2026
Authors
Fontoura, JP; Mourao, ZS; Soares, FJ;
Publication
ENERGY CONVERSION AND MANAGEMENT-X
Abstract
Blending green hydrogen into gas networks is subject to strict quality regulation. As Europe diversifies its Liquefied Natural Gas supply, existing literature often ignores the extreme chemical variability of these sources by assuming a static composition. This study proposes a nonlinear steady-state optimization model, strictly adhering to European standards, to maximize hydrogen injection across eight real-world LNG profiles. Results reveal severe sensitivity to the carrier gas: lean gas (Trinidad and Tobago, USA) restricts maximum hydrogen integration to 8.89% and 11.40% by volume due to insufficient heavy hydrocarbons. Conversely, carbon-rich gas (Nigeria) allows up to 20.10%, although inert gases degrade this capacity. Ultimately, this 20.10% maximum blend yields only a 6.77% emission reduction. The imported chemical profile dictates absolute limits, proving that static universal hydrogen quotas are thermodynamically unachievable year-round without continuous dynamic quality tracking.
2026
Authors
Carvalho, A; Moura, JP; Branco, F; Serôdio, C; Couto, P;
Publication
SUSTAINABILITY
Abstract
Food Loss and Waste (FLW) remain major challenges for global food security, environmental sustainability, and economic stability, with nearly one-third of food produced each year being lost or wasted. Although many technologies exist to mitigate FLW, they are often assessed separately, making it difficult for decision-makers to compare options and select solutions suited to specific contexts. This research introduces an explainable decision support system (XDSS) that helps prioritise FLW mitigation strategies while accounting for uncertainty in stakeholder preferences. The proposed framework combines the Best-Worst Method (BWM) with Stochastic Multi-criteria Acceptability Analysis for Group Decision-Making (SMAA-2) to produce transparent and uncertainty-aware rankings. It evaluates one hundred FLW mitigation strategies across five contextual criteria: geographic fit, product category, food supply-chain stage, stakeholder role, and technology type. Rather than producing a single fixed ranking, the system generates probabilistic rank-acceptability profiles that indicate the likelihood of each strategy performing well under different preference conditions. Illustrative scenarios demonstrate that the framework can translate qualitative user preferences into robust prioritisation outcomes, with leading alternatives achieving first-rank-acceptability levels between 62% and 74%. These results indicate that the system can support clearer and more flexible decision-making when preferences are incomplete, inconsistent, or uncertain. Although the current results are based on simulated structured cases, the proposed XDSS provides a transparent methodological foundation for future real-world validation and operational deployment. The framework offers practical value for selecting FLW technologies and for policy planning, contributing to more sustainable food systems and supporting progress toward SDG 12.3.
2026
Authors
Lorenzo Santini; Luis C. C. Coelho; Claudio Floridia;
Publication
Optical Sensing and Detection IX
Abstract
2026
Authors
Conceiçao, F; Rocha, M; Almeida, F;
Publication
JOURNAL OF CYBERSECURITY AND PRIVACY
Abstract
Small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) increasingly depend on business partnerships to access markets and scale operations, yet they often face trust barriers during contract formation due to the complexity of the verification of their cybersecurity posture and compliance status by their partners. This problem is intensified by rising regulatory expectations, notably the EU Cyber Resilience Act (CRA), which many SMEs struggle to interpret and operationalize under constraints of budget, skills, and fragmented responsibilities. This study adopts a Design Science Research approach to blueprint and evaluate a lightweight mapping framework that links commonly implemented security controls to CRA requirements and to widely recognized benchmarks (ISO/IEC 27001 and CIS). Grounded in Institutional Theory and Socio-Technical Systems Theory, the artefact translates regulatory obligations into actionable, evidence-backed controls and produces partner-facing outputs that support transparency in negotiations and service level agreements. The framework is iteratively co-created with a multidisciplinary expert community. Expected contributions include a practical mechanism for making cybersecurity maturity visible, accelerating partnership formation, and enabling sustainable interorganizational relationships while remaining feasible for resource-constrained SMEs.
2026
Authors
Lorenzo Santini; Claudio Floridia; Luis C. C. Coelho;
Publication
Optical Sensing and Detection IX
Abstract
2026
Authors
Hasler, CFD; Portelinha, RK; Tortelli, OL; Lourenço, EM;
Publication
IEEE ACCESS
Abstract
The need to improve the flexibility and dynamism of the Electric Power Systems (EPS) has driven the development and integration of new devices. Among these, FACTS controllers are particularly notable for their ability to regulate multiple system variables. Incorporating FACTS into the grid requires integrating their electrical models into the analysis and operational tools of the EPS, ensuring precise monitoring and effective system control. This article presents novel steady-state models for FACTS controllers, specifically designed for decoupled state estimation methods. The framework updates the algorithm decoupled and model decoupled state estimators and introduces the modified algorithm decoupled estimator, which offers enhanced robustness and convergence. These improvements are validated through theoretical analysis and simulations. The methodology introduces new state variables and decoupled nonlinear functions to represent FACTS controllers, enabling seamless integration into decoupled estimation frameworks. The study assesses the effectiveness of bad data processing using the Largest Normalized Residual Test (LNR-Test), ensuring robustness under decoupled FACTS modeling. Simulations on the IEEE 30-bus and IEEE 118-bus test systems include shunt, series, series-shunt, and multiple FACTS controllers, as well as single and multiple bad data. Results demonstrate the accuracy and effectiveness of the decoupled estimators with FACTS controllers and confirm the practical applicability of LNR-Test within the proposed approaches.
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