José Carlos Quadrado

Fuzzy clustering applied to a demand response model in a smart grid contingency scenario

This paper focus on a demand response model analysis in a smart grid context considering a contingency scenario. A fuzzy clustering technique is applied on the developed demand response model and an analysis is performed for the contingency scenario. Model considerations and architecture are described. The demand response developed model aims to support consumers decisions regarding their consumption needs and possible economic benefits.

Demand Response Analysis in Smart Grids Using Fuzzy Clustering Model

This paper focuses on an analysis of demand response in a smart grid context, presenting the model considerations and architecture. Domestic consumption is divided into groups in order to cover the adequate modeling. A fuzzy subtractive clustering method is applied to demand response on several domestic consumption scenarios and results analyses are presented. The demand response developed model aims to support consumers decisions regarding their consumption needs and possible economical benefits.

Computational Models Development and Demand Response Application for Smart Grids

This paper focuses on computational models development and its applications on demand response, within smart grid scope. A prosumer model is presented and the corresponding economic dispatch problem solution is analyzed. The prosumer solar radiation production and energy consumption are forecasted by artificial neural networks. The existing demand response models are studied and a computational tool based on fuzzy clustering algorithm is developed and the results discussed. Consumer energy management applications within the InovGrid pilot project are presented. Computation systems are developed for the acquisition, monitoring, control and supervision of consumption data provided by smart meters, allowing the incorporation of consumer actions on their electrical energy management. An energy management system with integration of smart meters for energy consumers in a smart grid is developed.

Capacity building approach for EUR-ACE accreditation in Central Asia: QUEECA TEMPUS project advancements

The paper discusses the outcomes of the Tempus project QUEECA, led by the University of Florence, School of Engineering. The project, involving 4 out of 5 TEMPUS countries in Central Asia, aims at setting up and implementing a system of Quality Assurance for Engineering Education in Central Asia countries. Through the discussion of the specific project, a Capacity Building Approach for the EUR-ACE Accreditation model is presented.

Integration of Evora-InovGrid smartmeters in a consumer's SCADA system

This paper develops an energy management system with smart meters integration for electricity consumers in a smart grid context. The integration of a distributor owned smart meter from the main Portuguese electricity distributor - EDP - is developed. The smart meter is connected to a common PC, that runs the Matlab Software and communicates to the SCADA system (Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition) using the OPC Protocol. The SCADA system supervises an industrial network of Programmable Logic Controllers (PLC). The developed control strategy implements a hierarchical cascade controller where inner loops are performed by local PLCs and the outer loop is managed by a centralized SCADA system, which interacts with the entire local PLC network.

Optimal brake specific fuel consumption trajectory for stand-alone variable speed Diesel Gen-Set

Energy efficiency plays an important role to the CO2 emissions reduction, combating climate change and improving the competitiveness of the economy. The problem presented here is related to the use of stand-alone diesel gen-sets and its high specific fuel consumptions when operates at low loads. The variable speed gen-set concept is explained as an energy-saving solution to improve this system efficiency. This paper details how an optimum fuel consumption trajectory based on experimentally Diesel engine power map is obtained.

Quality assurance of engineering education worldwide: The QUEECA TEMPUS project for Central Asia

The QUEECA (Quality of Engineering Education in Central Asia) TEMPUS project main aim is to set up and to implement a system of quality assurance (QA) of engineering education in Central Asia (CA), finalised to the accreditation of engineering programmes by the award of the EUR-ACE quality label on the basis of the EUR-ACE Framework Standards and related quality requirements and procedures. The project also takes advantage of experience in the European Higher Education Area Education (EHEA) through ENAEE and current efforts in Central Asia countries. At the present moment (June 2014) the project has arrived to the mid project milestone and time has come for a thorough internal evaluation taking into account the encouraging results so far obtained, such as the creation of the Kyrgyz (October 2013) and Uzbek (May 2014) Societies for Engineering Education and the rising expectations from the concerned parties. The paper, shortly, introduces the QUEECA TEMPUS project and reports about the achieved results and the activities scheduled for the next months. Finally it will be shown why the project is to be considered as a pioneer one, introducing the EUR-ACE system outside the European Union but still in “Bologna EHEA countries” with an easy replicable model.

Bidirectional DC-DC Converter Using Modular Marx Power Switches and Series/Parallel Inductor for High-Voltage Applications

This paper presents the modelling and the numerical simulation results of a bidirectional DC-DC converter using modular Marx power electronic switches to be applicable in high-voltage converters. To achieve ample voltage ratio between high-voltage and low-voltage sides, the proposed DC-DC converter uses also a power electronic circuit, in the low-voltage converter side, that changes the connection between three inductors, as a series or parallel connection, to aid the energy transfer to the inductors.

Multi-scenario linguistic control for intelligent electromechanical positioning actuators

A controller for an electromechanical positioning actuator is synthesised. The different levels of intelligent behaviour of the resulting controller are analysed; the skill level, the rule level and the knowledge level. An analysis of the resulting system intelligent behaviour is presented, including its learning ability. A comparison between the expected behaviour (simulation) and the obtained (experimental) is also presented.