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• 21. [Article] The Effect of Microencapsulated Phase-Change Material on the Compressive Strength of Structural Concrete

  Latent heat energy storage through phase-change materials (PCMs) is one possible strategy to control interior temperatures in buildings, improve thermal comfort, and passively reduce building energy use ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Effect of Microencapsulated Phase-Change Material on the Compressive Strength of Structural Concrete Author: Norvell, Chad, Sailor, David J., Dusicka, Peter Year: 2013 Latent heat energy storage through phase-change materials (PCMs) is one possible strategy to control interior temperatures in buildings, improve thermal comfort, and passively reduce building energy use associated with heating and cooling. While PCMs integrated into building structure elements have been studied since the 1970s, challenges of integrating PCMs into building materials while maintaining their heat storage benefits have limited their application in practice. The recent introduction of microencapsulated phase-change materials provides the energy storage capability of PCMs in micron-scale, chemically-inert capsules that can be easily integrated into composite materials such as gypsum wallboard and concrete. The size and physical properties of microencapsulated PCMs suggest that they will behave similarly to filler materials in concrete. Such filler materials are generally less than 125 μm in diameter and can increase concrete strength when added to a mix. This study uses the compressive strength of hardened concrete mixes with varying amounts of PCM to evaluate the effect of PCM addition on concrete structural integrity. Title: The Effect of Microencapsulated Phase-Change Material on the Compressive Strength of Structural Concrete Author: Norvell, Chad, Sailor, David J., Dusicka, Peter Year: 2013 Latent heat energy storage through phase-change materials (PCMs) is one possible strategy to control interior temperatures in buildings, improve thermal comfort, and passively reduce building energy use associated with heating and cooling. While PCMs integrated into building structure elements have been studied since the 1970s, challenges of integrating PCMs into building materials while maintaining their heat storage benefits have limited their application in practice. The recent introduction of microencapsulated phase-change materials provides the energy storage capability of PCMs in micron-scale, chemically-inert capsules that can be easily integrated into composite materials such as gypsum wallboard and concrete. The size and physical properties of microencapsulated PCMs suggest that they will behave similarly to filler materials in concrete. Such filler materials are generally less than 125 μm in diameter and can increase concrete strength when added to a mix. This study uses the compressive strength of hardened concrete mixes with varying amounts of PCM to evaluate the effect of PCM addition on concrete structural integrity. Close

