João Rafael Galvão

Modeling reality with simulation games for a cooperative learning

The authors want to show the importance of visualization, interfaces and re-design techniques through 3D modeling, animations and VRML in the development of simulation games for education or training purposes in a production environment. We also present some theories, concepts and a classification of different games on a two-dimensional map for displaying the variety of games and as a way for selecting a game that is appropriate to a specific pedagogical situation, in the wide taxonomy context of learning and education programs for cooperative learning. Finally, we also present some features of a simulation game for the production management of a product (printed circuit boards) in order for the trainees to practice the main stages in the manufacture of this product, through the platform of WWW and the techniques already presented for a high level of performance.

Biofuel for the energy efficiency on a building with small CCHP

This document reports the development of a technical and economical study related to the use of a renewable energy source - biomass for electricity and heat production. It is a hybrid and autonomous system with solar PV panels and environment friendly process aiming the reduction of energy demand, costs and emissions. This energy model is a new sustainable standard about efficiency consumption energy (electrical and thermal demands) of a small hotel building, with the biomass gasification cogeneration technology. This system is one relevant contribute to certify the building agree to the new national legislation of building thermal behaviour.

Sustainable energy for plastic industry plant

This research intends to reduce energy consumption in a plastic film industrial unit. Trough the development of a new energy model focused on self renewable energy production and energy management in some sectors, such as lighting and compressed air. It is expected that this model leads to energy savings with environmental advantages (lower greenhouse gases emission). This may grant access to eco-sustainable certifications/awards as a factor of competitiveness, as well as economic benefits. The methodology followed to design the new energy model was developed from an energy audit to characterize the existing consumptions and use of energy.

Energy system retrofit in a public services building

Purpose Taking into account the current relevance of the concept of smart city connected with the Internet of Things, this work aims to study the implementation of this concept by applying a new energy model in an existing public building. The purpose of this paper is to enhance the sustainability and energy autonomy of the building. Design/methodology/approach The building referred to in the case study is a library, and simulations related to the ongoing study are based on an energy audit, comprising a survey on electrical and thermal energy consumption. The innovative proposed model consists of a mix of energy production processes based on photovoltaic panels and biomass boilers. Economic analysis of the energy model has already yielded some results regarding the payback on investment, as well as avoided emissions in the context of development of a low-carbon economy with avoided emissions and socioeconomic advantages. Findings It is possible to enhance the sustainability of the library studied by the retrofit of the current energy system. With the integration of photovoltaic panels and the conversion or replacement of boilers from natural gas to biomass, the GHG emissions could drop around 121 t CO2 per year. Another benefit would be the inclusion of endogenous resources over imported energy resources. The payback period for the measures proposed ranges from 2.5 to 8 years, proving that the increase in environmental sustainability is viable. Originality/value The intention here is to implement the concept of smart city, in more sustainable buildings, bringing them to the lowest possible energy consumption levels, hence increasing performance and comfort. Also, taking into account that the energy-consuming buildings are already constructed, it is urgent to reconvert them to lower the use of energy and emissions using technologies based on renewable energy, boosting the use of local resources.

Greenhouse with Sustainable Energy for IoT

In order to support the intensive development of agricultural crops and, in particular the floricultural inside a greenhouse, with the perspective of a quick distribution in the market, increasing the economic benefits and supported on efficient and intelligent management systems energy, it is mandatory to conceive a model based on Cyber-Physical Systems (CPS) This implies, accordingly, increases in renewable primary energy sources utilization coupled with sensing technologies, include developments on Internet of Things (IoT) and Cloud Computing (CC), supported with Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) that will lead to new architectural approach applied to a proposed energy system, based on a sustainable and more engineering autonomous process. This work comes up with a new energy model that retrofits the system of a greenhouse supported with multiple sensors in one grid, to expand into CPS concept to manage sensors and controllers that will improve a profitable energy system.

Microgeneration model in energy hybrid system - cogeneration and PV panels

This document reports the development of a hybrid and autonomous energy model with solar PV panels and a small CHP (combined heating and power production) system whose primary energy source is the biomass. Also it will be presented several rules for to achieve new energy efficiency levels of a service building. This energy model is also a new sustainable paradigm on energy consumption (electrical and thermal demands) of a small hotel building and supported by the gasification cogeneration technology. The energy model has economic viability demonstrated by the several financial and economical parameters (payback period, net present value and internal rate of return). It is one environment friendly process aiming the reduction of energy demand, costs and emissions This system is one relevant contribute to certify the building agree to the new national legislation of building thermal behaviour.

How the WWW environment and tele-learning build teaching system architecture?

The information technologies and communication or the telematics based training environment promises to improve the quality, flexibility and effectiveness of engineering education. SEACom-1 is one multi-agent approach and a bilingual system. It is divided into two main versions: one Portuguese and the other in English called TeSA-Teaching System Architecture for the production of Printing Circuit Boards. The authors discuss the integration of new-technology based media with existing teaching methods and the impact this will have on the student learning.