A cana-de-açúcar não só é importante para a produção de açúcar, mas também por ser uma fonte alternativa potencial para os biocombustíveis. O Brasil tem a maior área cultivada de cana-de-açúcar no mundo, porém a àrea de expansão esta sendo realizada em regiões marginais, representando o estigaem uns dos principais problemas nestas novas áreas. O papel potencial de silício (Si) no fornecimento de tolerância contra estresses ambientais, sugere que o teor de Si em plantas pode ser uma abordagem viável para aumentar a resistência das plantas a vários fatores. Varios experimentos conduzidos no Brasil tem demostrado o efeito do Si sob a produção da cana. Diversas pesquisas relatam a interação entre o nitrogênio (N) e o Si, embora, para a cana-de-açúcar esta relação ainda não está clara, por um lado tem-se estudos que observaram que a interação não afetou o estado nutricional da cultura; por outro lado varias pesquisas reportam que a interação promove melhorias no crescimento da cana. Assim, com a hipótese de que, deve existir uma dose de N e Si que propicia a maior produtividade da água, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar o efeito do nitrogênio e do silício na produtividade da água, em biomassa e energia, para a cana-de-açúcar, analisando as variaveis relacionadas à biometria, à qualidade, e á produtividade da água. O experimento foi conduzido em uma casa de vegetação instalada na área experimental do Departamento de Engenharia de Biossistemas (LEB) da Escola Superior de Agricultura \"Luiz de Queiroz\" (ESALQ/USP) em Piracicaba-SP, o delineamento experimental adotado foi de 4 blocos; os tratamentos foram arranjados em esquema fatorial N x Si (4 x 3 + 2), sendo quatro doses de N, 25N, 50N, 100N e 150N (15, 30, 60 e 90 kg ha-1 respetivamente), três doses Si, 50Si, 100Si e 150Si (175, 350 e 525 kg ha-1 respetivamante). O N foi aplicado em forma de nitrato de amônio, entretanto o Si foi usado AgrosilícioPlus®. As irrigações foram realizadas por gotejamento, sendo adotado o manejo via solo através do uso de tensiômetros instalados a três profundidades no solo. Os resultados encontrados indicaram que o Si teve efeito sob a clorofila, sendo o melhor tratamento 60 kg de N ha-1 175 kg de Si ha-1. Os tratamentos de N e Si não apresentaram efeitos significativos sob as variáveis da qualidade tecnológica da cana-de-açúcar. Os indicadores de produtividade da água foram influenciados pelas baixas doses de N; o Si apresentou efeito em todas as dosagens, assim os maiores valores médios foram observados no tratamento 30 kg de N ha-1 350 kg de Si ha-1 para a produtividade da água em açúcar, já para a produtividade da água em biomassa e energia foi o tratamento 15 kg de N ha-1 350 kg de Si ha-1. / Sugarcane is not only important for sugar production, but also because it is an alternative source of bioenergy. Brazil has the largest cultivated area of sugarcane in the world, but the expansion area is being carried out in marginal regions, representing the water deficit one of the main problems in these new areas. The potential role of silicon (Si) in providing tolerance against environmental stresses suggests that Si content in plants may be a viable approach to increasing plant resistance to various factors. Some experiments conducted in Brazil have shown the effect of Si in the production of sugarcane. In addition, several studies report the interaction between nitrogen (N) and Si, although for sugar cane this relationship is still not clear, on the one hand there are studies that observed that the interaction did not affect the nutritional status of the crop; On the other hand, several surveys report that the interaction promotes improvements in the growth of sugarcane. Thus, with the hypothesis that there must be a dose of N and Si that provides the highest productivity of water, the objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of N and Si on water productivity, biomass and energy, for sugarcane sugar analysis, analyzing the variables related to biometrics, quality, and water productivity. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at the \"Luiz de Queiroz\" College of Agriculture (ESALQ / USP) Piracicaba, SP, Brazil. Treatments were arranged in factorial scheme (4 x 3 + 2), four doses of N, 25N, 50N, 100N and 150N (15, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1 respectively), three doses Si, 50 Si, 100 Si and 150 Si (175, 350 and 525 kg ha-1 respectively). The N was applied in the form of ammonium nitrate, and for Si was used AgrosilicioPlus®. Irrigations were performed by drip irrigation, and water management was adopted through the use of tensiometers installed at three soil depths. The results indicated that the leaf area responds to Si, therefore, the highest values are in the 60 kg of N ha-1 175 kg of Si ha-1 dossages. N and Si treatments did not show significant effects under the technological quality variables of sugarcane. The water productivity indicators were influenced by the low doses of N; o Si presented an effect at all dosages, so the highest mean values were observed in the treatment 30 kg of N ha-1 350 kg of Si ha-1 for sugar water productivity, as well as for water productivity in biomass and energy was the treatment 15 kg of N ha-1 350 kg of Si ha-1.

