Spanish Case Research Articles

Solar PV power plant revamping: Technical and economic analysis of different alternatives for a Spanish case

The operation of solar photovoltaic installations for many years may lead to problems such as reduced energy efficiency and aging of components. Under this framework, replacing certain components in the facility to extend the service life of the power plant is viewed, in some cases, as a feasible strategy. However, despite its enormous strategic interest for the solar PV industry, we find that revamping PV installations has been the focus of very few scientific publications, and even less so when it comes to analyzing real facilities. Thus, this paper performs a techno-economic analysis of three revamping strategies at a real PV power plant located in the south-east of Spain. The strategies consist of substituting, in each case, the PV modules, the inverter, and both components. The simulated results show that the highest production value by installed power is obtained when both the modules and the inverter are replaced. In the same vein, the economic analysis reveals this scenario as the most favorable in terms of profitability. Based on the results obtained, an interesting future line of research would be focused on the extension of the analysis at country level to study the joint impact of numerous revamping actions.

Flow intermittence prediction using a hybrid hydrological modelling approach: influence of observed intermittence data on the training of a random forest model

Abstract. Rivers are rich in biodiversity and act as ecological corridors for plant and animal species. With climate change and increasing anthropogenic water demand, more frequent and prolonged periods of drying in river systems are expected, endangering biodiversity and river ecosystems. However, understanding and predicting the hydrological mechanisms that control periodic drying and rewetting in rivers is challenging due to a lack of studies and hydrological observations, particularly in non-perennial rivers. Within the framework of the Horizon 2020 DRYvER (Drying River Networks and Climate Change) project, a hydrological modelling study of flow intermittence in rivers is being carried out in three European catchments (Spain, Finland, France) characterised by different climate, geology, and anthropogenic use. The objective of this study is to represent the spatio-temporal dynamics of flow intermittence at the reach level in mesoscale river networks (between 120 and 350 km2). The daily and spatially distributed flow condition (flowing or dry) is predicted using the J2000 distributed hydrological model coupled with a random forest classification model. Observed flow condition data from different sources (water level measurements, photo traps, citizen science applications) are used to build the predictive model. This study aims to evaluate the impact of the observed flow condition dataset (sample size, spatial and temporal representativity) on the performance of the predictive model. Results show that the hybrid modelling approach developed in this study allows the spatio-temporal patterns of drying to be accurately predicted in the three catchments, with a sensitivity criterion above 0.9 for the prediction of dry events in the Finnish and French case studies and 0.65 in the Spanish case study. This study shows the value of combining different data sources of observed flow condition to reduce the uncertainty in predicting flow intermittence.

The neoliberal syndemic: critical narratives and struggles from southern Europe

The social impact of the outbreak and spread of the COVID–19 pandemic has shown that we’re not facing a mere infectious disease, but a neoliberal syndemic. This syndemic have stressed all the inequalities, oppressions and conflicts that were at the base of the neoliberal system of governance, contradictions that have reached a global dimension since the Great Recession (2008). In this article we will analyze the consequences of the neoliberal virus in different spheres (macro and micro) from a critical and materialistic perspective: from the management of the crisis by the States to the subjective transformations the syndemic has provoked in the population. Focusing in the Spanish case, we will go over the main reactions, narratives and struggles that have faced the Covid crisis into what we understand as a new and more authoritarian phase of neoliberal capitalism. A phase that will need a radical articulation of social struggles to subvert a horizon that threatens with new oppressions.

Unemployment protection for self-employed and platform workers: A study of the Spanish case

The objective of this study is to offer a snapshot of the level of unemployment protection provided in Spain to self-employed workers and platform economy workers, compared to employed workers affiliated with the general regime. This allows us to reflect on the convergent and divergent aspects of the protection provided to the two groups, as well as the greater or lesser proximity to the levels of protection indicated by the EU. Thus, the study is structured in three points: the protection afforded to the various groups and the differences in terms of the cessation of activity and unemployment benefit; some of the most characteristic aspects of these two types of unemployment protection; the financing of the cessation of activity benefit and the creation of an alternative protection mechanism as key points in the current Spanish political debate. Our final thoughts are presented in the conclusions.

