Megan Patton-Lopez Interview 2019

Dr. Megan Patton-Lopez, Assistant Professor/ Community Health, Division of Health and Exercise Science, Western Oregon University, passionately discusses her vision for community health throughout the Western Oregon Community. Her priorities focus on assisting lower-income families in the surrounding areas, and directly with the students of Western Oregon University

Orchestration of renewable generation in low energy buildings and districts using energy storage and load shifting

There is increasing penetration of renewable generation in buildings and districts. There are challenges in making the effective use of this generation. The objective of the ORIGIN project (Orchestration of Renewable Integrated Generation In Neighborhoods) is to shape loads so that the fraction of energy consumed that is from local renewable generation is maximized, and energy imported from outside sources is minimized. This paper presents the overall approach taken in the ORIGIN project and explores building physics aspects of solar thermal storage system orchestration. The case study districts are briefly introduced and characteristics of their generation, buildings, districts and shiftable loads described. The orchestration approach taken in ORIGIN is then presented. At the core of the ORIGIN system is the orchestration algorithm which generates informational and control outputs to shape future loads to best meet the objectives. The model based approach used to quantify thermal and electrical load shifting opportunities for pre-charging, coasting or avoiding loads, while meeting thermal comfort and other demands, is described using a solar thermal storage system as an example. The future steps for the ORIGIN project; retrofit of the ORIGIN system into existing districts and potential for other future applications is briefly discussed

The Science Performance of JWST as Characterized in Commissioning

This paper characterizes the actual science performance of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), as determined from the six month commissioning period. We summarize the performance of the spacecraft, telescope, science instruments, and ground system, with an emphasis on differences from pre-launch expectations. Commissioning has made clear that JWST is fully capable of achieving the discoveries for which it was built. Moreover, almost across the board, the science performance of JWST is better than expected; in most cases, JWST will go deeper faster than expected. The telescope and instrument suite have demonstrated the sensitivity, stability, image quality, and spectral range that are necessary to transform our understanding of the cosmos through observations spanning from near-earth asteroids to the most distant galaxies.Comment: 5th version as accepted to PASP; 31 pages, 18 figures; https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1538-3873/acb29

Accurate localized short term weather prediction for renewables planning

Short-term prediction of meteorological variables is important for many applications. For example, many 'smart grid' planning and control scenarios rely on accurate short term prediction of renewable energy generation, which in turn requires accurate forecasts of wind-speed, cloud-cover, and other such variables. Accurate short-term weather forecasting therefore enables smooth integration of renewables into future intelligent power systems. Weather forecasting at a specific location is currently achieved by numerical weather prediction (NWP), or by statistical models built from local time series data, or by a hybrid of these two methods broadly known as 'downscaling'. We introduce a new data-intensive approach to localized short-term weather prediction that relies on harvesting multiple freely available observations and forecasts pertaining to the wider geographic region. Our hypothesis is that NWP-based forecast resources, despite the benefit of a dynamical physics-based model, tend to be only sparsely informed by observation-based inputs at a local level, while statistical downscaling models, though locally well-informed, invariably miss the opportunity to include rich additional data sources concerning the wider local region. By harvesting the data stream of multiple forecasts and observations from the wider local region we expect to achieve better accuracy than available otherwise. We describe the approach and demonstrate results for three locations, focusing on the 1hr-24hrs ahead forecasting of variables crucial for renewables forecasting. This work is part of the ORIGIN EU FP7 project (www.origin-concept.eu) and the weather forecasting approach, used in ORIGIN as input for both demand and renewables prediction, began live operation (initially for three European locations) in October 2014

Objectives for management of socio-ecological systems in the Great Barrier Reef region, Australia