• 22. [Article] Ecology of White-Cheeked Crested Gibbons in Laos

  The endangered white-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys), native to Laos, Vietnam, and perhaps China, remains little known and highly threatened. I studied seasonal variation in the diet, activity ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Ecology of White-Cheeked Crested Gibbons in Laos Author: Ruppell, Julia Cleverly Year: 2013 The endangered white-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys), native to Laos, Vietnam, and perhaps China, remains little known and highly threatened. I studied seasonal variation in the diet, activity budget, and ranging behavior of three groups of white-cheeked crested gibbons in Nam Kading National Protected Area, Bolikhamxay Province, Laos, over 12 months in wet seasonal evergreen forest. Crested gibbons (Nomascus spp.) are speculated to be more folivorous than other gibbons, but this has never been confirmed because of the paucity of fieldwork on the genus. I studied diet in relation to forest seasonality to determine the contribution of leaves to the diet over an annual cycle. Although leaves were the main dietary item throughout the year (53-85% of monthly diet), gibbons substantially increased their consumption of fruit during periods when it was most abundant in the forest. Because fruit is a calorically rich source of food, gibbons seek fruit when it is abundant and obtained easily. Young leaf consumption increased when they did not have access to fruit, indicating that their diet is flexible but strongly dependent on seasonal availability of resources. In addition, rainfall had a negative association with fruit abundance and fruit in diet. Activity budgets are an important aspect of a species' ecology because they are directly related to home range use, energy allocation, and diet, but they have never before been studied in gibbons (Nomascus spp.) of the rainy, mountainous, forests of Laos. Annually, the three groups that I studied spent nearly equal amounts of time resting (30%), feeding (33%), and traveling (35%), but only a small amount of time singing (2%). However, the proportion of time allocated to different activities showed significant seasonal variation associated with rainfall and diet, and correlated with home range use. Gibbons increased traveling time and decreased feeding time when they ate more fruit, and they decreased traveling time and increased feeding time when they ate more leaves. When the gibbons spent more of their time traveling, they also had longer day range lengths, and used a higher percentage of their total home range. Moreover, when rainfall was high, the gibbons decreased traveling time and increased time resting and feeding. Average home range size was 37.9 hectares and daily average distance over which the gibbons ranged over the 12 month study was 1.48 km per day. Differences existed among the three groups. Overall, white-cheeked crested gibbons have a home range similar in size or larger than frugivorous gibbons, and larger than the folivorous siamang. Ranging was highly seasonal with shorter day ranges during times of low fruit availability and consumption. During times of high fruit availability and low rainfall, the gibbons took on an energy maximizing strategy where they maintained large home ranges, traveled longer distances and consumed larger quantities of fruit. Gibbons and their habitat in Laos have faced continuous threats over the past 10 years because of large scale development projects and subsistence hunting. Given the highly threatened status of the species in Vietnam and China, the Lao population is certainly the world's largest and the best hope for conservation of behavioral, ecological, and genetic diversity. Resources for conserving species in the country are very limited, and wildlife populations are already greatly fragmented. I describe the current conservation issues and based on the dietary and ranging information that I collected, recommend important conservation measures to safeguard the remaining populations of endangered gibbons from extinction. Title: Ecology of White-Cheeked Crested Gibbons in Laos Author: Ruppell, Julia Cleverly Year: 2013 The endangered white-cheeked crested gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys), native to Laos, Vietnam, and perhaps China, remains little known and highly threatened. I studied seasonal variation in the diet, activity budget, and ranging behavior of three groups of white-cheeked crested gibbons in Nam Kading National Protected Area, Bolikhamxay Province, Laos, over 12 months in wet seasonal evergreen forest. Crested gibbons (Nomascus spp.) are speculated to be more folivorous than other gibbons, but this has never been confirmed because of the paucity of fieldwork on the genus. I studied diet in relation to forest seasonality to determine the contribution of leaves to the diet over an annual cycle. Although leaves were the main dietary item throughout the year (53-85% of monthly diet), gibbons substantially increased their consumption of fruit during periods when it was most abundant in the forest. Because fruit is a calorically rich source of food, gibbons seek fruit when it is abundant and obtained easily. Young leaf consumption increased when they did not have access to fruit, indicating that their diet is flexible but strongly dependent on seasonal availability of resources. In addition, rainfall had a negative association with fruit abundance and fruit in diet. Activity budgets are an important aspect of a species' ecology because they are directly related to home range use, energy allocation, and diet, but they have never before been studied in gibbons (Nomascus spp.) of the rainy, mountainous, forests of Laos. Annually, the three groups that I studied spent nearly equal amounts of time resting (30%), feeding (33%), and traveling (35%), but only a small amount of time singing (2%). However, the proportion of time allocated to different activities showed significant seasonal variation associated with rainfall and diet, and correlated with home range use. Gibbons increased traveling time and decreased feeding time when they ate more fruit, and they decreased traveling time and increased feeding time when they ate more leaves. When the gibbons spent more of their time traveling, they also had longer day range lengths, and used a higher percentage of their total home range. Moreover, when rainfall was high, the gibbons decreased traveling time and increased time resting and feeding. Average home range size was 37.9 hectares and daily average distance over which the gibbons ranged over the 12 month study was 1.48 km per day. Differences existed among the three groups. Overall, white-cheeked crested gibbons have a home range similar in size or larger than frugivorous gibbons, and larger than the folivorous siamang. Ranging was highly seasonal with shorter day ranges during times of low fruit availability and consumption. During times of high fruit availability and low rainfall, the gibbons took on an energy maximizing strategy where they maintained large home ranges, traveled longer distances and consumed larger quantities of fruit. Gibbons and their habitat in Laos have faced continuous threats over the past 10 years because of large scale development projects and subsistence hunting. Given the highly threatened status of the species in Vietnam and China, the Lao population is certainly the world's largest and the best hope for conservation of behavioral, ecological, and genetic diversity. Resources for conserving species in the country are very limited, and wildlife populations are already greatly fragmented. I describe the current conservation issues and based on the dietary and ranging information that I collected, recommend important conservation measures to safeguard the remaining populations of endangered gibbons from extinction. Close