Evaluation of Training Contracts for Young People in Spain, Germany, and France

Youth unemployment is one of the greatest concerns to labour authorities. To try to reduce its intensity and to improve the labour market insertion rates of the youngest working-age population, most European Union (EU) countries have opted, among other measures, for job training. This is an action that seeks to combine work with training. Spain is one of the countries with the greatest problems of labour market integration for young people, in contrast to other countries such as Germany or France. The Spanish case is also characterised by the application of a set of actions that have not always had the desired success, despite being framed within the EU Youth Guarantee Programme. The results from this research indicate that improvements can be made in the application of training contracts in Spain, based on the approach used in other countries.

Unpacking the energy crisis impact with a multidimensional vulnerability index: A granular analysis of the Spanish case

Unpacking the energy crisis impact with a multidimensional vulnerability index: A granular analysis of the Spanish case

Is there a relationship between housing deprivation and crime? Evidence for the Spanish case

Purpose Crime increased in Spain during the period of 2017–2019 after a decade of decline. This coincides with severe housing deprivation multiplying by three in just four years, affecting 3.4% of the population in 2020. However, no research has been found that analyzes whether this deterioration of the physical conditions of housing and its environmental elements has impacted the level of crime in Spain. This study aims to analyze how housing deprivation affects crime in the Spanish context. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, different items that are considered by Eurostat as elements of housing deprivation are used. The difference generalized method of moments estimator is used for 16 Spanish regions that comprises the period from 2013 to 2019. Findings The results suggest that certain structural and environmental elements of housing are positively associated with crime: space (0.5% and 0.4%) and high housing expenditure (0.4% and 0.5%) are positively correlated with the two dependent variables; the lack of light and overcrowding stand out as they establish a positive and statistically significant association with four out of the six analyzed crime categories; the absence of lighting effect reaches up to 1.8% and 1.7% in the case of violent robberies and vehicle theft, respectively. Finally, pollution is negatively associated with robbery with violence (−1.9%), theft (−0.7%) and robbery with force (−0.5%). Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study that examines whether this deterioration of the physical conditions of housing has impacted the level of crime in Spain. It is also pioneering at the European level by using nonmonetary dimensions of inequality such as housing.

On the Feasibility of Predicting Volumes of Fake News—The Spanish Case

On the Feasibility of Predicting Volumes of Fake News—The Spanish Case

Supplementary Data

1. Feedback from MALs’ participants - Questionnaire2. Luederitz, C. et al. (2017) evaluation framework applied to the MALs’ case studies 3. Case studies detailed description3.1 Description of the Greek Case study 3.2 Description of the French Case study 3.3 Description of the Spanish Case study4. Methodology implemented in the Multi-Actor-Lab4.1 Stakeholder selection4.2 Sectoral divided workshops - Conceptual maps 4.3 Post-workshop – Combining mental maps4.4 Multi-sectoral workshops5. References

The Impact of Soft Tools of EU Rule of Law on Member States: The Case of Spain

This article aims to analyze the interaction between the European Commission and a member state, Spain, in enforcing the rule of law. The case in point is the General Council of the Judiciary (Consejo General del Poder Judicial, CGPJ), whose composition has not been renewed for five years as a result of disagreements between the main political parties, the People’s Party (Partido Popular, PP) and the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (Partido Socialista Obrero Español, PSOE). This situation has raised doubts about the judicial independence in the country. In this context, the article addresses the following research questions: How has the European Commission influenced political actors to remedy the situation regarding the CGPJ? And how have Spanish political actors used EU actions in the domestic debate on the renewal and reform of the CGPJ? The Spanish case shows that in a pro-European context, political actors strategically use the EU to justify their approach in a given situation. The EU is also perceived as a safeguard against a possible deterioration of the situation. In addition, the visibility of the problem due to the involvement of the EU level makes the politicians concerned about the international image of the country.

(Un)translatability of a text: a blessing in disguise? The case of Spanish, English and Polish

Untranslatability constitutes one of the controversial issues within the area of Translation Studies. Scholars frequently disagree as it its very existence, some of them claiming that certain linguistic effects simply cannot be translated into another language, while other asserting that all texts produced by man are translatable to a greater or lesser degree, irrespective of the linguistic means they apply. The purpose of this paper is, first of all, to illustrate the issue of potential untranslatability by presenting a Spanish text featuring a plethora of challenging linguistic effects, and then attempt to translate its fragments into two languages: English and Polish. The paper also discusses the problems encountered during the very translation process, as well as the solutions selected together with their justifications. All this is done with a view to concluding whether untranslatability exists indeed, or whether the challenging linguistic effects present in a text can be successfully reproduced in another language.

