The research at E2TES is focused in three main topics: 1) New magnetic materials for power systems, 2) Energy conversion and 3) Energy efficiency. We cover research from Electromagnetic Modelling, Simulation, Prototyping and Testing.

New Materials for Power Systems

Energy Conversion

Energy Efficiency

Application of new materials to power systems, as superconductors, new ferromagnetic alloys and soft magnetic alloys.

Development of new energy conversion system designs, for electrical machines, sensors and actuators.

Application of renewable systems and energy recovery technologies, as photovoltaic systems and pumps working as turbines.

List of Publications

  1. Andrés Zúñiga, Paulo Branco, João FP Fernandes, “A New Agreement Coefficients-Based Approach to Compare Improved FMECA Methods”, TechRxiv, 2022
  2. E Sarquis, B Kollosch, B Müller, N Holland, K Kiefer, C Reise, PJC Branco, “Development and Evaluation of an Automatic Failure Detection System for O&M of PV Portfolios”, 8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion, 2022
  3. Jonathan Velasco Costa, Paulo JC Branco, “Sensorless Switched Reluctance Machine and Speed Control: A Study to Remove the Position Encoder at High Speed of Operation”, Energies, 15, 1716, 2022
  4. Costa, J.V.; Silva, D.F.F.d.; Branco, P.J.C. Large-Power Transformers: Time Now for Addressing Their Monitoring and Failure Investigation Techniques. Energies, 15, 4697, 2022
  5. Eduardo Abdon Sarquis Filho, Björn Müller, Nicolas Holland, Christian Reise, Klaus Kiefer, Bernd Kollosch, Paulo J. Costa Branco, “Practical recommendations for the design of automatic fault detection algorithms based on experiments with field monitoring data”, Solar Energy, 244, 15, 2022
  6. Ferreira da Silva, F.; Fernandes, J.F.P.; da Costa Branco, P.J. “Superconducting Electric Power Systems: R&D Advancements”. Energies 2022, 15, 7350.
  7. Fernandes, J.F.P.; Bhagubai, P.P.C.; Branco, P.J.C. “Recent Developments in Electrical Machine Design for the Electrification of Industrial and Transportation Systems”. Energies 2022, 15, 6390
  8. F. D. Bucho, J. F. P. Fernandes, M. Biasion, S. Vaschetto and A. Cavagnino, “Experimental Assessment of Cryogenic Cooling Impact on Induction Motors,” in IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, 2022
  9. Bhagubai, Pedro P.C., Luís F.D. Bucho, João F.P. Fernandes, and P. J. Costa Branco. “Optimal Design of an Interior Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor with Cobalt Iron Core” Energies, vol. 15, no. 8: 2882, 2022
  10. F. P. Fernandes and V. M. Machado, “Hybrid A-EHS Method for Fast Computation in Superconducting Bulks,” in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 32, no. 5, pp. 1-11, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1109/TASC.2022.3159963
  11. L. Nunes, J. F. P. Fernandes, J. Oliveira and P. J. Costa Branco, “Power factor signature analysis for disaggregation of EV charging loads from aggregated power,” CIRED Porto Workshop 2022: E-mobility and power distribution systems, pp. 23-27, June, 2022
  12. Luís F. D. Bucho, J. F. P. Fernandes, P. J. Costa Branco, M. Biasion, S. Vaschetto, A. Cavagnino, “Losses Analysis of Induction Motors under Ambient and Cryogenic Conditions”, IEEE Energy Conversion Congress & Expo, October, 2022
  13. Biasion, I.  Peixoto, J.  F.  P.  Fernandes, S.  Vaschetto, G. Bramerdorfer, A.  Cavagnino, “Iron Loss  Characterization  in Laminated Cores at Room and Liquid Nitrogen Temperature”,  IEEE  Energy Conversion Congress & Expo, October, 2022
  1. Eduardo Abdon Sarquis Filho, Carlos Alberto Ferreira Fernandes, Paulo José da Costa Branco, “A complete framework for the simulation of photovoltaic arrays under mismatch conditions”, Solar Energy, Volume 213, Pages 13-26, 2021.
  2. Iftikhar, H.; Sarquis, E.; Branco, P.J.C. Why Can Simple Operation and Maintenance (O&M) Practices in Large-Scale Grid-Connected PV Power Plants Play a Key Role in Improving Its Energy Output? Energies 2021, 14, 3798, 2021.
  3. A. J. C. Arsénio and P. J. C. Branco, “Thermo-Hydraulic Analysis of a Horizontal HTS ZFC Levitating Bearing Concerning Its Autonomy Safety Service Time,” in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 31, no. 5, pp. 1-10, Aug. 2021.
  4. M. Biasion, J. F. P. Fernandes, S. Vaschetto, A. Cavagnino and A. Tenconi, “Superconductivity and its Application in the Field of Electrical Machines,” 2021 IEEE International Electric Machines & Drives Conference (IEMDC), pp. 1-7, 2021.
