Potassium supplying capacity of representative soils of South Western Nigeria as measured by intensity, quantity and capacity factors.

Laboratory and greenhouse studies were undertaken to determine the usefulness of K Quantity, Intensity and Capacity factors in evaluating K supply capacities and in predicting K uptake by maize in 14 representative soils of South Western Nigeria. The results showed that the activity ratio was a poor index of the available K and was incapable of correct prediction of K uptake during prolonged cropping. The potential Buffer Capacity was higher in the soils on basement complex than in soils derived from sedimentary origin, indicating that depletion of K on cropping will be faster in soils derived from sedimentary rocks than those on the basement complex. The results also showed that the 'fixed K' Quantity factor and the Potential Buffer Capacity could provide useful information in characterising the differential Buffer behaviour of soils

Green neighbourhoods in low voltage networks: measuring impact of electric vehicles and photovoltaics on load profiles

In the near future, various types of low-carbon technologies (LCTs) are expected to be widely employed throughout the United Kingdom. However, the effect that these technologies will have at a household level on the existing low voltage (LV) network is still an area of extensive research. We propose an agent based model that estimates the growth of LCTs within local neighbourhoods, where social influence is imposed. Real-life data from an LV network is used that comprises of many socially diverse neighbourhoods. Both electric vehicle uptake and the combined scenario of electric vehicle and photovoltaic adoption are investigated with this data. A probabilistic approach is outlined, which determines lower and upper bounds for the model response at every neighbourhood. This technique is used to assess the implications of modifying model assumptions and introducing new model features. Moreover, we discuss how the calculation of these bounds can inform future network planning decisions