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Energy consumption is associated with economic growth, but it comes with a toll regarding the environment. Renewable energies can be considered substitutes for fossil fuels and may contribute to reducing the environmental degradation that the world is presently facing. With this research, we aimed to offer a broader view of the state-of-the-art in this field, particularly regarding coal and biomass. The main objective is to present a viable and sustainable solution for the coal power plants still in operation, using as a hypothetical example the Pego Power Plant, the last operating coal fueled power plant in Portugal. After the characterization of land use and energy production in Portugal, and more particularly in the Médio Tejo region, where the power plant is located, the availability of biomass was assessed and it was concluded that the volume of biomass needed to keep the Pego power plant working exclusively with biomass is much lower than the yearly growth volume of biomass in the region, which means that this transition would be viable in a sustainable way. This path is aligned with policies to fight climate change, since the use of biomass for energy is characterized by low levels of GHGs emissions when compared to coal. The risk of rural fires would be reduced, and the economic and social impact for this region would be positive.
Margarida Casau; Diana C. M. Cancela; João C. O. Matias; Marta Ferreira Dias; Leonel J. R. Nunes. Coal to Biomass Conversion as a Path to Sustainability: A Hypothetical Scenario at Pego Power Plant (Abrantes, Portugal). Resources 2021, 10, 84 .
AMA StyleMargarida Casau, Diana C. M. Cancela, João C. O. Matias, Marta Ferreira Dias, Leonel J. R. Nunes. Coal to Biomass Conversion as a Path to Sustainability: A Hypothetical Scenario at Pego Power Plant (Abrantes, Portugal). Resources. 2021; 10 (8):84.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMargarida Casau; Diana C. M. Cancela; João C. O. Matias; Marta Ferreira Dias; Leonel J. R. Nunes. 2021. "Coal to Biomass Conversion as a Path to Sustainability: A Hypothetical Scenario at Pego Power Plant (Abrantes, Portugal)." Resources 10, no. 8: 84.
The production of residual biomass, such as vine pruning, presents environmental problems since its elimination is usually carried out through the uncontrolled burning of the remaining materials and with the emission of greenhouse gases without any counterpart. The use of these residues to produce biochar presents several advantages. In addition to the more common energy recovery, other conversion ways allowing new uses, such as soil amendment and carbon sequestration, can be analyzed as options as well. In the present study, vine pruning biomasses are characterized to evaluate the behavior of the different constituents. Then, the different possible applications are discussed. It is concluded that materials resulting from the pruning of vineyards have excellent characteristics for energy recovery, with an increment of more than 50% in the heating value and almost 60% in the carbon content when carbonized. This recovery procedure contributes to creating new value chains for residual materials to promote sustainable practices in the wine sector.
Leonel Nunes; Abel Rodrigues; João Matias; Ana Ferraz; Ana Rodrigues. Production of Biochar from Vine Pruning: Waste Recovery in the Wine Industry. Agriculture 2021, 11, 489 .
AMA StyleLeonel Nunes, Abel Rodrigues, João Matias, Ana Ferraz, Ana Rodrigues. Production of Biochar from Vine Pruning: Waste Recovery in the Wine Industry. Agriculture. 2021; 11 (6):489.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonel Nunes; Abel Rodrigues; João Matias; Ana Ferraz; Ana Rodrigues. 2021. "Production of Biochar from Vine Pruning: Waste Recovery in the Wine Industry." Agriculture 11, no. 6: 489.
The use of residual biomass of forest and/or agricultural origin is an increasingly common issue regarding the incorporation of materials that, until recently, were out of the typical raw material supply chains for the production of biomass pellets, mainly due to the quality constraints that some of these materials present. The need to control the quality of biomass-derived fuels led to the development of standards, such as ENplus®, to define the permitted limits for a set of parameters, such as the ash or alkali metal content. In the present study, samples of vine pruning, and ENplus®-certified pellets were collected and characterized, and the results obtained were compared with the limits presented in the standard. The values presented from vine pruning approximated the values presented by Pinus pinaster wood, the main raw material used in the production of certified pellets in Portugal, except for the values of ash, copper (Cu), and nitrogen (N) contents, with vine pruning being out of the qualifying limits for certification. However, it was found that the incorporation of up to 10% of biomass from vine pruning allowed the fulfillment of the requirements presented in the ENplus® standard, indicating a path for the implementation of circular economy processes in the wine industry.
