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Publications

2019

Business models for Peer-to-Peer Energy Markets

Authors
Rocha, R; Villar, J; Bessa, RJ;

Publication
2019 16TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE EUROPEAN ENERGY MARKET (EEM)

Abstract
The increasing penetration of Distributed Energy Resources is changing the energy system by empowering consumers with the capacity to generate the electrical energy they need and sell its excess. This trend follows the EU strategy towards increasing competition and flexibility on the electricity market, as well as pushing the role of customers, expanding their rights and their involvement in energy communities (ECMs). Peer-to-Peer (P2P) energy markets appear as one of the possible solutions to accomplish these goals by providing direct energy trading between peers. Although P2P are being extensively addressed in the literature (e.g., market structures and platforms, experimental projects), few works offer a broad perspective of the different aspects involved in the actual implementation of these structures, as well as the real benefits that this type of markets can have for the players and for the system itself. This paper reviews business models related with ECMs and P2P markets, and the system benefits and main regulatory issues.

2019

Estimating Breaker Status with Electrical State Images and Convolutional Neural Networks

Authors
Miranda, V; Teixeira, L; Pereira, J;

Publication
2019 20th International Conference on Intelligent System Application to Power Systems, ISAP 2019

Abstract
This paper presents a method to identify the status (open or closed) of breakers in network branches, in the absence of status signal or electric measurements on the branch including the breaker. Indirect power measurements from the SCADA are combined to form a 2D image array, which is fed into a Convolutional Neural Network. The image construction is based on ranking measurements with the Cauchy-Schwarz divergence between two signal distributions (for breaker open and closed). The success rate obtained with this technique is close to 100% in the IEEE testbed adopted. © 2019 IEEE.

2019

Using Virtual Reality Environments to Predict Pedestrian Behaviour

Authors
Costa, JF; Jacob, J; Rúbio, TRPM; Silva, DC; Cardoso, HL; Ferreira, S; Rodrigues, RA; Oliveira, E; Rossetti, RJF;

Publication
2019 IEEE International Smart Cities Conference, ISC2 2019, Casablanca, Morocco, October 14-17, 2019

Abstract
Pedestrian behaviour modelling and simulation play a fundamental role in reducing traffic risks and new policies implementation costs. However, representing human behaviour in this dynamic environment is not a trivial task and such models require an accurate representation of pedestrian behaviour. Virtual environments have been gaining notoriety as a behaviour elicitation tool, but it is still necessary to understand the validity of this technique in the context of pedestrian studies, as well as to create guidelines for its use. This work proposes a proper methodology for pedestrian behaviour elicitation using virtual reality environments in conjunction with surveys or questionnaires. The methodology focuses on gathering data about the subject, the context, and the action taken, as well as on analyzing the collected data to finally output a behavioural model. The resulting model can be used as a feedback signal to improve environment conditions for experiment iterations. A concrete implementation was built based on this methodology, serving as an example for future studies. A virtual reality traffic environment and two surveys were used as data sources for pedestrian crossing experiments. The subjects controlled a virtual avatar using an HTC Vive and were asked to traverse the distance between two points in a city. The data collected during the experiment was analyzed and used as input to a machine learning model capable of predicting pedestrian speed, taking into account their actions and perceptions. The proposed methodology allowed for the successful data gathering and its use to predict pedestrian behaviour with fairly acceptable accuracy. © 2019 IEEE.

2019

The Use of LinkedIn for ICT Recruitment

Authors
Pinho, G; Arantes, J; Marques, T; Branco, F; Au Yong Oliveira, M;

Publication
Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing

Abstract
LinkedIn is undoubtedly a market leader when it comes to social networks that are aimed for professional use, demonstrating over time that it is a highly valued instrument used by recruiters, as well as a successful way to complement/replace organic recruitment. One of the areas with the most current demand and specific requirements/skills is Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and, as in all scientific fields, there is a huge focus on recruiting the best candidate in the shortest time possible. The key goals of this article are to understand the relevance of LinkedIn use by an ICT recruiter taking into account the specific requirements/skills often desired by companies, to perceive if ICT students and workers with an updated LinkedIn profile are contacted by recruiters, and comprehend if it is true to say that recruitment via a social network is faster and does not detract from the quality of the hired candidate, compared with organic recruitment. A survey was performed focusing on students and workers in the ICT field and two semi-structured interviews were conducted in a consulting firm as well as in a software house. The results obtained suggest that LinkedIn is an essential recruitment tool for the ICT companies/consulting firms, but it is important to emphasize that most companies combine organic recruitment with LinkedIn recruitment. In our study, 89% of the respondents with an updated LinkedIn account have already been contacted by recruiters, proving that LinkedIn can certainly increase the probability of being hired. © 2019, Springer Nature Switzerland AG.

2019

Moving tissue spectral window to the deep-ultraviolet via optical clearing

Authors
Carneiro, I; Carvalho, S; Henrique, R; Oliveira, L; Tuchin, V;

Publication
JOURNAL OF BIOPHOTONICS

Abstract
The optical immersion clearing technique has been successfully applied through the last 30 years in the visible to near infrared spectral range, and has proven to be a promising method to promote the application of optical technologies in clinical practice. To investigate its potential in the ultraviolet range, collimated transmittance spectra from 200 to 1000 nm were measured from colorectal muscle samples under treatment with glycerol-water solutions. The treatments created two new optical windows with transmittance efficiency peaks at 230 and 300 nm, with magnitude increasing with glycerol concentration in the treating solution. Such discovery opens the opportunity to develop clinical procedures to perform diagnosis or treatments in the ultraviolet.

2019

RETHINKING THE USE OF SOFT MODES - BICYCLES: TOWARDS ENSURING SUSTAINABLE MOBILITY AND SOCIAL INNOVATION

Authors
Amaral, A; Barreto, L; Baltazar, S; Rocha, C;

Publication
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 4TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT (ICEE 2019): BRINGING TOGETHER ENGINEERING AND ECONOMICS

Abstract
The modem societies claim on being safer, more sustainable and with more inclusive mobility policies, towards assuring the world sustainable standards. One of the key future mobility factors is focused on the usage of the soft modes, emphasizing the use of bicycles. This mean of transport needs to be permanently implemented worldwide, supported by policies that can unify user's, planners, public and private companies, academics and politicians. Therefore, it is crucial to understanding the user's motivations to adopt the bicycle as a mean of transport instead of the motorized vehicle solutions. With the aim of understanding the user's characteristics, needs and expectations regarding the use of bicycle, as well as to point out innovative initiatives and the role of bicycles in cities' planning, some European examples were analyzed and described as state-of-the-art practices. Such examples allow us to consider and propose a set of adjustments and future recommendations to strengthen the bicycle option as an effective mass mobility mean.

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