Abstract
With the increase of electricity tariffs and the decreasing costs for distributed generation technologies, more and more residential consumers are deploying local generation systems to satisfy their electricity demand in order to reduce overall cost. Typically, however, a mismatch between electricity generation and demand remains. Storage systems enable consumers to reduce this mismatch by storing locally generated electricity for later consumption, instead of feeding excess generation into the grid. This paper analyzes the economics of storage installations in a residential consumer context. A linear program is presented to determine the optimal dispatch, and Simulated Annealing is used to identify the cost minimizing system configuration. The developed approach is tested for a multi-family house in Germany.

Abstract
There are many factors that influence the success of the management of Customer Relationship Management systems projects (CRM). This article presents a systematic review of the literature of the past fifteen years, identifying and discussing the key success factors in CRM project management. The identified success factors were structured into four categories: strategic factors; operating factors; organizational factors; technological factors. The obtained results allow a better understanding of the success factors for the implementation of CRM projects and provide a theoretical basis for further work focused on the evaluation of such projects.

Abstract

Abstract
Laser scanners are widely used in mobile robotics localization systems but, despite the enormous potential of its use, their high price tag is a major drawback, mainly for hobbyist and educational robotics practitioners that usually have a reduced budget. This paper presentes the modeling and simulation of a hacked Neato XV-11 Laser Scanner, having as motivation the fact that it is a very low cost alternative, when compared with the current available laser scanners. The modeling of a hacked Neato XV-11 Laser Scanner allows its realistic simulation and provides valuable information that can promote the development of better designs of robot localization systems based on this sensor. The sensor simulation was developed using SimTwo, which is a realistic simulation software that can support several types of robots.

Abstract
Reliable banknote recognition is critical for detecting counterfeit banknotes in ATMs and help visual impaired people. To solve this problem, it was implemented a computer vision system that can recognize multiple banknotes in different perspective views and scales, even when they are within cluttered environments in which the lighting conditions may vary considerably. The system is also able to recognize banknotes that are partially visible, folded, wrinkled or even worn by usage. To accomplish this task, the system relies on computer vision algorithms, such as image preprocessing, feature detection, description and matching. To improve the confidence of the banknote recognition the feature matching results are used to compute the contour of the banknotes using an homography that later on is validated using shape analysis algorithms. The system successfully recognized all Euro banknotes in 80 test images even when there were several overlapping banknotes in the same test image.

Abstract
The increasing penetration of wind generation in power systems to fulfil the ambitious European targets will make wind power producers to play an even more important role in the future power system. Wind power producers are being incentivized to participate in reserve markets to increase their revenue, since currently wind turbine/farm technologies allow them to provide ancillary services. Thus, wind power producers are to develop offering strategies for participation in both energy and reserve markets, accounting for market rules, while ensuring optimal revenue. We consider a proportional offering strategy to optimally decide upon participation in both markets by maximizing expected revenue from day-ahead decisions while accounting for estimated regulation costs for failing to provide the services. An evaluation of considering the same proportional splitting of energy and reserve in both day ahead and balancing market is performed. A set of numerical examples illustrate the behavior of such strategy. An important conclusion is that the optimal split of the available wind power between energy and reserve strongly depends upon prices and penalties on both market trading floors.