The need for guaranteed social and labour compliance clauses in public contracts: An approach to the Spanish case

The work provides the contributions of an empirical study recently carried out by the University of Valencia (Spain) in collaboration with the Generalitat Valenciana (Regional Government). The work is mainly based on a qualitative methodology using in-depth interviews open to experts in the field (specifically 13) and on the presentations of renowned speakers at the 12th Economy Week of Alzira (Valencia), to which a content analysis was applied. Based on the results obtained and the multidisciplinary academic literature (labour relations, sociology, public administration and social responsibility), the debate concerns the feasibility of public administrations establishing, among their contracts for the procurement of works, services and supplies, some clauses that seek to ensure legal compliance in socio-labour matters of subcontracted companies with their workers. This question raises a new vision of a topic of current relevance and is a clear commitment to improvement of the health of organisations that would also affect labour relations.

Recent radiation protection activities related to nuclear facilities on the Iberian Peninsula

Part of the radiation protection in Spain and Portugal is focused on the protection of workers, public and environment due to the influence of nuclear facilities present in their territory (Spanish case) or nearby. Radiation protection is in a process of continuous improvement, with the participation of nuclear facilities, companies and researchers in numerous research projects funded in Spain by the Nuclear Safety Council or other international organizations. This article presents some of the projects in which Spanish working groups have participated. In addition, specific examples of activities related to radiation protection and environmental radiological monitoring carried out in Spain in recent years are shown. Among them are: the development of methods of analysis of environmental samples in case of emergency, real-time monitoring networks for measuring radiation, environmental dosimetry in the environment of nuclear facilities, programs and models of radiation dispersion in case of accident, and the treatment and management of radioactive waste for its clearance.

Computer and quantitative methods in tourism history. A reflection based on the Spanish case

Computer and quantitative methods in tourism history. A reflection based on the Spanish case

Mapping the evolution of tourism research: the Spanish case

PurposeThis study aims to appraise the historical evolution of tourism research focused on Spain. Firstly, an analysis was conducted to assess the production and impact of research within this domain. Secondly, scientific mapping, specifically through co-word analysis, was used to identify and explore the principal research themes and their evolution in the field.Design/methodology/approachA historical approach was adopted in this study, using 1,100 bibliographic records obtained from the Scopus database. Science mapping was then conducted through co-word analysis of bibliographic data.FindingsThe results of the performance analysis provide insights into the volume, evolution and impact of the scientific documents published within the research area under investigation. Moreover, by adopting a longitudinal approach, science mapping through co-word analysis enables the definition of the intellectual structure within this research domain. In this regard, the main research themes are identified, conceptually assessed, and their evolution is examined across three distinct window periods: an initial research period (1972–2002), a growing research period (2003–2012) and a consolidation period (2013–2022).Originality/valueThe study provides a state-of-the-art position on tourism research related to Spain thus guiding future studies in the area. Furthermore, this study provides a comprehensive “snapshot” of the historical progression of tourism research in Spain, capturing the emblematic aspects that have emerged within the area over the investigated time period.

El peso de la historia: desafíos de la policía en la gobernanza del cibercrimen en España

Cybercrime presents a myriad of challenges for law enforcement agencies, including the complexity and global nature of criminal activities, the difficulties in tracing activities within cyberspace, and the perpetual evolution of these unlawful practices. This article employs the conceptual framework of historical and discursive institutionalism to investigate the hurdles faced by the police in governing cybercrime in Spain. The study emphasizes the importance of situating law enforcement within the cybersecurity governance system to comprehend their challenges and adaptations. By analyzing 36 key documents, it argues that cybersecurity policies’ origins and evolution were rooted in narratives focused on information protection and enhancing society’s trust in digital technologies, narratives distinct from the discourse centered on cybercrime. The Spanish case study enriches the literature on cybersecurity governance by examining how historical evolution and narratives impact the roles of actors involved in the governance system.

