The share of electricity generation from Variable Renewable Energy Sources (VRES) has increased over the last 20 years. Despite promoting the decarbonization of the energy mix, these sources bring negative characteristics to the energy mix, such as power ramps, load mismatch, unpredictability, and fluctuation. One of the ways to mitigate these characteristics is the hybridization of power plants. This paper evaluates the benefits of hybridizing a plant using an AI-based methodology for optimizing the wind–solar ratio based on the Brazilian regulatory system. For this study, the hybrid plant was modeled using data collected over a period of 10 months. The measurements were obtained using two wind profilers (LIDAR and SODAR) and a sun tracker (Solys 2) as part of the EOSOLAR R&D project conducted in the state of Maranhão, Brazil. After the power plant modeling, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) was used to determine the optimal wind–solar ratio, considering costs with transmission systems. The algorithm achieved a monthly profit increase of more than 39% with an energy curtailment inferior to 1%, which indicates economic complementarity. Later, the same methodology was also applied to verify the wind–solar ratio’s sensitivity to solar energy pricing. The results show that a price increase of 15% would change the power plant’s optimal configuration.

This article reports the conception and design of a mission critical microgrid to serve a critical infrastructure application, namely, the Alcântara Space Launch Center, a government military facility in Brazil. The assumptions, general characteristics, requirements and particularities arising from the application are established and discussed in detail. High resilience and energy security are required in critical periods of operation, demanding a power supply infrastructure composed of redundant and dispachable sources capable of supporting $n-1$ generation contingencies. Whereas, in the remaining time, economic and environmental aspects take place as main requests. Operation scenarios, on both grid-connected (on-grid) and isolated (off-grid) modes, are formulated as optimization problems and simulations have been performed to analyze these scenarios, which are reported and analyzed here. The off-grid operation, which is clearly more complex, is preferentially addressed, especially in scenarios with contingencies. In this context, the proposed microgrid is conceived to satisfactorily balance requirements such as the economy, pollutant emission reduction, high reliability, resilience and operational security, which are requested by this critical infrastructure application.

The EOSOLAR project was designed to investigate the structure of the atmospheric boundary layer in an equatorial coastal zone, where the discontinuity of surface conditions induces non-stationarity gradients of wind speeds and the development of internal boundary layers. The proposed methodology considers several aspects of the sea–land transition meteorology that are essential for precisely estimating wind–solar energy potential and assessment of structural loads on wind turbines. Infrared (LIDAR) and acoustic (SODAR) ground-based remote sensing instruments and micrometeorological towers were installed in a near-shore equatorial area of northeast Brazil, in order to provide a comprehensive view of meteorological processes. This paper reports a description of the project study area, methodology, and instrumentation used. Details of instruments configurations, a validation of micrometeorology towers, and a comparison between the LIDAR and SODAR are presented. Results of the first field campaign measuring the coastal flow, integrating the micrometeorological tower and LIDAR observations are described.

The objective of this work is to assess the wind resources of the east coast of Maranhão, Brazil. Wind profilers were combined with micrometeorological towers and atmospheric reanalysis to investigate micro- and mesoscale aspects of wind variability. Field campaigns recorded winds in the dry and wet seasons, under the influence of the Intertropical Convergence Zone. The dry season was characterized by strong winds (8 to 12 m s${}^{-1}$) from the northeast. Surface heat fluxes were generally positive (250 to 320 W m${}^{-2}$) at midday and negative (−10 to −20 W m${}^{-2}$) during the night. Convective profiles predominated near the beach, with strongly stable conditions rarely occurring before sunrise. Further inland, convective to strongly convective profiles occurred during the day, and neutral to strongly stable profiles at night. Wind speeds decreased during the rainy season (4 to 8 m s${}^{-1}$), with increasingly easterly and southeasterly components. Cloud cover and precipitation reduced midday heat fluxes (77 W m${}^{-2}$). Profiles were convective during midday and stable to strongly stable at night. Terrain roughness increased with distance from the ocean ranging from smooth surfaces ($z_o$ = 0.95 mm) and rough pastures ($z_o$ = 15.33 mm) to crops and bushes ($z_o$ = 52.68 mm), and trees and small buildings ($z_o$ = 246.46 mm) farther inland. Seasonal variations of the mean flow and sea and land breezes produced distinct diurnal patterns of wind speeds. The strongest (weakest) breeze amplitudes were observed in the dry (rainy) period. Daily changes in heat fluxes and fetch over land controlled the characteristics of wind profiles. During sea breezes, winds approached the coast at right angles, resulting in shorter fetches over land that maintained or enhanced oceanic convective conditions. During land breezes, winds blew from the mainland or with acute angles against the coastline, resulting in large fetches with nighttime surface cooling, generating strongly stable profiles. Coastal observations demonstrated that with increasing monopiles from 100 to 130 m it is possible to obtain similar capacity factors of beachfront turbines.

The maritime industry and port sector are catalysts of economic growth and development of countries. However, they can generate significant environmental and social impacts on marine ecosystems and neighbouring communities. The sustainable development goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN) make up the 2030 Agenda and suggest a global sustainable development that needs the collaboration of various stakeholders. In this context, the article aims to identify the SDGs most evidenced in the maritime industry and port sector from a systematic literature review using the tools EndNote, IRaMuTeQ and VOSviewer. The results pointed to SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 13 Action against Climate Change and 14 Life on the Water as the most addressed by the studies, highlighting the guidance of the maritime industry and the port sector in contributing to sustainable development based on concern for the marine environment and climate change. It was observed that the studies identified the relevance of contributing to the SDGs. On the other hand, the practical applications were not properly described, thus making it difficult to understand the priority actions for an effective contribution to the SDGs.

Objective: This study investigates global strategies for decarbonising the port and maritime sectors, acknowledging ports' pivotal role in achieving regional and global sustainability targets. Theoretical Framework: While essential for global trade, ports significantly contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and local air pollution due to energy-intensive operations. These emissions pose severe threats to public health and drive environmental degradation, including ocean acidification and biodiversity loss. Effective mitigation requires comprehensive strategies enhancing energy efficiency and decarbonising port activities. Method: This research analyses 68 articles from the Web of Science database using VOSviewer software to identify trends, best practices, and emerging innovations in sectoral decarbonisation. Results and Discussion: Key findings reveal increasing adoption of alternative fuels, renewable energy, electrification of port operations, and energy management systems as central to sustainability efforts. Digital transformation plays a crucial role, with AI-driven analytics, blockchain-based emissions tracking, and smart port solutions enhancing efficiency and transparency. However, gaps persist in scaling innovative technologies such as carbon capture and addressing underexplored regions. Research Implications: By embracing advanced technologies and fostering collaboration, ports can accelerate decarbonisation and align with global climate targets. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking effective solutions to mitigate climate change. Originality/Value: This study presents a comprehensive overview of contemporary decarbonisation strategies in the port and maritime sectors, highlighting best practices, technological innovations, and research gaps. It offers a roadmap for future studies aimed at enhancing sustainability efforts.