Titulo Estágio
Development of digital twin for simulation and optimization of operations in commercial ports
Áreas de especialidade
Sistemas Inteligentes
Sistemas de Informação
Local do Estágio
Laboratório de Informática Industrial e Sistemas do DEI/CISUC (LIIS@DEI-FCTUC)
Enquadramento
The transportation and logistics sector are seeking solutions for a digital transition. There is a need for more digital operations, particularly in the automation of processes and operations, in order to reduce the need for human interaction. This will contribute to reducing significantly existing inefficiencies. On the other hand, sustainability is also key and has been a trend in the last few years. The sector is being pressed for a green transition, since it is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the EU, with traffic expected to increase around 40% by 2050, according to the European Commission.
As a vital part of the transportation and logistics sector, Ports are no exception. They face several challenges regarding this double transition (i.e., digital and green transition), representing great research and innovation opportunities.
Among these challenges, there is a need for simulation and visualization tools. This master thesis is intended to research solutions to simulate, optimize and visualize operations happening in commercial ports, particularly those using the concepts related to digital twins.
The work will be developed within the scope of the PRR NEXUS project, with the information and data necessary for its development and validation available for the Port of Sines and other commercial ports, such as the port of Miami.
Objetivo
The main objectives of this thesis are as follows:
1) Research and development of digital twin models to simulate, optimize and visualize operations in commercial ports
2) Develop a decision support module based on intelligent algorithms to optimize the planning of operations in a commercial port.
3) Develop simulation and visualization use cases over the developed digital twin prototype of a commercial port as a proof-of-concept.
Plano de Trabalhos - Semestre 1
1. Research the state-of-the-art using a systematic literature review on digital twin models to support simulation, optimization and visualization processes
2. Identify existing digital twin models, including the variety of architectures and standards, that can be adapted to commercial ports’ use cases, and test one of the most suitable
3. Design the digital twin system taking into account the requirements identified in the previous steps
4. Develop model prototypes.
5. Produce a report with initial results and assess the full feasibility implementation.
Plano de Trabalhos - Semestre 2
6. Develop and test a digital twin prototype to showcase a simulation and visualization process in a commercial port, according to the system designed in the previous step
7. Write the scientific paper and the master thesis
Condições
The student will be integrated in the ISG or ACG of CISUC, Department of Informatics Engineering, University of Coimbra. A workplace and the required resources will be provided.
The supervisors of the thesis will be:
- Prof. Alberto Cardoso
- Prof. Jacinto Estima
Observações
The internship may benefit from the award of a research grant for graduates for a period of 3 months, possibly renewable, supported by the ongoing project.
Orientador
Alberto Cardoso; Jacinto Estima
alberto@dei.uc.pt 📩