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The objective is to train in the use of sustainablility impact and policy assessment in EU and Russia, especially in issues concerning forests, agricultural landscapes, water environments and built-up areas through the development of an innovative and interactive e-tool for multiple end users. This freeware product will be based on simulations of advanced dynamic models, incorporated into a multimedia presentation in parallel English/Russian. The e-tool will be developed base on case studies on Eurasian sites from Holland to Siberia, and within an infrastructure of Universities, research organisations, administrations, student groups within this large area. The project has four distinct phases (i) case studies on ecosystem biogeochemistry, pollution effects, biodiversity, eco-technosystems, multifunctional agriculture, sustainable building etc., (ii) feeding dynamic models and incorporating them into an interactive visualization software, (iii) combining simulations, text, videos and graphics into a e-textbook written by 30-40 experts, (iv) testing of the e-tool/e-textbook by policy makers (including EC staff) and stakeholders. Prime Contractor: Helsingin Yliopisto; Helsinki; Finland.
MODELKEY comprises a mulitdisciplinary approach aiming at developing interlinked and verified predictive modelling tools as well as state-of-the-art effect-assessment and analytical methods generally applicable to European freshwater and marine ecosystems: 1) to assess, forecast, and mitigate the risks of traditional and recently evolving pollutants on fresh water and marine ecosystems and their biodiversity at a river basin and adjacent marine environment scale, 2) to provide early warning strategies on the basis of sub-lethal effects in vitro and in vivo, 3) to provide a better understanding of cause-effect-relationships between changes in biodiversity and the ecological status, as addressed by the Water Framework Directive, and the impact of environmental pollution as causative factor, 4) to provide methods for state-of-the-art risk assessment and decision support systems for the selection of the most efficient management options to prevent effects on biodiversity and to prioritise contamination sources and contaminated sites, 5) to strengthen the scientific knowledge on an European level in the field of impact assessment of environmental pollution on aquatic eco-systems and their biodiversity by extensive training activities and knowledge dissemination to stakeholders and the scientific community. This goal shall be achieved by combining innovative predictive tools for modelling exposure on a river basin scale including the estuary and the coastal zone, for modelling effects on higher levels of biological organisation with powerful assessment tools for the identification of key modes of action, key toxicants and key parameters determining exposure. The developed tools will be verified in case studies representing European key areas including Mediterranean, Western and Central European river basins. An end-user-directed decision support system will be provided for cost-effective tool selection and appropriate risk and site prioritisation.
Earthquakes are a serious threat for many countries of Europe, particularly for those around the Mediterranean Sea. Early warning systems, based on real time, automated analysis of ground motion measurements, can play an important role in reducing the negative impact of catastrophic events on densely populated areas and, particularly, in mitigating the damage to strategic structures and lifelines. Europe is covered by numerous high quality seismic networks, managed by national and by European agencies, including also some local networks specifically designed for seismic early warning around large cities like Bucharest, Istanbul and Naples, respectively. The SAFER project is aimed at fully exploiting the possibilities offered by a real time analysis of the signals coming from seismic networks for a wide range of actions, performed in a time interval of a few seconds to some tens of minutes. These actions range from the shut down of critical systems of lifelines, industries, highways, railways, etc. and the activation of control systems for the protection of crucial structures, to decision support for rapid response of the emergency management (ground shaking maps, continuously expected damage scenarios, aftershocks hazard etc.). The project is structured in 6 work-packages: (1) Project Coordination and Management (2) Real-Time Estimation of Source Parameters (3) Real-Time Damage Assessment and Reduction Strategies (4) Real- Time Shake Maps (5) Real-Time Aftershock Hazard Assessment (6) Dissemination of Results and End User Interface. The work-packages address all major components of an earthquake early warning system. Tasks of Section 5.3 within the project Preparation of the foundations to generate the most realistic earth shake maps possible: 1.) Derivation of detailed attenuation models of the macroseismic intensity in specified test areas and 2.) Derivation of regional relations between intensities and physical ground motion parameters.
