Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa
Assistant Professor (Professor Adjunto), September 2026–Present
Invited Assistant Professor, September 2025–August 2026
Invited Lecturer, September 2024–August 2025
Academic Biography
Andrés A. Zúñiga is an Assistant Professor (Professor Adjunto) at the Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa (ISEL), Portugal, and a collaborating researcher at the Institute of Mechanical Engineering (IDMEC).
He received his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the Universidade de Lisboa (Instituto Superior Técnico) in May 2025, with the final classification Aprovado com Distinção e Louvor. His doctoral research focused on risk analysis in cyber-power systems using fuzzy logic and Choquet integral methods. He previously obtained an Electrical Engineering degree specialising in Power Systems from the Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Ecuador, in 2015; the degree was recognised by the Universidade de Lisboa as equivalent to a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2019.
His research focuses on reliability, availability, maintainability and safety (RAMS) in engineering systems, particularly electrical power systems, industrial automation and robotics. Areas of particular interest include risk and failure analysis, uncertainty representation, and the use of computational intelligence and multi-criteria methods to support engineering decisions. He currently teaches at ISEL and has previously taught at Instituto Superior Técnico, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral and in postgraduate programmes associated with the Fundación Canaria Universitaria de Las Palmas (Spain). He also has experience in professional engineering practice and currently supervises doctoral and master's students, as well as applied research projects.
Academic Appointments
Instituto Superior Técnico
Invited Lecturer, July–December 2020 and September 2018–July 2019
Fundación Canaria Universitaria de Las Palmas
Lecturer (online learning), September 2015–July 2022
Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral
Teaching Assistant, May 2001–February 2002
Education
- Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Universidade de Lisboa (Instituto Superior Técnico), 2025.
- Electrical Engineering degree, specialising in Power Systems, ESPOL, 2015; recognised in Portugal as equivalent to a Master's degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering (2019).
Research Statement
My research focuses on reliability, availability, maintainability and safety (RAMS) in engineering systems, particularly electrical power systems, industrial automation and robotics. My main interests include risk and failure analysis, uncertainty representation, and the use of computational intelligence and multi-criteria methods to support engineering decisions.
Most of my previous research has focused on reliability and risk assessment in electrical power and cyber-physical systems. This includes failure modes, effects and criticality analysis (FMEA/FMECA), the use of fuzzy logic to account for uncertainty in risk assessments, and comparisons of quantitative methods for evaluating failure criticality. During my PhD, I also investigated the use of the Choquet integral to account for interactions between risk factors.
I am now extending this research to industrial automation and robotics. My interest is in applying and adapting RAMS methods to these systems, particularly in problems involving the quality and uncertainty of reliability and maintainability data, equipment degradation, fault diagnosis and prognosis, and maintenance decisions. Some of these topics are already being addressed through the research projects I supervise.
I intend to continue developing and evaluating methods for reliability and risk assessment that take into account uncertainty and the limitations of available engineering data, with an emphasis on their practical application to industrial systems.
Research Areas
Reliability, Availability, Maintainability and Safety (RAMS)
Reliability and maintainability assessment of electrical and industrial systems, including the quality of supporting data.
Risk and Failure Analysis
FMEA/FMECA, quantitative criticality assessment, fuzzy logic, risk comparison and multi-criteria decision support.
Condition Monitoring and Maintenance Decision Support
Diagnostic performance, transformer degradation and maintenance planning, including current supervised research.
Industrial Automation and Robotics
Application and adaptation of RAMS methods to industrial automation and robotic systems, including current supervised research.
Selected Research Projects
Aliança para a Transição Energética
Interoperable platform for digitalisation of the energy sector, Instituto Superior Técnico; researcher, September 2025–August 2026.
LEANWIND
Logistic Efficiencies and Naval Architecture for Wind Installations with Novel Developments; collaborating researcher, December 2013–November 2017.
