Abstract
This paper deals with some disturbances that reach the electric power systems. These problems originated some interest due to the changes of the electric loads characteristics, which were predominantly electromechanical and today are predominantly non-linear. This is due to the electronic systems involved. Results of some measurements performed in electric grid of the Oporto Engineering Faculty Campus and in the University of Vila Real (UTAD) are presented and some solutions that had been implemented for the related problems minimization are also described.

Abstract
In deregulated electrical systems, production schedule for power plants is the result of an auction process. In the Spanish case, this schedule includes two main concepts: energy production (to be actually produced) and secondary reserve (to maintain available). The generation company faces the problem of converting energy schedule into a power schedule, respecting the reserve schedule as well as technical constraints, and trying to accomplish different goals: to minimise the production costs, to obtain smooth shapes for the power schedules and to optimise eventual compensation in schedules. A weighted goal mixed integer programming model with a real-size application to deal with this problem is presented.

Abstract
The aim of this work was the development of a new approach to find an optimal solution for the internal electrical network configuration of a wind park. The new approach, described in this paper, allows solving the electrical design problem of a wind park, trying to find simultaneously the best topology for the network and for the cable speciifciations. The problem is considered as a global optimization problem (minimisation of the investments and operation costs), in which reliability is also taken into account. For that purpose, an evolutionary approach based on nitching type methods was used to develop a design tool able to find a reduced set of good solutions to be presented to the design engineers for further decision. This approach was tested with success in the project of a real wind park and the results proved to be satisfactory.

Abstract
New designs for Magnetic Resonance Imaging contrast agents are presented. Essentially, they all are host-guest inclusion complexes between. gamma-cyclodextrins and polyazamacrocycles of gadolinium (III) ion. Substitutions have been made to the host to optimise the host-guest association. Molecular mechanics calculations have been performed, using the UFF force field for metals, to decide on the suitability of the substitutions, and to evaluate the host-guest energies of association. Interesting general conclusions have been obtained, concerning the improvement of Magnetic Resonance Imaging contrast agents; namely, a set of rational methodologies have been deduced to improve the association between the gadolinium (III) chelates and the cyclodextrins, and their efficiency is demonstrated with a large set of substituted complexes, opening new doors to increase the diagnostic capabilities of Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Abstract
This paper presents a new meta-heuristic (EPSO) built putting together the best features of Evolution Strategies (ES) and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO). Examples of the superiority of EPSO over classical PSO are reported. The paper also describes the application of EPSO to real world problems, including an application in Opto-electronics and another in Power Systems.

Abstract
This paper describes a new concept of a Negotiation Aid System, developed over a GIS (Geographic Information System) and designed to facilitate reaching compromises among agents such as investors, environmental groups and governmental agencies, when deciding the location and sizing of new renewable energy sources in a region. The core model of an Actor is similar to a Fuzzy Inference System of the Takagi-Sugeno type, built from a definition of preferences and levels of acceptability. An outranking method is employed to define geographical places of less conflict among the several Actors negotiating. An application to the region of La Rioja, in Spain, is described.