Vulnerability of Watersheds to Climate Change Assessed by Neural Network and Analytical Hierarchy Process


Book Description

The increase in GHG gases in the atmosphere due to expansions in industrial and vehicular concentration is attributed to warming of the climate world wide. The resultant change in climatic pattern can induce abnormalities in the hydrological cycle. As a result, the regular functionality of river watersheds will also be affected. This Brief highlights a new methodology to rank the watersheds in terms of its vulnerability to change in climate. This Brief introduces a Vulnerability Index which will be directly proportional to the climatic impacts of the watersheds. Analytical Hierarchy Process and Artificial Neural Networks are used in a cascading manner to develop the model for prediction of the vulnerability index.




Feasibility Model of Solar Energy Plants by ANN and MCDM Techniques


Book Description

This Brief highlights a novel model to find out the feasibility of any location to produce solar energy. The model utilizes the latest multi-criteria decision making techniques and artificial neural networks to predict the suitability of a location to maximize allocation of available energy for producing optimal amount of electricity which will satisfy the demand from the market. According to the results of the case studies further applications are encouraged.




Advanced Analytic and Control Techniques for Thermal Systems with Heat Exchangers


Book Description

Advanced Analytic Control Techniques for Thermal Systems with Heat Exchangers presents the latest research on sophisticated analytic and control techniques specific for Heat Exchangers (HXs) and heat Exchanger Networks (HXNs), such as Stability Analysis, Efficiency of HXs, Fouling Effect, Delay Phenomenon, Robust Control, Algebraic Control, Geometric Control, Optimal Control, Fuzzy Control and Artificial Intelligence techniques. Editor Libor Pekar and his team of global expert contributors combine their knowledge and experience of investigated and applied systems and processes in this thorough review of the most advanced networks, analyzing their dynamics, efficiency, transient features, physical properties, performance, feasibility, flexibility and controllability. The structural and dynamic analyses and control approaches of HXNs, as well as energy efficient manipulation techniques are discussed, in addition to the design of the control systems through the full life cycle. This equips the reader with an understanding of the relevant theory in a variety of settings and scenarios and the confidence to apply that knowledge to solve problems in an academic or professional setting.Graduate students and early-mid career professionals require a robust understanding of how to suitably design thermal systems with HXs and HXNs to achieve required performance levels, which this book offers in one consolidated reference. All examples and solved problems included have been tried and tested, and these combined with the research driven theory provides professionals, researchers and students with the most recent techniques to maximize the energy efficiency and sustainability of existing and new thermal power systems. - Analyses several advanced techniques, the theoretical background of these techniques and includes models, examples and results throughout - Focusses on advanced analytic and control techniques which have been investigated or applied to thermal systems with HXs and HXNs - Includes practical applications and advanced ideas from leading experts in the field, as well as case studies and tested problems and solutions




Emerging Technologies for Water Supply, Conservation and Management


Book Description

This book deals with the role of emerging technologies such as remote sensing and GIS and artificial intelligence/machine learning in water supply, conservation and management for sustainable development. These are low-cost new technologies that address current challenges dealing with large data sets, such as identifying spatial and temporal variations in water quality parameters and contaminants, groundwater potential zones and water supply and management issues. This book is helpful to show the paths of reducing the burden of time and cost and is the alternative options for the conventional practices in water supply, conservation and management. Further, the outcomings of this book are helpful for policy makers, researchers and readers.




Spatial Modeling in GIS and R for Earth and Environmental Sciences


Book Description

Spatial Modeling in GIS and R for Earth and Environmental Sciences offers an integrated approach to spatial modelling using both GIS and R. Given the importance of Geographical Information Systems and geostatistics across a variety of applications in Earth and Environmental Science, a clear link between GIS and open source software is essential for the study of spatial objects or phenomena that occur in the real world and facilitate problem-solving. Organized into clear sections on applications and using case studies, the book helps researchers to more quickly understand GIS data and formulate more complex conclusions. The book is the first reference to provide methods and applications for combining the use of R and GIS in modeling spatial processes. It is an essential tool for students and researchers in earth and environmental science, especially those looking to better utilize GIS and spatial modeling. - Offers a clear, interdisciplinary guide to serve researchers in a variety of fields, including hazards, land surveying, remote sensing, cartography, geophysics, geology, natural resources, environment and geography - Provides an overview, methods and case studies for each application - Expresses concepts and methods at an appropriate level for both students and new users to learn by example