NEXOS
Next-generation web-enabled ocean sensor systems; collaborating researcher, October 2013–September 2017.
Hydroelectric Operations and Climate Change
Computational-intelligence models for long-term operation of hydroelectric power stations; researcher, November 2008–July 2010.
Journal Articles
Zúñiga A.A., Fernandes J.F.P., Costa Branco P.J.C. Comparisons Between Quantitative FMECA Methods: A Case Study on Power Transformer Risk Assessments. Systems 13(6), 450 (2025). DOI.
Cacereño, Andrés; Greiner, David; Zúñiga, Andrés; Galván, Blas. Design and Maintenance Optimisation for Substation Communication Networks Architectures Based on IEC 61850. Journal of Engineering (2024). DOI.
Zúñiga A.A., Fernandes J.F.P., Costa Branco P.J.C. A Fuzzy-based Failure Modes, Effects and Criticality Analysis applied to cyber-power grids. Energies 16(8), 3346 (2023). DOI.
Zúñiga, A.A.; Baleia, A.; Fernandes, J.; Branco, P.J.D.C. Classical Failure Modes and Effects Analysis in the Context of Smart Grid Cyber-Physical Systems. Energies 13(5), 1215 (2020). DOI.
Jordán, C., Zúñiga, A., Medina, D. Aplicación de un algoritmo evolutivo flexible a la optimización de la operación de sistemas hidrotérmicos. Revista Tecnológica ESPOL 23(3), 35–45 (2010).
Jordán, C., Zúñiga, A., Medina, D. Ajuste de un Modelo Lluvia-Caudal para la Cuenca Media del Río Paute Aplicando el Modelo Neuro-Difuso ANFIS. Revista Tecnológica ESPOL 22(2), 27–36 (2009).
Jordán, C., Zúñiga, A., Medina, D. Modelo para Pruebas Automáticas de Software aplicando un Agente de Evolución Flexible. Revista Tecnológica ESPOL 21(1), 99–104 (2008).
Zúñiga, A., Jordán, C.. Pronóstico de caudales medios mensuales aplicando Sistemas Neurofuzzy. Revista Tecnológica ESPOL 18(1), 17–23 (2005).
Conference Publications
Zúñiga, A., Fernandes, J.F.P.; Branco, P.J.D.C. A New Concordance Coefficients-Based Approach to Compare Improved FMECA Methods. CEMEERS-23, Lisbon (2023). DOI.
Zúñiga, A., Fernandes, J.F.P., Branco, P.J.D.C. Reliability analysis of high-temperature superconducting-based aircraft turboelectric propulsion system. 5th Meeting of the Young Researchers of LAETA (2022).
Sarquis, E., Zúñiga, A., Fernandes, J.F.P., Branco, P.J.D.C. Failure rates in photovoltaic systems: a careful selection of quantitative data available in the literature. 37th EU PVSEC (2020). Proceedings.
Zúñiga A.A., Fernandes J.F.P., Costa Branco P.J.. A Fuzzy-Based Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) in Smart Grids. ICITS 2019, Springer, Advances in Intelligent Systems and Computing 918. DOI.
Zúñiga, A., Rodríguez, M., Sosa, A., Galván, B. Indicadores clave de desempeño KPI'S: aplicación en bombas. XII CIBIM, Guayaquil (2015).
Zúñiga, A., Galván, B. Indicadores clave de desempeño KPI'S: aplicación en generadores eléctricos. XXIX ECUACIER, Machala (2014).
Galván, B., Zúñiga, A., Carmona, H., Ramos, J.P., Cacereño, A., Jiménez, I., Alonso, A., Winter, G. PLATEA 4D: Software para la gestión integral de grandes emergencias. I Congreso Nacional de Ciencias Aplicadas al Conocimiento de los Riesgos Naturales y Antrópicos (2010).
Galván, B., Salazar, D., Zúñiga, A. Indicadores para la Gestión de Mantenimiento y Confiabilidad. 1er Congreso Ecuatoriano de Mantenimiento (2009).