• 23. [Article] Identifying Clusters of Non-Farm Activity within Exclusive Farm Use Zones in the Northern Willamette Valley

  This thesis provides an extensive look at where permitted non-farm uses and dwellings have clustered within Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zones in the Northern Willamette Valley in Oregon. There is a looming ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Identifying Clusters of Non-Farm Activity within Exclusive Farm Use Zones in the Northern Willamette Valley Author: Chun, Nicholas Year: 2017 This thesis provides an extensive look at where permitted non-farm uses and dwellings have clustered within Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zones in the Northern Willamette Valley in Oregon. There is a looming concern that non-farm related uses and dwellings, or non-farm development, are conflicting with agricultural preservation strategies. Specifically, non-farm developments can potentially undermine the critical mass of farmland needed to keep the agricultural economy sustainable, but until now, studies have lacked spatially precise data to systematically track these phenomena. This thesis offers methodological contributions towards analyzing these operations and presents a broad account of what has been occurring in the region. Using permit approval data from the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and 2015 county tax lot shapefiles, I geocoded the locations of these uses and dwellings. I used location quotient and spatial autocorrelation coefficients to identify non-farm hotspots in the region and summarized different typologies that have developed. The findings reveal that viticulture operations have amassed near Dundee and Newberg in Yamhill County, while commercial activities and home occupations have clustered near the Salem-Keizer UGB. Concurrently, dwellings have clustered near the Yamhill-Polk County border. Finally, I offer suggestions to improve Oregon's agricultural land use policy and data management process, as well as advocate for more intensive research in the future to generate narratives for our results. Title: Identifying Clusters of Non-Farm Activity within Exclusive Farm Use Zones in the Northern Willamette Valley Author: Chun, Nicholas Year: 2017 This thesis provides an extensive look at where permitted non-farm uses and dwellings have clustered within Exclusive Farm Use (EFU) zones in the Northern Willamette Valley in Oregon. There is a looming concern that non-farm related uses and dwellings, or non-farm development, are conflicting with agricultural preservation strategies. Specifically, non-farm developments can potentially undermine the critical mass of farmland needed to keep the agricultural economy sustainable, but until now, studies have lacked spatially precise data to systematically track these phenomena. This thesis offers methodological contributions towards analyzing these operations and presents a broad account of what has been occurring in the region. Using permit approval data from the Department of Land Conservation and Development (DLCD) and 2015 county tax lot shapefiles, I geocoded the locations of these uses and dwellings. I used location quotient and spatial autocorrelation coefficients to identify non-farm hotspots in the region and summarized different typologies that have developed. The findings reveal that viticulture operations have amassed near Dundee and Newberg in Yamhill County, while commercial activities and home occupations have clustered near the Salem-Keizer UGB. Concurrently, dwellings have clustered near the Yamhill-Polk County border. Finally, I offer suggestions to improve Oregon's agricultural land use policy and data management process, as well as advocate for more intensive research in the future to generate narratives for our results. Close

• 24. [Article] Countering Structural Violence: Cultivating an Experience of Positive Peace

