Abstract
The evaluation of high-potential areas for integrating distributed resources is mainly dependent on the geographical characterization of resources, consumptions, energy technologies and infrastructures. The effect of distributed resources on electric distribution could be studied by a spatial evaluation of incremental costs. This paper presents a Spatial Support System (SSS), based on GIS methodologies, to evaluate the spatial impact caused by integration of distributed power resources on the power distribution network costs. © 2001 IEEE.

Abstract
Controller Area Network (CAN) is a fieldbus network suitable for small-scale Distributed Computer Controlled Systems, being appropriate for transferring short real-time messages. However, CAN networks are also known to present some reliability problems, which can lead to an inconsistent message delivery, thus to an unreliable behaviour of the supported applications. In this paper, a set of atomic multicast protocols for CAN networks is presented, preventing the occurrence of such unreliable behaviours. The proposed protocols explore the CAN synchronous properties to minimise its run-time overhead, and to provide a timely service to the supported applications. The paper also presents conclusions drawn from the implementation of the protocols in the Ada version of Real-Time Linux. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2001.

Abstract
We present a new sensor configuration based on the intrinsic bend sensitivity of Bragg gratings written in D-type fibres. This sensor can be embedded in any layer of a composite material to evaluate curvature in a way independent of axial strain and temperature. It can also be used to measure other parameters such as acceleration, angle and acoustic pressure.

Abstract
In this paper it is simulated the effect of the circuit breakers reclosure in the transient stability of an electric power system using a new hybrid approach. This efficient and robust formulation combines both a time domain integration scheme to compute the initial system trajectory with the equal area criterion to obtain the transient stability margins and the critical clearing times, In this hybrid approach it is used a stop criterion to provide automatic and early termination of the simulations as soon as post-fault (un)stability are detected. The early termination algorithm assess the transient stability of the multimachine power network based on the concept of the dot products from the potential energy boundary surface method. The computer programs developed by the authors were applied to a multimachine test power network. The results obtained with this new hybrid formulation were compared with the solutions produced by a time domain simulation program. Finally, some conclusions that provide a valuable contribution to the understanding of the auto-reclosing effect in the transient stability problem are pointed out.

Abstract
Genetic algorithms are proposed to design two-degrees-of-freedom non-linear PID controllers for single input-single output systems. The evolutionary scheme proposed is able to design simultaneously a feedforward compensator and a nonlinear picewise PID controller. A time-domain cost function subjected to a performance constraint is deployed in order to obtain a good compromise between the set-point tracking design and the disturbance rejection design. This evolutionary approach is illustrated by a simulation example and compared with the corresponding linear configuration.

Abstract
In this paper, deterministic and Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) based techniques are applied to generate solar radiation forecasts with the purpose of being incorporated within a greenhouse predictive control strategy. These predictions are essential to estimate heat load fluctuations in the greenhouse caused by high frequency solar radiation changes, and so to improve ventilation and heating computation requirements for the greenhouse.