Land user and land cover maps of Europe: A webgis platform

This paper presents the methods and implementation processes of a WebGIS platform designed to publish the available land use and land cover maps of Europe at continental scale. The system is built completely on open source infrastructure and open standards. The proposed architecture is based on a server-client model having GeoServer as the map server, Leaflet as the client-side mapping library and the Bootstrap framework at the core of the front-end user interface. The web user interface is designed to have typical features of a desktop GIS (e.g. activate/deactivate layers and order layers by drag and drop actions) and to show specific information on the activated layers (e.g. legend and simplified metadata). Users have the possibility to change the base map from a given list of map providers (e.g. OpenStreetMap and Microsoft Bing) and to control the opacity of each layer to facilitate the comparison with both other land cover layers and the underlying base map. In addition, users can add to the platform any custom layer available through a Web Map Service (WMS) and activate the visualization of photos from popular photo sharing services. This last functionality is provided in order to have a visual assessment of the available land coverages based on other user-generated contents available on the Internet. It is supposed to be a first step towards a calibration/validation service that will be made available in the future

Current and projected freshwater needs of the African energy system

Africa’s expected rapid economic development and population growth will increase in all likelihood the stress on water and energy resources in the coming decades. A number of studies have addressed the water needs of the energy sector, both at global scale or for certain developed countries. However, very few of them have focused on Africa, often overshadowed by other industrialised regions with a much higher water use for energy. Contrary to other studies, this report also addresses hydropower and fuelwood, not only due to the important role they play in many African countries but also because they consume large amounts of water and are therefore extremely vulnerable to water scarcity. The methodology used to assess hydropower in this study differs from other analyses, which would normally obtain the reservoirs' areas needed to estimate the evaporation losses from global databases. In this report, the assessment of hydropower relies on the more accurate information provided by the Global Surface Water Dataset (Pekel et al., 2016), a JRC product based on satellite data, which provides monthly water surfaces at 30 m spatial resolution. In this study, the current and future water needs (consumption and withdrawals) of the African energy sector have been estimated on a country-by-country basis. Primary energy production (fuel extraction), energy transformation (oil refining and electricity generation) and power plant construction have been evaluated. The results of this analysis reveal that in the year 2016, 42 bcm[1] of water were lost through evaporation in hydropower reservoirs, 4.5 bcm were used for fuelwood production and 1.2 bcm were consumed by the rest of the energy types combined. Non-hydro renewable energies such as wind and solar have a negligible effect on water use, making them an interesting alternative to conventional energy sources for the sustainable development in Africa, especially given their large untapped potential in the continent. Future projections of freshwater use at country level are also analysed, based on three energy scenarios for Africa, aligned with the JRC’s Global Energy and Climate Outlook (GECO) 2018 (Keramidas et al., 2020; Pappis et al., 2019): i) a reference scenario (hereafter denoted R) that extrapolates the current situation into the future, ii) a 2.0 °C scenario in which new policies and emission targets are implemented to keep global mean temperature increase to 2.0 °C over pre-industrial levels with a 67% probability, and iii) a 1.5 °C scenario that assumes a stronger climate objective pursuing a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions to levels lower than in the reference and the 2.0 °C scenarios with a 50% probability of reaching 1.5 °C warming by 2100. These projections indicate that by 2030, depending on the scenario, the water loss allocated to hydropower due to evaporative losses will be 93.8 bcm (R), 94.8 bcm (2.0 °C) and 93.1 bcm (1.5 °C ); the water consumption for fuelwood production: 7.6 bcm (R), 7.7 bcm (2.0 °C) and 7.8 bcm (1.5 °C); and the water consumption for the other energy types: 1 bcm (R) and 0.8 bcm (1.5 °C and 2.0 °C). By 2050, hydropower water losses will rise up to: 139 bcm (R), 155 bcm (2.0 °C) and 160.7 bcm (1.5 °C ); water consumption for fuelwood production: 7.2 bcm (R), 7.4 bcm (2.0 °C) and 7.9 bcm (1.5 °C) bcm; and water consumption for the other energy types: 1.3 bcm (R), 0.7 bcm (2.0 °C) and 0.5 bcm (1.5 °C). The low carbon policies will not only have a positive effect on emissions but also on the water consumption in some energy sub-sectors, reducing the use of water for primary energy production and transformation, and increasing the penetration of some renewable energies such as solar, wind and geothermal. However, other more water-intensive renewables (e.g.: hydropower and biomass) are also expected to increase their share in the future energy mix, causing significant impacts on water use. The penetration of oil and gas to substitute fuelwood use in households will reduce the water use in the continent. At the same time, despite the large untapped potential of hydropower in Africa, the water impacts of new hydropower developments need to be effectively considered, especially in regions characterised by severe water scarcity. New ways to limit evaporation from hydropower reservoirs need to be deployed in order to mitigate their impact on water stress.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Impacts of large-scale deployment of vertical bifacial photovoltaics on European electricity market dynamics

