2022
Authors
Felgueiras, F; Mourao, Z; Moreira, A; Gabriel, MF;
Publication
INDOOR AIR
Abstract
Many working activities are carried out in office buildings that are located in urban areas. Several studies have shown that these workplaces are likely to present poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) due to inadequate ventilation rates, compromised thermal comfort conditions, and/or high concentration of air pollutants, such as particulate matter. This study aimed to review ventilation conditions, based on carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, and indoor airborne particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) levels assessed in offices worldwide. The approach carried out in this work followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Six databases (Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Inspec, Science Direct, and Dimensions) were used to search for peer-reviewed articles on the subject of IEQ, in particular, those reporting data for the levels of CO2 and particulate matter in offices, published during the last decade. Firstly, 394 records were identified, resulting in 23 articles included in the review after the screening process and the implementation of eligibility criteria. Based on the results and considering the mean concentration reported, office environments present, in general, acceptable ventilation conditions (mean: 665 ppm). However, the few cases of studies that reported CO2 values exceeding 1000 ppm identified situations of high occupancy density and inadequate operation of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems as the unequivocal causative factors. In turn, PM2.5 and PM10 seemed to be IEQ parameters that are even more critical to be tackled in offices, with the reported overall mean values (36 and 63 mu g/m(3)) exceeding the current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines (15 and 45 mu g/m(3)). The highest aerosol concentrations were typically found in naturally ventilated buildings and were mostly associated with the influence of high levels of particles introduced indoors through the outdoor air. Overall, measures for improving IEQ in offices toward promoting healthy and safe environments for workers include strategies to periodically control IEQ, ensure the adequate percentage of fresh air and maintenance of the mechanical ventilation systems (operation, maintenance, and air filtration efficiency), and adjust occupancy to the room dimensions and ventilation conditions.
2022
Authors
Felgueiras, F; Cunha, L; Mourao, Z; Moreira, A; Gabriel, MF;
Publication
ATMOSPHERIC POLLUTION RESEARCH
Abstract
An increased risk of developing stress, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular diseases, rhinitis, skin and eye irri-tations and headaches has been particularly reported among office workers. Some of these complaints have been linked to the existence of poor indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in the workplaces. In this context, inter-vention studies can offer new insights to tackle poor IEQ issues and to identify effective measures to reduce IEQ-related risks. This review summarizes the main characteristics of environmental intervention studies that have been performed in office settings and the respective findings on the beneficial effects on the promotion of health, well-being, comfort, and productivity among office workers. The study design followed PRISMA guidelines and the search for peer-review articles was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and Cochrane Library databases. Firstly, 513 records were identified, resulting in 23 articles included in the review after the application of the study eligibility criteria and identification of additional important works within the subject. The revised experimental studies were mainly focused on changes in ventilation systems via replacement of air filters and modifications in the rate of outdoor air supplied or temperature set-points. Some studies also included in-terventions based on the implementation of air cleaning and biophilic strategies. Both objective (e.g., physio-logical examinations) and subjective (e.g., questionnaires) measures have been used to assess the effects on office workers' outcomes. Overall, the findings presented here confirm that interventions aiming at improving IEQ in offices can be effective in improving health, well-being and productivity among office workers.
2023
Authors
Gabriel, MF; Cardoso, JP; Felgueiras, F; Azeredo, J; Filipe, D; Conradie, P; Van Hove, S; Mourao, Z; Anagnostopoulos, F; Azevedo, I;
Publication
ENERGIES
Abstract
Energy poverty vulnerability constitutes a significant concern in Portugal, with 17.5% of the population being unable to keep their home adequately warm. Furthermore, there is evidence that a substantial number of children live in unhealthy homes. This study aims to comprehensively characterise a sample of 101 Portuguese families with children and their homes in order to identify opportunities for actions for promoting long-lasting energy efficiency and environment health-promoting behavioural changes. To accomplish this aim, two tools-a building survey checklist and a questionnaire to participants-were developed and implemented to collect harmonised data on building-specific characteristics and on participants' socioeconomic status and behaviour. The home visits for recruitment and data collection were conducted from July 2021 to April 2022. The results suggest that, for the population under study, the main opportunities for improvement include: (i) replacing low energy-efficient technologies, with high emission rates, namely those used for heating purposes, with cleaner and more efficient alternatives; (ii) providing citizens with detailed information about their home's energy use and indoor air quality and (iii) educating the population on the best-practices for reducing indoor air stuffiness, mitigating the risk of hazardous exposures, improving thermal comfort and saving energy.