O racionamento de água potável acontece em muitas cidades do mundo e é um assunto iminente para muitas outras. Tal fato se deve ao aumento gradativo das populações nos centros urbanos, que carrega consigo os efeitos da poluição dos mananciais, da impermeabilização, da modificação do clima, entre vários outros fatores adversos desta questão, tão séria, visto que o ser-humano é totalmente dependente da água doce para sua sobrevivência. Partindo deste pressuposto e seguindo a linha do uso racional da água para atenuar a sua escassez, esta pesquisa teve como objetivo desenvolver um estudo para caracterização da demanda urbana de água no setor residencial, de modo a auxiliar, entre outros fatores, a estabelecer a capacidade dos sistemas produtores, as solicitações máximas aos sistemas de distribuição, os investimentos para ampliação de capacidade e avaliação de benefício líquido potencial de medidas de conservação e uso racional da água voltadas à redução das vazões médias demandadas. Esta pesquisa foi fundamentada em uma metodologia científica que estratificou amostras de demanda de água em diferentes modalidades de moradias, assim como em diferentes classes sociais. / Potable water rationing happens in many cities in the world and it is an imminent subject for many others. Such fact is due to the gradual raise of the populations in the urban centers, which carries with them the effects of the pollution of the watershed areas, waterproofing, climate modification, among several other adverse factors of this issue that are so important, since human beings are totally dependent of water for their survival. Based on this assumption and following the line of the rational use of water to diminish its scarcity, this research had the purpose to develop a study for characterization of the urban water demand in residential sector, in order to assist, among other factors, in the establishment of the producing systems capacity, the maximum requests to the distribution systems, the investments for capacity magnification and evaluation of potential liquid benefit of measures of conservation and rational use of the water directed to the reduction of the demanded average outflows. This research was based on a scientific methodology which stratified samples of water demand in different modalities of housing, as well as in different social classes.

With growing urban populations and increasing concerns over the effects of climate change on water supplies, there has recently been a significant amount of interdisciplinary research focused on identifying the drivers of urban water use. Due to unavailability of individual or household level data, these studies are often limited to using spatially aggregated data. There is concern that this aggregation of data may be leading to misrepresentations of the drivers of urban water use, yet there have been few studies that have addressed this concern. As in all spatial quantitative analyses, studies in this area should consider how the spatial scales chosen for analysis are affecting the results. The purpose of this research is to use a case study of single-family residential (SFR) water use in Portland, Oregon to determine the extent to which scale variation significantly affects the patterns of SFR water use, and whether household scale water use is influenced by neighborhood and census tract characteristics. The results of this analysis provide evidence that aggregating household scale water use data can mask meaningful patterns in SFR water use and potentially provide misleading information on what is influencing water use habits. This research also shows that using the chosen exploratory variables, there is a statistically significant, but not substantial, cross-scale influence on household scale water use by neighborhood and census tract characteristics.

The scarcity of water poses a threat to domestic and global economic sustainability while inhibiting the operational efficiency of food and beverage industry firms. The purpose of this multiple case study was to explore the strategies some food and beverage industry leaders in the United States used for implementing sustainable water consumption practices to improve operational efficiency. The conceptual framework for the study was stakeholder theory. The primary data source was semistructured interviews with 4 food and beverage industry leaders in Wisconsin who have responsibility for implementing their firms' sustainability practices, and the secondary data source was corporate sustainability reports. Thematic analysis was used to analyze data, which resulted in 4 themes: efficient equipment, stakeholder and sustainability focus, water recycling, and supply chain support. The implications of this study for social change include the potential for leaders in the food and beverage industry to use findings to create more sustainable water supplies and demonstrate greater stewardship of the environment.