Leonel Nunes; Liliana Loureiro; Letícia Sá; João Matias; Ana Ferraz; Ana Rodrigues. Energy Recovery of Agricultural Residues: Incorporation of Vine Pruning in the Production of Biomass Pellets with ENplus® Certification. Recycling 2021, 6, 28 .
AMA StyleLeonel Nunes, Liliana Loureiro, Letícia Sá, João Matias, Ana Ferraz, Ana Rodrigues. Energy Recovery of Agricultural Residues: Incorporation of Vine Pruning in the Production of Biomass Pellets with ENplus® Certification. Recycling. 2021; 6 (2):28.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonel Nunes; Liliana Loureiro; Letícia Sá; João Matias; Ana Ferraz; Ana Rodrigues. 2021. "Energy Recovery of Agricultural Residues: Incorporation of Vine Pruning in the Production of Biomass Pellets with ENplus® Certification." Recycling 6, no. 2: 28.
This paper aims to present a study of the type of advanced technologies used across manufacturing supply chains in supporting the main processes of the supply chain operations reference model (SCOR). It also intends to identify a set of sustainable performance indicators (environmental, economic, and social) suitable to evaluate a supply chain 4.0 (SC4.0). To attain this objective, based on the literature review, a conceptual model is proposed. The multiple case study is used with a cross-case comparison to identify the type of advanced technologies more commonly used in SC4.0, and the performance indicators more suitable for assessing a SC4.0 sustainability performance. A sample of ten case studies was considered with companies belonging to different manufacturing SCs, from different countries, and belonging to different echelons. Main findings revealed that the level of adoption of advanced technologies in the Supply Chain SCOR processes varies amongst the case studies. Some technologies are quite commonly used among the several SCOR processes and companies while others are seldom applied. Some indicators were also identified that are regarded as very or extremely suitable to evaluate the sustainability performance of a SC4.0. The main contribution of this research to the body of knowledge is the empirical insights on the SC4.0 field and on Supply Chain Sustainability performance measurement. The results provide guidelines for the selection of advanced technologies to support SC processes and for the design of sustainable SC4.0 performance measurement systems.
Susana Azevedo; Carina Pimentel; Anabela Alves; João Matias. Support of Advanced Technologies in Supply Chain Processes and Sustainability Impact. Applied Sciences 2021, 11, 3026 .
AMA StyleSusana Azevedo, Carina Pimentel, Anabela Alves, João Matias. Support of Advanced Technologies in Supply Chain Processes and Sustainability Impact. Applied Sciences. 2021; 11 (7):3026.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSusana Azevedo; Carina Pimentel; Anabela Alves; João Matias. 2021. "Support of Advanced Technologies in Supply Chain Processes and Sustainability Impact." Applied Sciences 11, no. 7: 3026.
The use of biomass as an energy source presents itself as a viable alternative, especially at a time when the mitigation of climate change requires that all possibilities of replacing fossil fuels be used and implemented. The use of residual biomass also appears as a way to include in the renewable energy production system products that came out of it, while allowing the resolution of environmental problems, such as large volumes available, which are not used, but also by the elimination of fuel load that only contributes to the increased risk of rural fires occurrence. Invasive species contribute to a significant part of this fuel load, and its control and eradication require strong investments, so the valorization of these materials can allow the sustainability of the control and eradication processes. However, the chemical composition of some of these species, namely Acacia dealbata, Acacia melanoxylon, Eucalyptus globulus, Robinia pseudoacacia and Hakea sericea, presents some problems, mainly due to the nitrogen, chlorine and ash contents found, which preclude exclusive use for the production of certified wood pellets. In the case of Eucalyptus globulus, the values obtained in the characterization allow the use in mixtures with Pinus pinaster, but for the other species, this mixture is not possible. From a perspective of local valorization, the use of materials for domestic applications remains a possibility, creating a circular economy process that guarantees the sustainability of operations to control and eradicate invasive species.
Leonel Nunes; Abel Rodrigues; Liliana Loureiro; Letícia Sá; João Matias. Energy Recovery from Invasive Species: Creation of Value Chains to Promote Control and Eradication. Recycling 2021, 6, 21 .
AMA StyleLeonel Nunes, Abel Rodrigues, Liliana Loureiro, Letícia Sá, João Matias. Energy Recovery from Invasive Species: Creation of Value Chains to Promote Control and Eradication. Recycling. 2021; 6 (1):21.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonel Nunes; Abel Rodrigues; Liliana Loureiro; Letícia Sá; João Matias. 2021. "Energy Recovery from Invasive Species: Creation of Value Chains to Promote Control and Eradication." Recycling 6, no. 1: 21.
