Browsing by Subject "Energy conservation"

Now showing 1 - 7 of 7
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    Cook County and Grand Marais Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Plan
    (2012) Cook County
    This planning document is heavily focused on energy requirements and future energy planning. There is little mention of water or other natural resources, although habitat and bird migration is discussed in the context of wind energy. Key points are summarized below. Summary: The energy planning process included a survey with 28 questions to solicit information concerning awareness of energy issues, attitudes toward energy issues, and what respondents had done to address these issues. Respondents overwhelmingly viewed movement toward use of renewable energy as very favorable and indicated a willingness to pay a premium of about 6% for renewable energy. Energy profile information was gathered for both Cook County and Grand Marais showing how, where, and how much energy is currently being used. This information was used to develop and prioritize the Plan's Goals, Strategies and Action Steps, and will be useful for measuring Energy Plan progress, and changes in energy use over time. The first phase of the study has been completed. It addresses the availability of forest biomass for energy production in Cook County; options for biomass combustion technology for small, medium, and large systems; and financial implications of converting to biomass energy in various Cook County settings. In a related effort, a bird migration study was undertaken by the Natural Resources Research Institute to assess the possible detrimental effects of locating wind turbines in the North Shore bird migration corridor. The study suggests that wind turbines located in Cook County, especially within 1 mile of the shore, might result in significant bird mortality. A list of goals, strategies and action steps are presented. No other water-related content was identified in the planning document and appendices.
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    Cook County and Grand Marais Energy Conservation and Renewable Energy Plan Appendices
    (2012) Cook County
    This is a series of annexes to the final report, and containing the following materials: Public Survey Results (Powerpoint presentation); Energy Toolbox Resources; Biomass Phase I Report Executive Summary; and Wind Feasibility Study. As noted in the previous document, there is little mention of water resources.
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    Cook County Local Energy Project - Project Resume
    (2015)
    This item contains descriptions of events and projects, with details regarding dates and funding, for aspects of the Cook County Local Energy Project: Project Resume. Dates span 2008-2016.
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    Energy Conservation Through Improvement of Freeway Operation: Development of a Prototype Integrated Simulation/Database Package
    (1993-09) Kwon, Eil; Michalopoulos, Panos; Lee, Chifung; Xie, Hui; Tong, Sai
    The main objective of this research is to develop a prototype version of an integrated simulation/database package. The specific objectives include: 1) Development of a framework for an integrated simulation/database package, 2) Development of a prototype version of a graphical freeway traffic database management system, 3) Enhancement of freeway traffic flow models for various geometric types, 4) Preliminary study to develop an optimal calibration procedure for simulation parameters.
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    Energy Conservation Through Video Imaging and On Line Traffic Monitoring: Final Report
    (1993-06) Michalopoulos, Panos; Pettersson, Ake
    This report describes a 'fully automated', simple and practical approach for extracting (in real time) sufficiently accurate measurements of the most common traffic parameters and Measures of Effectiveness (MOE) such as volumes, speeds, stops, delays, queue lengths, travel times and Level of Service, at intersections and highway segments. Then, those estimates are used to compute reasonable estimates of fuel consumption and pollution levels such as nitrous oxide, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide emissions. To collect the necessary real time vehicle detection data required by the MOE algorithms, a machine vision system called Autoscope is utilized. This report presents and proposes the use of the Autoscope and its accompanying Autoscope vehicle detection and MOE data collection programs as a viable option for real time traffic monitoring and analysis of intersections and highway segments.
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    Influence of Urban Tree Canopy on Single-Family Residential Structure Energy Consumption at the Community Scale in Hutchinson, Minnesota
    (2013-07) Potyondy, Philip John
    Community forests are vulnerable to invasive pests and a changing climate. Urban forests provide a host of environmental, social, and economic benefits to communities. Cold, long, and windy winters dominate the energy budget of upper Midwest communities. Hot and humid summers are becoming increasingly constant. Quantifying the relationship between energy use and trees has been simulated and estimated in a variety of ways. Few studies have successfully measured this interaction across the landscape, especially in heating dominated climates. Digitized urban tree canopy data at multiple scales has been correlated with weather adjusted normalized energy consumption data while controlling for a variety of housing characteristics. A significant relationship between increased tree canopy and reduced winter heating energy consumption is found at 500-1100 feet (p<0.01), and also from 400-1500 feet (p<0.05) from parcels. Summer cooling energy reduction from increased tree canopy at the parcel (p<0.05) and distances beyond 900 feet (p<0.10) was also found significant. Saving energy with urban forest canopy is a community scale opportunity and obligation.
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    Urban Congestion Reduction for Energy Conservation: Control Strategies for Urban Street Systems: A State of the Art: Final Report
    (1988-01) Hajjiri, Samir A.; Stephanedes, Yorgos J.
    The primary objective of this study is to acquire an understanding of the current state-of-the-art of traffic signal control strategies at urban street systems. Control of traffic signals is by far the most common type of control at heavily trafficked intersections in urban areas. Inefficient use of the transportation system results when traffic signals are set without the aim of optimizing them. The byproducts of such situations include greater fuel consumption, increased vehicle emissions, increased travel time, higher accident rate, and less reliable services.