In late 2011, the Brazilian Electricity Regulatory Agency approved a new tariff structure for distribution services. This included the creation of the White Tariff, a time-of-use (ToU) tariff modality for retail consumers connected to lowvoltage distribution grids. Brazil is currently conducting an ambitions smart meter roll-out plan, and consumers will be able to opt for ToU tariffs in the coming years. In preparation for that, the regulator has started the definition of the economic signals embedded in ToU tariffs for several distribution utilities, at the occasion of their multi-annual Tariff Review processes. This has been done despite of the fact that virtually no countryspecific data on demand response to electricity prices is currently available, which brings additional difficulties to the process. In this paper, we discuss the design and implementation of ToU tariffs in Brazil, highlighting lessons learned so far and coming challenges, from an economic and regulatory perspective.
Introduction: Hunger has stood out as one of the world's biggest problems, mainly influenced by food waste. Objective: Quantitatively describe the entry and exit of food in two food banks located in the Federal District and in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: Though the spreadsheets provided by the Food Banks of the Federal District and Irajá-RJ, containing total values of food received and usable and disposable products, graphs of time series and trends were made. Results and discussion: The values of usable foods in both food banks were greater than 80% of the monthly amounts, that is, this quantity is destined to registered philanthropic entities. In relation to disposable foodstuffs, these are intended for the manufacture of composting and/or animal feed. Final considerations: The Food Bank has a fundamental role on the use and disposal of foods fit for consumption. In this context, the nutritionist can contribute to the improvement of the Food Banks, aiming at reducing food waste, increasing sustainability and especially food and nutritional safety. Through actions of Food and Nutritional Education, in order to raise awareness of the people involved.
The use of robust optimization techniques for scheduling consumption in a demand response context is analyzed in this paper, with aid of results from a particular case study, in which energy prices of different time periods are highly correlated. Results indicate that it is of great importance to employ a solution approach that correctly models the correlation among prices of different periods over which consumption is to be scheduled. One such approach is proposed and investigated in this paper, with positive results.
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