Considering the advantages associated with the port sector concerning the potential of offshore wind energy, several international ports are aiming to achieve a solid integration in offshore wind energy clusters. This article performs an analysis of several seaports and offshore wind energy clusters in Europe to assess the feasibility of implementing an offshore wind energy cluster in the Port of Aveiro, Portugal. A deep literature review and a case study methodology were performed. Based on the analysis of the offshore energy market, and of the value chain of the company case study (ASM Offshore), it was concluded that the Portuguese market in this sector is not competitive, compared with other international markets. Nevertheless, the development of an offshore wind energy cluster could increase the included companie’s prospects, as well as dispute the growth of other companies associated with this sector. This research is relevant, because there is a lack of research that links the importance of seaports in offshore wind energy projects, in particular with a cluster structure, and because it contributes to knowledge for the development of the Aveiro region and Portugal, based on the exploitation of the renewable energy market and to the increase of related activities.
Helena Junqueira; Margarita Robaina; Susana Garrido; Radu Godina; João C. O. Matias. Viability of Creating an Offshore Wind Energy Cluster: A Case Study. Applied Sciences 2020, 11, 308 .
AMA StyleHelena Junqueira, Margarita Robaina, Susana Garrido, Radu Godina, João C. O. Matias. Viability of Creating an Offshore Wind Energy Cluster: A Case Study. Applied Sciences. 2020; 11 (1):308.
Chicago/Turabian StyleHelena Junqueira; Margarita Robaina; Susana Garrido; Radu Godina; João C. O. Matias. 2020. "Viability of Creating an Offshore Wind Energy Cluster: A Case Study." Applied Sciences 11, no. 1: 308.
The use of residual forms of biomass, resulting from processes of transformation of the agri-food and/or forest industries, presents itself as an alternative with high potential for energy recovery, given the existing availability, both from the perspective of quantities, but also from the perspective of geographic distribution. In this work, samples of four by-products originating from the agri-food industry were collected, namely coconut shells, sugarcane bagasse, cashew nutshells, and palm kernel shells, which were characterized in the laboratory by determining their Thermogravimetric and Elemental analysis, subsequently calculating the High Heating Value, Low Heating Value, Hardgrove Grindability Index, Mass Yield, Energy Yield, and Energy Densification Ratio. The values obtained show the potential to optimize logistical operations related to transportation, demonstrating that energy densification operations, especially if associated with physical densification processes, enable the use of these residual forms of biomass in the replacement of fossil fuels, such as coal.
Leonel J. R. Nunes; João C. O. Matias; Liliana M. E. F. Loureiro; Letícia C. R. Sá; Hugo F.C. Silva; Abel M. Rodrigues; Thomas P. Causer; David B. DeVallance; Daniel E. Ciolkosz. Evaluation of the Potential of Agricultural Waste Recovery: Energy Densification as a Factor for Residual Biomass Logistics Optimization. Applied Sciences 2020, 11, 20 .
AMA StyleLeonel J. R. Nunes, João C. O. Matias, Liliana M. E. F. Loureiro, Letícia C. R. Sá, Hugo F.C. Silva, Abel M. Rodrigues, Thomas P. Causer, David B. DeVallance, Daniel E. Ciolkosz. Evaluation of the Potential of Agricultural Waste Recovery: Energy Densification as a Factor for Residual Biomass Logistics Optimization. Applied Sciences. 2020; 11 (1):20.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonel J. R. Nunes; João C. O. Matias; Liliana M. E. F. Loureiro; Letícia C. R. Sá; Hugo F.C. Silva; Abel M. Rodrigues; Thomas P. Causer; David B. DeVallance; Daniel E. Ciolkosz. 2020. "Evaluation of the Potential of Agricultural Waste Recovery: Energy Densification as a Factor for Residual Biomass Logistics Optimization." Applied Sciences 11, no. 1: 20.