A wide range of goals and objectives have to be taken into account in natural resources management. Defining these objectives in operational terms, including dimensions such as sustainability, productivity, and equity, is by no means easy, especially if they must capture the diversity of community and stakeholder values. This is especially true in the coastal zone where land activities affect regional marine ecosystems. In this study, the aim was firstly to identify and hierarchically organise the goals and objectives for coastal systems, as defined by local stakeholders. Two case study areas are used within the Great Barrier Reef region being Mackay and Bowen–Burdekin. Secondly, the aim was to identify similarities between the case study results and thus develop a generic set of goals to be used as a starting point in other coastal communities. Results show that overarching high-level goals have nested sub-goals that contain a set of more detailed regional objectives. The similarities in high-level environmental, governance, and socio-economic goals suggest that regionally specific objectives can be developed based on a generic set of goals. The prominence of governance objectives reflects local stakeholder perceptions that current coastal zone management is not achieving the outcomes they feel important and that there is a need for increased community engagement and co-management. More importantly, it raises the question of how to make issues relevant for the local community and entice participation in the local management of public resources to achieve sustainable environmental, social, and economic management outcomes

Objectives for management of socio-ecological systems in the Great Barrier Reef region, Australia

A wide range of goals and objectives have to be taken into account in natural resources management. Defining these objectives in operational terms, including dimensions such as sustainability, productivity, and equity, is by no means easy, especially if they must capture the diversity of community and stakeholder values. This is especially true in the coastal zone where land activities affect regional marine ecosystems. In this study, the aim was firstly to identify and hierarchically organise the goals and objectives for coastal systems, as defined by local stakeholders. Two case study areas are used within the Great Barrier Reef region being Mackay and Bowen–Burdekin. Secondly, the aim was to identify similarities between the case study results and thus develop a generic set of goals to be used as a starting point in other coastal communities. Results show that overarching high-level goals have nested sub-goals that contain a set of more detailed regional objectives. The similarities in high-level environmental, governance, and socio-economic goals suggest that regionally specific objectives can be developed based on a generic set of goals. The prominence of governance objectives reflects local stakeholder perceptions that current coastal zone management is not achieving the outcomes they feel important and that there is a need for increased community engagement and co-management. More importantly, it raises the question of how to make issues relevant for the local community and entice participation in the local management of public resources to achieve sustainable environmental, social, and economic management outcomes

How important is the coast? A survey of coastal objectives in an Australian regional city

Defining goals and objectives is a critical component of adaptive management of natural resources because they provide the basis on which management strategies can be designed and evaluated. The aims of this study are (i) to apply and test a collaborative method to elicit goals and objectives for inshore fisheries and biodiversity in the coastal zone of a regional city in Australia; (ii) to understand the relative importance of management objectives for different community members and stakeholders; and (iii) to understand how diverse perceptions about the importance of management objectives can be used to support multiple-use management in Australia's iconic Great Barrier Reef. Management goals and objectives were elicited and weighted using the following steps (i) literature review of management objectives, (ii) development of a hierarchy tree of objectives, and (iii) ranking of management objectives using survey methods. The overarching goals identified by the community group were to (1) protect and restore inshore environmental assets; (2) improve governance systems; and (3) improve regional (socio-economic) well-being. Interestingly, these goals differ slightly from the usual triple-bottom line objectives (environmental, social and economic) often found in the literature. The objectives were ranked using the Analytical Hierarchical Process, where a total of 141 respondents from industry, government agencies, and community from across Queensland State undertook the survey. The environment goal received the highest scores, followed by governance and lastly well-being. The approach to elicit and rank goals and objectives developed in this study can be used to effectively support coastal resource management by providing opportunities for local communities to participate in the setting of regional objectives. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Design and implementation of management strategy evaluation for the Great Barrier Reef inshore (MSE-GBR)

