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The SBE19 Brussels - BAMB-CIRCPATH "Building as Material Banks - A Pathway for a Circular held in Brussels on 5 to 7 of February 2019, is an initiative of the Consortium of the H2020 BAMB Project together with the Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) series of conferences. Being within the SBE series, this event gathers the support of CIB International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction, iiSBE International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment, the United Nations Environment Programme, and FIDIC International Federation of Consulting Engineers. The goal of this series of regional and international conferences is to disseminate innovative policies and developments in the field of sustainable urban environment to a broad international audience of specialists in policy, design, construction and operation of buildings and related infrastructure. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Esta dissertação investiga a implementação de uma plataforma tecnológica para monitorar métricas (Environmental, Social, and Governance - ESG) 1 no sector energético, com foco na Galp Energia, uma das principais empresas do sector em Portugal. Este estudo é motivado pela necessidade de a empresa cumprir as rigorosas exigências impostas pela nova Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD)2 da União Europeia. A plataforma adotada tem como objetivo centralizar e automatizar a gestão dos dados ESG, esperando melhorias na precisão, transparência e conformidade dos relatórios. A pesquisa baseia-se numa revisão de literatura que sustenta a realização de sete entrevistas com os principais responsáveis pela implementação do projeto, bem como com os futuros utilizadores da nova plataforma. Estas entrevistas são complementadas por uma análise documental fornecida pela Galp, incluindo informação detalhada sobre o processo de seleção e desenvolvimento da plataforma, relatórios institucionais e outras fontes disponíveis na internet. Da revisão de literatura aprende-se que os desafios da implementação de uma plataforma tecnológica para gestão de ESG são: a integração de dados provenientes de múltiplas fontes, a complexidade da adaptação organizacional e a necessidade de garantir a coerência entre as práticas operacionais e os requisitos regulatórios. Por outro lado, os benefícios incluem uma maior eficiência operacional, redução de custos associados à monitorização dos indicadores ESG e um fortalecimento da capacidade da empresa em gerir a sustentabilidade de forma holística e integrada. Embora a utilização de plataformas tecnológicas para a gestão de métricas ESG seja um fenómeno relativamente recente, há uma crescente quantidade de literatura que explora os seus benefícios e desafios. Contudo, devido à novidade do tema, ainda existe uma carência de bibliografia mais consolidada que permita uma análise aprofundada e abrangente do impacto destas soluções no longo prazo. Esta lacuna reforça a relevância do presente estudo, que visa contribuir para o corpo de conhecimento existente, oferecendo uma visão prática e detalhada da implementação de uma plataforma ESG numa empresa do sector energético. O estudo de caso permitiu concluir que a adoção da plataforma tecnológica poderá resultar em melhorias significativas na capacidade da Galp Energia de cumprir as exigências regulatórias e de apresentar relatórios ESG mais completos e precisos. Além disso, a utilização de uma ferramenta centralizada, se bem-sucedida após a sua implementação, poderá proporcionar uma maior agilidade na tomada de decisões estratégicas, com base em dados fiáveis e em tempo real, contribuindo para a consolidação da posição da Galp como líder em sustentabilidade no sector energético. This dissertation investigates the implementation of a technological platform for monitoring Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) metrics in the energy sector, focusing on Galp Energia, one of the leading companies in the sector in Portugal. This study is motivated by the need for the company to comply with the stringent requirements imposed by the European Union's new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD). The adopted platform aims to centralize and automate the management of ESG data, with the expectation of improving the accuracy, transparency, and compliance of reports. The research is based on a literature review that supports seven interviews with key personnel responsible for the project’s implementation and future users of the platform, complemented by a documentary analysis provided by Galp. This documentation includes information on the selection and development process of the platform, institutional reports, and publicly available online sources. From the literature review, it is learned that the challenges of implementing a technological platform for ESG management include the integration of data from multiple sources, the complexity of organizational adaptation, and the need to ensure consistency between operational practices and regulatory requirements. On the other hand, the benefits include increased operational efficiency, reduced costs associated with monitoring ESG indicators, and enhanced company capacity to manage sustainability in a holistic and integrated manner. Although the use of technological platforms for managing ESG metrics is a relatively recent phenomenon, there is a growing body of literature that explores its benefits and challenges. However, due to the novelty of the subject, there remains a lack of more consolidated bibliographical sources that allow for a comprehensive and in-depth analysis of the long-term impact of these solutions. This gap underscores the relevance of the present study, which aims to contribute to the existing body of knowledge by offering a practical and detailed view of the implementation of an ESG platform in an energy company. The case study concluded that the adoption of the technological platform could result in significant improvements in Galp Energia's ability to meet regulatory requirements and produce more comprehensive and accurate ESG reports. Furthermore, the use of a centralized tool, if successfully implemented, could provide greater agility in strategic decision-making, based on reliable and real-time data, contributing to consolidating Galp's position as a leader in sustainability within the energy sector. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

