2024
Authors
Loureiro, MD; Jennings, N; Lawrance, E; Ferreira-Santos, D; Neves, AL;
Publication
Abstract As climate change drives increasingly severe heatwaves, the strain on public health systems continues to grow, particularly for vulnerable populations. Our work argues for the integration of digital health technologies into heatwave action plans, drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic's success in deploying such tools. It explores the potential of digital communication strategies, telemedicine, and data-driven simulations to enhance public awareness, maintain healthcare accessibility, and improve real-time crisis responses. Despite their effectiveness, digital solutions remain underutilized in existing European heat-health action plans. We emphasize the need for a proactive, systems-based approach to optimize heatwave management and ensure equitable healthcare access, particularly for at-risk communities. Integrating digital health innovations can transform heatwave response strategies, making them more flexible, efficient, and capable of saving lives.
2024
Authors
Castro, V; Sousa, P; Moreira, L; Lopes, P;
Publication
IET Conference Proceedings
Abstract
This paper discusses the assessment of integrating photovoltaic-battery hybrid power plants into the electrical grids of the Azores islands and their ability to comply with advanced network services. To ensure the hybrid power plant supports the grid operational requirements, a methodology was devised through steady-state and dynamic numerical simulations. On one hand, the steady-state analysis generated active-reactive power diagrams for different voltage levels at the plant’s interconnection point with the island’s grid, demonstrating that the internal grid of the PV-battery hybrid power plant allows a significant range of reactive power modulation in different operating conditions. On the other hand, dynamic analysis highlighted the plant’s crucial role in modulating reactive current production during grid faults. Additionally, it showed the plant’s capability to automatically reduce active power injection during over-frequency events and, as a result, lessening the frequency regulation effort for synchronous generators and fast energy storage system. © Energynautics GmbH.
2024
Authors
Santos, R; Rocha, C; Dias, R; Quintas, J;
Publication
SIMULATION FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE, PT 1, EUROSIM 2023
Abstract
A new generation of manufacturing systems is emerging through the adoption of new policies to overcome future crises highlighted by constant social, environmental, and economic concerns. The rise of so-called smart manufacturing is noticeable. However, new risks to humankind are being introduced, and, more than ever, science and technology are required to guarantee the future sustainability and resilience of our manufacturing systems. This research presents a Digital Twin approach resorting to simulation models with embedded intelligence to transform efficient manufacturing systems and react to complex and unpredictable circumstances. The methodology covers production scheduling incorporating flexible robots, internal logistics supervision contemplating planning and control of mobile robots, and capacity management. The method demonstrates the potential of integrating Additive Manufacturing technologies to quickly react to production needs. The developed strategy was enforced and assessed in an industrial experiment, exhibiting its robustness and promising application. The attained results were very encouraging, highlighting its potential extension to more complex industrial systems.
2024
Authors
Costa, L; Almeida, A; Reis, L;
Publication
5TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON INDUSTRY 4.0 AND SMART MANUFACTURING, ISM 2023
Abstract
In today's volatile, uncertain, and complex business environments, manufacturing companies must not only adapt to market demands but also minimize the time between problem occurrence and resolution. The implementation of lean manufacturing systems has been crucial in this regard. However, traditional approaches have shown notable inefficiencies that can be effectively addressed through digitalization. By embracing digital solutions, manufacturing companies can ensure efficient continuous improvement, driving performance to higher levels. This study aims to find a digital solution for a specific company that faces daily challenges associated with low visibility into production. An investigation revealed that the Lean tools used by the company were outdated, directly affecting the generated information and consequently, decision-making. The integration of a Manufacturing Execution System into the factory's dynamics was the solution found. In this context, a step-by-step methodology is proposed to guide the implementation. As a result, a prototype of the system was designed. The validation of the system by end-users demonstrates the success of the proposed methodology.
2024
Authors
Nunes Passos, DD; Fernandes de Araújo, SR; Silva, SD; Gadelha Queiroz, PG;
Publication
HOLOS
Abstract
2024
Authors
Peixoto, A; Martins, S; Amorim, P; Holzapfel, A;
Publication
INTERNATIONAL TRANSACTIONS IN OPERATIONAL RESEARCH
Abstract
In several online retail contexts, such as grocery retailing, customers have to be present at the moment of delivery, that is, an attended home delivery service is in place. This requirement adds new challenges to this channel, often leading to narrow profitability. From an operations perspective, this service is performed with the retailer offering multiple time slots for the customer to choose from. Retailers target a cost-efficient delivery process that also accounts for customers' preferences by properly managing the options to show to customers, that is, time slot management. This study analyzes a dynamic slotting problem, that is, choosing the best slots to show for each customer, which is close to many practical cases pursuing a customer service orientation. We study two new strategies to improve customer service while satisfying cost-efficiency goals: (i) enforcing a constraint on the minimum number or percentage of slots to show to customers and (ii) integrating multiple days when tackling this challenging problem. Our results show under which conditions these proposed strategies can lead to win-win situations for both customer service and profit.
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