  This thesis considers some conflicts involving indigenous peoples that arise from the universal standardization of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) over Plant Genetic Resources (PGR). My study presents ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Countering Structural Violence: Cultivating an Experience of Positive Peace Author: Stiles, Carrie E. Year: 2011 This thesis considers some conflicts involving indigenous peoples that arise from the universal standardization of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) over Plant Genetic Resources (PGR). My study presents the research problem of how to include indigenous peoples in dialogue as a prerequisite for conflict transformation. To better understand this problem, and potential solutions, I conducted participatory action research (PAR) through an ethnographic case study of Himalayan farmers working with the grassroots network Navdanya. The study explores the research question: how do Garhwali farmers experience grassroots mobilization for biodiversity and indigenous knowledge (IK) conservation? This question is intended to generate data for conflict resolution analysis on how to engage indigenous peoples in dialogue on the subject of IPRs over PGR. I discuss five themes that emerge from the data collected including: experiences and strategies in grassroots mobilization, culture and sharing, the seed, climate change and women. My research is divided into three separate, but interrelated elements. Firstly, I discuss my methodological choices and experiences. Secondly, I present the ethnographic research, thematic data analysis and draw conclusions. Finally, I frame the literature in the context of the theory of structural violence to explain the significance of conflicts arising from IPRs over PGR in the context of the erosion of IK systems and biodiversity. Title: Countering Structural Violence: Cultivating an Experience of Positive Peace Author: Stiles, Carrie E. Year: 2011 This thesis considers some conflicts involving indigenous peoples that arise from the universal standardization of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) over Plant Genetic Resources (PGR). My study presents the research problem of how to include indigenous peoples in dialogue as a prerequisite for conflict transformation. To better understand this problem, and potential solutions, I conducted participatory action research (PAR) through an ethnographic case study of Himalayan farmers working with the grassroots network Navdanya. The study explores the research question: how do Garhwali farmers experience grassroots mobilization for biodiversity and indigenous knowledge (IK) conservation? This question is intended to generate data for conflict resolution analysis on how to engage indigenous peoples in dialogue on the subject of IPRs over PGR. I discuss five themes that emerge from the data collected including: experiences and strategies in grassroots mobilization, culture and sharing, the seed, climate change and women. My research is divided into three separate, but interrelated elements. Firstly, I discuss my methodological choices and experiences. Secondly, I present the ethnographic research, thematic data analysis and draw conclusions. Finally, I frame the literature in the context of the theory of structural violence to explain the significance of conflicts arising from IPRs over PGR in the context of the erosion of IK systems and biodiversity. Close

• 25. [Article] Dreissenid Mussel Research Priorities Workshop

  Currently, dreissenid mussels have yet to be detected in the northwestern part of the United States and western Canada. Infestation of one of the jurisdictions within the mussel-free Pacific Northwest ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Dreissenid Mussel Research Priorities Workshop Author: Sytsma, Mark D., Phillips, Stephen, Counihan, Timothy D. Year: 2015 Currently, dreissenid mussels have yet to be detected in the northwestern part of the United States and western Canada. Infestation of one of the jurisdictions within the mussel-free Pacific Northwest would likely have significant economic, soci­etal and environmental implications for the entire region. Understanding the biology and environmental tolerances of dreissenid mussels, and effectiveness of various man­agement strategies, is key to prevention. On November 4-5, 2015, the Aquatic Bioinvasion Research and Policy Institute and the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University, the US Geological Survey, and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, convened a Dreissenid Mussel Research Priorities Workshop funded by the Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative. The purpose of the workshop was to review dreissenid research priorities in the 2010 Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters, reassess those priorities, incorporate new information and emerging trends, and develop priorities to strategically focus research efforts on zebra and quagga mussels in the Pacific Northwest and ensure that future research is focused on the highest priorities. It is important to note that there is some repetition among dreissenid research priority categories (e.g., prevention, detection, control, monitoring, and biology). Workshop participants with research experience in dreissenid mussel biology and management were identified by a literature review. State and federal agency managers were also invited to the workshop to ensure relevancy and practicality of the work­shop outcomes. A total of 28 experts (see sidebar) in mussel biology, ecology, and management attended the workshop. Title: Dreissenid Mussel Research Priorities Workshop Author: Sytsma, Mark D., Phillips, Stephen, Counihan, Timothy D. Year: 2015 Currently, dreissenid mussels have yet to be detected in the northwestern part of the United States and western Canada. Infestation of one of the jurisdictions within the mussel-free Pacific Northwest would likely have significant economic, soci­etal and environmental implications for the entire region. Understanding the biology and environmental tolerances of dreissenid mussels, and effectiveness of various man­agement strategies, is key to prevention. On November 4-5, 2015, the Aquatic Bioinvasion Research and Policy Institute and the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University, the US Geological Survey, and the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, convened a Dreissenid Mussel Research Priorities Workshop funded by the Great Northern Landscape Conservation Cooperative. The purpose of the workshop was to review dreissenid research priorities in the 2010 Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters, reassess those priorities, incorporate new information and emerging trends, and develop priorities to strategically focus research efforts on zebra and quagga mussels in the Pacific Northwest and ensure that future research is focused on the highest priorities. It is important to note that there is some repetition among dreissenid research priority categories (e.g., prevention, detection, control, monitoring, and biology). Workshop participants with research experience in dreissenid mussel biology and management were identified by a literature review. State and federal agency managers were also invited to the workshop to ensure relevancy and practicality of the work­shop outcomes. A total of 28 experts (see sidebar) in mussel biology, ecology, and management attended the workshop. Close

