District-scale water management: impacts on infrastructure, energy, pollution and greenhouse gas emissions

2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Myers ◽  
P. Grace ◽  
E. Lopez Calva ◽  
X. Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Water Conservation ◽  
Conceptual Development ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Carbon Footprints ◽  
Peak Runoff ◽  
The Impact

This paper explores the impact of water conservation and rainwater harvesting practices implemented at the site or district scale on the infrastructure, energy and water cycles of their larger urban systems. A case study is presented of a conceptual development in a Southeast Asian climate. Two technologies are examined: water-efficient fixtures and appliances and rainwater harvesting and beneficial use. Practices to reduce water consumption at the site or district scale have implications in the larger system, ranging from reductions in water that has to be treated and distributed, reductions in wastewater that has to be collected and treated, and reductions in energy consumed. Similarly, using rainwater for irrigation will reduce the amount of potable water demand, and will have system energy implications. The paper considers performance criteria for the entire water-energy system, including peak runoff, pollutant loads, energy and carbon footprints.

scholarly journals Electric Vehicle Integration into Road Transportation, Intelligent Transportation, and Electric Power Systems: An Abu Dhabi Case Study

Smart Cities ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1039-1057
Author(s):  
Amro M. Farid ◽  
Asha Viswanath ◽  
Reem Al-Junaibi ◽  
Deema Allan ◽  
Thomas J. T. Van der Van der Wardt
Keyword(s):  
Electric Power ◽  
Intelligent Transportation ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Transportation System ◽  
Electric Power System ◽  
Abu Dhabi ◽  
Road Transportation ◽  
Unit Distance ◽  
The Impact

Recently, electric vehicles (EV) have gained much attention as a potential enabling technology to support CO2 emissions reduction targets. Relative to their internal combustion vehicle counterparts, EVs consume less energy per unit distance, and add the benefit of not emitting any carbon dioxide in operation and instead shift their emissions to the existing local fleet of power generation. However, the true success of EVs depends on their successful integration with the supporting infrastructure systems. Building upon the recently published methodology for the same purpose, this paper presents a “systems-of-systems” case study assessing the impacts of EVs on these three systems in the context of Abu Dhabi. For the physical transportation system, a microscopic discrete-time traffic operations simulator is used to predict the kinematic state of the EV fleet over the duration of one day. For the impact on the intelligent transportation system (ITS), the integration of EVs into Abu Dhabi is studied using a multi-domain matrix (MDM) of the Abu Dhabi Department of Transportation ITS. Finally, for the impact on the electric power system, the EV traffic flow patterns from the CMS are used to calculate the timing and magnitude of charging loads. The paper concludes with the need for an intelligent transportation-energy system (ITES) which would coordinate traffic and energy management functionality.

scholarly journals Decomposition Analysis of the Evolution of the Local Energy System as a Tool to Assess the Effect of Local Actions: Methodology and Example of Malmö, Sweden

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 461
Author(s):  
Isabel Azevedo ◽  
Vítor Leal
Keyword(s):  
Local Level ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Specific Effect ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Local Energy ◽  
Total Change ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Change Mitigation

This paper proposes the use of decomposition analysis to assess the effect of local energy-related actions towards climate change mitigation, and thus improve policy evaluation and planning at the local level. The assessment of the impact of local actions has been a challenge, even from a strictly technical perspective. This happens because the total change observed is the result of multiple factors influencing local energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, many of them not even influenced by local authorities. A methodology was developed, based on a recently developed decomposition model, that disaggregates the total observed changes in the local energy system into multiple causes/effects (including local socio-economic evolution, technology evolution, higher-level governance frame and local actions). The proposed methodology, including the quantification of the specific effect associated with local actions, is demonstrated with the case study of the municipality of Malmö (Sweden) in the timeframe between 1990 and 2015.

scholarly journals Water Preservation and Conservation above Coal Mines Using an Innovative Approach: A Case Study

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2818
Author(s):  
Yujun Xu ◽  
Liqiang Ma ◽  
Yihe Yu
Keyword(s):  
Coal Mining ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Influencing Factor ◽  
Mining Area ◽  
Mining Operations ◽  
Narrow Strip ◽  
Geological Conditions ◽  
The Impact

