3D Solar Photovoltaic Community Energy Modeling

<div>The aim of this research is to increase the assessment ability of solar energy utilization and planning support for clusters of different types of buildings in a mixed-use community. Particular focus will be placed on the analysis of community-based modeling, mapping and forecasting of solar potentials on the rooftops of buildings. New systems and methodologies with appropriate level of detail at a lower computational time are needed to accurately model, estimate and map solar energy potential at a high spatiotemporal resolution. To accomplish this goal and to develop an integrated solution, the assessment ability was investigated using two different types of studies: (1) 3D GIS modeling of a solar energy community, and (2) benchmarking of solar PV radiation software tools. A 3D GIS modeling and mapping approach was developed to assess community solar energy potential. A model was created in ESRI ArcGIS, to efficiently compute and iterate the hourly solar modeling and mapping process over a simulated year. The methodology was tested on a case study area located in southern Ontario, where two different 3D models of the site plan were analyzed. The accuracy of the work depended on the resolution and sky size of the input model. An assessment of solar simulation software tools was performed to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses for performing analysis in the PV modeling process. The software tools assessed were HelioScope, PVsyst, PV*SOL,</div><div>Archelios, EnergyPlus, and System Advisor Model (SAM). The performance of the software tools were assessed based upon their accuracy in simulation performance against measured data, and the comparison of their physical functions and capabilities. A case study near London, Ontario with an 8.745kWp PV system installation was selected for analysis, and EnergyPlus was found to have predictions closest to measured data, ranging from -0.6% to 3.6% accuracy. Based upon the GIS study and the evaluation of the six solar software tools, recommendations for the development of a future application to couple GIS with the internal submodels of the software tools were made to create the ideal tool for 3D modeling and mapping of solar PV potential. </div>

3D Solar Photovoltaic Community Energy Modeling

<div>The aim of this research is to increase the assessment ability of solar energy utilization and planning support for clusters of different types of buildings in a mixed-use community. Particular focus will be placed on the analysis of community-based modeling, mapping and forecasting of solar potentials on the rooftops of buildings. New systems and methodologies with appropriate level of detail at a lower computational time are needed to accurately model, estimate and map solar energy potential at a high spatiotemporal resolution. To accomplish this goal and to develop an integrated solution, the assessment ability was investigated using two different types of studies: (1) 3D GIS modeling of a solar energy community, and (2) benchmarking of solar PV radiation software tools. A 3D GIS modeling and mapping approach was developed to assess community solar energy potential. A model was created in ESRI ArcGIS, to efficiently compute and iterate the hourly solar modeling and mapping process over a simulated year. The methodology was tested on a case study area located in southern Ontario, where two different 3D models of the site plan were analyzed. The accuracy of the work depended on the resolution and sky size of the input model. An assessment of solar simulation software tools was performed to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses for performing analysis in the PV modeling process. The software tools assessed were HelioScope, PVsyst, PV*SOL,</div><div>Archelios, EnergyPlus, and System Advisor Model (SAM). The performance of the software tools were assessed based upon their accuracy in simulation performance against measured data, and the comparison of their physical functions and capabilities. A case study near London, Ontario with an 8.745kWp PV system installation was selected for analysis, and EnergyPlus was found to have predictions closest to measured data, ranging from -0.6% to 3.6% accuracy. Based upon the GIS study and the evaluation of the six solar software tools, recommendations for the development of a future application to couple GIS with the internal submodels of the software tools were made to create the ideal tool for 3D modeling and mapping of solar PV potential. </div>

A combined approach for flood hazard assessment using hydrological, hydraulic and GIS modeling case study of El Hamiz Wadi, Algeria