The elaboration of City Development Strategies (CDS) helps cities to harness the potential of urbanization through strategic planning, and consequently to contribute to promoting development, balancing city growth, and empowering citizens. Continuous and sprawling development along with peri-urban areas has offered a vast and almost limitless nexus of villages–towns upon which the intensifying needs of development, initiatives, and infrastructures can be grafted. Considering the significant role of constructed nexuses in growth and resilience, and thus in planning for the sustainable development of such urban–rural areas, this study will advance the development of a model of the Urban–Rural Reef ecosystem through discovering its main attributes. In doing so, Aveiro has been distinguished as an urban–rural reef to describe such a case study’s characteristics and to extract the indicators of peri-urban sustainable development strategies. In the next step, the assessment of the peri-urban development strategy (PDS) has been accomplished by using the Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDM) method and applying the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) approach. Finally, a conclusion has been presented based on the findings for Aveiro urban–rural reefs containing the analysis results and offering some solutions.
Sedigheh Asefi; João Matias; Carlos Gonçalves. Transitions between Centralization and Metapolization: From City Development Strategy (CDS) to Peri-Urban Development Strategy (PDS). Sustainability 2020, 12, 10653 .
AMA StyleSedigheh Asefi, João Matias, Carlos Gonçalves. Transitions between Centralization and Metapolization: From City Development Strategy (CDS) to Peri-Urban Development Strategy (PDS). Sustainability. 2020; 12 (24):10653.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSedigheh Asefi; João Matias; Carlos Gonçalves. 2020. "Transitions between Centralization and Metapolization: From City Development Strategy (CDS) to Peri-Urban Development Strategy (PDS)." Sustainability 12, no. 24: 10653.
The biomass industry is growing due to the current search for greener and more sustainable alternatives to fossil energy sources. However, this industry, due to its singularity, presents several challenges and disadvantages related to the transportation of raw materials, with the large volumes that are usually involved. This project aimed to address this internal logistics situation in torrefied biomass pellets production with two different biomass storage parks, located in Portugal. The main park receives raw material coming directly from the source and stores it in large amounts as a backup and strategic storage park. The second park, with smaller dimensions, precedes the production unit and must be stocked daily. Therefore, a fleet of transport units with self-unloading cranes is required to help to unload the biomass at the main park and transport the raw material from this park to the one preceding the production unit. Thus, the main goal was to determine the dimensions of the fleet used in internal transportation operations to minimize the idle time of the transport units using a methodology already in use in the mining and quarrying industry. This methodology was analyzed and adapted to the situation presented here. The implementation of this study allows the elimination of unnecessary costs in an industry where the profit margins are low.
Leonel J.R. Nunes; Jorge T. Pereira Da Costa; Radu Godina; João C.O. Matias; João P.S. Catalão. A Logistics Management System for a Biomass-to-Energy Production Plant Storage Park. Energies 2020, 13, 5512 .
AMA StyleLeonel J.R. Nunes, Jorge T. Pereira Da Costa, Radu Godina, João C.O. Matias, João P.S. Catalão. A Logistics Management System for a Biomass-to-Energy Production Plant Storage Park. Energies. 2020; 13 (20):5512.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonel J.R. Nunes; Jorge T. Pereira Da Costa; Radu Godina; João C.O. Matias; João P.S. Catalão. 2020. "A Logistics Management System for a Biomass-to-Energy Production Plant Storage Park." Energies 13, no. 20: 5512.
Currently, the search for alternative sources of energy is not only due to the scarcity of non-renewable sources, since these still have an availability capable of meeting actual consumption needs, but also due to the negative environmental impacts that its consumption presents. Thus, the use of biomass as a renewable and sustainable energy source is increasingly presented as an alternative that must be taken into account. Torrefaction is a conversion process that aims to improve the properties of biomass through its thermal decomposition at temperatures between 220 and 320 °C. Torrefaction can be defined by several variables, which have an impact on the final quality of the torrefied biomass. Therefore, there is an increase in the number of studies involving this topic, in order to improve the production of biomass and its use as a renewable energy source, in addition to reducing the costs of this process. In this work, a protocol was developed for a laboratory test procedure to produce low-cost torrefied biomass samples using equipment that can present a cost reduction of around 90%. The samples were analyzed to prove the viability of the developed protocol. The results obtained agree with the current literature, also confirming the improvement of the biomass properties. This work can serve as a platform for the development of other technologies, such as gasification for the production of hydrogen from torrefied biomass.
Leonel J. R. Nunes; Jorge M. C. Ribeiro; Letícia C. R. Sá; Liliana M. E. F. Loureiro; Radu Godina; João C. O. Matias. Development of a Low-Cost Experimental Procedure for the Production of Laboratory Samples of Torrefied Biomass. Clean Technologies 2020, 2, 406 -421.
