41 research outputs found
Value of urban nature
No full textBockarjova M., W.J.W. Botzen, M.J. Koetse “” Nieuwsbrief Milieu & Economie, 19 februari 202
Temperature effects on electricity and gas consumption:Empirical evidence from mexico and projections under future climate conditions
Full text linkFixed effects panel models are used to estimate how the electricity and gas consumption of various sectors and residents relate to temperature in Mexico, while controlling for the effects of income, manufacturing output per capita, electricity and gas prices and household size. We find non-linear relationships between energy consumption and temperature, which are heterogeneous per state. Electricity consumption increases with temperature, and this effect is stronger in warm states. Liquified petroleum gas consumption declines with temperature, and this effect is slightly stronger in cold states. Extrapolations of electricity and gas consumption under a high warming scenario reveal that electricity consumption by the end of the century for Mexico increases by 12%, while gas consumption declines with 10%, resulting in substantial net economic costs of 43 billion pesos per year. The increase in net energy consumption implies greater efforts to comply with the mitigation commitments of Mexico and requires a much faster energy transition and substantial improvements in energy efficiency. The results suggest that challenges posed by climate change also provide important opportunities for advancing social sustainability goals and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This study is part of Mexico’s Sixth National Communication to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.</p
Economic valuation of green and blue nature in cities: A meta-analysis
Full text linkThere is an increased interest in applying nature for addressing various urban challenges, such as those related to air pollution, climate change, and health, but the economic value of urban nature is not always well recognized. In this study we present a meta-analysis of a rapidly expanding literature that applied stated preference valuation methods to value green and blue urban nature in a variety of contexts. We estimate value transfer functions based on 60 primary studies that elicited urban nature values from in total more than 41,000 respondents worldwide. Moreover, we obtain insights into the main determinants of values of urban nature, in terms of study and methodological characteristics, types of nature, and ecosystem services. For example, using global and European value functions, estimates of the average value of an urban park vary between 12,000USD and 33,100USD, respectively, while estimates of the average value of urban forest vary between 3,000USD and 2,250USD, respectively. We apply these value transfer functions to natural interventions in several cities in Europe, illustrating how these functions can be used for estimating the value of specific natural areas in a variety of urban settings
A compact low-cost XY360° stage: using Arduino and PWM based amplifiers
No full textThe application of actively controlled micrometer precision positioning stages in products that are accessible to start-ups, individual consumers or third world countries is currently limited by their price and size. To solve this problem, the use of low-cost and compact components in stages is investigated. Earlier research done in the MSD group already showed that relatively low-cost sensor concepts and mechanical designs can be applied to significantly reduce the price of stages, while still achieving sub-micrometer precision. In this research, the applicability of the Arduino Due micro-controller (€40) and amplifiers based on Pulse Width Modulation (PWM, €6) in precision stages is investigated. The use ofcheap components doesn’t come without its drawbacks. To name a few examples, the Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC) in the Arduino doesn’t have the resolution of higher quality components, PWM adds frequency content to the output of the amplifier and the Arduino processor isn’t as fast. In this research project, an extensive theoretical analysis is done to reveal how the components affect the overall performance of the stage, which can then be used to optimize system parameters to circumvent the performance losses that are inevitable with cheap components. This way much of the overall system performance canbe maintained. The theory is experimentally validated and the Arduino and PWM based amplifiers are successfully implemented into a working prototype with a precision of 1.5μm.Mechanical Engineering | Mechatronic System Design (MSD
Estimating the social value of nature-based solutions in European cities
Full text linkBy implementing nature-based solutions (NBS), cities generate value for their residents, such as health and wellbeing. We estimate the aggregate social value to urban residents of 85 NBS projects implemented across Europe and find that the majority yield attractive social returns on investment. We offer a new metric to support investments for NBS by public and private actors for whom social value creation to residents is a core objective
Valuing Urban Nature through Life Satisfaction: The Consistency of GIS and Survey Indicators of Nature
No full textThe elderly network: Implementation of an elderly network in an existing neighbourhood
No full textDesigning for Care: Towards an inclusive living environment for elderly people. The implementation of an elderly network in an existing neighbourhood.Architecture, Urbanism and Building Science
A Price-Dynamic Model of Flexibility in the Electricity Market of the Future
No full textTo match supply from intermittent renewable energy sources (RES) with demand, it is proposed in literature to introduce flexibility in the electricity market of the future. Flexibility can be provided by energy storage, demand response and cross-border transmission. In this thesis flexibility is modeled explicitly through the price mechanism of demand and supply.This price mechanism can be made explicit with the principles of Economic Engineering. With that price mechanism a price-dynamic bond graph model of the electricity market of the future is built. This model can be used with the various tools that control engineering has to offer to aid investors and regulators in designing the electricity market of the future.It can aid specifically in determining the adequate generation capacity, but also in determining the necessary power and energy capacity of storage, demand response and cross-border transmission.As an example of application, this thesis demonstrates the use of the price-dynamic model by simulating a future scenario. By simulating trading behavior of a market participant the change of prices for a market with flexibility can be quantified. It is shown that passive control does not represent realistic trading behavior, so optimal control is used. To this end, an Economic Model Predictive Controller (EMPC) is designed to simulate how market prices change when a trader maximizes his profits through energy arbitrage. Based on these price changes it is advised that the Transmission System Operator (TSO) implements an energy storage reserve market to account for risk and ensure grid stability in the electricity marketof the future.Mechanical Engineering | Systems and Contro
