Popular Science


Book Description

Popular Science gives our readers the information and tools to improve their technology and their world. The core belief that Popular Science and our readers share: The future is going to be better, and science and technology are the driving forces that will help make it better.




Contested Knowledges


Book Description

Locally and globally, mega-hydraulic projects have become deeply controversial. Recently, despite widespread critique, they have regained a new impetus worldwide. The developmentand operation of large dams and mega-hydraulic infrastructure projects are manifestations of contested knowledge regimes. In this special issue we present, analyze and critically engage with situations where multiple knowledge regimes interact and conflict with each other, and where different grounds for claiming the truth are used to construct hydrosocial realities. In this introductory paper, we outline the conceptual groundwork. We discuss ‘the dark legend of UnGovernance’ as an epistemological mainstay underlying the mega-hydraulic knowledge regimes, involving a deep, often subconscious, neglect of the multiplicity of hydrosocial territories and water cultures. Accordingly, modernist epistemic regimes tend to subjugate other knowledge systems and dichotomize ‘civilized Self’ versus ‘backward Other’; they depend upon depersonalized planning models that manufacture ignorance. Romanticizing and reifying the ‘othered’ hydrosocial territories and vernacular / indigenous knowledge, however, may pose a serious danger to dam-affected communities. Instead, we show how multiple forms of power challenge mega-hydraulic rationality thereby repoliticizing large dam regimes. This happens often through complex, multi-actor, multi-scalar coalitions that make that knowledge is co-created in informal arenas and battlefields.




Dams and Public Safety


Book Description




Hydraulic Structures


Book Description

Now includes Worked Examples for lectutrers in a companion pdf! The fourth edition of this volume presents design principles and practical guidance for key hydraulic structures. Fully revised and updated, this new edition contains enhanced texts and sections on: environmental issues and the World Commission on Dams partially saturated soils, small amenity dams, tailing dams, upstream dam face protection and the rehabilitation of embankment dams RCC dams and the upgrading of masonry and concrete dams flow over stepped spillways and scour in plunge pools cavitation, aeration and vibration of gates risk analysis and contingency planning in dam safety small hydroelectric power development and tidal and wave power wave statistics, pipeline stability, wave–structure interaction and coastal modelling computational models in hydraulic engineering. The book's key topics are explored in two parts - dam engineering and other hydraulic structures – and the text concludes with a chapter on models in hydraulic engineering. Worked numerical examples supplement the main text and extensive lists of references conclude each chapter. Hydraulic Structures provides advanced students with a solid foundation in the subject and is a useful reference source for researchers, designers and other professionals.




Safety of Existing Dams


Book Description

Written by civil engineers, dam safety officials, dam owners, geologists, hydraulic engineers, and risk analysts, this handbook is the first cooperative attempt to provide practical solutions to dam problems within the financial constraints faced by dam owners. It provides hands-on information for identifying and remedying common defects in concrete and masonry dams, embankment dams, reservoirs, and related structures. It also includes procedures for monitoring dams and collecting and analyzing data. Case histories demonstrate economical solutions to specific problems.




Dam!


Book Description

A lively study of America's first environmental battle describes how, in 1913, Congress authorized the construction of the Hetch Hetchy Dam and Reservoir within the bondaries of Yosemite National Park, chronicling the intrigues that surrounded the project, profiling participants in the debate, and the implications of Hetch Hetchy for American attitudes toward environmental stewardship. 10,000 first printing.




Implementing the Water-Energy-Food- Ecosystems Nexus and Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals


Book Description

The book’s primary intention is to serve as a roadmap for professionals working in developing countries interested in the Nexus Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems (WEFE) approach. The book shows a multi-disciplinary approach, showcasing the importance of the proper use of Nexus WEFE when implementing certain development programs in regions around the globe. It can be presented as a manual for an individual that either wishes to implement intervention projects following the NEXUS approach or students interested in cooperation and development. The book begins with a general explanation of the theoretical concepts and implementation processes of Nexus WEFE and continues getting into case studies, explaining the importance of proper implementation and potential drawbacks and solutions to them. This book has a particular focus on the European Union cooperation policies when implementing such an approach in developing countries.




Dams and Development


Book Description

By the year 2000, the world had built more than 45,000 large dams to irrigate crops, generate power, control floods in wet times and store water in dry times. Yet, in the last century, large dams also disrupted the ecology of half the world's rivers, displaced tens of millions of people from their homes and left nations burdened with debt. Their impacts have inevitably generated growing controversy and conflicts. Resolving their role in meeting water and energy needs is vital for the future and illustrates the complex development challenges that face our societies. The Report of the World Commission on Dams: - is the product of an unprecedented global public policy effort to bring governments, the private sector and civil society together in one process - provides the first comprehensive global and independent review of the performance and impacts of dams - presents a new framework for water and energy resources development - develops an agenda of seven strategic priorities with corresponding criteria and guidelines for future decision-making. Challenging our assumptions, the Commission sets before us the hard, rigorous and clear-eyed evidence of exactly why nations decide to build dams and how dams can affect human, plant and animal life, for better or for worse. Dams and Development: A New Framework for Decision-Making is vital reading on the future of dams as well as the changing development context where new voices, choices and options leave little room for a business-as-usual scenario.




Hydropower Economics


Book Description

There are few more urgent topics in today’s world, so full of ecological uncertainty. Hydropower Economics uses various econometric measures to examine sustainable alternative energy sources. It kicks off by modeling hydropower, yes, but it does not end there. Forsund has extended his model to include thermal power and wind power, too – forms of alternative energy that are taking on an ever larger profile.




Small and Micro Hydropower Plants


Book Description

Small and Micro Hydropower Plants is a guidebook for the reliable and sustainable solutions for design of small scale hydroelectric systems. It presents the most recent knowledge of all aspects of small hydropower engineering, thus forming a comprehensive collection of modern and innovative technology and practices. Different types of weir and water intakes are discussed, as well as hydrology aspects like discharge estimation and measurement. The book explores the latest advances in turbine, gear boxes, belt drives, generators, and remote control, critically assessing and comparing these technologies' viability for commercial application. It offers an analysis of operation tools, remote supervision and maintenance. Finally, the book also considers social aspects, like community negotiation, as well as environmental aspects, like ecological flow, fish bypassing, and climate change impacts. Engineering researchers, advanced graduate students and practitioners working in small and micro hydropower have in this book an ideal reference for designing and improving these systems through reliable and sustainable solutions. Prior knowledge of hydropower systems design is assumed. Presents the latest advances small and micro hydropower, including the most recent available technology, engineering concepts, control systems, impact assessment methodologies, economics and policy aspects Examines step by step real-life design and global implementation cases Discusses factors for sustainability of hydropower plants, such as the impact of Climate Change and community mediation