Water and electricity are fundamentally linked. Policy reforms in both industries, however, do not appear to acknowledge the links nor consider their wider implications. This is clearly unhelpful, particularly as policy makers attempt to develop effective responses to water and energy issues, underpinned by prevailing drought conditions and impending climate change. Against this backdrop, this research has comprehensively analysed the links between water and electricity – termed water-energy nexus – in the context of New South Wales. For this purpose, this research has developed an integrated methodological framework. The philosophical guidance for the development of this framework is provided by Integral Theory, and its analytical foundations rest on a suite of research methods including historical analysis, inputoutput analysis, analysis of price elasticities, and long-term scenario analysis. This research suggests that the historical and inextricable links between water and electricity, in the absence of integrated policies, has given rise to water-energy trade-offs. In the electricity industry, water-intensive coal-fired power stations that dominate base-load capacity in the National Electricity Market has resulted in intra- and inter-jurisdictional water sharing tradeoffs. Intermediate and peak demand technologies, suchas gas-fired, cogeneration and renewables, however, would significantly reduce the industry’s water consumption and carbon emissions. Drought and climate change adaptation responses in the water industry are likely to further increase electricity demand andpotentially contribute to climate change, due to policies that encourage investment in energy-intensive technologies, such as desalination, advanced wastewater treatment and rainwater tanks. Increasing electricity costs due to water shortages and the introduction of emissions trading will futher increase water and electricity prices for end users. Demand management strategies in both industries will assist in curbing price increases, however, their effectiveness is lessened by investment in water- and energy-intensive technologies in both industries. The analysis also demonstrates that strategies to reduce water and electricity consumption of ‘other’ production sectors in New South Wales is overwhelmingly dependent on how deeply a particular sector is embedded in the economy, in terms of its contribution to economic output, income generation and employment growth. Regulation, demand management programs, and water pricing policies, for example, that reduce the water and energy intensity of agriculture and key manufacturing sectors are likely to benefit the wider economy and the Environment. The future implications of the water-energy nexus are examined through long-term scenario analysis for New South Wales for 2031. The analysis demonstrates how policy decisions shape the domain for making philosophical choices by society - in terms of the balance between relying on alternative technologies and market arrangements, with differing implications for water and electricity use, and for instigating behavioural change. Based on these findings, this research puts forward a range of recommendations, essentially arguing for reorienting existing institutional arrangements, government measures and industry activities in a way that would encourage integration between the water and energy policies. Although the context of this research is New South Wales, the findings are equally relevant for other Australian states, which share the same national water and energy policy frameworks. Further, the concepts and frameworks developed in this research are also of value to other countries and regions that are faced with the task of designing appropriate policy responses to redress their water and energy challenges.

This thesis examines the response of air pollutant emissions, water use and carbon emissions from electric power supply systems (electrical grids) to market forces and natural and human disruptions. Specifically, the response of electrical grid operation decisions to emissions pricing and other factors, such as drought restrictions, is examined. The grid of the Electricity Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) is used as a source of data, and as a spatial and temporal test-bed. Price signals for NOx emissions have the potential to reduce NOx emissions from the ERCOT grid by up to 50%. In addition to lowering NOx, there are co-benefits to introducing NOx prices, including reductions in the emissions of SOx (24.9% to 70.9%), Hg (16.8% to 81.3%) and CO2 (8.7% to 21.1%). Water consumption was also decreased by 4.3% to 8.2%. The costs of redispatching electricity generation to reduce NOx emissions are, in many scenarios, comparable to conventional control costs. Higher CO2 prices produce many of the same changes in electricity generation as increases in NOx prices, but the simultaneous application of NOx and CO2 pricing produces complex effects. Under stress, such as drought induced water scarcity, dispatching decisions have the potential to increase water availability in regions in which drought is a concern. This dispatching had relatively small impacts on total water consumption summed over all regions of the ERCOT grid. However, the dispatching scenarios resulted in net increases in NOx, SOx, and CO2 emissions rates summed over all regions of the grid, particularly in regions that were absorbing the electricity generation that was exported out of the drought impacted regions. The costs of electricity dispatching, per volume of water consumption reduced in the drought impacted region, was generally greater than the cost of implementing dry cooling in the same facilities at high electricity demand levels, but comparable to dry cooling at low to moderate demand levels. Finally, while changes in total emissions can be used as a surrogate for air quality impacts, actual changes in air pollutant concentrations, such as ozone, exhibit complex spatial and temporal patterns in response to redispatching, including the creation of hot spots of elevated concentrations. / text