AMA StyleLeonel J. R. Nunes, Jorge M. C. Ribeiro, Letícia C. R. Sá, Liliana M. E. F. Loureiro, Radu Godina, João C. O. Matias. Development of a Low-Cost Experimental Procedure for the Production of Laboratory Samples of Torrefied Biomass. Clean Technologies. 2020; 2 (4):406-421.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonel J. R. Nunes; Jorge M. C. Ribeiro; Letícia C. R. Sá; Liliana M. E. F. Loureiro; Radu Godina; João C. O. Matias. 2020. "Development of a Low-Cost Experimental Procedure for the Production of Laboratory Samples of Torrefied Biomass." Clean Technologies 2, no. 4: 406-421.
Innovation matters. Business success increasingly depends upon sustainable innovation. Observing recent innovation best practices, the emergence of a new paradigm is traceable. Creating an innovative ecosystem has a multilayer effect: It contributes to regional digitalization, technological start-up emergence, open innovation promotion, and new policy enhancement retro-feeding the system. Public policy must create open innovation environments accordingly with the quintuple helix harmonizing the ecosystem to internalize emerging spillovers. The public sector should enhance the process, providing accurate legal framework, procurement of innovation, and shared risks in R&D. Opening the locks that confine the trunks of community, academic, industry, and government innovation will harness each dimension exploiting collective and collaborative potential of individuals towards a brighter sustainable future. In this sense, the aim of this study is to present how open innovation can enhance sustainable innovation ecosystems and boost the digital transition. For that, firstly, a diachronic perspective of the sustainable innovation ecosystem is traced, its connection to open innovation, and identification of the university linkages. Secondly, database exploration and econometric estimations are performed. Then, we will ascertain how far open innovation frameworks and in particular the knowledge flows unveiled by the university promote smart and responsible innovation cycles. Lastly, we will propose a policy package towards green governance, empowering the university in governance distributed ecosystem, embedded in the community, self-sustained with shared gains, and a meaningful sense of identity.
Joana Costa; João Matias. Open Innovation 4.0 as an Enhancer of Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems. Sustainability 2020, 12, 8112 .
AMA StyleJoana Costa, João Matias. Open Innovation 4.0 as an Enhancer of Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (19):8112.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJoana Costa; João Matias. 2020. "Open Innovation 4.0 as an Enhancer of Sustainable Innovation Ecosystems." Sustainability 12, no. 19: 8112.
Digitizing public services is, at the moment, an essential necessity for numerous governments around the world. An improved government through digitization will not only have a growing effect on businesses, but it will also be able to intensify citizen engagement and push for economic growth. During the last 10 years more countries have progressively begun to provide digital services to their citizens. Therefore, in order to address this development, the purpose of this paper is to analyze the evolution of the digital government literature in order to describe the aspects of digital transformation in the public sector and how it is related to knowledge management. In this study the methodology is quantitative and it is based on a review and a survey made with the main goal being the estimation from several collected data on how the digital transformation process in the Public Administration takes place and what its relationship is with knowledge management. The review study is based on articles found on Scopus database and it addresses the role that digital government research plays in the theory and practice of knowledge management. In the survey study, 54 employees working for the services of the two governmental areas of the Portuguese Ministry of the Environment were surveyed. The results show that the research on the theme is still at an exploratory stage due to the lack of studies relating digital government to knowledge management effectiveness in the public sector. The results also show that the success of digital government seems to be related with the quality of the organizations’ knowledge management, complementing each other for significant improvements in the public sector. In terms of originality, this study aims to contribute and stimulate data-driven discussions regarding the impacts of the digital transformation in the public sector and their relation with the implementation of knowledge management practices. The results offer insights into future research needs.
Ana Alvarenga; Florinda Matos; Radu Godina; João C. O. Matias. Digital Transformation and Knowledge Management in the Public Sector. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5824 .
AMA StyleAna Alvarenga, Florinda Matos, Radu Godina, João C. O. Matias. Digital Transformation and Knowledge Management in the Public Sector. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (14):5824.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Alvarenga; Florinda Matos; Radu Godina; João C. O. Matias. 2020. "Digital Transformation and Knowledge Management in the Public Sector." Sustainability 12, no. 14: 5824.