Jordán, C., Zúñiga, A., Medina, D. Ajuste de un Modelo Lluvia-Caudal para la Cuenca Media del Río Paute Aplicando el Modelo Neuro-Difuso ANFIS. V CONIIC, Lima (2009).
Jordán, C., Zúñiga, A., Medina, D. Automatic software testing applying a flexible evolutionary agent. VI CIIIE, Aguascalientes (2008).
Zúñiga, A. Optimización de la operación de centrales hidroeléctricas aplicando métodos estocásticos. ESPOLCIENCIA (2007), Best Paper Award.
Zúñiga, A., Jordán, C.. Redes Adaptables y Sistemas de Inferencia Fuzzy: Una aplicación al problema de la previsión de caudales. I Congreso Nacional de Investigación, Tecnología e Innovación (2005).
Theses
Risk Analysis Framework for Cyber-Power Systems based on Fuzzy Logic and Choquet Integral Methods. Ph.D. thesis, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa (2025). Repository record.
Pronóstico de caudales afluentes para la planificación de la operación de sistemas hidrotérmicos de potencia aplicando el modelo ANFIS. Electrical Engineering final degree project, ESPOL (2015). Repository record.
Preprints and Other Communications
Tarquínio, João P.S.; Zúñiga, Andrés; Fernandes, João; Branco, Paulo. Reliability Analysis of the Control and Automation Systems in Electrical Substations. TechRxiv (2021). DOI.
Zúñiga, Andrés; Fernandes, João; Branco, Paulo. A New Agreement Coefficients-Based Approach to Compare Improved FMECA Methods. TechRxiv (2021). DOI.
Zúñiga, A.; Fernandes, J.; Branco, P.J.D.C. Dynamic reliability modeling and simulation for smart distribution grids considering the impact of cyber-power vulnerabilities. PhD Open Days, Instituto Superior Técnico (2019).
Current Students
Jorge Miguel António
Transformer Modelling for Maintenance Support and Failure Prediction
Dinis Manuel Duarte Gonçalves
Impact of Diagnostic Performance on Maintenance Decisions for Industrial Robots Under Progressive Degradation
Rodrigo Gomes Teles Beco
Evidence Quality and Uncertainty Representation in Reliability and Maintainability Data for Industrial Automation Components
Ricardo Jorge da Rocha Capela
Development of a Vision-Based Robotic System for Part Inspection and Handling
Diogo Murteira Vaz de Carvalho
Impact of Transformer Overloading and Degradation on Power System Availability
João Pedro Vicente Rei
Reliability analysis of distribution transformers machine
Former Students
Gonçalo da Rocha Lemos
Fuzzy-based Failure mode effects and criticality analysis (FMECA) in smart grids context
Gonçalo Filipe Monteiro Lucas Júdice Crespo
Reliability analysis of power equipment in a combined-cycle power plant
João Pedro de Sousa Tarquínio
Reliability Analysis of the Control and Automation System in Electrical Substations
Professional Master's Projects (Másteres Propios)
Master in Reliability, Maintenance, and Risk Engineering (MICRO), associated with Fundación Universitaria de Las Palmas. The titles below are given in English in the CV; these projects were conducted in Spanish.