Natural Disaster Hotspots


Book Description

This synthesis summarizes the findings of the Global Natural Disaster Risk Hotspots project. The Hotspots project generated a global disaster risk assessment and a set of more localized or hazard-specific case studies. The synthesis draws primarily from the results of the global assessment. Full details on the data, methods and results of the global analysis can be found in volume one of Natural Disaster Hotspots: A Global Risk Analysis. The case studies are contained in volume two (forthcoming).




Flood Risk Management: Hazards, Vulnerability and Mitigation Measures


Book Description

Floods are of increasing public concern world-wide due to increasing damages and unacceptably high numbers of injuries. Previous approaches of flood protection led to limited success especially during recent extreme events. Therefore, an integrated flood risk management is required which takes into consideration both the hydrometeorogical and the societal processes. Moreover, real effects of risk mitigation measures have to be critically assessed. The book draws a comprehensive picture of all these aspects and their interrelations. It furthermore provides a lot of detail on earth observation, flood hazard modelling, climate change, flood forecasting, modelling vulnerability, mitigation measures and the various dimensions of management strategies. In addition to local and regional results of science, engineering and social science investigations on modelling and management, transboundary co-operation of large river catchments are of interest. Based on this, the book is a valuable source of the state of the art in flood risk management but also covers future demands for research and practice in terms of flood issues.




Climate Impacts on Energy Systems


Book Description

"While the energy sector is a primary target of efforts to arrest and reverse the growth of greenhouse gas emissions and lower the carbon footprint of development, it is also expected to be increasingly affected by unavoidable climate consequences from the damage already induced in the biosphere. Energy services and resources, as well as seasonal demand, will be increasingly affected by changing trends, increasing variability, greater extremes and large inter-annual variations in climate parameters in some regions. All evidence suggests that adaptation is not an optional add-on but an essential reckoning on par with other business risks. Existing energy infrastructure, new infrastructure and future planning need to consider emerging climate conditions and impacts on design, construction, operation, and maintenance. Integrated risk-based planning processes will be critical to address the climate change impacts and harmonize actions within and across sectors. Also, awareness, knowledge, and capacity impede mainstreaming of climate adaptation into the energy sector. However, the formal knowledge base is still nascent?information needs are complex and to a certain extent regionally and sector specific. This report provides an up-to-date compendium of what is known about weather variability and projected climate trends and their impacts on energy service provision and demand. It discusses emerging practices and tools for managing these impacts and integrating climate considerations into planning processes and operational practices in an environment of uncertainty. It focuses on energy sector adaptation, rather than mitigation which is not discussed in this report. This report draws largely on available scientific and peer-reviewed literature in the public domain and takes the perspective of the developing world to the extent possible."




Water Availability and Use Science Program: Estimated Use of Water in the United States In 2015


Book Description

Estimates of water withdrawals enable the depiction of trends in total water use for the Nation among different geographic areas, categories of use, and sources over time. Water-use information is a critical component of water budgets, which are essential to surface- water and groundwater availability studies. This information is also essential to accurately understand how future water demands will be met while maintaining adequate water quality and quantities for human and ecosystem needs across the United States of America. Data is represented in text abstracts and analysis, tables, chart graphics, and photos presented throughout. The estimates contained within this volume focus on water use for eight (8) categories: Public Supply * Irrigation Self-supplied Domestic * Livestock Aquaculture * Industrial Mining * Thermoelectric Power Related products: Other products produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are available here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/agency/us-geological-survey-usgs Check out our Water Management resources collection here: https://bookstore.gpo.gov/catalog/water-management




Cities and Flooding


Book Description

Urban flooding is an increasing challenge today to the expanding cities and towns of developing countries. This Handbook is a state-of-the art, user-friendly operational guide that shows decision makers and specialists how to effectively manage the risk of floods in rapidly urbanizing settings--and within the context of a changing climate.