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FP6-SUSTDEV, Integrated Flood Risk Analysis and Management Methodologies (FLOODsite)

The management of flood risk is a critical component of public safety and quality of life. The FLOODsite Integrated Project will produce improved understanding of specific flood processes and mechanisms and methodologies for flood risk analysis and management ranging from the high level management of risk at a river-basin, estuary and coastal process cell scale down to the detailed assessment in specific areas. It includes specific actions on the hazard of coastal extremes, coastal morphodynamics and flash flood forecasting, as well as understanding of social vulnerability and flood impacts, which are critical to improving the mitigation of flood risk from all causes. The project seeks to identify technologies and strategies for sustainable flood mitigation and defence, recognising the complex interaction between natural bio-physical systems and socio-economic systems, to support spatial and policy planning in the context of global change and societal advance. Several pilot studies are included in FLOODsite. These will identify lessons from recent floods (e.g. Elbe, 2002), and test the proposed operational use of methods on integrated risk management and sustainable flood defence (the Thames and Scheldt Estuaries and the Ebro coastal delta) or new technology for flash flood forecasting (in France and Italy). FLOODsite will also develop common language, guidance and tools for dissemination of the project results and professional training packages. FLOODsite will build upon the previous and current European and national research and practice in river and coastal flood processes and flood risk mitigation methods to promote consistency of approach. Several of the FLOODsite project partners are identified as contributors to proposals for the virtual centre on floods and droughts identified in Para 1.1.6.3.II of the work programme; this virtual centre will complement the activities of the FLOODsite project.

Catenary Interface Monitoring Coherent sensing technology for electrical railway infrastructure and rolling stock for interoperable cross boundary transportation (CATIEMON)

Objective: In a deregulated EU rail market monitoring of the vehicle and infrastructure interface is mandatory for enhanced availability of operation reducing costs. Especially when a rolling stock is crossing boundaries between independent infrastructure grids, cond ition monitoring becomes crucial. A monitoring tool on OCLs overhead contact lines - for infrastructure managers is needed for an separate measurement of contact force and surface condition of the vehicle current strip. The rolling stock operator needs a complementary device to measure not only the vertical contact force, but moreover the friction force, in order to analyse the vehicle and OCL interface condition. In SMITS a monitoring system for contact force on the interface current collector lt;- gt; c ontact wire has been developed. A sensor technology has been started to explore showing the potential for an extended range of rail monitoring tools. An innovative coherent sensor technology approach shall be investigated and two independent monitoring too ls for vehicle and infrastructure be developed. These shall be validated at new rail tracks specified for TSI interoperable cross boundary transportation: the Ltschberg Basis Tunnel, CH and the HSL Zuid high speed line, NL, both ready for operation in 2007 . Demonstration tests in operation will be performed along the Korridor X infrastructure passing through different countries rail networks. The outcome of the project will enable managers to specify driving conditions for the usage of their infrastructure to avoid excessive wear improving availability. Complementary rolling stock operators can monitor OCL condition giving them an informative argument in case of damage. Condition-dependent user fees as well as threat of penalty will force vehicle and infrast ructure managers to maintain the vehicle and infrastructure interface on a superior level of availability. The operational costs will be reduced and availability of transportation capacity enhanced.

Climate Change and Variability: Impact on Central and Eastern Europe (CLAVIER)

Objective: Observational records show that the global climate is changing and ongoing changes are also visible in Central Eastern Europe. About 64Prozent of all catastrophic events in Europe since 1980 can directly be attributed to weather and climate extremes. Climate change projections show even an increasing likelihood of extremes. Certainly negative impacts of climate change will involve significant economic looses in several regions of Europe, while others may bring health or welfare problems somewhere else. Within CLAVIER three representative Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC) will be studied in detail: Hungary, Romania, and Bulgaria. Researches from 6 countries and different disciplines will identify linkages between climate change and its impact on weather patterns with consequences on air pollution, extremes events, and on water resources. Furthermore, an evaluation of the economic impact on agriculture, tourism, energy supply and the public sector will be conducted. This is of increasing importance for CEEC, which are currently facing a rapid economic development, but also for the European Union as e.g. Romania's and Bulgaria's high vulnerability from extreme events such as floods will impact not only the respective economic goals for joining the EU but also the EU solidarity fund. CLAVIER will focus on ongoing and future climate changes in Central and Eastern European Countries using measurements and existing regional scenarios to determine possible developments of the climate and to address related uncertainty. In addition, climate projections with very high detail will be carried out for CEEC to fulfil the need for a large amount of detail in time and space, which is inherent in local and regional impact assessment.

Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol and medicine (DRUID)

Objective: As consumption of psychoactive substances such as alcohol, drugs and certain medicines are likely to endanger the drivers aptitude and impaired driving is still one of the major causes for road accidents, some active steps have to be taken to reach the goal of a 50% reduction in the number of road deaths in the EU. The objective of DRUID is to give scientific support to the EU transport policy to reach the 2010th road safety target by establishing guidelines and measures to combat impaired driving. DRUID will - conduct reference studies of the impact on fitness to drive for alcohol, illicit drugs and medicines and give new insights to the real degree of impairment caused by psychoactive drugs and their actual impact on road safety - generate recommendations for the definition of analytical and risk thresholds - analyse the prevalence of drugs and medicines in accidents and in general driving, set up a comprehensive and efficient epidemiological database.

Ballastwasser Behandlung: Nachhaltige Ballastwasseraufbereitung (BAWAPLA)

Maritimer Transport ist von enormer Bedeutung für Europa und den Rest der Welt. Über 90% des Außenhandels der Europäischen Union wird per Seetransport abgewickelt. Mehr als eine Milliarde Tonnen an Fracht werden pro Jahr in den Häfen der Mitgliedstaaten auf- und abgeladen. Der Schiffstransport ist gemessen am Volumen die wichtigste Beförderungsart. Mit dem Seetransportgeschäft begann auch der Transport von Organismen im Ballastwasser von Schiffen. Der internationale Transport von drei bis zu zwölf Milliarden Tonnen Ballastwasser jährlich führt zur Ansammlung von ca. 100 Millionen Tonnen von Ablagerungen in den Schiffen. Die Beseitigung des entstandenen Schlamms verursacht enorme Kosten (ca. 30.000 € für ein kleines Frachtschiff). Neben den wirtschaftlichen Aspekten wird das Ballastwasser als hauptsächlicher Verursacher für die Umsiedlung von Aquaspezies über biologisch-geografische Grenzen hinaus verstanden. Schätzungsweise werden täglich 10.000 Pflanzen- sowie Tierarten per Schiff in die ganze Welt transportiert. Aufgrund des wachsenden Welthandels wächst auch die Bedrohung der Ökosysteme durch invasive Lebewesen. Die immer kürzeren Fahrtzeiten erhöhen die Überlebenswahrscheinlichkeit der Bioinvasoren. Die automatische und zuverlässige Reinigung des Ballastwassers im Tank mithilfe einer neuen Hybrid-Technologie (UV, Filter, Elektrolyse), die einen seewasserbetriebenen Generator nutzt, ist das gemeinsame Ziel der Projektpartner. Durch die Produktion von aktiven Substanzen mit der Elektrolyse aus dem Meerwasser wird vermieden, gefährliche und ätzende Chemikalien an Bord mitzuführen.

Energy in Minds

Das europaweite Förderprojekt hat zum Ziel, den Anteil fossiler Energieträger und den Ausstoß von CO2 in vier europäischen Städten innerhalb von 5 Jahren um 20 Prozent bis 30 Prozent zu senken. Teilnehmer sind Neckarsulm in Deutschland, die Energieregion Weiz-Gleisdorf in Österreich, Falkenberg in Schweden und Zlin in Tschechien. Neben diesen Städten nehmen Gornji Grad in Slowenien und die Region Turin in Italien als Beobachterstädte an dem Projekt teil. Alle Partner sind führend auf dem Gebiet regenerativer Energiesysteme und rationeller Energieverwendung. Maßnahmen: - Sensibilisierung der Bevölkerung für Energiefragen, - Energieagenturen werden eingerichtet bzw. ausgebaut, - ein jährlich stattfindender Energie-Tag' wird eingeführt, - Durchführung von Informationskampagnen, - Energiechecks und Gebäudesanierungen, - Realisierung von Sonnenkollektoren und Photovoltaikanlagen, - alte Heizungsanlagen privater Haushalte werden durch CO2-neutrale Holzpellet-Heizungen ersetzt, - biomassebetriebene Heizkraftwerke sollen die Effizienz bestehender Nahwärmeversorgung verbessern. Projekte der Partnerstädte: Im Rahmen des Projekts werden innovative Energietechnologien getestet, weiterentwickelt, ausgewertet und optimiert. Neckarsulm: Realisierung einer solarbetriebenen Klärschlamm-Trocknungsanlage, - Durchführung eines Feldversuches mit Holzpellet-Stirling Motoren. Weiz-Gleisdorf: Schaffung einer Infrastruktur zur Belieferung mit Pflanzenöl, - Fahrzeugtests mit dem Kraftstoff-Pflanzenöl. Falkenberg: Errichtung von Windturbinen, - Untersuchung passiver Kühlung mit der innovativen PCM-Technik. Zlin: Nutzung von Energie aus der Abfallverbrennung. Ein wichtiger Aspekt während der gesamten Projektdauer ist die Zusammenarbeit, der Erfahrungsaustausch, die Wissensverbreitung aller Partner inner- und außerhalb des Konsortiums. Energy in Minds.' - Visionen: Dieses Forschungsprojekt soll Initiativen anregen, unterstützend wirken, um das Energiebewußtsein der Bevölkerung positiv zu verändern und zu stärken. STZ-EGS ist Initiator und Koordinator der 18 Vertragspartner.