• 26. [Article] Fire Modulates Climate Change Response of Simulated Aspen Distribution Across Topoclimatic Gradients in a Semi-Arid Montane Landscape

  Content Changing aspen distribution in response to climate change and fire is a major focus of biodiversity conservation, yet little is known about the potential response of aspen to these two driving ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Fire Modulates Climate Change Response of Simulated Aspen Distribution Across Topoclimatic Gradients in a Semi-Arid Montane Landscape Author: Yang, Jian, Weisberg, Peter J., Shinneman, Douglas J., Dilts, Thomas E., Earnst, Susan L., Scheller, Robert M. Year: 2015 Content Changing aspen distribution in response to climate change and fire is a major focus of biodiversity conservation, yet little is known about the potential response of aspen to these two driving forces along topoclimatic gradients. Objective This study is set to evaluate how aspen distribution might shift in response to different climate-fire scenarios in a semi-arid montane landscape, and quantify the influence of fire regime along topoclimatic gradients. Methods We used a novel integration of a forest landscape succession and disturbance model (LAN DIS-II) with a fine-scale climatic water deficit approach to simulate dynamics of aspen and associated conifer and shrub species over the next 150 years under various climate-fire scenarios. Results Simulations suggest that many aspen stands could persist without fire for centuries under current climate conditions. However, a simulated 2–5ºC increase in temperature caused a substantial reduction of aspen coverage at lower elevations and a modest increase at upper elevations, leading to an overall reduction of aspen range at the landscape level. Increasing fire activity may favor aspen increase at its upper elevation limits adjacent to coniferous forest, but may also favor reduction of aspen at lower elevation limits adjacent to xeric shrubland. Conclusions Our study highlights the importance of incorporating fine-scale terrain effects on climatic water deficit and ecohydrology when modeling species distribution response to climate change. This modeling study suggests that climate mitigation and adaptation strategies that use fire would benefit from consideration of spatial context at landscape scales. Title: Fire Modulates Climate Change Response of Simulated Aspen Distribution Across Topoclimatic Gradients in a Semi-Arid Montane Landscape Author: Yang, Jian, Weisberg, Peter J., Shinneman, Douglas J., Dilts, Thomas E., Earnst, Susan L., Scheller, Robert M. Year: 2015 Content Changing aspen distribution in response to climate change and fire is a major focus of biodiversity conservation, yet little is known about the potential response of aspen to these two driving forces along topoclimatic gradients. Objective This study is set to evaluate how aspen distribution might shift in response to different climate-fire scenarios in a semi-arid montane landscape, and quantify the influence of fire regime along topoclimatic gradients. Methods We used a novel integration of a forest landscape succession and disturbance model (LAN DIS-II) with a fine-scale climatic water deficit approach to simulate dynamics of aspen and associated conifer and shrub species over the next 150 years under various climate-fire scenarios. Results Simulations suggest that many aspen stands could persist without fire for centuries under current climate conditions. However, a simulated 2–5ºC increase in temperature caused a substantial reduction of aspen coverage at lower elevations and a modest increase at upper elevations, leading to an overall reduction of aspen range at the landscape level. Increasing fire activity may favor aspen increase at its upper elevation limits adjacent to coniferous forest, but may also favor reduction of aspen at lower elevation limits adjacent to xeric shrubland. Conclusions Our study highlights the importance of incorporating fine-scale terrain effects on climatic water deficit and ecohydrology when modeling species distribution response to climate change. This modeling study suggests that climate mitigation and adaptation strategies that use fire would benefit from consideration of spatial context at landscape scales. Close

• 27. [Article] A Combined Energy and Geoengineering Optimization Model (CEAGOM) for Climate Policy Analysis

