Surrogate-based optimization of tidal turbine arrays: a case study for the Faro-Olhão inlet

This paper presents a study for estimating the size of a tidal turbine array for the Faro-Olhão Inlet (Potugal) using a surrogate optimization approach. The method compromises problem formulation, hydro-morphodynamic modelling, surrogate construction and validation, and constraint optimization. A total of 26 surrogates were built using linear RBFs as a function of two design variables: number of rows in the array and Tidal Energy Converters (TECs) per row. Surrogates describe array performance and environmental effects associated with hydrodynamic and morphological aspects of the multi inlet lagoon. After validation, surrogate models were used to formulate a constraint optimization model. Results evidence that the largest array size that satisfies performance and environmental constraints is made of 3 rows and 10 TECs per row.Eduardo González-Gorbeña has received funding for the OpTiCA project (http://msca-optica.eu/) from the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions of the European Union's H2020-MSCA-IF-EF-RI-2016 / GA#: 748747. The paper is a contribution to the SCORE pro-ject, funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT–PTDC/AAG-TEC/1710/2014). André Pacheco was supported by the Portuguese Foun-dation for Science and Technology under the Portuguese Researchers’ Programme 2014 entitled “Exploring new concepts for extracting energy from tides” (IF/00286/2014/CP1234).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Deployment characterization of a floatable tidal energy converter on a tidal channel, Ria Formosa, Portugal

This paper presents the results of a pilot experiment with an existing tidal energy converter (TEC), Evopod 1 kW floatable prototype, in a real test case scenario (Faro Channel, Ria Formosa, Portugal). A baseline marine geophysical, hydrodynamic and ecological study based on the experience collected on the test site is presented. The collected data was used to validate a hydro-morphodynamic model, allowing the selection of the installation area based on both operational and environmental constraints. Operational results related to the description of power generation capacity, energy capture area and proportion of energy flux are presented and discussed, including the failures occurring during the experimental setup. The data is now available to the scientific community and to TEC industry developers, enhancing the operational knowledge of TEC technology concerning efficiency, environmental effects, and interactions (i.e. device/environment). The results can be used by developers on the licensing process, on overcoming the commercial deployment barriers, on offering extra assurance and confidence to investors, who traditionally have seen environmental concerns as a barrier, and on providing the foundations whereupon similar deployment areas can be considered around the world for marine tidal energy extraction.Acknowledgements The paper is a contribution to the SCORE project, funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT e PTDC/ AAG-TEC/1710/2014). Andre Pacheco was supported by the Portu- guese Foundation for Science and Technology under the Portuguese Researchers' Programme 2014 entitled “Exploring new concepts for extracting energy from tides” (IF/00286/2014/CP1234). Eduardo GGorbena has received funding for the OpTiCA project from the ~ Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions of the European Union's H2020- MSCA-IF-EF-RI-2016/under REA grant agreement n [748747]. The authors would like to thank to the Portuguese Maritime Authorities and Sofareia SA for their help on the deployment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Design and implementation of the AMIGA embedded system for data acquisition

The Auger Muon Infill Ground Array (AMIGA) is part of the AugerPrime upgrade of the Pierre Auger Observatory. It consists of particle counters buried 2.3 m underground next to the water-Cherenkov stations that form the 23.5 km$^2$ large infilled array. The reduced distance between detectors in this denser area allows the lowering of the energy threshold for primary cosmic ray reconstruction down to about 10$^{17}$ eV. At the depth of 2.3 m the electromagnetic component of cosmic ray showers is almost entirely absorbed so that the buried scintillators provide an independent and direct measurement of the air showers muon content. This work describes the design and implementation of the AMIGA embedded system, which provides centralized control, data acquisition and environment monitoring to its detectors. The presented system was firstly tested in the engineering array phase ended in 2017, and lately selected as the final design to be installed in all new detectors of the production phase. The system was proven to be robust and reliable and has worked in a stable manner since its first deployment.Comment: Accepted for publication at JINST. Published version, 34 pages, 15 figures, 4 table

Consumo saludable en máquinas expendedoras de productos alimentarios en la universidad

Introducción: La promoción de una alimentación saludable es un elemento crucial en el entorno universitario donde, tanto estudiantes como trabajadores, pasan gran parte del día. Además de cafeterías y comedores, el consumo en máquinas expendedoras merece atención, si bien es un área en la que no contamos con suficiente información. Material y método: Participaron un total de 1.450 personas en 2015, y 1.262 en 2016, grupos que no presentaron diferencias en cuanto a sexo, ocupación y frecuencia de uso de vending. Se utilizó una encuesta con 13 preguntas sobre frecuencia de consumo en las máquinas, tipo de alimentos, intención de consumo de productos saludables y valoración de la iniciativa de promoción de consumo saludable. En 2016, se añadieron tres preguntas sobre las campañas realizadas. Se invitó a toda la comunidad universitaria mediante correo electrónico. Resultados: En ambos momentos, los porcentajes más elevados de consumo fueron de café y agua (52%) seguidos (20-30%), por bollería, sándwiches, fruta, snacks y frutos secos. Con prevalencias menores (10-20%) se sitúan las bebidas carbonatadas, barritas energéticas, yogurts y té. Los cálculos de regresión incorporando el año, sexo y ocupación, mostraron que los hombres superan a las mujeres en consumo de refrescos y sándwiches (OR>1.22), los estudiantes a los empleados en snacks, bollería, barritas energéticas, panadería y sándwiches (OR>1.25), y que el consumo de refrescos, agua y snacks se redujo en 2016 (OR<.80). Los datos en intención de consumo saludable también muestran algunas diferencias reseñables. Los empleados valoran más la iniciativa de universidad saludable. Finalmente, las mujeres superan a los hombres en intención de consumo saludable, influencia de campañas y necesidad de incorporar más alimentos saludables. Conclusiones: A pesar de las limitaciones del estudio, monitorizar el vending en un contexto de universidad saludable puede ser una estrategia útil para fomentar una alimentación más sana y equilibrada