Self-sufficiency, climate change and increasing geopolitical risks have driven energy policies to make renewable energy sources dominant in the power production portfolios. The initial boom in the mid-2000s of global photovoltaic installations demonstrated the feasibility of the ambitious renewable energy targets. However, this rapid scale-up has introduced challenges, including price volatility and system integration issues. This communication calls the attention to these emerging challenges and offers quantitative insights on how rapid adoption of a more diversified photovoltaics deployment strategies can mitigate price volatilities, reduce fossil fuel dependence and steer Europe towards a forward-thinking sustainable energy pathway. The analysis reveals that as innovative bifacial photovoltaic systems are incorporated on a large-scale disruptive scenario, four main patterns emerge: economic value of solar production increases, base-load electricity price decreases, sun-rich countries expand their solar contributions, whereas nations with ample grid interconnections enhance their energy imports from neighbouring countries. It also underscores the importance of maintaining photovoltaics an attractive option for energy investors and traders in the future. Establishing this groundwork is critical since a successful integration of large-scale solar systems contributing to decrease price volatilities in Europe and US will carry significant repercussions for global energy policy formulation

O pessegueiro em pomar compacto. IX. Dez anos de produção de cultivares sob poda drástica bienal

Fourteen peach (Prunus persica L. Batsch) and nectarine cultivars and selections, budded on Okinawa rootstock, were grown under the meadow orchard system, with biennial drastic pruning at 4 x 1.5 m spacing. Results obtained during ten years of experiments (1986-95) clearly indicate that 'Aurora-1', IAC 680-178, IAC 680-13, 'Talismã', 'Régis' and 'Flordaprince' peaches were the best, with an average yield (fruits) per tree of 112, 9.2; 94, 8.5; 95, 8.1; 99, 8.1; 98, 7.8 and 91,7.7 number and kg/tree respectively. The biennial drastic pruning decreased the yield of trees every two years, without affecting the average decennial productivity. In 1995, data on trunk cross-sectional area, fruits and mass per cm2 of trunk and leaf area presented significant differences among cultivars and selections. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar o desenvolvimento vegetativo e reprodutivo de quatorze cultivares e seleções de pessegueiro (Prunus persica L. Batsch) e nectarineira cultivadas no espaçamento de 4 x 1,5 m (1.667 pl/ha), sob poda drástica bienal da copa. Pelos resultados obtidos no decênio 1986-95, verificou-se que as cultivares e seleções mais produtivas foram (número e kg de frutos/planta respectivamente): Aurora-1 (112; 9,2), IAC 680-178 (94; 8,5), IAC 680-13 (95; 8,1), Talismã (99; 8,1), Régis (98; 7,8) e Flordaprince (91; 7,7). No ano agrícola de 1995, as variáveis analisadas, área da secção transversal do tronco, área da folha, número e massa dos frutos por cm2 de tronco, apresentaram diferenciação estatística entre cultivares e seleções. A poda drástica bienal da copa ocasionou, tanto em material precoce quanto mediano, diminuição de produção a cada duas safras, não chegando, porém, a prejudicar a produtividade média do pomar

Próteses parciais fixas reforçadas por fibras: um estudo clínico retrospectivo preliminar

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical performance (retention rate) of fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures (FPDs). Polyethylene fiber (Ribbond®) was used combined with restorative composite during FPDs fabrication. FPDs were placed in thirteen patients in a private clinic. Nineteen FPDs were evaluated. The prosthetic space was filled with only one pontic using extracted teeth (2 cases), acrylic resin teeth (11 cases), or with composite resin (6 cases), combined with Polyethylene fiber. The clinical criterion used was based on retention rate of FPDs. If FPDs were in function in the mouth at the time of examination without previous repair they were classified as Complete Survival (CS) restorations. A classification of Survival with Rebonding (SR) was assigned in the event of an adhesive failure, but after rebonding the FPD still remained under evaluation. Treatment was classified as a Failure (F) if the FPD restoration was lost. The time of evaluation was 41.15 months (±15.13). The FPDs evaluated were retained (CS=94.75%), and no failure was found except for in one situation which required rebonding (SR=5.25%). According to the survival estimation method of Kaplan-Meyer the mean survival time was 42.3 months. At the time of evaluation investigated, polyethylene-reinforced FPDs showed a favorable retention rate in preliminary data.O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a performance clínica (percentagem de retenção) de próteses parciais fixas reforçadas por fibras. Fibras de polietileno (Ribbond®) foram usadas em combinação com resina composta durante a confecção das próteses. Os tratamentos foram realizadas em 13 pacientes, em uma clínica privada., sendo que 19 próteses foram reavaliadas. O espaço protético era preenchido com um pôntico usando o próprio dente extraído (2 casos), dentes de acrílico (11 casos) ou confeccionados com resina composta (6 casos), em todas as situações eram empregadas fibras de polietileno. Os critérios clínicos usados foram baseados na percentagem de retenção das próteses parciais fixas. As próteses que estavam em função no momento da avaliação, sem nunca necessitar de qualquer reparo prévio, foram classificadas como sobrevivência completa (SC). A classificação de sobrevivência com nova colagem (SR) foi utilizada para os casos de falha adesiva, com posterior cimentação da peça, a qual permanecia em função. O tratamento era classificado como falha (F) quando a restauração era perdida. O tempo médio de avaliação foi de 41,15 meses (±15,13). Nenhum caso de falha foi detectado, em apenas um caso houve falha adesiva com posterior colagem da peça (SR=5,25%) e em 94.75% dos casos as próteses permaneciam em função.. De acordo com o método de sobrevida de Kaplan-Meyer o tempo médio de sobrevida foi de 42,3 meses. As próteses parciais fixas reforçadas por fibras mostraram uma percentagem de retenção favorável neste estudo preliminar

