Francisca Almeida

Francisca Almeida

“This nomination stems from Francisca’s commitment and dedication to the development of innovative solutions in the national ATE project and the European i-STENTORE project. Within the scope of ATE, Francisca successfully completed the first phase of the development of a tool for managing the electric vehicle fleet charging, showcasing thoroughness and autonomy in the collaboration with partners. The team is preparing a patent application for this tool. Concerning i-STENTORE, she developed an advanced algorithm to predict water inflows in the complex water system of the island of Madeira. Her contribution has been essential to the success of projects and the development of new ideas.”

– CPES coordinators

You’re involved in different projects – in this case ATE (national) and i-STENTORE (European); could you tell us a little more about the main objective of each endeavour, and what type of work you have developed within the scope of both projects (you can also mention some of the results, what are the differentiating factors of each initiative, etc.)?

Regarding the ATE project, we are developing a tool to plan and optimise electric vehicle and plug-in fleet charging, maximising the use of renewable energies, e.g., photovoltaic panels (PV), and storage systems (BESS). The goal is to reduce costs and improve energy efficiency. Together with Renewing, the tool ensures that the buildings’ energy needs are respected, while optimising vehicle charging times. A differentiating point is the ability to prioritise vehicles, ensuring that when it is not possible to charge them all, the highest priority ones come first. Concerning trips where the vehicle charging is not enough, we resort to an external tool that identifies the best route – allowing us to identify optimal charging points. This integration with renewable energies and BESS promotes a more efficient and sustainable operation.

Regarding the i-STENTORE project, we’re talking about something completely different, focusing on the forecast of water energy production on the island of Madeira. To achieve this goal, it is vital to start by predicting the water inflows, including rain and springs, that feed the island’s water system. That was the main aspect of my contribution. With the help of Eng. Filipe Tadeu from CPES, I was able to interpret and understand the water flow schemes of the island of Madeira. And then we started to develop a neural network. We used historical rainfall and water flow data provided by Empresa de Eletricidade da Madeira, and then we trained and adjusted the neural network to improve the accuracy of the forecasts. It was – and still is – a very interesting project, allowing me to collaborate with a very diverse team, where each person brings different skills to the table.

What are the main challenges associated with your activities?

The main challenges are different, depending on the project. Regarding the ATE project, I was more familiar with the development of optimisation algorithms because it was something I studied during my master’s degree. However, the freedom to think and try to implement the optimisation model was a challenge. But it all went well! I was working and improving constantly. And I tried to never be afraid of asking “silly questions” – which I asked a lot. I’m lucky that the people I work with don’t care about them – and even encourage them.

When it comes to i-STENTORE, it was like stepping into a whole new world. I had never worked with water inflows or hydraulic energy; suddenly, I became part of a team where each person contributed with very specific and different knowledge, working towards a single goal. Developing a neural network to the level that the project required was undoubtedly the biggest challenge.

Which aspects of your job do you enjoy the most?  

The work environment, the freedom to make mistakes and, of course, the recognition – these aspects make all the difference. Everyone is available to answer the questions I ask, and even to suggest different ideas. This greatly improves both the environment and the quality of the work. This openness to learning and making mistakes is something that truly makes me appreciate INESC TEC.

How do you comment on this nomination?

I am very happy with this nomination, and I’d like to thank my coordinator Dr. Filipe Joel. He trusts me and I am glad I can live up to that trust. This motivates me to continue to do my best and do a good job on each project.