Simultaneous measurement of hysteresis in capillary pressure and electric permittivity for multiphase flow through porous media

We present a tool that simultaneously measures the complex permittivity and the capillary pressure characteristics for multiphase flow. The sample holder is a parallel plate capacitor. A precision component analyzer is used to measure the impedance amplitude and phase angle as a function of frequency (1 kHz to 3 MHz). The complex impedance of...

Planning for climate change or: How wicked problems shape the new paradigm of swarm planning

Mitigating the Climate Impact from Aviation: Achievements and Results of the DLR WeCare Project

The WeCare project (Utilizing Weather information for Climate efficient and eco efficient future aviation), an internal project of the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, DLR), aimed at finding solutions for reducing the climate impact of aviation based on an improved understanding of the atmospheric impact from...

Engaging Cities: Overcoming the Barriers to Climate Action

National and international attention, both academic and otherwise, to local climate actions and policy usually focuses on large/mega-cities. However, given current progress, this represents an oversight when approaching the energy transition – in particular, due to the large proportion of the urban population living in cities smaller than 500...

A Hitchhiker’s Guide to Energy Transition Within 1.5 ^oC: Backcasting Scenario for 100% Decarbonization of the Global Energy System by 2050

Limiting global temperature increase by 1.5 ̊C rather than 2 ̊C reduces the impacts of climate change significantly (Knutti et al., 2015; Schleussner et al., 2016). It requires a rigorous transition of the global energy system in a very short time span. Though, the published energy scenarios that focus on 1.5 ̊C are limited (Peters, 2016). In...

Implementation of eco-efficient procedures to mitigate the climate impact of non-CO2 effects

Within this study, the lack of incentivizing airlines to internalize their climate costs is tried to be closed by the introduction of climate-charged airspaces, as non-CO2 emissions have locationand time-dependent effects upon the climate. In order to create an incentive for airlines to minimize flight time and emissions in highly...

Cost-Benefit Assessment of Climate and Weather Optimized Trajectories for Different North Atlantic Weather Patterns

Besides CO2, the climate impact of commercial aviation is strongly influenced by non-CO2 effects, which are highly sensitive to meteorological conditions and their spatial variations. To assess the cost-benefit potential (climate impact mitigation vs. cost increase) of climate and weather optimized flight trajectories in the North Atlantic...

Closing the emissions gap: sectoral emission reduction potentials in 2030 for the G20 and world regions: An overview of potential greenhouse gas emission reductions for selected measures in the six largest economic sectors in the G20 countries and world regions

In this thesis the goal is to determine the mitigation potential, below 100$ per ton of CO₂e, of nine climate mitigation measures in 2030 for the G20 and world regions across six sectors. The mitigation potentials for these measures was determined using a bottom-up approach utilizing recent literature, and where needed by up-scaling...

Critical Success Factors to the Inclusion of Climate Considerations in Dutch Road Planning: A Comparative Case Study

99.94% of scientists believe in the effect of CO2 emissions on climate change. To tackle this, many parts of society must become sustainable. In Dutch road projects this drive for a sustainable transition is noticed in the last few years. Currently, the actions for climate inclusive road projects have not been successful. Climate consideration...

Concept of climate-charged airspace areas

Approximately two third of aviation’s climate impact is caused by non-CO2 effects, like the production of ozone and the formation of contrail-cirrus clouds, which can be effectively prevented by re-routing flights around highly climate-sensitive areas. Although climate-optimized re-routing results in slightly longer flight times, increased fuel...

The artificial carbon sink: Using products to fight climate change

This project considers the implications of carbon-negative materials in product design. It speculates on a future where decarbonization of different sectors of the economy increases the ubiquity of carbon-negative materials. Under these conditions, certain materials become a source of negative emissions, and their consumption benefits the planet...

Socio-technical infrastructure interdependencies and their implications for urban sustainability; recent insights from the Netherlands

Cities are increasingly recognized as potential motors of sustainability transitions. These transitions build on existing as well as new infrastructures, and these infrastructures mutually influence each other in many ways, a phenomenon known as infrastructure interdependencies. These infrastructure interdependencies have significant...

Re-Peating Nature: Ruralities in Transition

The Wadden Sea Region spans the Dutch, German, and Denmark coasts, creating one of the most culturally and environmentally rich areas, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage in 2009 (Centre, U. W. H, 2009). The natural and cultural value of the heritage site possesses unique features and characteristics that are important to preserve for future...