Flood hazard is one of the most destructive natural phenomena causing a significant material damage and human losses in Algeria during the past decade. The aim of this study is to assess and characterize the flood hazard in El Hamiz watershed (Algeria). In addition, this study identifies areas and elements prone to this hazard to minimize the damages and losses. The methodology used in the present study is based on a combination of hydrological and hydraulic modeling using the Hec-Ras software and mapping techniques using a Geographic Information System (GIS). The flood hazard assessment model of El Hamiz wadi using different hydrological (rainfall / runoff transfer and return period), hydraulic (water level and flow velocity) and exposure (land use data and socio-economic data) parameters revealed that the downstream part of the studied area is the most susceptible to flood events. The mapping of flood-prone areas indicated the extent of this phenomena on the El Hamiz wadi banks, especially through heavy submersion of residential areas characterized by a high urban concentration including inhabitants, activities and infrastructures.

Diagnóstico básico do sistema de drenagem em Piumhi com aplicação de modelagem GIS

O padrão de urbanização brasileiro convergiu para uma infraestrutura inconsistente e seus problemas crônicos são históricos devido à expansão urbana nos entornos dos mananciais. Dentro desses desafios, surge a oportunidade para inserção de conceitos de Engenharia para sanar essas deficiências. Neste estudo, no município de Piumhi/Minas Gerais, observa-se que os impactos socioambientais, ocasionados por meio do crescimento populacional desordenado e corroborado com uma antiga infraestrutura, levaram alguns pontos localizados no município a não ter capacidade de suporte nos volumes de água escoadas superficialmente nos períodos chuvosos. Definiu-se locais de análises, no entorno do Campus avançado IFMG, onde estes convergem para o exutório localizado na Ponte do Ribeirão do Corte, escoando águas pluviais das vias Amazonas e José Alvarenga, classificadas como coletora e arterial, respectivamente. O estudo a seguir pauta-se na utilização de uma metodologia aplicável, o qual confeccionará mapa cartográfico através de dados públicos em hidrografia e coleta de informações in loco, fazendo geoprocessamento em ambiente GIS de software livre, o que facilita sua reprodução nos setores públicos. O trabalho fornece elementos de dimensionamentos e hipóteses, para tomada de decisão dos gestores buscando uma melhoria do sistema de drenagem da região e trazendo conhecimento ao público local, os modelos contemporâneos de administração pública, partindo do preceito de uma Smart City, ou seja, com a utilização tecnologia para monitoramento, como possível no QGIS. Desse modo, o município estará preparado para atender suas demandas de crescimento populacional, minimizando gastos com obras emergências no ponto econômico e melhor bem-estar aos munícipes. Palavras-chave: Infraestrutura. Rede de drenagem. Smart city. Basic diagnosis of the drainage system in Piumhi with GIS modeling application Abstract The Brazilian urbanization pattern converged to an inconsistent infrastructure and its chronic problems are historical due to the urban expansion around the springs. Within these challenges, there is an opportunity to insert engineering concepts to remedy these deficiencies. In this study, in the municipality of Piumhi/Minas Gerais, it is observed that the socioenvironmental, impacts caused, through the disordered population growth and corroborated with an old infrastructure, led some points located in the municipality to not have the capacity to support the drained water volumes. superficially in rainy periods. Analysis sites were defined around the advanced IFMG campus, where they converge to the exutory located on the Ribeirão do Corte Bridge, draining rainwater from the Amazonas and José Alvarenga roads, classified as collector and arterial, respectively. The following study is based on the use of an applicable methodology, which will make a cartographic map using public data in hydrography and information collection in loco, doing geoprocessing in a free software GIS environment, which facilitates its reproduction in the public sectors. The work provides elements of dimensioning and hypotheses, for decision-making by managers seeking to improve the drainage system in the region and bringing knowledge to the local, public about contemporary models of public administration, based on the precept of a Smart City, that is, with the use technology for monitoring, as possible in QGIS. In this way, the municipality will be prepared to meet its population growth demands, minimizing expenses with emergency works at the economic point and better well-being for residents. Keywords: Infrastructure. Drainage system. Smart city.

