CHARACTERIZATION OF ATMOSPHERIC AEROSOLS EXPLOITING SATELLITE MULTISPECTRAL OPTICAL IMAGING. APPLICATIONS TO RADIATIVE TRANSFER FOR DOWNSTREAM SERVICES IN THE FIELDS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY AND HEALTHCARE

This Thesis presents some of the most important results obtained in the PhD that concern with multispectral satellite remote sensing, radiative transfer modelling, aerosol optical properties and some related applications. The research activities have been supported by and performed in collaboration with Flyby S.r.l., a small Italian company devoted to applied research and innovative technology development in remote sensing that fully funded the PhD. The effects of atmospheric aerosols on the solar radiative transfer have been investigated by exploiting both satellite optical imagery and ground-based solar radiation measurements. In particular cloudless-sky conditions have been taken into account in order to focus aerosols impact on radiative transfer avoiding the clouds related effects. The simultaneous observation of solar radiation \u201cbelow\u201d and \u201cabove\u201d the aerosols layer in cloudless-sky conditions showed a correlation between aerosols amount in the atmosphere (revealed also by ground-based measurements) and the spectral radiance observed by two infrared channels of the satellite optical sensor. This has been extremely important for the development of an innovative method for the satellite-based near real-time solar radiation monitoring taking also into account aerosols impact. Besides, also the effects of clouds on solar radiation have been modelled, leading to several applications in the fields of renewable energies and healthcare. In particular a methodology for the near real-time monitoring of the performances of solar energy plants has been developed: satellite-based solar irradiance at ground and an analytic modelling of the solar plant allows a near-real time evaluation of plant\u2019s performances. Moreover, an application dedicated to the satellite-based monitoring of UV effects on human skin has been developed. This application starts from the near-real time calculation of UV erythemal dose and provides a \u201csafe sun exposure time\u201d for avoiding sunburns or other skin diseases (such as melanoma)

Recent Development of Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems

Abstract: The use of renewable energies continues to increase. However, the energy obtained from renewable resources is variable over time. The amount of energy produced from the renewable energy sources (RES) over time depends on the meteorological conditions of the region chosen, the season, the relief, etc. So, variable power and nonguaranteed energy produced by renewable sources implies intermittence of the grid. The key lies in supply sources integrated to a hybrid system (HS)

ECOS 2012

The 8-volume set contains the Proceedings of the 25th ECOS 2012 International Conference, Perugia, Italy, June 26th to June 29th, 2012. ECOS is an acronym for Efficiency, Cost, Optimization and Simulation (of energy conversion systems and processes), summarizing the topics covered in ECOS: Thermodynamics, Heat and Mass Transfer, Exergy and Second Law Analysis, Process Integration and Heat Exchanger Networks, Fluid Dynamics and Power Plant Components, Fuel Cells, Simulation of Energy Conversion Systems, Renewable Energies, Thermo-Economic Analysis and Optimisation, Combustion, Chemical Reactors, Carbon Capture and Sequestration, Building/Urban/Complex Energy Systems, Water Desalination and Use of Water Resources, Energy Systems- Environmental and Sustainability Issues, System Operation/ Control/Diagnosis and Prognosis, Industrial Ecology

Towards COP27: The Water-Food-Energy Nexus in a Changing Climate in the Middle East and North Africa

Due to its low adaptability to climate change, the MENA region has become a "hot spot". Water scarcity, extreme heat, drought, and crop failure will worsen as the region becomes more urbanized and industrialized. Both water and food scarcity are made worse by civil wars, terrorism, and political and social unrest. It is unclear how climate change will affect the MENA water–food–energy nexus. All of these concerns need to be empirically evaluated and quantified for a full climate change assessment in the region. Policymakers in the MENA region need to be aware of this interconnection between population growth, rapid urbanization, food safety, climate change, and the global goal of lowering greenhouse gas emissions (as planned in COP27). Researchers from a wide range of disciplines have come together in this SI to investigate the connections between water, food, energy, and climate in the region. By assessing the impacts of climate change on hydrological processes, natural disasters, water supply, energy production and demand, and environmental impacts in the region, this SI will aid in implementation of sustainable solutions to these challenges across multiple spatial scales

Bibliography of Lewis Research Center technical publications announced in 1985

This compilation of abstracts describes and indexes the technical reporting that resulted from the scientific and engineering work performed and managed by the Lewis Research Center in 1985. All the publications were announced in the 1985 issues of STAR (Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports) and/or IAA (International Aerospace Abstracts). Included are research reports, journal articles, conference presentations, patents and patent applications, and theses