To better protect the ecological environment during large scale underground coal mining operations in the northwest of China, the authors have proposed a water-conservation coal mining (WCCM) method. This case study demonstrated the successful application of WCCM in the Yu-Shen mining area. Firstly, by using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the influencing factors of WCCM were identified and the identification model with a multilevel structure was developed, to determine the weight of each influencing factor. Based on this, the five maps: overburden thickness contour, stratigraphic structure map, water-rich zoning map of aquifers, aquiclude thickness contour and coal seam thickness contour, were analyzed and determined. This formed the basis for studying WCCM in the mining area. Using the geological conditions of the Yu-Shen mining area, the features of caved zone, water conductive fractured zone (WCFZ) and protective zone were studied. The equations for calculating the height of the “three zones” were proposed. Considering the hydrogeological condition of Yu-Shen mining area, the criteria were put forward to evaluate the impact of coal mining on groundwater, which were then used to determine the distribution of different impact levels. Using strata control theory, the mechanism and applicability of WCCM methods, including height-restricted mining, (partial) backfill mining and narrow strip mining, together with the applicable zone of these methods, were analyzed and identified. Under the guidance of “two zoning” (zoning based on coal mining’s impact level on groundwater and zoning based on applicability of WCCM methods), the WCCM practice was carried out in Yu-Shen mining area. The research findings will provide theoretical and practical instruction for the WCCM in the northwest mining area of China, which is important to reduce the impact of mining on surface and groundwater.

Quality of rainwater harvesting in urban systems: case study in Colombia

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 424-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Morales-Pinzón ◽  
M. I. García-Serna ◽  
M. T. Flórez-Calderón
Keyword(s):  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Water Source ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Different Types ◽  
External Sources ◽  
Roofing Material ◽  
Fibre Cement ◽  
Alternative Water

An analysis of the utilisation and quality of rainwater in different collection systems located in the Pereira–Dosquebradas (Colombia) conurbation was conducted to evaluate the conditions in these systems and thus determine whether rainwater is safe water for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes. The quality of rainwater and its relation to selected variables (roofing material, material deposits, piping material and amount of precipitation) were evaluated. Six buildings with different types of roofing (zinc, polycarbonate or fibre cement) that have installed systems to capture rainwater were selected for the evaluation. According to the results, the sampled water is suitable for different uses. In cities, rainwater can be adapted and eventually used as an alternative water source, thereby reducing dependence on local and external sources.

scholarly journals The Demand and Effects of Accountability and Efficient Utilization of Resources by Donors of Local NonGovernmental Organisations (NGOS): A Qualitative Assessment of Some Selected NGOS in the Central Region of Ghana

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (32) ◽  
pp. 21
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Abeku Essel
Keyword(s):  
Central Region ◽  
Performance Criteria ◽  
Qualitative Assessment ◽  
Efficient Utilization ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Intermediary Role ◽  
The Impact

Accountability is a critical notion in social policy because it underpins a government or private actor's efforts to deliver services to client groups and execute social programs. Over the last few decades, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have become an integral part of most countries' organizational landscape which plays an intermediary role between donors and beneficiaries. To ensure the efficient utilization of resources, NGOs are required to be accountable to the two main stakeholders they serve: donors and beneficiaries. There are challenges in evaluating performance criteria, particularly when it comes to measurable effect indicators. The argument is that the impact of other variables on NGOs renders interpretative and strategic responsibility difficult. This article explains the forms and how accountability is practiced in Non-Governmental Organizations in Ghana. This paper focuses on exploring how accountability is influenced by the organizational missions and values. The study adopted an in-depth interpretive case study approach using two selected organizations in the Central Region of Ghana. Data was gathered by way of interviews and documentary review. In total, 10 interviews were conducted in the selected organizations. The study revealed that the accountability systems were both upward and downward towards donors. The study therefore proposes that donors should show a much greater commitment to accountability, and actively involve beneficiaries in the process of accountability in obtaining genuine benefits.