The world population is growing at a very high rate, which also entails a massive increase in energy consumption, and also, therefore, in its production, which is gradually and steadily increasing. Energy and the environment are essential to achieving sustainable development, and constitute a fundamental part of human activity. If we consider energy efficiency as the use of an appliance, process or installation for which we try to produce more energy, but with less energy consumption than the average for these appliances, processes or installations, then achieving a higher energy efficiency is imperative. Energy efficiency is a cornerstone policy on the road to stopping climate change and to achieving sustainable societies, along with the development of renewable energy and an environmentally friendly transport policy. In this Special Issue, 11 selected and peer-reviewed articles have been contributed, on a wide range of topics under the umbrella of sustainable energy systems. The published articles encompass distinct areas of interest. One area addresses distributed generation, which addresses such topics as the optimal planning of distributed generation, protection of blind areas in distribution networks, multi-objective optimization in distributed generation, energy management of virtual power plants in distributed generation, and the impact of demand-response programs on a home microgrid, as well as concentrating solar power into a highly renewable, penetrated power system. The second section of the Special Issue addresses a wide range of topics, from parametric studies of 2 MW gas engines or data centers, to combustion characteristics of a non-premixed oxy-flame, to new techniques of PV Tracking, to applications of nanofluids in the thermal performance enhancement of parabolic trough solar collectors.
João Carlos De Oliveira Matias; Radu Godina; Edris Pouresmaeil. Sustainable Energy Systems: Optimization and Efficiency. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 4405 .
AMA StyleJoão Carlos De Oliveira Matias, Radu Godina, Edris Pouresmaeil. Sustainable Energy Systems: Optimization and Efficiency. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (12):4405.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJoão Carlos De Oliveira Matias; Radu Godina; Edris Pouresmaeil. 2020. "Sustainable Energy Systems: Optimization and Efficiency." Applied Sciences 10, no. 12: 4405.
Climate change is a reality that affects the daily lives of people around the world, with a set of effects that are systematically felt. If there is still discussion about the real cause behind these phenomena, with differing opinions defending the anthropic origin or the origin in terrestrial cycles of geological scale, it seems to be unanimously attributed to the increased concentration of greenhouse gases—particularly to CO2. That is, whatever the source of CO2, it is commonly accepted that this is the cause of the acceleration of the climate change process, and the occurrence of extreme climate phenomena. The use of energy from renewable sources, such as solar or wind, can contribute to the replacement of energy generated from fossil sources. However, these forms of energy are dependent on uncontrollable climatic factors and are, therefore, dependent on the existence of alternatives that, when in reserve, can be activated at any time as soon as the power grid requests their activation. Thus, biomass emerges as an alternative capable of providing this answer, although it also has numerous disadvantages. Torrefaction may be the technology that corrects these drawbacks and allows for the successful use of biomass in the replacement the coal used in power generation, contributing significantly to the reduction of CO2 emissions. In addition to this possibility, it is necessary to introduce forest management models that effectively make use of all material flows generated during forestry operations, creating value-added chains, with a view toward a circular economy and resource sustainability.
Leonel J. R. Nunes; João C. O. Matias. Biomass Torrefaction as a Key Driver for the Sustainable Development and Decarbonization of Energy Production. Sustainability 2020, 12, 922 .
AMA StyleLeonel J. R. Nunes, João C. O. Matias. Biomass Torrefaction as a Key Driver for the Sustainable Development and Decarbonization of Energy Production. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (3):922.
Chicago/Turabian StyleLeonel J. R. Nunes; João C. O. Matias. 2020. "Biomass Torrefaction as a Key Driver for the Sustainable Development and Decarbonization of Energy Production." Sustainability 12, no. 3: 922.
The goal of this paper is to unravel a quality problem, mainly the quality improvement of a process by employing statistical methods. The normality test utilized in the case is cumulative frequency distribution with regression analysis. The statistical process control (SPC) technique control charts reveal that the process is centered and meets the acceptance criteria and the regression analysis reveals that the recorded data follow a normal distribution. In this paper the results of the K-S, Anderson-Darling and Shapiro-Wilk tests are analyzed and discussed since these tests are, according to the literature more powerful statistical tools for detecting most departures from normality. In order to estimate more accurately if the tested data came from a normally distributed population, three goodness of fit tests were performed on the same collected values: Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Anderson-Darling and Shapiro-Wilk. Then, the results were analyzed, discussed and compared. Since the tests are more sensible to detect most departures from normality, they allow a more accurate assessment of the collected data – in turn increases the confidence in the control chart.
Radu Godina; João C. O. Matias. Statistical Process Control Accuracy Estimation of a Stamping Process in Automotive Industry. Recent Advances in Computational Mechanics and Simulations 2020, 48 -60.