  One of the greatest challenges that will face humanity in the 21st century is the issue of climate change brought about by emissions of greenhouse gases. Energy use is one of the primary sources of greenhouse ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: A Combined Energy and Geoengineering Optimization Model (CEAGOM) for Climate Policy Analysis Author: Anasis, John George Year: 2015 One of the greatest challenges that will face humanity in the 21st century is the issue of climate change brought about by emissions of greenhouse gases. Energy use is one of the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is also one of the most important contributors to improved human welfare over the past two centuries and will continue to be so for years to come. This quandary has led a number of researchers to suggest that geoengineering may be required in order to allow for continued use of fossil fuels while at the same time mitigating the effects of the associated greenhouse gas emissions on the global climate. The goal of this research was to develop a model that would allow decision-makers and policy analysts to assess the optimal mix of energy and geoengineering resources needed to meet global or regional energy demand at the lowest cost while accounting for appropriate emissions, greenhouse gas concentration, or temperature rise constraints. The resulting software model is called the Combined Energy and Geoengineering Optimization Model (CEAGOM). CEAGOM was then used to analyze the recently announced U.S.-China emissions agreement and to assess what the optimal global energy resource mix might be over the course of the 21st century, including the associated potential need for geoengineering. These analyses yielded optimal mixes of energy and geoengineering resources that could be used to inform regional and global energy and climate management strategies. Title: A Combined Energy and Geoengineering Optimization Model (CEAGOM) for Climate Policy Analysis Author: Anasis, John George Year: 2015 One of the greatest challenges that will face humanity in the 21st century is the issue of climate change brought about by emissions of greenhouse gases. Energy use is one of the primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions. However, it is also one of the most important contributors to improved human welfare over the past two centuries and will continue to be so for years to come. This quandary has led a number of researchers to suggest that geoengineering may be required in order to allow for continued use of fossil fuels while at the same time mitigating the effects of the associated greenhouse gas emissions on the global climate. The goal of this research was to develop a model that would allow decision-makers and policy analysts to assess the optimal mix of energy and geoengineering resources needed to meet global or regional energy demand at the lowest cost while accounting for appropriate emissions, greenhouse gas concentration, or temperature rise constraints. The resulting software model is called the Combined Energy and Geoengineering Optimization Model (CEAGOM). CEAGOM was then used to analyze the recently announced U.S.-China emissions agreement and to assess what the optimal global energy resource mix might be over the course of the 21st century, including the associated potential need for geoengineering. These analyses yielded optimal mixes of energy and geoengineering resources that could be used to inform regional and global energy and climate management strategies. Close

• 28. [Article] The Investigation and Optimization of a Two-Heat-Pump System Incorporating Thermal Storage for Shaping Residential Heating Load

  Portland General Electric has proposed coupling one or more water tanks with two heat pumps in order to perform load-shifting in residential customer heating and cooling applications. By using the water ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: The Investigation and Optimization of a Two-Heat-Pump System Incorporating Thermal Storage for Shaping Residential Heating Load Author: Barrett, Emily Lord Year: 2016 Portland General Electric has proposed coupling one or more water tanks with two heat pumps in order to perform load-shifting in residential customer heating and cooling applications. By using the water tanks as a thermal storage unit, this project attempts to partially decouple energy consumption from generation to provide peak demand reduction and to better facilitate the integration of variable renewable energy resources. A scoping study was performed to evaluate the potential impact of this project if implemented in single family homes in Portland, Oregon. This study revealed that the system could provide meaningful savings in the cost of electricity to both the customer and utility. Additionally, an optimization algorithm was developed to dictate system operation and to maximize gains to the utility. Evolutionary algorithms were explored in an attempt to increase the effectiveness of the algorithm's search in limited computation time. Ultimately, an evolution strategy was selected as the most suitable based on tests run in winter and spring months. A genetic algorithm was then developed to handle fixed-speed heat pump operation for compatibility with an alpha-system prototype that has been developed by the research team. Title: The Investigation and Optimization of a Two-Heat-Pump System Incorporating Thermal Storage for Shaping Residential Heating Load Author: Barrett, Emily Lord Year: 2016 Portland General Electric has proposed coupling one or more water tanks with two heat pumps in order to perform load-shifting in residential customer heating and cooling applications. By using the water tanks as a thermal storage unit, this project attempts to partially decouple energy consumption from generation to provide peak demand reduction and to better facilitate the integration of variable renewable energy resources. A scoping study was performed to evaluate the potential impact of this project if implemented in single family homes in Portland, Oregon. This study revealed that the system could provide meaningful savings in the cost of electricity to both the customer and utility. Additionally, an optimization algorithm was developed to dictate system operation and to maximize gains to the utility. Evolutionary algorithms were explored in an attempt to increase the effectiveness of the algorithm's search in limited computation time. Ultimately, an evolution strategy was selected as the most suitable based on tests run in winter and spring months. A genetic algorithm was then developed to handle fixed-speed heat pump operation for compatibility with an alpha-system prototype that has been developed by the research team. Close