[Extract] Stakeholder engagement is important for successful management, both to make effective decisions and to obtain support. However, in the context of coastal management, question s rem in on h ow to effectively link decisions made in the catchment with objectives for marine biodiversity and fisheries productivity. Moreover, there is much uncertainty on how to best in form and elicit community input in a rigorous manner. A decision support process is described that elicits management objectives, priorities and management options using two case studies. The case studies show that demand for local input and regional management is high, but local conditions influence the relative success. Differences between case study outcomes high light the importance of discussing objectives prior to suggesting management actions. In that regard, eliciting the broader community’s objectives can now be undertaken cost effectively through new survey methods. Governance arrangements can be developed that link managers and community members, but continuity is essential. A big contributor to success is providing local information to the community group and embedding managers and influencers within the group. Of great value to positive outcomes were that the scientists, managers and community members were prepared to work together and offer enormous volunteer time to work towards a common solution. Two case studies were selected to develop an overall method of using a regional management process with local community groups to develop local management options – Mackay and Bowen-Burdekin. These two case studies were chosen for what they have in common and also what separates them. Both ca se studies have in common that the rural area is mostly farming for which accelerated management activity has been directed to reduce the a mount of sediment and nutrient runoff to the GBR. However, the two regions’ ports are distinct in that, during the study period, a major proposed port upgrade with associated dredging in the Abbott Point are(just south of the Burdekin) was a source of conflict in the region and great controversy within Australia. Whereas the Mackay port s were well established and are presently not as controversial. The population size is also very different with Mackay having a far larger urban footprint with a growing city although this may have slowed down in recent years due to the general downturn in mining activity. A hierarchical system of engagement was attempted in both region s. At the highest level, a community group, the Local Marine Advisory Committee (LM AC) run by GBRMPA was already established in the region. Its charter is to advise GBRMPA on local management issues (http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/about-us/local-marine-advisory-committees). Since the LMACs met every quarter with a full agenda, a sub-committee was formed and called the LMAC Reference Group (RG). This was made up of LMAC members who volunteered for the group and additional members that would cover a broader skill set from people who were previously on the LMAC. The project lead facilitated the RG meetings, with a member elected as the RG chair. The project team included “managers” (defined as people that either directly or indirectly influence management decisions) from QDAFF and GBRMPA, and social, economic, mathematical and environmental scientists from both State and Commonwealth agencies. Within a few months of project engagement in the Bowen-Burdekin area, the Abbott point port expansion and associated dredging controversy meant that participation was minimal. An alternative approach was undertaken, but generally meant engaging with individuals directly and separately. Interactions between the different RG and LMAC members were minimal. In Mackay, the RG was very successful and was used throughout the process. At various stages in the process community and senior level managers’ input was sought. All documentation was kept in a traceable format, i.e. iterations of all steps could be backtracked through the various meetings to its original source. A local Mackay GBRMPA person devoted an enormous amount of time on support and engagement in between meetings. This support was essential and provided local continuity. A sequence of broad steps were undertaken: 1. Qualitative modelling of the Mackay coastal system; 2. A review of existing objectives from government organisations, NGO s and NRM bodies that were directly or indirectly relevant to the region was undertaken (both case studies). These were collated by the RGs into an objective hierarchy –one for each case study; 3. A survey of the RG, LM AC and Mackay public was undertaken to ascertain the relative importance of different objectives. A new method was developed during this process; 4. An issues register, direct and indirect management options, and responsible agencies for each topic relevant to managing the coastal zone fisheries and biodiversity were developed through a series of workshop with experts and RG. These were combined into management strategies and is a separate printed product for use by Mackay residents and NGOs; 5. An impact assessment was undertaken to determine the relative importance of the different management strategies. These were then turned into a series of management-orientated products for use by relevant management agencies. The project has uncovered a conundrum that does challenge the effectiveness of management because there can be a significant gap between the perception of managers with regard s to their action s and outcomes and the perception of the community as to the effectiveness (and wisdom) of the management action(s). A review of the successes and failures of the two case studies by the project tea m were undertaken through questionnaires to the Mackay RG and managers. The final and main product of the project is a semi-quantitative generic elicitation framework that ultimately provides a prioritised list of management option s in the context of clearly articulated management objectives that has broader application to coastal communities in Australia and beyond. It comes with detailed instructions, and generic objectives and management strategies