Service delivery in post-apartheid South Africa has become a topical issue both in the academia and the political arena . The rise of social movements, the xenophobic tensions of May 2008 and protest actions could be noted as the major traits of post-apartheid South Africa. Though there are divergent views on the underlying causes of these protests, lack of service delivery has most significantly been at the centre stage. In this thesis we investigate the relationship between household/population changes and the demand for piped-water connection in South Africa. There is an ample, albeit at times of questionable accuracy, supply of statistics from official and other sources. These statistics are both the source of inspiration of particular societal measures to be investigated and a gauge of the accuracy of the mathematical/statistical modelling which is the central feature of this project. We construct mathematical/statistical models which take into account demographic constituents of the problem using differential equations for modelling household dynamics and we also investigate the interaction of demographic parameters and the demand for piped-water connection using multivariate statistical techniques. The results show that with a boost in delivery the rich provinces seem to be in better standing of meeting targets and that the increasing demand in household-based services could be most significantly attributed to the fragmentation of households against other demographic processes like natural increase in population and net migration. The results imply that in as much as service delivery policies and programmes should focus on formerly disadvantaged poor communities, adequate provisions for increasing service demands in urban centres should also be a priority in view of the increasing in-migration from rural areas as households fragment. Most of the findings/results are in tabular and graphical forms for easy understanding of the reader. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2010.

Magistrantūros studijų baigiamajame darbe nagrinėjamos geriamojo vandens suvartojimo ir jo pokyčių tendencijos 1996–2012 m. laikotarpyje. Tyrimo objektu pasirinkti didieji Lietuvos miestai – Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda. Tyrimo tikslas – išanalizuoti statistikos departamento duomenis apie vandens suvartojimą ir jo pokyčių tendencijas bei atlikti įvairių veiksnių, lemiančių vandens suvartojimą, analizę. Šiame darbe analizuojami veiksniai, kurie galėtų daryti įtaką išgaunamo ir sunaudojamo požeminio vandens kiekiui. Šie veiksniai gali būti įvardijami kaip – gyventojų skaičiaus mažėjimas, vandens tiekimo ir nuotekų surinkimo kainos, sumažėjusi pramonės gamyba, BVP kitimas, elektros kainos, būsto vartojimo išlaidos. Požeminio vandens gavyba nuo 1996 m. iki 2012 m. sumažėjo 45 %, todėl galima teigti, kad suprojektuotos vandenvietes ir vandentiekio tinklai dirba sumažintu pajėgumu, kas gali bloginti vandens kokybę dėl užsistovinčio vandens vamzdžiuose. Analizuojant statistikos departamento duomenis buvo ieškomas ryšys tarp suvartoto vandens kiekio ir gyventojų skaičiaus kitimo, elektros kainos, pinigų skiriamų būsto vartojimo išlaidoms vienam asmeniu bei BVP kitimo. Remiantis duomenimis paaiškėjo, kad laikotarpyje nuo 1996 m. iki 2012 m. Lietuvoje vienas žmogus per parą suvartojo apie 106 l vandens. Analizuojant statistinį ryšį tarp vandens suvartojimo ir pinigų sumos skiriamos vartojimo išlaidoms, Kaune, gautas aukštas determinacijos koeficientas R2=0,79, Vilniuje – 0,86, Klaipėdoje... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The tendencies of changes in water consumption are discussed in this final master’s studies research in 1996–2012 time periods. As research objects are chosen large Lithuanian cities - Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda. The aim of research is to collect and analyze data on water consumption as well as the changes in trends and perform analysis of factors influencing water consumption. This research shows the factors that could affect the extracted and consumed amount of underground water. These factors can be identified as population, GDP changes, housing consumption expenditure. Groundwater extraction from 1996 to 2012 decreased by 45%, suggesting that the designed water supplies and water-supply system operates at a reduced capacity, which can lead to deterioration in water quality due to standing water in pipes. The analysis of the statistical data of the Department has been requested for the relationship between water consumption and population changes, electricity prices, the money allocated for housing consumption expenditure per capita and GDP changes. The statistical data showed that during the period from 1996 to 2012 one person consumed on average 106 liters of water per day in Lithuania. The analysis of the statistical relationship between the rate of water consumption and the amount of money allocated to consumer spending in Kaunas received a high coefficient of determination R2 = 0.79, Vilnius – 0,86, in Klaipėda much lower – 0,45.

