Distributed Minimization of the Power Generation Cost in Prosumer-Based Distribution Networks

Traditionally, electrical power was generated in big power plants. The cost of producing energy was related to the cost of fuel, e.g., carbon or gas, and by the cost of maintaining the power plants. With the advent of distributed energy resources, power can be produced directly at the edge of the electrical network by a new type of agent: the prosumer. Prosumers are entities that both consume and generate power, e.g., by means of photovoltaic panels. The cost of the power produced by prosumers is no longer related to fuel consumption since energy coming from distributed generators is essentially free. Rather, the cost is related to the remuneration that is due to the prosumers for the services they provide. The proposed control strategy minimizes the active power generation cost in the aforementioned scenario. The control scheme requires that the prosumers measure their voltage and then adjust the amount of injected power, according to a continuous time feedback control law that is a projected gradient descent strategy. Simulations are provided to illustrate the algorithm behavior

Is the Small-Scale Fishery more sustainable in terms of GHG emissions? A case study analysis from the Central Mediterranean Sea

Small-Scale Fishery (SSF) is recognized as one of the more sustainable among the activities currently exploiting marine renewable resources. This is mainly due to the use of fishing gears characterised by a low environmental impact and a high selectivity. However, there is still room for improvement when analysing the sustainability of SSF sector. Within this context, Greenhouse Gases (GHG) emissions - CO2 in particular - are one of the most relevant aspect to be considered. In particular, fuel consumption and its reduction represent the main issue when discussing sustainability, especially to cope with climate changes. In this paper, the first inventory of CO2 emissions from the SSF vessels in the Central-Northern Adriatic Sea (GSA17) has been compiled, based on data collected from SSF operators, validated by means of a geospatial-based method. Emission intensity estimates - 7.01 kg of CO2 emitted per kg of landing or 2.08 kg of CO2 emitted per euro of landing - confirmed the lower values by SSF vessels in comparison with other fleet segments. Results are discussed in the light of the mitigation of GHG emissions for the SSF, considering the technological features of Adriatic SSF, fishers' behaviour and an improved management of the fishery

Lagoon and Habitat (EUNIS) fragility to alien species in Mediterranean lagoons.

Lagoons are ecotone ecosystems, naturally exposed to immigration from their freshwater and marine input environments; strictly lagoonal species are rare, if ever occurring, and lagoon community are likely to be organised through lottery competition processes. These evidences suggest the study of lagoons as models address ecosystem fragility to alien species. Here, we present an analysis of lagoon guild fragility to alien species carried out using the e-Science facilities of LifeWatch, the European Research Infrastructure on biodiversity and ecosystem research. The analysis has been performed on two EUNTS habitat (X02 and X03) using data existing on 18 Italian lagoons. The analysis has been carried out taking into account that rarity, redundancy and singularity are key properties of different guilds in lagoon ecosystems at every geographical area, affecting B and y diversity. At every area an high regional biodiversity is determined by a large number of rare species and a high dissimilarity among lagoons. Life cycle traits and the behaviour of larval stages, at the species level, as well as lagoon openness and vigour, at the ecosystem level, seem to have a major role to explain the difference in patterns of biodiversity between study areas at a biogeographical scale. The same species and ecosystem level properties, together with spatial patchiness, seem also to be key factors downscaling biodiversity analysis at the landscape level

Lagoon and habitat (EUNIS) fragility to alien species in Mediterranean lagoons

Lagoons are ecotone ecosystems, naturally exposed to immigration from their freshwater and marine input environments; strictly lagoonal species are rare, if ever occurring, and lagoon community are likely to be organised through loItery competition processes. These evidences suggest the study of lagoons as models address ecosystem fragility to alien species. Here, we present an analysis of lagoon guild fragility to alien species carried out using the e-Science facilities of LifeWatch, the European Research Infrastructure on biodiversity and ecosystem research. The analysis has been performed on two EUNIS habitat (X02 and X03) using data existing on 18 Italian lagoons. The analysis has been carried out taking into account that rarity, redundancy and singularity are key properties of different guilds in lagoon ecosystems at every geographical area, affecting B (Beta) and y (Gamma) diversity. At every area an high regional biodiversity is determined by a large number of rare species and a high dissimilarity among lagoons. Life cycle traits and the behaviour of larval stages, at the species level, as well as lagoon openness and vigour, at the ecosystem level, seem to have a major role to explain the difference in patterns of biodiversity between study areas at a biogeographical scale. The same species and ecosystem level properties, together with spatial patchiness, seem also to be key factors downscaling biodiversity analysis at the landscape level

Lagoon and Habitat (EUNIS) fragility to alien species in Mediterranean lagoons.

Lagoons are ecotone ecosystems, naturally exposed to immigration from their freshwater and marine input environments; strictly lagoonal species are rare, if ever occurring, and lagoon community are likely to be organised through lottery competition processes. These evidences suggest the study of lagoons as models address ecosystem fragility to alien species. Here, we present an analysis of lagoon guild fragility to alien species carried out using the e-Science facilities of LifeWatch, the European Research Infrastructure on biodiversity and ecosystem research. The analysis has been performed on two EUNTS habitat (X02 and X03) using data existing on 18 Italian lagoons. The analysis has been carried out taking into account that rarity, redundancy and singularity are key properties of different guilds in lagoon ecosystems at every geographical area, affecting B and y diversity. At every area an high regional biodiversity is determined by a large number of rare species and a high dissimilarity among lagoons. Life cycle traits and the behaviour of larval stages, at the species level, as well as lagoon openness and vigour, at the ecosystem level, seem to have a major role to explain the difference in patterns of biodiversity between study areas at a biogeographical scale. The same species and ecosystem level properties, together with spatial patchiness, seem also to be key factors downscaling biodiversity analysis at the landscape level