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- Economic and energy feasibility using photovoltaic solar energy sources as a response to the energy consumption of the municipality of BarcarenaPublication . Simões, Fábio; Viveiros, Carla; Barata, FilipeThis article provides an economic and energy feasibility study for the implementation of renewable photovoltaic energy sources, in the municipality of Barcarena, in order to sustain electric energy consumption, taking into account technological advances, the expected population increase and the energy potential of the study area. The consumption of electricity of the municipality under study is analysed, as well as their distribution among the various types of existing electricity production. The economic and energy influence of this implementation is analysed through different case studies, in order to meet the targets defined by the Oeiras Council with regard to the Sustainable Energy for Oeiras Action Plan (PAESO).
- Decarbonizing Hard-to-Abate Sectors with Renewable Hydrogen: A Real Case Application to the Ceramics IndustryPublication . Sousa, Jorge A. M.; Azevedo, Inês; Camus, Cristina Inês; Mendes, Luís; Viveiros, Carla; Barata, FilipeHydrogen produced from renewable energy sources is a valuable energy carrier for linking growing renewable electricity generation with the hard-to-abate sectors, such as cement, steel, glass, chemical, and ceramics industries. In this context, this paper presents a new model of hydrogen production based on solar photovoltaics and wind energy with application to a real-world ceramics factory. For this task, a novel multipurpose profit-maximizing model is implemented using GAMS. The developed model explores hydrogen production with multiple value streams that enable technical and economical informed decisions under specific scenarios. Our results show that it is profitable to sell the hydrogen produced to the gas grid rather than using it for self-consumption for low-gas-price scenarios. On the other hand, when the price of gas is significantly high, it is more profitable to use as much hydrogen as possible for self-consumption to supply the factory and reduce the internal use of natural gas. The role of electricity self-consumption has proven to be key for the project's profitability as, without this revenue stream, the project would not be profitable in any analysed scenario.
- Energy management in buildings with intermittent and limited renewable resourcesPublication . Barata, Filipe; Igreja, JoséThis work reports a contribution, in a model predictive control multi-agent systems context, introducing a novel integrative methodology to manage energy networks from the demand-side point of view, in the strong presence of intermittent energy sources, including energy storage in households or car batteries. In particular, the article presents a control-based solution for indoor comfort, which, in addition, optimizes the usage of a limited shared energy resource. The control management is applied, in a distributed way, to a set of so-called thermal control areas (TCAs) and demand units, with the objective of minimizing the cost of energy while maintaining the indoor temperature within the comfort zone bounds, and simultaneously not exceeding a limited amount of shared renewable energy. The thermal control areas are, in general, thermodynamically connected, and are also coupled by energy interrelation constraints established in the particular optimization solution. Energy management is performed with a fixed sequential order established from a previously carried out auction, wherein the bids are made by each unit's demands, acting as demand-side management agents, based on the daily energy price. The developed solution is explained by a basic algorithm that has been applied to different scenarios, and the results have been compared so as to illustrate the benefits and flexibility of the proposed approach, showing less energy consumption and a 37% cost saving.
- Using power electronics and automation to simulate solar PV systemsPublication . Fonte, Pedro M.; Cordeiro, Armando; Barata, Filipe; Pires, V. Fernão; Chaves, Miguel; Foito, Daniel; Gamboa, PauloThis paper presents a solar photovoltaic panel simulator system with the ability to perform automatic tests in different condition according to manufacture parameters. This simulator is based on three buck--boost DC -DC converters controlled by a microcontroller and supported by a AXC 1050 Programmable Logic Controller from Phoenix Contact which is responsible for running the automatic tests. This solution allows to understand the typical operation of solar photovoltaic panels and MPPT algorithms considering suddenly changes in the irradiation, temperature, or load.
- Power quality and modeling analysis of a university campus electrical distribution systemPublication . Ferrolho, César; Barata, Filipe; Gamboa, PauloFor a few years now, electrical power quality has been a topic of interest and discussion, mainly due to issues regarding costs, continuity of service and electrical installation energy efficiency. The lack in electrical power quality can reveal itself in different ways, in reactive power costs, in frequent tripping of protections, in overheating and overloads of equipment and cables, in the significant shortening of capacitor lifespans, and, on power grid resonance events. This paper makes an electrical power quality analysis on Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa (ISEL) school campus, more precisely, two transformer substations and several building electrical distribution boards that make up the campus’ electrical power grid. The acquired data enabled the graphical display of several electrical parameters, and their subsequent quantitative and qualitative analysis, regarding legislation and standards, namely, NP EN 50160; IEC 61000-2-3 and IEEE Std 1159-2019. In the paper, a Matlab/Simulink model of ISEL campus’ electrical power grid was developed, so that, when anomalies are identified, it will be possible to analyze and verify, through simulation, the effect that different solutions produce to mitigate them.