We investigated how a community of microbial decomposers adapted to a reference site responds to a sudden decrease in the water quality. For that, we assessed the activity and diversity of fungi and bacteria on decomposing leaves that were transplanted from a reference (E1) to a polluted site (E2), and results were compared to those from decomposing leaves either at E1 or E2. The two sites had contrasting concentrations of organic and inorganic nutrients and heavy metals in the stream water. At E2, leaf decomposition rates, fungal biomass, and sporulation were reduced, while bacterial biomass was stimulated. Fungal diversity was four times lower at the polluted site. The structure of fungal community on leaves decomposing at E2 significantly differed from that decomposing at E1, as indicated by the principal response curves analysis. Articulospora tetracladia, Anguillospora filiformis, and Lunulospora curvula were dominant species on leaves decomposing at E1 and were the most negatively affected by the transfer to the polluted site. The transfer of leaves colonized at the reference site to the polluted site reduced fungal diversity and sporulation but not fungal biomass and leaf decomposition. Overall, results suggest that the high diversity on leaves from the upstream site might have mitigated the impact of anthropogenic stress on microbial decomposition of leaves transplanted to the polluted site.

This work evaluates, for the first time, the possibility of producing multifunctional alkali-activated composites combining ultra-low density, low thermal conductivity, high acoustic absorption, and good moisture buffering capacity. The composites were prepared using cork as a lightweight aggregate. This novel material might promote energy savings and tackle the CO2 emissions of the building sector, while simultaneously improve the comfort for inhabitants (e.g. humidity levels regulation and sound pollution reduction). The composites apparent density (as low as 168 kg/m3) and thermal conductivity (as low as 68 mW/m K) are amongst the lowest ever reported for alkali-activated materials (AAM) composites and foams, while their sound absorption ability is comparable to the best performing AAM foams reported to date, but in addition these eco-friendly composites also show good ability to passively adjust the humidity levels inside buildings. The multifunctional properties shown by the cork – AAM composites set them apart from other conventional building materials and might contribute to the global sustainability of the construction sector. Peer Reviewed

O setor das telecomunicações encontra-se em transição para a quinta geração de redes sem fios. Esta transição vem acompanhada de novos desafios, nomeadamente o aumento do número de dispositivos conectados. O facto de haver mais dispositivos a consumir mais largura de banda aumentará inevitavelmente o consumo de energia e, consequentemente, a pegada de carbono das redes sem fios, a menos que se aumente a eficiência energética. Face a este desafio, este trabalho tem como objetivo contribuir para o aumento da eficiência energética de antenas altamente dirigidas e flexíveis, na forma de agregados de antenas. As estratégias exploradas neste trabalho centram-se na manipulação dos sinais radiados, o que significa que estes sinais são substancialmente diferentes do sinal a ser transmitido. O sinal transmitido é, contudo, devidamente reconstruido no campo distante. Foram investigadas duas abordagens para gerar os sinais radiados. A primeira abordagem consiste em dividir a antena em duas partes, cada uma das quais radia um sinal modulado em fase, uma vez que estes sinais permitem operar os amplificadores com eficiência máxima. A segunda abordagem consiste em radiar sinais intermitentes (burst signals, em inglês), de modo a que cada burst seja um sinal modulado em fase. Embora a primeira abordagem não tenha vingado, a segunda abordagem permite reduzir o consumo de energia entre 12% e 44% e a potência dissipada entre 73% e 84%, desde que os amplificadores possam ser desligados durante os períodos de inatividade dos sinais intermitentes. The telecommunications sector is currently transiting towards the fifth generation wireless networks. Such a transition comes with new challenges, in particular the growth of the number of connected devices. Having more devices consuming more bandwidth shall unavoidably increase the power consumption of wireless networks, and thus its carbon footprint, unless energy efficiency is increased. For this reason, this work aims to contribute to increasing the energy efficiency of highly directive and flexible antenna transmitters: phased array antennas. The strategies explored in this work focus on manipulating the radiated signals, which means that such signals are substantially different from the signal to be transmitted. The signal to be transmitted is nonetheless correctly reconstructed in the far field. Two approaches for generating the radiated signals were investigated. The first approach consists in partitioning the antenna in two halves, each of which radiates a phased modulated signal, since such signals allow to operate the power amplifiers at maximum efficiency. The second approach consists in radiating burst signals, such that each burst is a phased modulated signal. Although the first approach proved ineffective, the second approach allows reducing power consumption between 12% and 44% and the dissipated power between 73% and 84%, provided that power amplifiers can be switched off during the idle periods of the bursts. Mestrado em Engenharia Física

The potential impacts of climate-induced changes in air pollution levels and its impacts on population health were investigated. The IPCC scenario (SRES A2) was used to analyse the effects of climate on future PM10 concentrations over Portugal and their impact on short-term population exposure and mortality. The air quality modelling system has been applied with high spatial resolution looking on climate changes at regional scale. To quantify health impacts related to air pollution changes, the WHO methodology for health impact assessment was implemented. The results point to 8% increase of premature mortality attributed to future PM10 levels in Portugal. The pollution episodes with daily average PM10 concentration above the current legislated value (50 μg·m−3) would be responsible for 81% of attributable cases. The absolute number of deaths attributable to PM10 under future climate emphasizes the importance of indirect effects of climate change on human health.