Show all 22 supervised professional master’s projects
Francisco Gimeno Rubert
Process Risk Analysis (PHA) for the Gas Gathering Station in the Cuervito 1 Oil Field
Claudio Montaño Angeles
Implementation of an Asset Management System in a Petrochemical Company: A Practical Case Study
José Javier Barrera
Initial Diagnosis for the Implementation of the Physical Asset Management Standard Aligned with ISO 55001 for Helistar de Aviación SAS
Nilton Veria-Rivero Rivero
Optimization of the Maintenance Program for Auxiliary Equipment in a Combined Cycle Power Plant Through RCM Methodology
George Andrade Marroquín
HAZOP Operational Risk Analysis – Solvent Extraction (SX) Plant, Arequipa Mining
Freddy Centeno Cabana
Implementation of a Reliability-Centered Maintenance Plan for the HPGR Roller Crusher, Southern Perú Company
Edson Escobedo Rivero
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis of Final Drives in an Ore Haul Truck Fleet
Edgar Bonilla
Implementation of a Structure and Data Capture Process Centered on Reliability
David Cervantes García
Proposal for the Implementation of an Ultrasonic Meter for Natural Gas Measurement in Pipelines to Optimize Maintenance and Reduce Risk
Andrés Vina García
Process Risk Analysis in the YK-0001 Sour Water Stripping Tank at the SWS 2 Plant in Petroarabig, Saudi Arabia
Carlos Castellano Pérez
Process Risk Analysis of a Refined Petroleum Product Storage Terminal in Tapachula, Chiapas, Mexico, Complemented with Failure Mode and Effects Analysis for the Optimization of Preventive and Condition-Based Maintenance
José Lacayo Mendoza
Management Model for Process Safety Critical Assets
José Ramón Molas Flores
Risk Analysis of a Gas Metering and Regulation Station
Vidaflor Cabada Lara
Process Risk Analysis of a Sour Gas Sweetening Plant Located on an Offshore Platform in Mexico
Walter de Freitas Abreu
Risk Analysis of a Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Refueling Station
Jean-François García
Reliability, Availability, and Functionality Study Between a Shutdown Valve (SDV) Actuated by a Digital Control Loop and an SDV in a Safety Instrumented System Control Loop Designed According to IEC-61511
Rafael Flores Rodríguez
Criticality Analysis of Fibranova C.A. in Macapaima, Venezuela
José Vivanco Quezada
Reliability Study of Dynamic Equipment Belonging to a Compressor Station in an Oil Production Asset
Julio Melo Medina
Analysis of the Damage Mechanism in Metallic Piping Systems and Its Influence on Volumetric Commitments of the LCI Field Due to Unscheduled Shutdowns
Sebastián Meneses
Application of Risk-Based Reliability Models for Optimal Maintenance Planning
David Campoverde
Root Cause Analysis of the Gas Trip Phenomenon in Raw Gas Engine-Generators and Its Effect on the Operational Reliability of Power Generation Units
Geovanny Ramos
Implementation of a Condition-Based Maintenance Plan for Systems and Equipment in the Aguarico Field
University Teaching
Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa (ISEL)
Automação II (Automation II)
Instrumentação II (Instrumentation II)
Sistemas Robóticos (Robotic Systems)
Instrumentação I (Instrumentation I)
Instituto Superior Técnico (IST)
Renewable Sources and Distributed Power Generation
Electrical Drives and Electrical Vehicles
Portfólio MEEC
Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral (ESPOL)
Power Systems Laboratory
Continuing Education and Professional Master's Teaching
Fundación Canaria Universitaria de Las Palmas, Master in Reliability, Maintenance, and Risk Engineering (MICRO):
- Risk Academy: HAZOP, academic years 2015/2016–2021/2022.
- Asset Management ISO 55000, academic years 2015/2016–2021/2022.
Selected Short Courses and Technical Workshops
- Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) Applied to Electrical Systems with Emergent Technologies, University of Cuenca (2026), coordinator and instructor.
- Production, Regulation, and Price Formation in the Energy Sector, Ministry of Energy and Water of Angola, via LCT-Luanda Consulting Team (May and August 2026), instructor.
- Fundamentals of RAM Engineering: Application to Electrical and Electronic Systems, University of Cuenca (2025), coordinator and instructor.
- Renewable Energy System Typologies, Ministry of Energy and Water of Angola, via LCT-Luanda Consulting Team (2020), instructor.
- Qualitative Safety Analysis Methods, Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo (2015), instructor.
Curriculum Vitae
Academic Curriculum Vitae, October 2026.