou-se nas relações estabelecidas com as crianças, com a restante comunidade educativa da instituição e com os encarregados de educação. Estas relações contribuíram, de forma fulcral, para a formação pessoal e evolução da mestranda bem como para o desenvolvimento das suas competências profissionais.