AbstractThe widespread use of petroleum products in modern times has led to a search for alternative resources. Biofuel is a promising alternative to petroleum fuel, but biodiesel has a lower calorific value and is slightly more denser than diesel. To address this, a novel combination of GNA emulsified MME20 fuel is being investigated. This study aims to analyze the impact of a novel Nano additive blended biodiesel on engine performance and optimize the best compression ratio for the selected blend. The novelty of the study lies in the production of novel GNA emulsified MME fuel and its influence on a conventional CI engine. To achieve the objectives of the study, MME was produced using a two-phase transesterification method, and GNA was added to the MME20 at concentrations of 30, 60, and 90 ppm using the ultrasonication method. Engine experiments were then conducted using the prepared samples at CRs of 16, 17.5, and 19, and the results were compared with the standard diesel and MME20 blend. The results showed that the CP of the MME20 + GNA30 fuel at a CR 19 revealed a 14% increase compared to diesel. The ID of the fuel decreased by 20% compared to diesel at CR19, and there was a 23.5% increase in the CD for the MME20 + GNA30 blend compared to diesel at CR19. The BTHE for the MME20 + GNA30 fuel showed increases of 2.64% and BSFC and EGT decreases of 3.6% and 3.9%, respectively, at CR19 compared to the other blends. In summary, the study found that MME20 with GNA30, along with VCR, significantly enhanced the engine attributes compared to the pure diesel-operated standard CI engine conditions.

Mestrado em Engenharia Civil e do Ambiente na Escola Superior de Tecnologia e Gestão do Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo As alterações climáticas constituem uma grande ameaça ambiental, social e económica que o mundo enfrente nos dias de hoje. O setor dos resíduos sólidos desempenha um papel importante neste combate, dado que sendo responsável por 3 a 5% das emissões dos Gases de Efeito de Estufa (GEE), de acordo com estudos da ISWA, pode contribuir com o sequestro de cerca de 13% desses gases. Os aterros sanitários, devido à composição dos resíduos depositados ser maioritariamente matéria orgânica, é uma fonte de produção de biogás, em que o metano é maioritário, sendo 21 a 25 vezes (dados do IPCC) mais nefasto para a atmosfera que o dióxido de carbono, o outro constituinte maioritário do biogás. Assim, a extração do biogás em aterros sanitários e a sua queima constitui uma das medidas mais efetivas para a diminuição do risco e no combate às alterações climáticas. Os resíduos urbanos dos 6 municípios da RESULIMA depositam cerca de 356 t/dia de resíduos urbanos (2015). A desgaseificação é feita através de poços, normalmente implantados considerando um raio de influência de desgaseificação de cada poço de 25 metros. No entanto, tem-se verificado que as emissões também se processam através das camadas de cobertura fora da ação destes poços e, sobretudo, durante a exploração, através das coberturas provisórias ou intermédias realizadas com terras e que importa quantificar. No presente trabalho foram realizadas medições contínuas do biogás nos diversos poços de desgaseificação para avaliar a evolução quantitativa e qualitativa de geração de biogás no aterro, com o tempo. Também se analisaram os dados históricos do biogás, que a empresa RESULIMA detém, em complemento dos dados obtidos no decurso dos trabalhos. Numa segunda etapa, com o objetivo de avaliar o efeito barreira à passagem de gases das coberturas intermédias, procedeu-se à medição das emissões fugidias do biogás com câmara de fluxo em diversos pontos do topo do aterro, com espessuras diferentes, constatando-se que a eficiência à passagem de gases das camadas de coberturas intermédias depende do material e da espessura do mesmo, bem como do modo de operação do aterro, de que se salienta o grau de compactação. Climate change is currently a major environmental, social and economic threat which the world is facing. The solid waste sector plays an important role in this fight as, according to ISWA studies, it accounts for 3 to 5% of the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and can contribute to the sequestration of about 13% of these gases. Due to the fact that deposited waste is mainly composed of organic matter, landfills are a source of biogas production, most of which is methane, which makes it 21 to 25 times (IPCC data) more harmful to the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, the other major constituent of biogas. Therefore, the extraction of biogas from landfills and its burning is one of the most effective measures for reducing risks and fighting climate change. The 6 municipalities of RESULIMA deposit around 356 t / day of urban waste (2015). The degassing is done by means of wells that are usually implanted considering a 25-metre radius of influence of degassing of each well. However, it has been found that the emissions are also processed through the cover layers beyond the action of these wells and, especially during the study, through the temporary or intermediate covers carried out with soil, which it is also important to quantify. Throughout this study, continuous measurements of the biogas were carried out in the various degassing wells to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative evolution of biogas generation in the landfill over time. The historical biogas data that RESULIMA owns was also analysed, in addition to the information obtained during the study. During a second phase, with the aim of evaluating the barrier effect of the passage of gases from the intermediate cover layers, the fleeting emissions of the biogas were measured with a chamber gas-flow meter at several points of the top of the landfill, with different thicknesses, which led to the conclusion that the gas flow efficiency of the intermediate cover layers depends on the material and the thickness thereof, as well as on the operation mode and compactness of the landfill.