  5. Margarida C. Pagaimo, João F.P. Fernandes, Modesto Pérez-Sánchez, P. Amparo López-Jiménez, Helena M. Ramos, P.J. Costa Branco, “Transient study of series-connected pumps working as turbines in off-grid systems”, Energy Conversion and Management, Volume 245, pp. 114586, 2021.
  6. Pérez-Sánchez, M.; Fernandes, J.F.P.; Branco, P.J.C.; López-Jiménez, P.A.; Ramos, H.M. PATs Behavior in Pressurized Irrigation Hydrants towards Sustainability. Water 2021, 13, 1359. https://doi.org/10.3390/w13101359
  7. ISP Peixoto, FF da Silva, JFP Fernandes, PJ da Costa Branco, “3D Equivalent Space-Varying Permeability Model of HTS Bulks for Computation of Electromagnetic Forces”, in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 31, no. 5, Aug. 2021. 10.1109/TASC.2021.3057570
  8. J. Arnaud, J. Fernandes and P. J. C. Branco, “Use of Bulk Superconductors in the Excitation System of Low-Speed Synchronous Generators,” in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, doi: 10.1109/TASC.2021.3054721, 2021.
  1. Leitão, D.; Torres, J.P.N.; Fernandes, J.F.P. “Spectral Irradiance Influence on Solar Cells Efficiency.” Energies, 13, 5017, 2020.
  2. Madeira, F.C.; Fernandes, J.F.P.; Pérez-Sánchez, M.; López-Jiménez, P.A.; Ramos, H.M.; Costa Branco, P.J. Electro-Hydraulic Transient Regimes in Isolated Pumps Working as Turbines with Self-Excited Induction Generators. Energies , 13, 4521, 2020.
  3. J. F. P. Fernandes Comparison of fast computing methods for ZFC high-temperature superconductors bulks, Supercond. Sci. Technol., vol. 33, no.8, June, 2020.
  4. Zúñiga, A.A.; Baleia, A.; Fernandes, J.; Branco, P.J.D.C. Classical Failure Modes and Effects Analysis in the Context of Smart Grid Cyber-Physical Systems. Energies 13, 1215, 2020.
  5. Bhagubai, P.P.C.; Sarrico, J.G.; Fernandes, J.F.P.; Branco, P.J.C. Design, Multi-Objective Optimization, and Prototyping of a 20 kW 8000 rpm Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor for a Competition Electric Vehicle. Energies, 13, 2465, 2020.
  6. J. Fernandes, A. J. Arsenio and J. Arnaud, “Optimization of a Horizontal Axis HTS ZFC Levitation Bearing using Genetic Decision Algorithms over Finite Element Results,” in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 30, no. 2, pp. 1-8, 2020.
  7. Pedro Bhagubai, João F. P. Fernandes, “Multi-objective Optimization of Electrical Machine Magnetic Core using a Vanadium-Cobalt-Iron alloy”, IEEE trans. on Magnetics, vol. 56, no. 2, pp. 1-9, Feb. 2020.
  8. EA Sarquis Filho, AA Zúñiga, JFP Fernandes, PJC Branco, “FAILURE RATES IN PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS: A CAREFUL SELECTION OF QUANTITATIVE DATA AVAILABLE IN THE LITERATURE”, 37th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition, 1590 – 1594, 2020.
  1. Pedro Alves, J. Torres, J. Fernandes, C. Fernandes, P. Branco, “From Sweden to Portugal: the Effect of Very Distinct Climate Zones on Energy Efficiency of a Concentrating Photovoltaic/Thermal System (CPV/T)”, Solar Energy, vol. 188, pp. 96.110, 2019.
  2. Silviano Rafael, P.J. Costa Branco, A.J. Pires, “SRM sensorless for position control based on a frequency modulation system”, Measurement, Volume 146, Pages 171-178, 2019.
  3. J.F.P. Fernandes, V. Maló Machado, “Electromagnetic field in superconductor samples using a partitioned E-H finite element scheme”, Journal of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials, Volume 474, Pages 448-455, 2019.
  4. Catarina Sofia Campos, João Paulo N. Torres and João F. P. Fernandes, “Effects of the Heat Transfer Fluid Selection on the Efficiency of a Hybrid Concentrated Photovoltaic and Thermal Collector”, Energies, vol.12, n.6, 2019.
  5. F Ferreira da Silva and P J Costa Branco, “Study of a cylindrical geometry design for a zero field cooled Maglev system”, Superconductor Science and Technology, Volume 32, Number 6, 065004, 2019.
  6. Faria, G; Vieira, Susana; Costa Branco, P J, “Evolutionary process scheduling approach for energy cost minimization in a yeast production factory: design, simulation, and factory implementation”, Energy Systems; Gainesville Vol. 10, Iss. 1, (Feb 2019)
  7. A. J. Arsénio, M. L. Roque, M. V. Carvalho, C. Cardeira, R. Melicio and P. J. Costa Branco, “Implementation of a YBCO Superconducting ZFC-Magnetic Bearing Prototype,” in IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications, vol. 55, no. 1, pp. 327-335, Jan.-Feb. 2019