scholarly journals The Impact of COVID-19 on Highway Traffic and Management: The Case Study of An Operator Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 5320
Author(s):  
Carlos Oliveira Cruz ◽  
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Urban Systems ◽  
Highway Traffic ◽  
Transportation Services ◽  
Service Disruption ◽  
Multidisciplinary Perspective ◽  
The Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic created an enormous disruption to the everyday life of the modern society. Among the various urban systems, transportation services were among those that suffered the most significant impacts, particularly severe in the case of highways. This paper addresses the challenges and responses to the pandemic from a private highway operator’s perspective and from a multidisciplinary perspective. Highway operators faced two main challenges: on one hand, the need to cope with the potential disruption caused by the pandemic and a national lockdown for almost three months, the provision of road services, and the requirement to ensure the proper operation and maintenance, and on the other hand, the strong negative impact of the pandemic on levels of traffic. Our case study shows that the operator’s management response in question is essentially characterised by being a first response to short term impacts while balancing for workers health and safety, engineering and management, internal business management, and overall economic impact. Highway operators were hardly prepared for such an event and became more focused on prioritising their employees and clients’ safety to avoid service disruption. Regarding levels of traffic, the pandemic has had severe effects, although to a varying degree, depending on the different types of vehicles (heavy, light, passenger, freight, among other types of vehicles) and the location of highways (coastal vs. interior). The lessons learnt can be valuable in future disruptive events and for other highway concession operators.

The 2020 emissions reduction impact of urban water conservation in California

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 151-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Haley ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Gallo ◽  
Abigail Kehr ◽  
Michael Perry ◽  
David Siao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Water Conservation ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Emissions Reduction ◽  
Urban Water ◽  
Adaptation To Climate Change ◽  
End Use ◽  
Year 2000 ◽  
The Impact

This paper assesses the potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction impacts of urban water conservation. Using California as a case study, it estimates this co-benefit of California's statewide urban water conservation goal of 20% per capita reduction by 2020 (relative to a year 2000 baseline). We developed a model of a water supply system to assess the impact of reduced urban water demand on emissions. Embedded energy and emissions were established for each stage of the water supply cycle: supply and conveyance, treatment, distribution, end use and wastewater treatment. We conclude that water conservation, in addition to being an important strategy for adaptation to climate change, represents a significant opportunity for mitigation. Under policies that prioritize savings of water that is heated, the most energy-intensive process in the supply cycle, water conservation offers the potential to conserve 3.5 Mt CO2e in 2020. This result suggests that water conservation could be an important mitigation strategy in other states, even those that are not water-constrained and do not have highly energy intensive supply sources.

scholarly journals An Analysis of Eco-Technology Allowing Water and Energy Saving in an Environmentally Friendly House—A Case Study from Poland

Buildings ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Stec ◽  
Aleksandra Mazur
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle Cost ◽  
Rainwater Harvesting ◽  
Environmentally Friendly ◽  
Heat Pumps ◽  
Solar Panels ◽  
Fossil Energy ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Detached House ◽  
The Impact

The Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis on selected alternative systems was carried out to reduce the demand for potable water and energy in a detached house designed in accordance with the concept of environmentally friendly house. The tests included a rainwater harvesting system, graywater recycling system, solar panels, photovoltaic panels, air heat pumps, ground heat pumps, wind turbines, drain water heat recovery units, and biomass boilers. The analysis was made for many investment variants where different combinations of the mentioned solutions were applied. In addition to the LCC analysis, some tests were also carried out to determine an impact of the investment options on the environment. This was done by calculating CO2, SO2, NOx, CO and dust emissions. The research was carried out for a different number of occupants and variable levels of water consumption, which allowed determining the impact of these parameters on the results obtained. They showed that for any of the computational cases the traditional option of the installation was not the most advantageous solution in financial and environmental terms, and the systems in question could be an alternative to this option. Thanks to their implementation, the consumption of fossil energy resources and natural water resources will be reduced, and the emission of pollutants will be limited, which will contribute to an improvement of the natural environment.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document