- Residence efficiency based on smart energy systemsPublication . Monteiro, André; Pereira, Rita; Barata, FilipeThe resources used to maintain all the activities in buildings are limited and, for this reason, it is critical the usage of energy efficiency measures. This paper is focused on a smart controller development able to automatically manage a building with the objective of improving its energy efficiency. The controller uses Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) as a forecast method and Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) as a decision maker. The thermal house model is simulated using a MATLAB toolbox. One of the sub controllers is developed in this paper and is responsible for the HVAC control and optimization. The developed system uses renewable energy sources attached to an energy storage system to increase the overall energy efficiency. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the developed controller it is made an economic analysis of its influence in the build system.
- Protection against direct atmospheric discharges and overvoltages in photovoltaic installationsPublication . Coelho, Gonçalo; Barata, Filipe; Elvas, Luís; Viveiros, CarlaThe increasing global energy demand has led to the expansion of photovoltaic (PV) power plants, particularly in response to climate goals like the European Union's "Fit for 55" initiative to reduce CO2 emissions by 55% by 2030. However, as PV installations grow, their vulnerability to atmospheric discharges, such as lightning, also increases. This study investigates the design and dimensioning of lightning protection systems for PV plants, focusing on two methods: traditional protection per IEC 62305 standards and ionizing devices based on NP 4426 standards. Both methods were analyzed for technical feasibility and cost-effectiveness. A case study of the PV installations at the Lisbon Engineering School (ISEL) was conducted, and a risk analysis determined that Level III protection was required. The study demonstrated that both methods provide effective protection, but ionizing devices offer a more cost-efficient solution, with lower material and labor costs. Consequently, the study showed that ionizing method is around 35% affordable than traditional rods for protecting PV plants in urban environment against atmospheric discharges.
- Wireless home automation system for multifunctional devices incorporating Internet of Things (IoT)Publication . Pedro, Bruno; Barata, Filipe; Canacsinh, HirenHome automation systems have been increasing in quantity and quality, throughout the world. The scientific community has been spending its resources to improve these systems, regarding their capabilities, accessibility and price. In this article, a low cost, home automation system, in the form of an experimental prototype is presented, focused in wireless communication and IoT (Internet of Things) structures. The result of the work developed was a capable prototype, adaptable to conventional electrical installations, with smart management capabilities regarding actuators of electric loads and sensor information utilization.
- Intelligent systems applied to buildings' managementPublication . Pereira, Rita; Barata, Filipe; Viveiros, CarlaEnergy efficiency in buildings are an important domain regarding its impact in the global energy consumption. Several efficiency measures are currently available, using different methodologies. In this paper an approach using intelligent systems is implemented through a smart controller able to automatically and efficiently manage building’s energy. This smart controller uses Fuzzy Logic Control (FLC) as a decision maker and is supported by Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) used to forecast the building outside temperature. In addition, and in order to increase overall energy efficiency, renewable energies associated with a storage system are considered. For the designed smart controller implementation, a thermal house model is simulated using a MATLAB toolbox. In this paper emphasis is given to the building´s Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) control and a rough economic analysis is drawn, allowing to infer about the adopted efficiency measures impact.
- Combining power electronic converters and automation to simulate solar PV systemsPublication . Cordeiro, Armando; Chaves, Miguel; Gamboa, Paulo; Barata, Filipe; Fonte, Pedro M; Lopes, Hélio; Fernao Pires, Vitor; Foito, Daniel; Amaral, Tito; Martins, JoaoThis paper presents a solar photovoltaic panel simulator system with the ability to perform automatic tests in different condition according to manufacture parameters. This simulator is based on three buck-boost DC-DC converters controlled by a microcontroller and supported by a Programmable Logic Controller which is responsible for the automatic tests. This solution will allow to achieve fast response, like suddenly changes in the irradiation, temperature, or load. To control the power converter, it will be used a fast and robust sliding mode controller. Therefore, with the proposed system is possible to perform the I-V curve simulation of a solar PV panel, evaluate different MPPT algorithms considering different meteorological and load variation. The main advantage of this work is the possibility to evaluate and test several MPPT algorithms and understand the operation and typical operation of solar PV panels in different conditions. Several simulations and experimental results from a laboratory prototype are presented to confirm the theoretical operation.