Water and electricity are fundamentally linked. Policy reforms in both industries, however, do not appear to acknowledge the links nor consider their wider implications. This is clearly unhelpful, particularly as policy makers attempt to develop effective responses to water and energy issues, underpinned by prevailing drought conditions and impending climate change. Against this backdrop, this research has comprehensively analysed the links between water and electricity – termed water-energy nexus – in the context of New South Wales. For this purpose, this research has developed an integrated methodological framework. The philosophical guidance for the development of this framework is provided by Integral Theory, and its analytical foundations rest on a suite of research methods including historical analysis, inputoutput analysis, analysis of price elasticities, and long-term scenario analysis. This research suggests that the historical and inextricable links between water and electricity, in the absence of integrated policies, has given rise to water-energy trade-offs. In the electricity industry, water-intensive coal-fired power stations that dominate base-load capacity in the National Electricity Market has resulted in intra- and inter-jurisdictional water sharing tradeoffs. Intermediate and peak demand technologies, suchas gas-fired, cogeneration and renewables, however, would significantly reduce the industry’s water consumption and carbon emissions. Drought and climate change adaptation responses in the water industry are likely to further increase electricity demand andpotentially contribute to climate change, due to policies that encourage investment in energy-intensive technologies, such as desalination, advanced wastewater treatment and rainwater tanks. Increasing electricity costs due to water shortages and the introduction of emissions trading will futher increase water and electricity prices for end users. Demand management strategies in both industries will assist in curbing price increases, however, their effectiveness is lessened by investment in water- and energy-intensive technologies in both industries. The analysis also demonstrates that strategies to reduce water and electricity consumption of ‘other’ production sectors in New South Wales is overwhelmingly dependent on how deeply a particular sector is embedded in the economy, in terms of its contribution to economic output, income generation and employment growth. Regulation, demand management programs, and water pricing policies, for example, that reduce the water and energy intensity of agriculture and key manufacturing sectors are likely to benefit the wider economy and the Environment. The future implications of the water-energy nexus are examined through long-term scenario analysis for New South Wales for 2031. The analysis demonstrates how policy decisions shape the domain for making philosophical choices by society - in terms of the balance between relying on alternative technologies and market arrangements, with differing implications for water and electricity use, and for instigating behavioural change. Based on these findings, this research puts forward a range of recommendations, essentially arguing for reorienting existing institutional arrangements, government measures and industry activities in a way that would encourage integration between the water and energy policies. Although the context of this research is New South Wales, the findings are equally relevant for other Australian states, which share the same national water and energy policy frameworks. Further, the concepts and frameworks developed in this research are also of value to other countries and regions that are faced with the task of designing appropriate policy responses to redress their water and energy challenges.

Water and electricity are fundamentally linked. Policy reforms in both industries, however, do not appear to acknowledge the links nor consider their wider implications. This is clearly unhelpful, particularly as policy makers attempt to develop effective responses to water and energy issues, underpinned by prevailing drought conditions and impending climate change. Against this backdrop, this research has comprehensively analysed the links between water and electricity – termed water-energy nexus – in the context of New South Wales. For this purpose, this research has developed an integrated methodological framework. The philosophical guidance for the development of this framework is provided by Integral Theory, and its analytical foundations rest on a suite of research methods including historical analysis, inputoutput analysis, analysis of price elasticities, and long-term scenario analysis. This research suggests that the historical and inextricable links between water and electricity, in the absence of integrated policies, has given rise to water-energy trade-offs. In the electricity industry, water-intensive coal-fired power stations that dominate base-load capacity in the National Electricity Market has resulted in intra- and inter-jurisdictional water sharing tradeoffs. Intermediate and peak demand technologies, suchas gas-fired, cogeneration and renewables, however, would significantly reduce the industry’s water consumption and carbon emissions. Drought and climate change adaptation responses in the water industry are likely to further increase electricity demand andpotentially contribute to climate change, due to policies that encourage investment in energy-intensive technologies, such as desalination, advanced wastewater treatment and rainwater tanks. Increasing electricity costs due to water shortages and the introduction of emissions trading will futher increase water and electricity prices for end users. Demand management strategies in both industries will assist in curbing price increases, however, their effectiveness is lessened by investment in water- and energy-intensive technologies in both industries. The analysis also demonstrates that strategies to reduce water and electricity consumption of ‘other’ production sectors in New South Wales is overwhelmingly dependent on how deeply a particular sector is embedded in the economy, in terms of its contribution to economic output, income generation and employment growth. Regulation, demand management programs, and water pricing policies, for example, that reduce the water and energy intensity of agriculture and key manufacturing sectors are likely to benefit the wider economy and the Environment. The future implications of the water-energy nexus are examined through long-term scenario analysis for New South Wales for 2031. The analysis demonstrates how policy decisions shape the domain for making philosophical choices by society - in terms of the balance between relying on alternative technologies and market arrangements, with differing implications for water and electricity use, and for instigating behavioural change. Based on these findings, this research puts forward a range of recommendations, essentially arguing for reorienting existing institutional arrangements, government measures and industry activities in a way that would encourage integration between the water and energy policies. Although the context of this research is New South Wales, the findings are equally relevant for other Australian states, which share the same national water and energy policy frameworks. Further, the concepts and frameworks developed in this research are also of value to other countries and regions that are faced with the task of designing appropriate policy responses to redress their water and energy challenges.