Objective: In order for the commercial production of large CIGS modules on the multi-MW scale to be successful, the processes must still be streamlined and optimised taking considering both economical and ecological aspects. This project aims to support the developme nt of this material- and energy-saving thin-film technology so it can gain a foothold in the free PV market. Promising laboratory results will be transferred to large-scale production, where the availability of appropriate production equipment and very hig h material and process yields are of decisive importance. 4 universities, 2 research institutes, and 4 companies will work closely together in order to merge the physical understanding of the processes and the engineering know-how, which are necessary for up-scaling the CIGS technology to a marketable multi-megawatt production volume. We will focus on: (1) very high-quality modules manufactured by coevaporation of CIGS and applying cost-effective methods, ETA up to 14 Prozent on 0.7 m2; (2) the development of Cd-free buffer layers for Cd-free CIGS modules on an area of up to 0.7 m2, ETA up to 12 Prozent; (3) and the development of a mid-term alternative: electrodeposition of low-cost CIS modules with ETA above 10 Prozent (estimated cost about 0.8 E/Wp). We will transfer the Mo back contact sputtering know-how to a specialised European large-area glass coater to provide substrates for both the coevaporation and the electrodeposition approaches. All process developments such as modifications of the back contact, wet- or vacuum-deposited buffer layers, the multi-stage coevaporation of CIGS, or improved Ga incorporation in electrodeposited absorbers will first be tested and evaluated on the laboratory scale. Successful approaches will be up-scaled and transferred to three independ ent commercial CIGS pilot lines located in three different European countries. Novel process and quality control techniques must also be developed and applied to reach these ambitious goals.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are caused by local proliferation of algae, with deleterious consequences, particularly in coastal waters throughout the world. Negative environmental effects include toxicity to human consumers of seafood, marine faunal mortalities or morbidity, habitat damage, disruption of marine food webs and economic losses to fishing, aquaculture, and tourism. In Europe, socio-economic factors and human health risk have led to comprehensive surveillance programmes for harmful microalgae and their toxins. Among harmful microalgae and cyanobacteria in European marine and brackish waters, many produce potent neurotoxins, ichthyotoxins or hepatotoxins. Although structural elucidation of many of these groups of toxins has advanced, much less is known about biosynthetic pathways and gene regulation in toxigenic species. We propose a limited genomic study of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) for toxigenic representatives of major eukaryotic microalgal groups, including dinoflagellates, raphidophytes, prymnesiophytes and diatoms, and cyanobacteria. Cultures will be grown under various environmental conditions to investigate the effects of external forcing functions on gene expression linked to toxicity and growth. After cloning of cDNA of toxigenic strains pooled from cultures grown under these different conditions into plasmid vectors, about 10,000 clones from each taxon will be randomly sequenced for ESTs. Our approach is to annotate the ESTs and attempt to identify genes associated with toxin production. DNA microarrays will be developed for screening of toxigenic and non-toxigenic strains. In addition, the sequence data will be analysed to identify other genes that may be involved in cell regulation or growth, cell cycle events, stress response and the induction of sexuality. Cultures will be grown under various environmental conditions to investigate the effects of external forcing functions on gene expression linked to toxicity and growth. Successful completion of this project will yield new information on microalgal and cyanobacterial genomic sequences for a diversity of taxa and will assist in the diagnosis of genes related to toxin biosynthesis and the formation of toxic blooms.
Objective: HyApproval is a STREP to develop a Handbook (HB) facilitating the approval of hydrogen refuelling sta-tions (HRS). The project will be performed over 24 months by a balanced partnership including 25 partners from industry, SMEs and institutes which ensure the critical mass and required know how for obtaining the identified project goals. Most partners have extensive expertise from HRS projects. Key partners from China/ Japan / USA provide an additional liaison to international regulations, codes & stand ards activities. The project goals are to finalise the HRS technical guideline started under EIHP2 and to contribute to the international standard under development at ISO TC197 and in first line to provide a HB which assists com-panies and organisations i n the implementation and operation of HRS. The HB will be based on best prac-tices reflecting the existing technical know-how and regulatory environment, but also includes the flexibility to allow new technologies and design to be introduced at a later sta ge. In order to meet these goals, best practises will be developed from project experience (CUTE, ECTOS, EIHP1&2, HySafe, CEP, ZERO REGIO) and partner activities. In 5 EU countries (F/D/I/E/NL) and in China, Japan and the USA the HyApproval process wil l include a HB review by country authorities to pursue 'broad agreement' and to define 'approval routes'. After finalising the HB process the developed requirements and procedures to get 'Approval in Principle' shall be suffi-ciently advanced to seek appro val in any European country without major modifications. Not only infra-structure companies, HRS operators/owners and local authorities but also the EC will profit from the HB that is deemed to contribute to the safe implementation of a hydrogen infrastruc ture. The project complies with EU's R&D and energy policies, which aims at the introduction of 5Prozent hydrogen as motor fuel by 2020. The HB will put Europe in a position to maintain and extend its leading position