AMA StyleRadu Godina, João C. O. Matias. Statistical Process Control Accuracy Estimation of a Stamping Process in Automotive Industry. Recent Advances in Computational Mechanics and Simulations. 2020; ():48-60.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRadu Godina; João C. O. Matias. 2020. "Statistical Process Control Accuracy Estimation of a Stamping Process in Automotive Industry." Recent Advances in Computational Mechanics and Simulations , no. : 48-60.
In order to reach a sustainable planet, there is a permanent need by the consumer (decision- agent), to achieve sustainable solutions, with its decisions. Given the importance of the buildings, as a sector to achieve such solutions, as well as the diversity of household appliances existent on the market, with all its different issues, there are several tradeoffs to consider (e.g. energy and water consumption vs initial investment), which difficult the consumer’s choices from the market. The problem increases, since nowadays, the consumer tries to get a solution from the market, with a good compromise between the Economic, Social and Environmental dimensions, and according to its specific needs, which can be different from other consumers. By considering a multicriteria approach, combined with an optimization technique, based on Evolutionary Algorithms (EA), it’s provided a set of sustainable solutions from the market to the consumer that respects the compromise referred before. In this work, it is presented an approach to support a decision-agent (DA) (consumer), by performing a set of sustainable choices based on household appliances from the market and suitable to its needs. Based on the obtained solutions, several savings are achieved (electrical and water consumption, CO2 emissions), by considering the consumer’s relative importance, regarding its Economics, Environmental and Social concerns.
Ricardo Santos; J. C. O. Matias; Antonio Abreu. Using Evolutionary Algorithms to Achieve Sustainable Solutions through Household Appliances. Journal of Modeling and Optimization 2019, 11, 69 -76.
AMA StyleRicardo Santos, J. C. O. Matias, Antonio Abreu. Using Evolutionary Algorithms to Achieve Sustainable Solutions through Household Appliances. Journal of Modeling and Optimization. 2019; 11 (2):69-76.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRicardo Santos; J. C. O. Matias; Antonio Abreu. 2019. "Using Evolutionary Algorithms to Achieve Sustainable Solutions through Household Appliances." Journal of Modeling and Optimization 11, no. 2: 69-76.
Industrial symbiosis, which is characterised mainly by the reuse of waste from one company as raw material by another, has been applied worldwide with recognised environmental, economic, and social benefits. However, the potential for industrial symbiosis is not exhausted in existing cases, and there is still a wide range of opportunities for its application. Through a comprehensive literature review, this article aims to compile and analyse studies that focus on potential industrial symbiosis in real contexts, to highlight the margin of optimisation that is not being used. The cases reported in the publications identified here were characterised and analysed according to geographic location, type of economic activity, waste/by-products, main benefits, and the methods employed in the studies. From this analysis, we conclude that there is great potential for applications involving industrial symbiosis throughout the world, and especially in Europe, corresponding to 53% of the total cases analysed. Manufacturing stood out as the sector with the highest potential for establishing symbiosis relationships, and the most common types of waste streams in potential networks were organic, plastic and rubber, wood, and metallic materials. This article also discusses the main drivers and barriers to realising the potential of industrial symbiosis. The diversity of industries, geographical proximity, facilitating entities and legislation, plans, and policies are shown to be the main drivers.
Angela Neves; Radu Godina; Susana G. Azevedo; Carina Pimentel; João C.O. Matias. The Potential of Industrial Symbiosis: Case Analysis and Main Drivers and Barriers to Its Implementation. Sustainability 2019, 11, 7095 .
AMA StyleAngela Neves, Radu Godina, Susana G. Azevedo, Carina Pimentel, João C.O. Matias. The Potential of Industrial Symbiosis: Case Analysis and Main Drivers and Barriers to Its Implementation. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (24):7095.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAngela Neves; Radu Godina; Susana G. Azevedo; Carina Pimentel; João C.O. Matias. 2019. "The Potential of Industrial Symbiosis: Case Analysis and Main Drivers and Barriers to Its Implementation." Sustainability 11, no. 24: 7095.