• 29. [Article] Modeling Vegetation Mosaics in Sub-Alpine Tasmania Under Various Fire Regimes

  Western Tasmania, Australia contains some of the highest levels of biological endemism of any temperate region in the world, including vegetation types that are conservation priorities: fire-sensitive ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Modeling Vegetation Mosaics in Sub-Alpine Tasmania Under Various Fire Regimes Author: Yospin, Gabriel I., Wood, Samuel W., Holz, Andrés, Bowman, David M.J.S., Keane, Robert E., Whitlock, Cathy Year: 2015 Western Tasmania, Australia contains some of the highest levels of biological endemism of any temperate region in the world, including vegetation types that are conservation priorities: fire-sensitive rainforest dominated by endemic conifer species in the genus Athrotaxis; and fire-tolerant buttongrass moorlands. Current management focuses on fire suppression, but increasingly there are calls for the use of prescribed fire in flammable vegetation types to manage these ecosystems. The long-term effects of climate and alternative management strategies on the vegetated landscape are unknown. To help identify controls over successional trajectories, we parameterized a spatially explicit landscape-scale model of vegetation and fire (FireBGCv2) for a study area in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in western Tasmania using new data on fine-scale topography, plant communities, and fuels loads. Our parameterized model displays a high level of agreement with previous empirical and modeling studies for the region. The model was experimentally tested for three different levels of ignition suppression (0, 50, and 90 %); simulations ran for 1000 years and were replicated 10 times. The different scenarios yielded distinct fire return intervals, with cascading effects on successional dynamics and vegetation composition. Model results indicate that fire-sensitive endemic conifer rainforest will be restricted to upland refugia that total far less area than its present distribution, even under maximal ignition suppression. Because the distribution of vegetation types was unstable temporally and across stochastic replicates, present distributions may be a legacy of previous climate, Aboriginal fire management, or both. Title: Modeling Vegetation Mosaics in Sub-Alpine Tasmania Under Various Fire Regimes Author: Yospin, Gabriel I., Wood, Samuel W., Holz, Andrés, Bowman, David M.J.S., Keane, Robert E., Whitlock, Cathy Year: 2015 Western Tasmania, Australia contains some of the highest levels of biological endemism of any temperate region in the world, including vegetation types that are conservation priorities: fire-sensitive rainforest dominated by endemic conifer species in the genus Athrotaxis; and fire-tolerant buttongrass moorlands. Current management focuses on fire suppression, but increasingly there are calls for the use of prescribed fire in flammable vegetation types to manage these ecosystems. The long-term effects of climate and alternative management strategies on the vegetated landscape are unknown. To help identify controls over successional trajectories, we parameterized a spatially explicit landscape-scale model of vegetation and fire (FireBGCv2) for a study area in Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park in western Tasmania using new data on fine-scale topography, plant communities, and fuels loads. Our parameterized model displays a high level of agreement with previous empirical and modeling studies for the region. The model was experimentally tested for three different levels of ignition suppression (0, 50, and 90 %); simulations ran for 1000 years and were replicated 10 times. The different scenarios yielded distinct fire return intervals, with cascading effects on successional dynamics and vegetation composition. Model results indicate that fire-sensitive endemic conifer rainforest will be restricted to upland refugia that total far less area than its present distribution, even under maximal ignition suppression. Because the distribution of vegetation types was unstable temporally and across stochastic replicates, present distributions may be a legacy of previous climate, Aboriginal fire management, or both. Close

