In recent years several efforts have being made in bringing smart network connectivity to the Renewable Energy Plant (REP) environment. On the other hand, REP is extending in scale from specialized points where the energy provider acts as a supplier to home REP (self-energy producers). This enables new important features such as: process automation, monitoring, control and optimizations. On the other hand, and in particular during and after the Covid19 pandemics the cybersecurity menace is a massive concern. The digital literacy of a worker of such an infrastructure is relevant to the correct implementation of adequate security policies. This article describes the threats and challenges on the field and conducts an enquire for perceiving the awareness of Automation and Mechanics Engineering students for this relevant problem, as future player in the field.

The main specification in the verification by testing of space hardware vulnerability to shock excitations is the shock response spectrum. Although it compiles the most relevant information needed to describe the overall shock environment characteristics, shock testing still poses various difficulties and uncertainties concerning the suitability and operation of the shock test system used, and the adequate definition of the underlying test parameters. The approach followed from the interpretation of typical shock testing specifications to the development, validation, and characterization of the developed shock test system, including the definition and design of the relevant parameters influencing the attained shock environment, is described in this paper. The shock testing method here presented consists of a pendular in-plane resonant mono-plate shock test apparatus where the structural response of the ringing plate depends upon well-defined controllable parameters (e.g. impact velocity, striker shape, mass, and contact stiffness), which are parametrically determined to achieve the target shock environment specification. The concept and analytical model of two impacting bodies are used in a preliminary analysis to perform a rigid body motion analysis and contact assessment. A detailed finite element model is developed for the definition of the ringing plate dimensions, analysis of the plate dynamics and virtual shock testing. The assembled experimental apparatus is described and a test campaign is undertaken in order to properly characterize and assess the design and test parameters of the system. The developed shock test apparatus and corresponding finite element model are experimentally verified and validated. As a result of this study, a reliable finite element modeling methodology available for future shock test simulation and prediction of the experimental results was created, being an important tool for the adjustment of the shock test input parameters for future works. The developed shock test system was well characterized and is readily available to be used for shock testing of space equipment with varying specifications.

This paper addresses the functional verification and performance assessment of an ultra-low shock non-explosive actuator appropriate to space applications of hold-down and release mechanisms. To demonstrate that the design implementation and manufacturing methods have resulted in an engineering model conforming to the set of functional, performance and environmental requirements specified, a space qualification test campaign is typically required. To ensure the readiness of the engineering model and the adequacy of the mechanical and electrical ground support equipment required for the entire qualification test campaign, a set of functional verification procedures and performance characterization tests were systematized and undertaken before the mechanism qualification. A preload monitoring system was developed and calibrated, and the performance of the mechanism was evaluated through the estimation of the release time and the measurement of the self-generated shock. The main results and conclusions taken from these tests are presented and discussed here.