Abstract
In this paper, the problem of optimal economic scheduling of multi-reservoir cascaded hydrothermal units is investigated in the presence of an individual pumped-storage generating unit in the network. The proposed problem is modeled in a multi-objective framework comprising two objective functions. The goal of the first objective function is to minimize the operation costs and the second one is set to minimize the emissions caused by the thermal units while all the technical constraints are satisfied. Furthermore, the valve loading effect is included in the first objective function as a sinusoidal function. The problem is modeled and solved as a Mixed Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP). The augmented É"-constraint technique and lexicographic optimization are employed to solve the problem. Numerical results obtained from implementing the model on a case study are discussed. Also, the decision making procedure has been done using a fuzzy satisfying method to select the most preferred solution among the Pareto solutions derived through solving the multi-objective problem.

Abstract
This paper presents a new computational technique in composite generation and transmission expansion planning considering reliability and cost assessment. The proposed procedure incorporates a virtual database in order to hedging the repetitive calculation by optimisation solver. Since generation and transmission expansion planning is a large scale, mixed-integer, nonlinear and non-convex optimisation task, the proposed technique accelerates the convergence time and reduces computational burden. The composite generation and transmission expansion planning problem is represented as a multi-objective optimisation problem. The virtual database-supported non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm (VDS-NSGA-II) is applied due to comparative assessment potential and good handling of the non-convex problems and non-commensurable objective functions. The virtual database eliminates the repetitive computational efforts in both reliability and hourly operational assessments. In this study, the expected energy not served at hierarchical level II is taken into account as a reliability index, whereas the entire system cost, including annually operational and investment costs, is considered as another objective function. The incidence matrix-based DC optimal power flow is adopted to reflect transmission flow constraint in a framework in which the disconnected bus problem would be handled in both objective functions. To numerically evaluate the efficiency of the proposed method, simulation results on a simple three-bus test system and the modified IEEE 24-bus reliability test system are provided. In spite of huge computation burden at HL-II reliability assessment, the results indicate high efficiency of the proposed VDS-NSGA-II. © 2014 Taylor & Francis.

Abstract
The ISTTOK tokamak was upgraded with a plasma control system based on the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) standard. This control system was designed to improve the discharge stability and to extend the operational space to the alternate plasma current (AC) discharges as part of the ISTTOK scientific program. In order to accomplish these objectives all ISTTOK diagnostics and actuators relevant for real-time operation were integrated in the control system. The control system was programmed in C++ over the Multi-threaded Application Real-Time executor (MARTe) which provides, among other features, a real-time scheduler, an interrupt handler, an intercommunications interface between code blocks and a clearly bounded interface with the external devices. As a complement to the MARTe framework, the BaseLib2 library provides the foundations for the data, code introspection and also a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) server service. Taking advantage of the modular nature of MARTe, the algorithms of each diagnostic data processing, discharge timing, context switch, control and actuators output reference generation, run on well-defined blocks of code named Generic Application Module (GAM). This approach allows reusability of the code, simplified simulation, replacement or editing without changing the remaining GAMs. The ISTTOK control system GAMs run sequentially each 100 µs cycle on an Intel® Q8200 4-core processor running at 2.33 GHz located in the ATCA crate. Two boards (inside the ATCA crate) with 32 analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) were used for acquiring the diagnostics data. Each ADC operates at 2 Msample/s but (for real-time operation) the acquired data is decimated in real-time on the board's Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to a frequency defined by the control cycle time. This paper presents the ISTTOK real-time architecture and the human-machine Interface (HMI) for simplified AC discharge programming. © 2014 Instituto de Plasmas e Fusão Nuclear.

Abstract
The ISTTOK tokamak has a long tradition on alternate plasma current (AC) discharges, but the old control system was limiting and lacked full system integration. In order to improve the AC discharges performance the ISTTOK fast control system was updated. This control system developed on site based on the Advanced Telecommunications Computing Architecture (ATCA) standard now integrates the information gathered by all the tokamak real-time diagnostics to produce an accurate observation of the plasma parameters. The real-time actuators were also integrated, allowing a Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) control environment with several synchronization strategies available. The control system software was developed in C++ on top of a Linux system with the Multi-threaded Application Real-Time executor (MARTe) Framework to synchronize the real-time code execution under a 100 mu s control cycle. In addition, to simplify the discharge programming, a visual Human-Machine Interface (HMI) was also developed using the BaseLib2 libraries included in the MARTe Framework. This paper presents the ISTTOK control system and the optimizations that extended the AC current discharges duration to more than 1 s, corresponding to 40 semi-cycles without apparent degradation of the plasma parameters. This upgrade allows ISTTOK to be used as a low-cost material testing facility with long time exposures to nuclear fusion relevant plasmas, comparable (in duration) with medium size tokamaks.

Abstract
Over the last few years, mechanical biological treatment systems for municipal solid waste have been introduced in many European countries. In most cases, this was driven by the European Union Landfill Directive, which requires the diversion of biodegradable municipal waste from landfill to alternative processes. Although this type of treatment allows energy recovery from municipal solid waste, the process of mechanical biological treatment appears to be an intensive energy consumer, due to high demand of electricity consumed by process equipment. This paper presents the main results of an energy audit performed to a Mechanical Biological Treatment facility in Portugal, which due to the amount of energy consumed must comply with the Portuguese Program called Intensive Energy Consumption Management System – SGCIE. The program was created in 2008 to promote energy efficiency and energy consumption monitoring in intensive energy facilities (energy consumption higher than 500 toe per year). Facilities operators are required to perform energy audits and take actions to draw up an action plan for energy efficiency, establishing targets for energy consumption reduction and greenhouse gases emissions indexes. To implement actions that improve energy efficiency, it is necessary for the facilities operation to be associated with an effective energy management methodology, as well as an efficient facilities management procedure. The implementation of any energy management system should start with an energy audit, which was carried out to identify potential energy conservation measures for improving energy efficiency, and also typical energy consumption patterns and sector/equipment load profiles. This tool gives managers the information to support decision making on improving energy performance and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Results shown that there is a considerable potential for reducing energy consumption and greenhouse gases emissions on Mechanical Biological Treatment units. Here, as elsewhere in the industrial sector, energy efficiency can only be achieved through a continuous energy monitoring and management system.

Abstract
Tins paper presents a multi-energy modelling environment developed to simulate and optimize urban energy strategies, with a focus on urban energy infrastructure planning. A multi-scale approach is applied for modelling urban energy networks, considered as the backbone of urban energy infrastructure. This is complemented by the modelling of energy demand (to consider the costs and impacts of demand-side measures. The model is also linked to a set of optimization techniques in order to provide answers to urban energy infrastructure planning issues. Two case study applications follow the presentation of the chosen modelling principles to illustrate the type of answers that can be provided by the proposed modelling and optimization approach. Copyright © 2011 by IPAC'11/EPS-AG.