Clean energy technologies in coal regions

This report presents a concise overview of the role that clean energy technologies can play for the identified regions in the path to their transition from coal mining activity under a low carbon energy consumption and production lence. The focus is on power generation technologies from wind, solar photovoltaics (free standing and roof-top), bioenergy, geothermal sources, as well as on coal-fired power plants with carbon capture. We also address energy demand technologies and specifically assess the potential for energy efficiency refurbishments in buildings. Energy storage is dealt with presenting activities relevant to batteries, to give an insight on planned or ongoing activities within coal regions. The report summarises the main findings across regions, complemented by one detailed fact sheet per region. Estimates on the renewable energy and clean energy technology potential in each region are presented. We also assess the potential of technologies in terms of investments needs and the impact this could have on job creation and regional economic development. Renewable and clean energy technology options can be an alternative to the continuation of the current model for economic development, power generation and job creation in each region, in line with EU’s climate and energy targets.JRC.C.7-Knowledge for the Energy Unio

Status and opportunities for energy recovery from municipal solid waste in Europe

This paper provides an overview of waste generation and treatment operations in the European Union (EU) and other European countries and an analysis of the possibilities for the use of municipal solid waste (MSW) for energy production. A geographic information system based methodology was developed to investigate the spatial distribution of MSW and to identify the optimal location for new potential waste-to-energy in Europe. In 2016, there were 512 plants in Europe, with 251 combined heat and power plants, 161 electricity-only and 94 heat-only plants, which provide a total incineration capacity of 93 million tonnes. The suitability analysis showed that there is a potential to implement around 248 new waste to energy plants in the EU and 330 in all Europe, with a total capacity of 37 and 50 million tonnes, respectively. This represents an additional primary energy production of 260 PJ (6.2 Mtoe) in the EU, in comparison to 406 PJ (9.7 Mtoe) already produced in 2015, and about 352 PJ (8.4 Mtoe) in all European countries considered in this analysis.JRC.C.2-Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Planning sustainable electricity solutions for refugee settlements in sub-Saharan Africa

An inadequate understanding of the energy needs of forcibly displaced populations is one of the main obstacles in providing sustainable and reliable energy to refugees and their host communities. Here, we provide a first-order assessment of the main factors determining the decision to deploy fully renewable mini-grids in almost 300 refugee settlements in sub-Saharan Africa. Using an energy assessment survey and publicly available traditional and earth observation data, we estimate a total electricity demand of 154 GWh yr–1. This figure includes lighting, air circulation and phone charging for 1.15 million households and the estimated demand of almost 59,000 microbusinesses and around 7,000 institutional loads. Using a set of techno-economic modelling tools, we thus compute a corresponding upper-bound total up-front cost of providing electricity access of just over US$1 billion. Deploying solar photovoltaic mini-grids instead of diesel implies avoiding greenhouse gas emissions for 2.86 MtCO2e over 20 years

LAND USER AND LAND COVER MAPS OF EUROPE: A WEBGIS PLATFORM

This paper presents the methods and implementation processes of a WebGIS platform designed to publish the available land use and land cover maps of Europe at continental scale. The system is built completely on open source infrastructure and open standards. The proposed architecture is based on a server-client model having GeoServer as the map server, Leaflet as the client-side mapping library and the Bootstrap framework at the core of the front-end user interface. The web user interface is designed to have typical features of a desktop GIS (e.g. activate/deactivate layers and order layers by drag and drop actions) and to show specific information on the activated layers (e.g. legend and simplified metadata). Users have the possibility to change the base map from a given list of map providers (e.g. OpenStreetMap and Microsoft Bing) and to control the opacity of each layer to facilitate the comparison with both other land cover layers and the underlying base map. In addition, users can add to the platform any custom layer available through a Web Map Service (WMS) and activate the visualization of photos from popular photo sharing services. This last functionality is provided in order to have a visual assessment of the available land coverages based on other user-generated contents available on the Internet. It is supposed to be a first step towards a calibration/validation service that will be made available in the future