scholarly journals The Grand Renaissance Dam and prospects for cooperation on the Eastern Nile

Water Policy ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dale Whittington ◽  
John Waterbury ◽  
Marc Jeuland
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Trade Agreements ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Operating Rules ◽  
Power Trade

The escalation of tensions between Ethiopia and Egypt over the construction of the Grand Renaissance is at least partly based on a misunderstanding of the nature of the risks this dam poses to Egypt. There is a two-part, win–win deal that can defuse tensions between Egypt and Ethiopia. First, Ethiopia needs to agree with Egypt and Sudan on rules for filling the Grand Renaissance Dam (GRD) reservoir and on operating rules during periods of drought. Second, Egypt needs to acknowledge that Ethiopia has a right to develop its water resources infrastructure for the benefit of its people based on the principle of equitable use, and agree not to block the power trade agreements that Ethiopia needs with Sudan to make the GRD financially viable. Sudan has a big stake in Egyptian–Ethiopian reconciliation over the use of the Nile. Although Sudan's agricultural and hydropower interests now align with those of Ethiopia, there does not seem to be a formal agreement between Ethiopia and Sudan for the sale of hydropower from the GRD. Because the economic feasibility of the GRD and other Ethiopian hydropower projects will depend on such agreements, Sudan has leverage with both Ethiopia and Egypt to encourage this win–win deal.

scholarly journals On an improved sub-regional water resources management representation for integration into earth system models

2013 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3605-3622 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Voisin ◽  
H. Li ◽  
D. Ward ◽  
M. Huang ◽  
M. Wigmosta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Regulation System ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
System Models ◽  
Operating Rules ◽  
Reservoir Models ◽  
Earth System Models

Abstract. Human influence on the hydrologic cycle includes regulation and storage, consumptive use and overall redistribution of water resources in space and time. Representing these processes is essential for applications of earth system models in hydrologic and climate predictions, as well as impact studies at regional to global scales. Emerging large-scale research reservoir models use generic operating rules that are flexible for coupling with earth system models. Those generic operating rules have been successful in reproducing the overall regulated flow at large basin scales. This study investigates the uncertainties of the reservoir models from different implementations of the generic operating rules using the complex multi-objective Columbia River Regulation System in northwestern United States as an example to understand their effects on not only regulated flow but also reservoir storage and fraction of the demand that is met. Numerical experiments are designed to test new generic operating rules that combine storage and releases targets for multi-purpose reservoirs and to compare the use of reservoir usage priorities and predictors (withdrawals vs. consumptive demands, as well as natural vs. regulated mean flow) for configuring operating rules. Overall the best performing implementation is with combined priorities rules (flood control storage targets and irrigation release targets) set up with mean annual natural flow and mean monthly withdrawals. The options of not accounting for groundwater withdrawals, or on the contrary, of assuming that all remaining demand is met through groundwater extractions, are discussed.

Preferential Trade Agreements of the Eurasian Economic Union

2020 ◽  
pp. 29-55
Author(s):  
Maria Lagutina
Keyword(s):  
Free Trade ◽  
Trade Agreements ◽  
Preferential Trade Agreements ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Free Trade Zone ◽  
Partner Country ◽  
Preferential Trade ◽  
Trade Relations ◽  
Eurasian Economic Union ◽  
Economic Union

One of the trends in the development of modern trade relations is the increase in the number of concluded preferential trade agreements (PTA), which are considered to be a tool for reducing tariffs and, as a consequence, reducing the costs of entering the domestic market of the partner country. Although the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has made only the first steps on the way towards its development. The EAEU has already managed to create a free trade zone with Vietnam, some agreements have been signed with Iran and China. Each of these agreements has its own specifics. The purpose of this chapter is to identify the economic feasibility and political significance of these preferential trade agreements for the countries of the EAEU and their external partners, as well as to determine the potential expansion of the network of preferential trade agreements of the EAEU.

scholarly journals On an improved sub-regional water resources management representation for integration into earth system models

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 3501-3540 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Voisin ◽  
H. Li ◽  
D. Ward ◽  
M. Huang ◽  
M. Wigmosta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Flood Control ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Regulation System ◽  
Earth System ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
System Models ◽  
Operating Rules ◽  
Reservoir Models ◽  
Earth System Models