  1. João Paulo N. Torres, João F. P. Fernandes, Carlos Fernandes, Paulo José Costa Branco, Catarina Barata, And Joao Gomes, “Effect Of The Collector Geometry In The Concentrating Photovoltaic Thermal Solar Cell Performance”. Thermal Science, Vol. 22, No. 5, 2018.
  2. J. Arnaud, J. F. P. Fernandes and P. J. C. Branco, “Modifying the Pulsed-Field-Magnetization Technique for HTS Bulks in Electrical Machines Without Magnetic Field Sensors,” in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 1-4, June 2018.
  3. J. F. P. Fernandes, S. M. Vieira and P. J. Costa Branco, “Multiobjective Optimization of a Shell-Like Induction Spherical Motor for a Power-Assisted Wheelchair,” in IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, vol. 33, no. 2, pp. 660-669, June 2018.
  4. Carriço, J., Fernandes, J., Fernandes, C., Branco, P., “Technical and Economic Assessment of a 450 W Autonomous Photovoltaic System with Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Storage”, J. sustain. dev. energy water environ. syst., vol. 6(1), pp 129-149, 2018
  5. André Castanheira, João F. P. Fernandes, P.J. Costa Branco, “Demonstration project of a cooling system for existing PV power plants in Portugal”, Applied Energy, vol. 211, pp-1297-1307, February 2018.
  6. dos Santos Costa, A.J.A., Valério, D. and da Costa Branco, P.J. (2018), Predictive control model to manage power flow on a hybrid wind-photovoltaic and diesel microgeneration power plant with additional storage capacity. IET Cyber-Physical Systems: Theory & Applications, 3: 206-211, 2018.
  7. Torres, J.P.N.; Fernandes, C.A.F.; Gomes, J.; Luc, B.; Carine, G.; Olsson, O.; Branco, P.J.C. Effect of Reflector Geometry in the Annual Received Radiation of Low Concentration Photovoltaic Systems. Energies 2018, 11, 1878, 2018.
  8. A. J. Arsénio, M. Roque, C. Cardeira, P. J. C. Branco and R. Melicio, “Prototype of a Zero-Field-Cooled YBCO Bearing With Continuous Ring Permanent Magnets,” in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 1-7, June 2018.
  9. A. J. Arsénio, R. Melício, C. Cardeira and P. J. da Costa Branco, “The Critic Liquid–Gas Phase Transition Between Liquid Nitrogen and YBCO HTS Bulks: From FEM Modeling to its Experimental Study for ZFC Levitation Devices,” in IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 1-8, June 2018.
  1. Bernardo Capelo, Modesto Pérez-Sánchez, João F. P. Fernandes, Helena M. Ramos, P. Amparo López-Jiménez, P.J. Costa Branco, “Electrical behaviour of the pump working as turbine in off grid operation”, in Applied Energy, October 2017.
  2. J. Fernandes; V. Machado; P. Branco, “Magnetic Field Analysis in Shell-Like Spherical Induction Machines with Zenithal Traveling Waves,” in IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion, Available online April 2017.
  3. Carlos A.F. Fernandes, João Paulo N. Torres, P.J. Costa Branco, João Fernandes, João Gomes, “Cell string layout in solar photovoltaic collectors”, Energy Conversion and Management, Available online 26 April 2017, ISSN 0196-8904.
  4. A. J. Arsenio, M. V. V. Carvalho, C. Cardeira, R. Melicio, and P. J. Costa Branco, “Experimental set-up and efficiency evaluation of zero-field-cooled (ZFC) YBCO magnetic bearings,” IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. PP, no. 99, p. 1., 2017.
  1. J. F. P. Fernandes and P. J. Costa Branco, “The Shell-Like Spherical Induction Motor for Low-Speed Traction: Electromagnetic Design, Analysis, and Experimental Tests,” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 63, no. 7, pp. 4325-4335, Jul., 2016.
  2. J. Fernandes, I. Montes, R. Sousa, C. Cardeira, and P. J. Costa Branco, “Superconductor Joule Losses in the Zero-Field-Cooled Maglev Vehicle,” IEEE Transactions on Applied Superconductivity, vol. 26, no. 3, Apr., 2016
  3. S. K. Nashih, C. A. F. Fernandes, J. P. N. Torres, J. Gomes, and P. J. Costa Branco, “Validation of a Simulation Model for Analysis of Shading Effects on Photovoltaic Panels,” Journal of Solar Energy Engineering-Transactions of the ASME, vol. 138, no. 4, Aug., 2016.
  1. S. Rafael, P. J. Costa Branco, and A. J. Pires, “Sliding mode angular position control for an 8/6 Switched Reluctance Machine: Theoretical concept, design and experimental results,” Electric Power Systems Research, vol. 129, pp. 62-74, 2015.
  1. P. J. Costa Branco, R. Almeida, and J. A. Dente, “”On Using Meissner Effect to Conceive a New Linear Electromagnetic Launcher by Zero-Field-Cooling YBCO Bulk Superconductors,”” IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics, vol. 61, no. 11, pp. 5894-5902, Nov. , 2014.