Gradient of anthropogenic load on park ecosystems of megalopolis

Aim. The aim is to assess the intensity of the impact of recreation and vehicle emissions on the Kyiv park ecosystems. Methods. Used methods of ecology, phytoindications. Results. We analyzed the recreational load on 18 park ecosystems within the city of Kyiv. GIS modeling was performed and a gradient of the state ecosystems of Kyiv was built according to the integrated indicator of recreational impact and vehicle emissions. The created map-scheme according to the integrated indicator of the severity of the impact (W) reflects the ecological situation in the studied Kyiv park ecosystems and indicates their significant transformation in the conditions of the megalopolis. The tendency to decrease the number and intensity of manifestations of recreational exposure with increasing severity of exposure (W) is calculated. According to GIS modeling by W and taking into account the prevailing wind directions in the city of Kyiv, it was found that 50% of the studied parks are in critical danger, 30% – in a threatening condition, only the «Pushcha-Vodytsya» park is in a stable condition. The best condition of park ecosystems DShK park, «Peremoha» park; «Babyn Yar», «Nyvky» park, «Lysa Hora» tract, Holosiivskyi National Park. Conclusions. It is important to constantly monitor and preserve natural ecosystems and green infrastructure in large cities. This requires the timely adoption of balanced and correct management decisions both at the level of local authorities and within the state.Keywords: recreation, motor vehicle pollution, urban ecosystem, integrated assessment.

A GIS Modeling Study of the Distribution of Viviparous Invasive Alien Fish Species in Eastern Europe in Terms of Global Climate Change, as Exemplified by Poecilia reticulata Peters, 1859 and Gambusia holbrooki Girarg, 1859

The potential distribution of tropical fish species in Eastern Europe—Gambusia holbrooki (introduced for biological control) and Poecilia reticulata (aquarium species, found in waste waters of big cities)—tend to be of particular interest in terms of global climate change. After GIS modeling of our own data and findings listed in the GBIF databases (2278 points for G. holbrooki and 1410 points for P. reticulata) using the Maxent package and ‘ntbox’ package in R, 18 uncorrelated variables of 35 Bioclim climatic parameters from CliMond dataset, it was found out that by 2090 guppies will appear in the south of Ukraine (Danube river’s estuary, as well as in several places in the Caucasus and Turkey with habitat suitability > 0.3–0.5). G. holbrooki will also slightly expand its range in Europe. Limiting factors for G. holbrooki distribution are: bio1 (Annual mean temperature, optimum +12–+24 °C) and bio19 (Precipitation of coldest quarter (mm). Limiting factors for P. reticulata are: bio1 (optimum +14–+28 °C), bio4 (Temperature seasonality), bio3 (Isothermality). Unlike G. holbrooki, guppies prefer warmer waters. Such thermophilic fish species do not compete with the native ichthyofauna, but they can occupy niches in anthropogenically transformed habitats, playing an important role as agents of biological control.

Modeling Colonial Paternalism: GIS and Multispectral Satellite Imagery at Kingstown, British Virgin Islands

GIS modeling and analysis of multispectral satellite imagery are applied to a former plantation in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which, in 1831, became a settlement of free Africans who lived within slavery-based British colonialism. A map of the settlement represents the paternalist British government ideal for this community—an “experiment” for controlling a postemancipation peasantry—and the techniques discussed here allow clearer understanding of the way these ideals would have interacted with the physical and social landscape of the BVI had they been implemented. The residents were certainly aware of their situation, and this study does not mean to imply that they simply adopted the plan they were handed. Instead, our goal is to interrogate the implications of the plan itself. We combine least cost path (LCP), Normalized Difference Vegetation Indexes (NDVI), and other technical analyses to show the interaction of the British plan and the BVI landscape in order to describe the context in which the Kingstown community was built and maintained. Although schematic, this study quantifies at least some of the barriers the community overcame and contributes in a limited way to broader considerations of the place of land and landscape in structures of colonialism.