A coordination action to prepare European Hydrogen and fuel cell demonstration projects (HYLIGHTS)

Objective: HyLights is a CA facilitating the planning of HyCOM. Focus is an assessment of concluded/ongoing H2/FC demonstration projects and recommendations for the preparation of HyCOM/Lighthouse Projects LP. Although HyLights's assessment focuses on transport stationary and portable H2 applications will be considered if synergies become apparent. HyLights will comprise 3 phases of 12 months each. Phase I includes a methodology definition and assessment, Phase II gaps analysis and development of recommendations and Phase III continuous monitoring. HyLights will need to draw from a network of relevant experts. For this purpose a European Partnership for Hydrogen in Transport EPHT will be established to extend the reach of the European Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Platform HFP. An asset of EPHT will be to include the member states/regions view through a moderation process. Dissemination of the project results will supplement the activity, coherently presenting the European demonstration projects.

Highly efficient, High temperature, Hydrogen Production by Water Electrolysis (HI2H2)

Objective: It is proposed to develop a high temperature water electrolyser with very high electrical efficiencies. The Hot Elly project has demonstrated that a breakthrough in water electrolysis efficiencies is possible by going to high temperatures (900-1000°C). The electrical efficiencies demonstrated in the Hot Elly electrolyser was close to 92% compared to 50-60% in traditional alkaline electrolysers. By making use of an external source of heat such as concentrated solar, it is possible to increase the electrical efficiency even further. The project aims to make use of the materials and technological developments that have been made in the last 10 years on planar SOFC technology and to apply to develop and evaluate a planar Solide Oxide Water Electrolyser (SOWE). Two different technologies will be developed using the SOFC cells as a starting point: anode supported cells and metal supported cells. The degradation of the SOWE will be analysed and the main mechanisms identified. Improved metal alloys and coatings as well as anode and cathode materials will be developed to limit any corrosion. The objective the project will be to demonstrate a degradation inferior to 1%/1000 hours on a short 5x5 cm2 stack for a period of 2000 hours.

Energy Storage for Direct Steam Solar Power Plants (DISTOR)

Objective: Solar thermal power plants represent today's most economic systems to generate electricity from solar insulation in them-range in regions like the Mediterranean area. By demonstrating the feasibility of direct steam generation in the absorber pipes European industry and research institutions have gained a leading position in this technology area. A key element foray successful market penetration is the availability of storage systems to reduce the dependence on the course of solarinsolation. The most important benefits result from -reduced internal costs due to increased efficiency and extended utilisation of the power block-facilitating the integration of a solar power plant into an electrical grid-adoption of electricity production to the demand thus increasing revenues Efficient storage systems for steam power plants demand transfer of energy during the charging/discharging process at constant temperatures. The DISTOR project focuses on the development of systems using phase change materials (PCM) as storage media. In order to accelerate the development, the DISTOR project is based on parallel research on three different storage concepts. These concepts include innovative aspects like encapsulated PCM, evaporation heat transfer and new design concepts. This parallel approach takes advantage of synergy effects and will enable the identification of the most promising storage concept. A consortium covering the various aspects of design and manufacturing has been formed from manufacturers, engineering companies and research institutions experienced in solar thermal power plants and PCM technology. The project will provide advanced storage material based on PCM for the temperature range of 200-300 C adapted to the needs of Direct Steam generation thus expanding Europe's strong position in solar thermal power plants.

Funding Infrastructure: Guidelines for Europe (FUNDING)

The main objective of the FUNDING proposal is to develop a scientifically sound approach to determine optimal charging and investment in the HU member states and the Accession countries. This implies the following aims: - The use of state-of-the-art research to assess revenues from pricing and to identify the financing gap per mode, per region and per period of time for the EU15 and the Accession countries. - To contribute to the development of a methodology for mark-ups to marginal cost pricing that is applicable to all modes as well as links and nodes. The analysis includes a more detailed analysis of network aspects, the division of power between several governments and operators, quality aspects as well as uncertainty issues.- To develop and test a methodology for a European multi-infrastructure fund, taking into account the equity and efficiency effects. The possible structures of such a fund, the decision criteria, acceptability, efficiency and spatial equity effects will be studied in the project.

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