Abstract
The fusion of mechatronics, communication, control and information technologies has allowed the introduction of new automation paradigms into the production environment. The virtualization of the production environment facilitated by the application of the service-oriented architecture paradigm is one of major outcomes of that fusion. On one side, service-oriented automation works based on exposition, subscription and use of automation functions represented by e. g. web services. On the other side, the evolution of traditional industrial systems, particularly in the production area, as a response to architectural and behavioural (functional) viewpoints of the ISA95 enterprise architecture, where a close inter-relation between SCADA, DCS and MES systems facilitate the management and control of the production environment. Automation functions are increasingly performed by the composition and orchestration of services. Among other methods, the application of formal Petri net based orchestration approaches is being industrially established. This paper presents the major characteristics that such a Petri net based orchestration presents when it is developed, implemented and deployed in an industrial environment.

Abstract
In this paper we present a study of evaluation measures that enable the quantification of the quality of an image segmentation result. Despite significant advances in image segmentation techniques, evaluation of these techniques thus far has been largely subjective. Typically, the effectiveness of a new algorithm is demonstrated only by the presentation of a few segmented images and is otherwise left to subjective evaluation by the reader. Such an evaluation criterion can be useful for different applications: the comparison of segmentation results, the automatic choice of the best fitted parameters of a segmentation method for a given image, or the definition of new segmentation methods by optimization. We first present the state of art of distance evaluation measures, and then, we compare several evaluation criteria.

Abstract
This paper targets the development of hybrid energy storage systems (ESS), based on the batteries-supercapacitors blending. In particular, we will develop two methodologies for the combined sizing/energy management of hybrid ESS. The first method assumes that the division of power between the sources is performed through lowlhigh pass filters, which allow us to evaluate, in a simple and rapid way, the trade-offs and economic gains due to the hybridization. The second approach relies on a nonlinear optimization problem, and seeks the minimization of the installation and electrical charging costs of the sources. Simulation results reveal the existence of a threshold in the EV range, from which the introduction of the supercapacitors is less beneficial in economic terms.

Abstract
It is described a large-core air-clad photonic crystal fiber-based sensing structure using the outer cladding as a light guide, which is highly sensitive to refractive index. The sensing head is based on multimodal interference, and relies on a single mode/large-core air-clad photonic crystal fiber/single mode fiber configuration. Using this configuration and controlling the light to travel in a segment of the outer cladding multimode fiber, it was possible to implement a sensing head and the results were obtained independently from variations of temperature, strain and refractive index. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 54:10091011, 2012; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/mop.26726

Abstract
This paper describes the main results of the MERGE project relative to Electric Vehicle (EV) charging strategies and the impacts of EV integration on the steady-state grid operation. MERGE is a €4.5m, collaborative research project supported by the European Commission's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The consortium includes utilities, regulators, commercial organisations and universities with interests in the power generation, automotive, electronic commerce and hybrid and electric vehicle sectors across the entire European Union (EU). One of the MERGE project missions is to evaluate the impacts that EV will have on EU electric power systems, exploring EV and SmartGrid/MicroGrid simultaneous deployment, together with renewable energy increase, to achieve CO 2 emission reduction through the identification of enabling technologies and advanced control approaches. The work presented proposes three charging strategies, dumb charging, multiple price tariffs and smart charging, and uses EV integration scenarios of adherence to these charging schemes. The resulting scenarios are tested using an algorithm coded with Python and using PSS/E, created within the MERGE framework to study EU grids steady-state behaviour. Additionally, the critical mass of EV adherence to smart charging schemes that brings positive impacts to the distribution grids operation was also evaluated.

Abstract
In this book chapter, two important applications of linear programming are presented from the electric power industry, namely short-term hydro scheduling and the development of offering strategies for wind power producers. The linear programming approach is proposed to solve the problems related with generation companies whose main goal is to maximize profits. On the one hand, the main concern of hydroelectric companies is to find the optimal scheduling of hydroelectric power plants, for a short-term period in which the electricity prices are forecasted. The actual size of hydro systems, the continuous reservoir dynamics and constraints, still pose a real challenge to the modelers. On the other hand, wind power producers are entities owning generation resources and participating in the electricity market. The challenges for wind power producers are related to two kinds of uncertainties: wind power and electricity prices. It can be concluded that linear programming represents a robust approach for these two problems.