Multi-factorial methodology for Wind Power Plant repowering optimization: A Spanish case study

Due to the climate change, there have been changes in the rhythm of nature over the last decades. In addition, there has been an increasing social consciousness regarding decarbonization and emissions, promoting governments new policies and economic support measures for renewable integration. In this scenario, the participation of the onshore and offshore wind sectors play a crucial role, expecting that more than 6000 GW will be globally installed in 2050. In parallel, the useful life of other wind power plants is coming to their end. Therefore, some countries will face in the coming years the decision of repowering, decommissioning, installing new turbines, or a combination of them. In general, the areas with the greatest wind potential are already occupied by relatively old wind turbines. Subsequently, a complex group of factors influences on the most appropriate solution decision-making, involving climatic, technological, environmental, social or economic aspects. This paper proposes an optimized methodology based on multi-criteria decision-making to estimate the most appropriate solution for extending the useful-life of wind power plants. An initial group of 26 factors were identified, corresponding to seven categories: technical, geographic, socio-environmental, location, economic, political and climate. The methodology is divided into three stages: (i) data, (ii) alternatives, and (iii) optimization. It was assessed with a Spanish onshore wind power plant connected to the grid. From the initial data and factors, 11 alternatives were designed based on a selection of 10 most relevant factors. The results provide an optimal solution, combining both repowering and installation of new wind turbines. From the results, this methodology would allow reducing the LCOE of the new wind plants installed in the European Union by more than 50%.

Is Teleworking an Opportunity for Male `Joint Responsibility´ at Home?: Egalitarian Men during the Pandemic in Spain

The COVID-19 crisis spurred a large increase in teleworking, with inherent consequences for the use and distribution of time spent on paid, domestic, and caregiving work. This article aims to contribute to the knowledge about the material and symbolic conditions that fostered joint responsibility among men who telecommuted during the lockdown period. A qualitative study of the Spanish case was conducted, based on 25 interviews with different profiles of men, in terms of life cycle and job category, who teleworked during the first months of the pandemic. The results showed a more egalitarian male profile, as telecommuting encouraged men to take joint responsibility within the household. These were fathers with a mid-category job who telecommuted and had young children at home while their partner worked outside the home. All these conditions fostered their greater involvement in domestic and caregiving tasks, which involved internalizing the daily management, organization and planning practices typical of the traditional female role.

La introducción de la Física cuántica en España: libros de texto, panorama general y relación con la Filosofía (1930-1960)

In this article, we have addressed the early stages of quantum physics in Spain, specifically, between the years 1930 and 1960. We have relied on David Kaiser’s thesis on the weight of philosophy in quantum physics textbooks in the United States (Quantum legacies, chap. 8, 2020) and we have made a first approximation for the Spanish case. To have a better understanding of the editorial, intellectual and cultural context, we have created and analysed a database from the REBIUN university catalogue, which has offered us a panoramic view of the works published at the time, as well as their places of origin, languages, publishers, and evolutions. Then, we have analysed the treatment of philosophical aspects in some relevant Spanish textbooks. We have concluded a particular evolution in the Spanish case, conditioned by its economic, social, and political context, with a tendency to interpret quantum physics from a national-catholic dogma and to escape from mathematical complexity. We have also seen a great influence from the English-speaking sphere and an enormous importance from the Latin American publishing system in the dissemination of works in Spanish. The results call for us to carry out studies in greater depth.

Current State and Proposal of Best Practices of Standardized Patients for Spanish-Language Objective Structured Clinical Encounters in US Medical Schools.

Medical Spanish programs commonly engage Spanish-speaking standardized patients (SPs) for communication skills assessment, yet no studies address SP recruitment, selection, or training. We sent questionnaires to medical Spanish faculty at 20 US medical schools to gauge their practices in recruiting and selecting Spanish-language SPs. We invited faculty to distribute a separate questionnaire to Spanish-language SPs to gather SP language abilities, training, and experience. We analyzed data using descriptive statistics and qualitative content analysis. When available, we reviewed SP video encounters to formally assess participating SPs' linguistic performance using the SP Oral Language Observation Matrix, a rating tool adapted from the Physician Oral Language Observation Matrix to assess oral medical Spanish proficiency. Eighty percent of faculty (16/20) responded. Standardized patient recruitment sources included institutional English-language SPs, Hispanic student groups and professional organizations, communities, and language professionals. Faculty-reported strategies to determine language readiness included interviewing SP candidates in Spanish and asking them to self-rate language skills using a validated scale. Fifteen SPs (54%, 15/28) from 5 schools responded to the SP questionnaire, and one third (5/15) reported that their Spanish was not assessed before being selected as an SP. In addition, one third (5/15) did not receive any initial training before performing a medical Spanish case. Raters assessed 11 different SPs using the SP Oral Language Observation Matrix, and 6 were rated as linguistically "ready" for the SP role. Current approaches to recruitment, training, and language assessment of SPs vary. We propose strategies to ensure that medical Spanish encounters authentically reflect Spanish-speaking patients.