Research on lithium-ion secondary batteries began in the 1980s because of the growing demand for power sources for portable electronic devices. After the early 1990s, the demands for higher capacities and even smaller sizes energy systems significantly increased. Further, the explosive growth in the use of limited fossil fuels and their associated environmental issues and economical aspects are...

This paper presents an Integrated Management System of DistributionTransformer Loading using a relational database and loss of life estimation through artificial neural networks. This fully integrated software solution allows for technical personnel to carry out studies of transformers data, such as load curves and loss of life. It permits the analysis of these results by location and substitut...

Following the portuguese Digital Cities Program, twelve Information Society related projects where initiated in the city of Bragança, under a common goal: “to reduce interiority costs”. A wireless network with metropolitan coverage was then built to fulfill the communication requirements, both between institutions and to the Internet. We present here several important design decisions and imple...

Grid technology offers numerous opportunities for the players involved. Despite the fact that the academic community has already exploited many of them, there is an evident reluctance from the business community to act likewise. Recent analysis reveals that the problem lies in overcoming certain business barriers rather than technological ones. At this stage understanding the real-life economic...

A geographically explicit flood simulation model was designed and implemented as a tool for policy making support, illustrated here with two simple flood management strategies pertaining to the Upper Tisza area in Hungary. The model integrates aspects of the geographical, hydrological, economical, land use, and social context. The perspectives of different stakeholders are represented as agents...