2025
Authors
Costa, P; Rodrigues, R; Almeida, J; Carrillo Galvez, A; Soares, T; Mourão, Z;
Publication
2025 9th International Conference on Environment Friendly Energies and Applications, EFEA 2025 - Conference Proceedings
Abstract
Onshore power supply (OPS) is a key enabler for decarbonizing port operations and meeting upcoming regulatory targets such as the EU AFIR Regulation 2023/1805 and Portugal's PNEC 2030. This paper presents a simulation-based framework for estimating the OPS demand of container ships at berth, integrating ship hoteling loads, reefer thermal dynamics with flexible control, and OPS/auxiliary engine (AE) dispatch under port grid constraints. A case study at Terminal XXI of the Port of Sines demonstrates the approach using high-resolution (1-minute) simulations. Results show that reefer flexibility enables peak shaving, OPS demand can be enforced within available grid capacity without violating thermal limits, and AE provides reliable backup. Complementary machine learning modules based on Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, and XGBoost enable accurate imputation of missing ship descriptors and OPS demand forecasting (R2 > 0.95). The framework provides an AI-ready decision-support tool for OPS infrastructure planning and port energy management. © 2025 IEEE.
2026
Authors
Rezende, I; Soares, T; Carrillo-Galvez, A; Carmo, F; Mourao, Z; Araújo, JP; Bandeira, E;
Publication
SMART GRIDS AND SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
Abstract
The increasing energy demand in seaport operations, driven by electrification and decarbonisation targets, requires enhanced tools for operational planning and flexibility management. This paper proposes a novel centralised Energy Management System designed for seaports, which, unlike previous approaches that mainly focused on cost minimisation jointly optimises Battery Energy Storage System scheduling, energy and reserve market participation, and carbon-intensity reduction. A key contribution of this work is the integration of CO\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$_2$$\end{document} emission forecasts and day-ahead market data into a multi-objective formulation, allowing the Energy Management System not only to minimise operational costs but also to reduce indirect emissions. Additionally, a Traffic Light system is proposed to support operators' decision-making by providing actionable flexibility guidelines. A case study based on real-world data from the Port of Sines shows that this method achieves at least an 17% reduction on an annual basis compared to baseline operations, while ensuring cost efficiency. Results highlight the Energy Management System's potential as a decision-support tool for port authorities seeking to align operational efficiency with sustainability goals.
2026
Authors
Almeida J.; Mourao Z.; Carrillo-Galvez A.; Soares T.;
Publication
4th International Workshop on Open Source Modelling and Simulation of Energy Systems Osmses 2026 Proceedings
Abstract
Maritime transport faces increasing decarbonisation requirements, placing new demands on port energy systems. Yet most existing studies analyse isolated components or short time horizons, limiting their usefulness for long-term planning. This work develops a holistic, least-cost optimisation model of the Port of Sines energy system using OSeMOSYS, integrating electricity and fuel consumption across port operations and fuel-management processes from 2020 to 2050.The study evaluates alternative technology pathways and policy measures, including carbon taxation, national emission-reduction targets, and the adoption of an innovative ocean-going vessel fleet. Results show that electrification, driven by onshore power supply and renewable expansion, is the most cost-effective decarbonisation route, while its performance depends on local generation capacity and the carbon intensity of the electricity mix. Policy mechanisms and fleet innovation further influence the timing and depth of emissions reductions. Overall, the model provides a replicable framework to support strategic port decarbonisation planning.
The access to the final selection minute is only available to applicants.
Please check the confirmation e-mail of your application to obtain the access code.