Abstract. Human influence on the hydrologic cycle includes regulation and storage, consumptive use and overall redistribution of water resources in space and time. Representing these processes is essential for applications of earth system models in hydrologic and climate predictions, as well as impact studies at regional to global scales. Emerging large-scale research reservoir models use generic operating rules that are flexible for coupling with earth system models. Those generic operating rules have been successful in reproducing the overall regulated flow at large basin scales. This study investigates the uncertainties of the reservoir models from different implementations of the generic operating rules using the complex multi-objective Columbia River Regulation System in northwestern United States as an example to understand their effects on not only regulated flow but also reservoir storage and fraction of the demand that is met. Numerical experiments are designed to test new generic operating rules that combine storage and releases targets for multi-purpose reservoirs and to compare the use of reservoir usage priorities, withdrawals vs. consumptive demand, as well as natural vs. regulated mean flow for calibrating operating rules. Overall the best performing implementation is the use of the combined priorities (flood control storage targets and irrigation release targets) operating rules calibrated with mean annual natural flow and mean monthly withdrawals. The options of not accounting for groundwater withdrawals, or on the contrary, of assuming that all remaining demand is met through groundwater extractions, are discussed.

Regionalism and Free Trade Agreements in East Asia

2003 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inkyo Cheong
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
East Asia ◽  
Free Trade ◽  
East Asian ◽  
Free Trade Agreements ◽  
Trade Agreements ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
China And Japan ◽  
Northeast Asian

This paper gives an overview of the progress of regionalism in East Asia and examines the background of the recent embrace of trade agreements by China, Japan, and South Korea. It discusses the progress toward free trade agreements (FTAs) within East Asia and offers reasons for their slow development. The impacts of eight hypothetical East Asian FTAs are estimated using a computable generalized equilibrium model. The model predicts that countries will benefit from both bilateral FTAs and regional FTAs (such as a Northeast Asian FTA and an East Asian FTA); however, greater economic benefits would be gained under regional FTAs than under bilateral FTAs. Although the simulation used in the study estimates that a Northeast Asian FTA and an East Asian FTA would bring a similar level of economic benefits, results indicate that greater benefits would accrue under an East Asian FTA. Discussions of a Japan–ASEAN FTA are under way, after talks of an FTA between ASEAN and China blossomed in late 2000. China and Japan are competitively promoting bilateral FTAs with ASEAN. As discussions of an FTA with ASEAN heat up in China and Japan, South Korea has also begun reviewing the economic feasibility of an FTA with ASEAN. If China, Japan, and South Korea competitively pursue bilateral FTAs with ASEAN, this may result in several important problems, including spaghetti bowl effects, a hub-and-spoke dilemma, or struggles for regional leadership. This paper tries to show that an East Asian FTA covering the whole region is economically desirable and stresses that East Asian countries should introduce a regionwide FTA, rather than multiple bilateral or subregional FTAs. An East Asian FTA can be realized only in the long term because of economic, political, and social obstacles. East Asia, which already lags behind other regions in terms of regionalism, should not passively wait for the establishment of an East Asian FTA, which is likely to take some time to be established.

scholarly journals Development of multi-objective reservoir operation rules for integrated water resources management

2009 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. S. Cheong ◽  
I. Ko ◽  
J. W. Labadie
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Water Resources Management ◽  
Reservoir Operation ◽  
Integrated Water Resources Management ◽  
Optimization Models ◽  
Resources Management ◽  
Operating Rules ◽  
Operation Rules ◽  
Optimal Network ◽  
Reservoir Conditions

