DTN is abbreviation for "Delay and disruption tolerant networking". Meteorological stations are usually set up in areas lacking the normal infrastructure. One of the key problems with regard to automatically captured meteorological data – which represent the input for our solar energy availability models – is also the technology for data collection from remote areas that are not covered by a communication infrastructure. Often, we are talking about remote areas where the generation of energy from solar power is so much more interesting since no other energy sources are available there or also because these are areas with a low economic value, therefore they can be utilized for e.g. extensive solar farms. In remote and inaccessible areas, the lack of communication links is a big problem especially in the site testing phase in order to verify the feasibility of the solar power utilization, when the measurements for a possibly long time period need to be obtained with minimum costs, which of course does not justify nor allow for the setup of a communication infrastructure. For communication in such harsh environments the DTN technology is being developed (in this field, MEIS has already cooperated in the EU 7OP project N4C, and in the Leonardo EU programme in its follow-up). Within this project, the data from one measurement station (Veliki Ločnik, which is a part of the testing environment) is transferred by means of the DTN protocol. With the same protocol, a highly visible experiment in the karstic Postojna Cave was executed. In the recently published article, the researchers from MEIS and the Karst Research Institute in cooperation with other European partners have, in the example of Postojna Cave, demonstrated the usefulness of the DTN internet (a delay- and disruption-tolerant network) for the collection of automatically measured meteorological and other data in large karstic caves. According to the public opinion of reviewers, that is a “unique new method for data collection”, performed in a “highly interesting” and “appealing” way. The DTN internet is otherwise used for the most demanding of environments (from NASA’s interplanetary communication to remote areas in Lapland). The first news about the execution of the experiment in Postojna Cave also received enthusiastic praise in the form of words “THIS IS JUST GREAT!!! WHAT A STORY TO TELL!” by Dr. Vinton Cerf, who is recognized worldwide as one of the “fathers of the Internet”. Dr. Cerf is also one of the pioneers of DTN technology. The word about the article was immediately spread among researchers by Dr. Cerf himself. It certainly proves that our achievements in the DTN field have been recognized worldwide. GABROVŠEK, Franci, GRAŠIČ, Boštjan, BOŽNAR, Marija, MLAKAR, Primož, UDÉN, Maria, DAVIES, E. Karst show caves - how DTN technology as used in space assists automatic environmental monitoring and tourist protection - experiment in Postojna Cave. Natural hazards and earth system sciences, ISSN 1561-8633, 2014, vol. 14, no. 2, str. 443-457, ilustr. http://www.nat-hazards-earth-syst-sci.net/14/443/2014/nhess-14-443-2014.pdf, doi: 10.5194/nhess-14-443-2014. [COBISS.SI-ID 36767021]
COBISS.SI-ID: 27611687
In the conference presentation weather forecast and air pollution forecast with Qualearia system on regional level has been assessed. Global solar radiation forecast and PM10 air pollution forecast (PM10 are particles that may cause »shade or dimming« effect and direct solar radiation scattering) are key input features for local scale fine resolution solar radiation forecast. Extended and reviewed again article is accepted for publication in IJEP journal in 2014. The same issues as being assessed in article about Qualearia system were also assessed for the satellite measurements. Our critical view was presented in important invited lecture: BOŽNAR, Marija, MLAKAR, Primož, GRAŠIČ, Boštjan. Satellite data for better control of air quality over the countries with complex terrain. V: 2nd European Space Solution Conference "Discover what space bring to your life", 5-7 November 2013, Munich, Germany. [S. l.: s. n.], 2013. [COBISS.SI-ID 27361319] Solar radiation is important for energy generation. At the same time, it is the driving force that determines the air circulation processes – especially vertically – during the day, which is important for the reduction of air pollution. Satellite observation is one of the possible ways for the collection of data about solar radiation. However, the problems with the use of these observations over a complex terrain are the same as with studying the available energy as well as studying the mechanisms that spread air pollution. The research work conducted by MEIS researchers in studying atmospheric laws over a highly complex terrain with a high resolution has been recognized on the European level. It is a great honour for us to be able to participate in the invited lecture at the second European strategic conference on space technologies. In the lecture, we shed some light on the problems encountered with regard to complicated meteorological conditions over a highly complex terrain, as well as with regard to the possibilities and limitations of the use of satellite data for the research of meteorological factors in a detailed temporal and geographical resolution.
COBISS.SI-ID: 26771751
In the chapter local scale fine resolution weather forecast using WRF and air pollution forecast is presented. WRF is used for basic global solar radiation forecast. This forecast should be additionally adapted for the usage over very complex terrain in Slovenia. Therefore for knowing the forecast quality validation of the system is crucial. Chapter was in 2013 accepted for publication. In addition to validation over Slovenia we set up WRF based weather forecast over Sao Paulo in Brazil for additional validation. Our Brazil partners have excellent measurements (radio soundings) suitable for validation. Our work was presented in the lecture at University of Sao Paulo: MLAKAR, Primož, BOŽNAR, Marija, GRAŠIČ, Boštjan, POPOVIĆ, Darko, VRBINC, Sašo. Evaluation of weather forecast for the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo City using WRF for 10 day periods of the field compaign of MCITY project of February and August 2013 : invited lecture. São Paulo: Universtity of São Paulo, Institute of Astronomy, Geophysics and Atmospheric Sciences, 25 sep. 2013. [COBISS.SI-ID 27397927] The close cooperation with the University of São Paulo in Brazil within this project is exemplary, from which the knowledge transfer is bidirectional. Beside drafting two joint articles (which are being prepared for publishing and to be reviewed), we have also cooperated in the São Paulo Spring School carried out at the University of São Paulo (USP) in 2013 (“São Paulo Spring School SPSS2013, Urban climate”). We gave lectures on our research in the field of predicting meteorological variables of the planetary boundary layer above complex areas in a high temporal as well as geographical resolution (solar radiation and other connected variables that represent the input data for the solar energy availability models). The lecture was performed with the aid of modern e-learning technology by means of a video conference. The lecture can also be viewed by USP students at a later date because also a video lecture has been recorded for this purpose.
COBISS.SI-ID: 27386407