Sustainable development is a fundamental goal of the European Union and loss of biodiversity is emphasised as one of the main threats to it. However, biodiversity and ecosystems of European Seas are under human impact, such as pollution, eutrophication, and overfishing. Therefore it is necessary to monitor changes in biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The aim of the project is the development of DNA chips for the identification of marine organisms in European Seas as a cost effective, reliable and efficient technology in biodiversity and ecosystem science. Many marine organisms, such as eggs and larvae of fishes, plankton, and benthic invertebrates, are difficult to identify by morphological characters. The classical methods are extremely time consuming and require a high degree of taxonomie expertise. Consequently, the basic step of identifying such organisms is a major bottleneck in biodiversity and ecosystem science. Therefore, the project seeks to demonstrate that DNA chips can be a new powerful and innovative tool for the identification of marine organisms. Three DNA chips for the identification of fishes, phytoplankton, and invertebrates of European Seas will be developed. These chips will facilitate research on dispersal of ichthyoplankton, monitoring of phytoplankton, and identification of bioindicators as well as prey in gut contents analysis. To achieve this goal a combined biological and technical approach has been initiated: The biological material will be sampled by marine biologists. The next step is the sequencing of suitable molecular markers for probe design. The technical part consists mainly in constructing gene probe libraries and determining their specificity. This will be done by biotech research centres in connection with SMEs engaged in bioinformatics and DNA chip technology. Therefore the project has the potential to bring Europe's marine biotechnology to the forefront of this field.
Objective: The BRITA proposal on Eco-buildings aims to increase the market penetration of innovative and effective retrofit solutions to improve energy and implement renewables, with moderate additional costs. In the first place, this will be realised by the exemplary retrofit of 9 demonstration public buildings in the four participating European region (North, Central, South, East). By choosing public buildings of different types such as colleges, cultural centres, nursery homes, student houses, churches etc. for implementing the measures it will awareness and sensitise society on energy conservation. Secondly, the research work packages will include the socio-economic research such as the identification of real project-planning needs and financing strategies, the assessment of design guidelines, the development of an internet-based knowledge tool on retrofit measures and case studies and a quality control-tool box to secure a good long-term performance of the building and the systems.
In CARAVEL ('Travelling towards a new mobility') arbeiten die vier Städte Burgos (Spanien), Genua (Italien), Krakau (Polen) und Stuttgart (Deutschland) im Rahmen des EU-Programms CIVITAS II zusammen. Ziel ist es, unterschiedlichste Ansätze zur Erzielung eines 'nachhaltigen' Verkehrssystems zu erproben. Die Palette der Maßnahmen reicht dabei von Erdgasbussen über Rufbussysteme bis zu überlegungen, eine 'City-Maut' einzuführen. Das Projekt ist im Februar 2005 gestartet und wird vier Jahre dauern. Der Lehrstuhl für Verkehrsplanung und Verkehrsleittechnik ist sowohl auf Gesamt-Projektebene als auch für die Landeshauptstadt Stuttgart für die 'dissemination' der Projektergebnisse verantwortlich. Hierzu gehört die Erstellung einer Projektbroschüre ebenso wie die Herausgabe unterschiedlicher newsletter und die Betreuung der website. Ferner wird der Lehrstuhl im Rahmen von CARAVEL eine Summer University anbieten, die in den Jahren 2007 und 2008 in Budapest, Burgos, Genua und Stuttgart stattfinden wird.
Objective: The aim of this project is to turn 4 core communities (Germany, Austria, Luxemburg, Poland) with clearly defined system borders and 14 - 20.000 inhabitants each into CONCERTO communities. A mix of different EE and RES demonstrations (including refurbishment of old buildings, eco-buildings and polygeneration, all underpinned with complete business plans) will allow to avoid about 300 GWh/yr end energy from fossil sources, thus avoiding 94.000 tons CO2/yr, and saving 22.9 mio Euro/yr of disbursements for extra-communal electricity and heat deliveries. The application of the Decentralised Energy Management System (DEMS) will allow for local and inter-communal operation, monitoring and control of energy consumption, storage and generation units and grids, including DSM and LCP, thereby exploring a EE potential of at least 5Prozent. The target in RES coverage for 2010 is of resp. 39 to 62Prozent of the then remaining electricity and heat demand. EnerMAS, a low-threshold version of the European environmental management system.
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