Real-time monitoring, databases, optimization models and visualization tools have been integrated into a Decision Support System (DSS) for optimal water resources management of two water supply reservoirs, the Daechung Reservoir and the Yongdam Reservoir of the Geum River basin, Daejeon, Korea. The KModSim as a DSS has been designed to provide information on current reservoir conditions to operational staff and to help in making decisions for short- and long-term management. For the physical calibration, the network simulations in seasonal water allocation of both reservoirs are performed for 23 years from January 1 1983 to June 30 2006. Linear and nonlinear operating rules are developed by using the actual reservoir operation data obtained from both reservoirs which are then used in KModSim by the hydrologic state method to estimate optimized target storages of both reservoirs. For validation of hydrologic states in KModSim and scenario testing for the management simulations, the optimal network simulation for the seasonal water allocations from October 1 2002 to June 30 2006 were also performed. The results' simulation by new rules fit the measured actual reservoir storage and represent well the various outflow discharge curves measured at the gauging stations of Geum River. The developed operating rules are proven to be superior in explaining actual reservoir operation as compared to the simulated target storages by existing optimization models.

scholarly journals Transboundary water sharing policies conditioned on hydrologic variability to inform reservoir operations

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang Yang ◽  
Paul Block
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Reservoir Operation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Transboundary Water ◽  
Reservoir Operations ◽  
Water Sharing ◽  
Transboundary Water Resources ◽  
Operating Rules ◽  
Hydrologic Variability

Abstract. Water resources infrastructure is critical for energy and food security, however, the development of large-scale infrastructure, such as hydropower dams, may significantly alter downstream flows, potentially leading to water resources management conflicts and disputes, especially in transboundary river basins. Mutually agreed upon water sharing policies for the operation of existing or new reservoirs is one of the most effective strategies to mitigate conflict, yet this is a complex task involving the estimation of available water, identification of users and demands, procedures for water sharing, etc. We propose a water-sharing policy framework that incorporates reservoir operating rules optimization based on conflicting uses and natural hydrologic variability, specifically tailored to drought conditions. We first establish the trade-off between downstream and upstream water availability utilizing multi-objective optimization of reservoir operating rules. Next, we simulate reservoir operation with the candidate (optimal) rules, evaluate their performance, and select the most suitable rules for balancing water uses. Subsequently, we build a relationship between the reservoir operations simulated from the selected rules and drought-specific conditions to derive water-sharing policies. Finally, we re-optimize the reservoir operating rules to evaluate the effectiveness of the drought-specific water sharing policies. We apply the framework to reservoir operation of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile River. We find that the derived water sharing policy can balance GERD power generation and downstream releases, especially in dry conditions, effectively sharing the hydrologic risk in inflow variability among riparian countries. The proposed framework offers a robust approach to inform water sharing policies for sustainable management of transboundary water resources.

scholarly journals Water sharing policies conditioned on hydrologic variability to inform reservoir operations

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (6) ◽  
pp. 3617-3634
Author(s):  
Guang Yang ◽  
Paul Block
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Policy Framework ◽  
Reservoir Operations ◽  
Water Sharing ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Operating Rules ◽  
Hydrologic Variability ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Management Conflicts

Abstract. Water resources infrastructure is critical for energy and food security; however, the development of large-scale infrastructure, such as hydropower dams, may significantly alter downstream flows, potentially leading to water resources management conflicts and disputes. Mutually agreed upon water sharing policies for the operation of existing or new reservoirs is one of the most effective strategies for mitigating conflict, yet this is a complex task involving the estimation of available water, identification of users and demands, procedures for water sharing, etc. A water sharing policy framework that incorporates reservoir operating rules optimization based on conflicting uses and natural hydrologic variability, specifically tailored to drought conditions, is proposed. First, the trade-off between downstream and upstream water availability utilizing multi-objective optimization of reservoir operating rules is established. Next, reservoir operation with the candidate (optimal) rules is simulated, followed by their performance evaluations, and the rule selections for balancing water uses. Subsequently, a relationship between the reservoir operations simulated from the selected rules and drought-specific conditions is built to derive water sharing policies. Finally, the reservoir operating rules are re-optimized to evaluate the effectiveness of the drought-specific water sharing policies. With a case study of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) on the Blue Nile river, it is demonstrated that the derived water sharing policy can balance GERD power generation and downstream releases, especially in dry conditions, effectively sharing the hydrologic risk in inflow variability among riparian countries. The proposed framework offers a robust approach to inform water sharing policies for sustainable management of water resources.

A quarter century of Water Resources Research

1990 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-4 ◽  
Author(s):  
George H. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Water Resources ◽  
Quarter Century
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