Abstract
The technological revolution in the electric power system sector is producing large volumes of data with pertinent impact in the business and functional processes of system operators, generation companies, and grid users. Big data techniques can be applied to state estimation, forecasting, and control problems, as well as to support the participation of market agents in the electricity market. This chapter presents a revision of the application of data mining techniques to these problems. Trends like feature extraction/reduction and distributed learning are identified and discussed. The knowledge extracted from power system and market data has a significant impact in key performance indicators, like operational efficiency (e.g., operating expenses), investment deferral, and quality of supply. Furthermore, business models related to big data processing and mining are emerging and boosting new energy services.

Abstract
The possibility of using polymer fiber as a refractive index sensor is presented. The sensor is based on a Fabry-Perot interferometer formed at the tip of the polymer fiber. The interference is granted due to reflections between a fiber Bragg grating and the fiber end-face. The sensor was characterized to refractive index changes at constant temperature using a fast Fourier transform analysis of the interference signal. A sensitivity of -1.94 RIU-1 was achieved with a resolution of 1 x 10(-3) RIU and a cross sensitivity to temperature of 1 x 10(-4) RIU/degrees C

Abstract
The present work explores the processing conditions of Bi0.9La0.1Fe0.9Mn0.1O3 (BLFM) thin films, grown by RF sputtering on platinum metalized silicon substrates, and its impact on the structural and ferroelectric properties. The optimized processing conditions were found to be a combination of deposition of an amorphous film at low substrate temperature (ae550 A degrees C), followed by a thermal treatment at 550 A degrees C during 30 min, in order to prevent bismuth volatilization. This procedure leads to the formation of high-quality monophasic crystalline films with well-defined piezoelectric response exhibiting micron size domains.

Abstract

Abstract
This paper describes an enhanced model for the Short Term Hydro Scheduling Problem, HSP, that includes the impact of operation decisions on the market prices and the possibility of adjusting the tailwater level. Additionally, the efficiency of hydraulic turbines is treated as a variable dependent on the discharged flows. The developed solution algorithm uses an iterative approach that solves in each iteration a linearized HSP problem using the linprog function of the MATLAB (R) Optimization Toolbox. In each iteration, the value of the head to use in the next iteration is updated. The paper reports results from a realistic Case Study based on the cascade of 9 hydro stations (4 of them with pumping) installed in the Portuguese section of the Douro River.

Abstract
Strong adoption dynamics of private passenger electric vehicles (EV) will require adjustments in the operation and planning of electrical distribution grids. This work proposes a novel approach to assess the impact of electric vehicle charging while considering EV adoption dynamics and commuting patterns. The proposed model uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and is applied to a real-world case study. Results suggest that clustering of EV charging will occur and underline the relevance of accurate spatial and temporal charging pattern estimations for distribution grid planning. Overloading of distribution network elements was observed even under light EV penetration rates.