Industrial symbiosis has proven to be an important tool for improving business sustainability with numerous environmental, economic, and social benefits. The literature on this subject has been provided with countless case studies of the application of this practice in different geographical locations. However, studies concerning Portugal in this area are still scarce. Thus, this article aims to map and analyze the existing cases of industrial symbiosis in Portugal, as well as the current state and the legislative context regarding this practice. It also aims to analyze the main barriers to the growth of synergy relations and outline new paths for the development of industrial symbiosis in Portugal. From the analysis to the case studies, it was possible to conclude that most industrial symbiosis networks have few actors, and networks with two and three are common. However, owing to strategic plans, the type of existing economic activities, and the waste generated, there is much potential for industrial symbiosis networks to be established and to contribute to emission reductions, more efficient use of resources, and reduced external dependence. However, in order to increase industrial symbiosis, concerted action must be taken at various levels to encourage companies to develop synergy relations. Changing the legislative framework, making funds available, the role of local governments, the existence of a facilitator, and the use of some industries as anchor tenants are some of the aspects that can contribute to the increase of industrial symbiosis in Portugal.
Angela Neves; Radu Godina; Susana G. Azevedo; João C. O. Matias. Current Status, Emerging Challenges, and Future Prospects of Industrial Symbiosis in Portugal. Sustainability 2019, 11, 5497 .
AMA StyleAngela Neves, Radu Godina, Susana G. Azevedo, João C. O. Matias. Current Status, Emerging Challenges, and Future Prospects of Industrial Symbiosis in Portugal. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (19):5497.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAngela Neves; Radu Godina; Susana G. Azevedo; João C. O. Matias. 2019. "Current Status, Emerging Challenges, and Future Prospects of Industrial Symbiosis in Portugal." Sustainability 11, no. 19: 5497.
The purpose of this paper is to compare the environmental performance of two internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) with distinct engines, one with the conventional diesel engine and the other with an electric motor supply (hybrid diesel) and a diesel engine, and then to assess which one has less environmental impact. The Portuguese automobile park was chosen for this study. The purpose of the comparison of the two researched ICEVs is that they show many similarities in terms of features by having the same type of body and varying only in the power-train system. The life-cycle assessment (LCA) methodology is performed by utilizing one ICEV with 170 kW. In both ICEVs the direct environmental impact is evaluated through a quantitative analysis, and a comparison is made with the purpose to assess the ICEV with the best environmental performance. The inputs and outputs data were collected from different sources and treated by the software OpenLCA for each life-cycle stage. The results have shown that the hybrid ICEV has revealed to have generally a better environmental performance compared to the diesel ICEV.
Bruno Pereira; Radu Godina; Joao Matias; Susana Garrido Azevedo. Climate Change Mitigation Through the Application of LCA Methodology on the Environmental Performance of Two Vehicles with Distinct Engines. Contributions to Economics 2019, 245 -260.
AMA StyleBruno Pereira, Radu Godina, Joao Matias, Susana Garrido Azevedo. Climate Change Mitigation Through the Application of LCA Methodology on the Environmental Performance of Two Vehicles with Distinct Engines. Contributions to Economics. 2019; ():245-260.
Chicago/Turabian StyleBruno Pereira; Radu Godina; Joao Matias; Susana Garrido Azevedo. 2019. "Climate Change Mitigation Through the Application of LCA Methodology on the Environmental Performance of Two Vehicles with Distinct Engines." Contributions to Economics , no. : 245-260.
In this work, it will be presented an approach, applied to an energy efficiency problem in buildings, which allows the decision-agent (consumer) to perform a set of efficient choices, suitable to its needs, reducing therefore, the building overall energy consumption during the equipment lifecycle period (usage phase). The approach will use Evolutionary Algorithms (EA), combined with Multicriteria analysis. The quality of EA solutions will be evaluated through the comparison, with the ones, obtained from Simplex method. The EA robustness to the change of its parameters, will also be evaluated, as well as the influence of the objective function on its behavior. The approach can provide the consumer with several and different efficient solutions, with less time than Simplex. It is also possible to improve the obtained solutions, by choosing adequately the EA's control parameters, as well the problem formulation.
Ricardo Santos; Joao Matias; António Abreu. An approach to provide efficient choices to a household consumer. 2019 International Young Engineers Forum (YEF-ECE) 2019, 46 -51.
AMA StyleRicardo Santos, Joao Matias, António Abreu. An approach to provide efficient choices to a household consumer. 2019 International Young Engineers Forum (YEF-ECE). 2019; ():46-51.
Chicago/Turabian StyleRicardo Santos; Joao Matias; António Abreu. 2019. "An approach to provide efficient choices to a household consumer." 2019 International Young Engineers Forum (YEF-ECE) , no. : 46-51.