• 30. [Article] LiDAR Business Analysis

  LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses light in the form of a laser pulses to create 3D images. LiDAR technology’s use on UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) is a relatively ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: LiDAR Business Analysis Author: Xiao, Liyan, Yacoub, Mufeed, Lerdphayakkarat, Rassaniya, Groth, Tyler, Akhter, Tanzila, Lally, Wendy Year: 2017 LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses light in the form of a laser pulses to create 3D images. LiDAR technology’s use on UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) is a relatively new concept in the rapidly advancing remote sensing & 3D imaging industry. As such, profitability data is either not released by similar business organizations, or there is simply not enough historical data to accurately predict revenue streams with either business model. To assess the feasibility of business models, market research and literature review were performed by our research team. Economic analysis methods were used to determine the most advantageous business plan strategy for the LiDAR business opportunities. Since the success of either business model will rely heavily on the company’s sales ability. Since the focus of this report is on economic analysis to make the best business decision, we have made our valuation calculations based conservative sales forecasts. The startup business plan identifies and critiques two business models identified by the founder entrepreneurs: 1. A service oriented model in which data is collected, processed, and delivered by an operations team to the customer. 2. A product oriented model in which LiDAR UAS is constructed, tested, and sold as a unit that includes training as an entire product for the customer’s own use. Based on these two models, three decision options were evaluated and compared with each other: 1. Invest in the Service only model 2. Invest in the Product only model 3. Do not invest, utilize the stock market for investment gains A 5-year cash flow analysis was conducted to give the founders a recommended strategy to optimize their investment. Through conducting a benefit cost analysis and calculating the internal rate of return of each opportunity, it was determined that both business models may be profitable and worthy investments. The expected IRR of service model and product model are 56% and 136% respectively. They are both much higher than the stock market option, which has an estimated MARR of 8% on average. Much of the risk in this analysis was the uncertainty in the sales revenue projections. The team endeavored to determine the sensitivity of the data by performing sensitivity analysis on these sales projections. Expected values were calculated taking into consideration of the most likely, optimistic and pessimistic cases. The sensitivity analysis result shows both business models are profitable under all conditions. The economic analysis has shown that while both business models are likely to be profitable, the Product Business Model has the potential for a higher return on investment. Therefore the research team recommends that the investors proceed with the Product Business Model outlined in the report. Title: LiDAR Business Analysis Author: Xiao, Liyan, Yacoub, Mufeed, Lerdphayakkarat, Rassaniya, Groth, Tyler, Akhter, Tanzila, Lally, Wendy Year: 2017 LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) is a remote sensing technology that uses light in the form of a laser pulses to create 3D images. LiDAR technology’s use on UAS (Unmanned Aerial System) is a relatively new concept in the rapidly advancing remote sensing & 3D imaging industry. As such, profitability data is either not released by similar business organizations, or there is simply not enough historical data to accurately predict revenue streams with either business model. To assess the feasibility of business models, market research and literature review were performed by our research team. Economic analysis methods were used to determine the most advantageous business plan strategy for the LiDAR business opportunities. Since the success of either business model will rely heavily on the company’s sales ability. Since the focus of this report is on economic analysis to make the best business decision, we have made our valuation calculations based conservative sales forecasts. The startup business plan identifies and critiques two business models identified by the founder entrepreneurs: 1. A service oriented model in which data is collected, processed, and delivered by an operations team to the customer. 2. A product oriented model in which LiDAR UAS is constructed, tested, and sold as a unit that includes training as an entire product for the customer’s own use. Based on these two models, three decision options were evaluated and compared with each other: 1. Invest in the Service only model 2. Invest in the Product only model 3. Do not invest, utilize the stock market for investment gains A 5-year cash flow analysis was conducted to give the founders a recommended strategy to optimize their investment. Through conducting a benefit cost analysis and calculating the internal rate of return of each opportunity, it was determined that both business models may be profitable and worthy investments. The expected IRR of service model and product model are 56% and 136% respectively. They are both much higher than the stock market option, which has an estimated MARR of 8% on average. Much of the risk in this analysis was the uncertainty in the sales revenue projections. The team endeavored to determine the sensitivity of the data by performing sensitivity analysis on these sales projections. Expected values were calculated taking into consideration of the most likely, optimistic and pessimistic cases. The sensitivity analysis result shows both business models are profitable under all conditions. The economic analysis has shown that while both business models are likely to be profitable, the Product Business Model has the potential for a higher return on investment. Therefore the research team recommends that the investors proceed with the Product Business Model outlined in the report. Close