scholarly journals Practical Performance and User Experience of Novel DUAL-Flush Vacuum Toilets

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (16) ◽  
pp. 2228
Author(s):  
Daniel Todt ◽  
Iemke Bisschops ◽  
Paraschos Chatzopoulos ◽  
Miriam H. A. van Eekert
Keyword(s):  
Office Building ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
User Survey ◽  
Residential Homes ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Recovery Potential ◽  
Upper Limit ◽  
Usage Frequency ◽  
Practical Performance ◽  
The Eu

Vacuum toilets have gained increasing attention in circular urban development projects, because of their marked water saving qualities compared to conventional flush toilets and the increased resource recovery potential for energy in the form of biogas and phosphorous as, e.g., struvite from the resulting concentrated wastewater. A further reduction of the flushing volume of vacuum toilets would also bring nitrogen recovery options in reach. In the framework of the EU Horizon 2020 project Run4Life, a novel dual-flush vacuum toilet was developed and tested at two sites and combined with an analysis of the flushing patterns and a qualitative user survey. The results show that a 25–50% lower flushing water consumption and accordingly 1.5–2 times higher nutrient concentrations are achievable with this novel type of vacuum toilet. The usage frequency of the dual flush feature was higher in residential homes than in an office building, which also had urinals installed at the men toilets. A notable fraction of toilet visits in which the toilet was flushed twice as well as user feedback on dissatisfactory cleaning effects suggest that the applied reduction in water use is most likely the upper limit of what can be achieved in this type of toilet.

New Scientific Information Can Help to Inform the Evaluation of EU Deep-sea Fisheries Regulations

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Phillip J Turner ◽  
Matthew Gianni ◽  
Ellen Kenchington ◽  
Sebastian Valanko ◽  
David E Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Deep Sea ◽  
Scientific Information ◽  
Fish Population ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
Fish Stocks ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Management Measures ◽  
Sea Fish ◽  
The Eu ◽  
Fish Population Structure

Abstract The European Union’s deep-sea fisheries regulations (Regulation (EU) No. 2016/2336) established obligations to manage deep-sea fisheries and to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs). The European Commission is scheduled to complete a review of the regulations in 2021, providing an opportunity for new scientific information to be incorporated into the implementation of the regulations. Here, we summarise research outputs from the EU-funded Horizon 2020 ATLAS Project and explain their relevance to the regulation of deep-sea fisheries in EU waters. ATLAS research has increased our understanding of the distribution of VMEs and their importance in terms of ecosystem functioning. ATLAS research has also highlighted the utility of molecular techniques to understand fish population structure and the potential for habitat suitability models to help incorporate climate change into decision-making. Building on these scientific advances, we provide recommendations to help increase the effectiveness of management measures to conserve deep-sea fish stocks and protect VMEs.

scholarly journals The Influence of the European H2020 Program on the Development of Regions: The Multiplier Impact of EU Funding in the Regions under Horizon 2020 in NUT III - North

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 853-871
Author(s):  
Natacha Jesus Silva ◽  
Diamantino Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Regional Economy ◽  
Community Support ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Final Phase ◽  
Investment Funds ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Regional Investment ◽  
Partnership Agreement ◽  
The Eu

The partnership agreement between the European Union and the Member States for the implementation of the European Structural and Investment Funds for the period 2014 to 2020 is in its final phase. This study analyzes the multiplier impact on regional investment of the European funds made available to the northern region of Portugal - NUTS III, until September 2018 and intends to answer the following questions: What is the amount invested in the regional economy for each euro of support allocated by the EU through the H2020 program, and what is the percentage distribution of community support versus investment per area of intervention?

scholarly journals Methane dynamics in different boreal\\newline lake types

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 3457-3496 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Juutinen ◽  
M. Rantakari ◽  
P. Kortelainen ◽  
J. T. Huttunen ◽  
T. Larmola ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Shallow Lakes ◽  
Nutrient Concentrations ◽  
Temperature Ranges ◽  
Lake Status ◽  
Different Depths ◽  
Ch4 Concentration ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Annual Flux ◽  
The Eu

Abstract. This study explores the variability in concentrations of dissolved CH4 and annual flux estimates in the pelagic zone in a statistically defined sample of 207 lakes in Finland. The lakes were situated representatively in the boreal zone, where the mean annual air temperature ranges from −2.8 to 5.9°C. We examined how lake CH4 dynamics related to regional lake types assessed according to the EU water framework directive. Ten lake types were defined on the basis of water chemistry, color, and size. Lakes were sampled for dissolved CH4 concentrations four times per year, at four different depths at the deepest point of each lake. We found that CH4 concentrations and fluxes to the atmosphere tended to be high in nutrient rich calcareous lakes, and that the shallow lakes had the greatest surface water concentrations. CH4 content in the hypolimnion was related to oxygen and nutrient concentrations, and lake depth or area. The surface water CH4 concentration was related to the depth or area of lake. Methane close to the bottom can be viewed as proxy of lake status in terms of frequency of anoxia and nutrient levels. Median CH4 release from randomly selected lakes was 45 mmol m−2 a−1. Shallow lakes had the highest median CH4 effluxes, with the clear shallow lake type having the smallest median. Our data, combined with other studies, suggest that lake surface area could be used for an approximation of CH4 release from lakes. Shallow small lakes common in boreal and arctic landscapes may have disproportional significance with respect to CH4 release.

The European Union and Israel since Oslo

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry van Bommel
Keyword(s):  
The European Union ◽  
Cooperation Agreement ◽  
Scientific Cooperation ◽  
Association Agreement ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Eu Member States ◽  
Research And Innovation ◽  
Political Relations ◽  
Peace Initiatives ◽  
The Eu

This chapter discusses the strengthening of ties between the EU and Israel during the breakdown of Oslo as well as during other fruitless peace initiatives. Shortly after the Oslo process began, the EU and Israel initiated negotiations on broadening their cooperation. This led to the signing of the EU–Israel Association Agreement in 1995. As well as economic cooperation, which was established as early as 1975 in a cooperation agreement, this new treaty included other areas, such as scientific and technical research. In more recent years the relationship between the EU and Israel has been deepened further. In 2014 the EU and Israel signed the Horizon 2020 scientific cooperation agreement, which gives Israel equal access with EU member states to the largest-ever EU research and innovation program. In itself, there is nothing wrong with the deepening of economic, scientific, cultural, and political relations between countries. However, the deepening of relations between the EU and Israel means indirect support for the Israeli occupation and the policy of expanding the settlements.

scholarly journals Science and Technology Policy Research in the EU: From Framework Programme to HORIZON 2020

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Junic Kim ◽  
Jaewook Yoo
Keyword(s):  
Technology Policy ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Policy Research ◽  
Science And Technology Policy ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Framework Programme ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
The Eu

Science and Technology policy is regarded as an essential factor for future growth in the EU, and Horizon 2020 is the world’s most extensive research and innovation programme created by the European Union to support and encourage research in the European Research Area (ERA). The purpose of this study is to analyse and evaluate the changes to the EU’s science and technology policies from Framework Programme to Horizon 2020 and to provide vital information to research organisations and academia to conceive and conduct future research on international cooperation with the EU. Through a policy analysis, this study summarised the four science and technology policy implications: (1) building ecosystems through mutual complementation among industries, (2) solving social problems through science and technology, (3) strengthening SMEs’ participation, and (4) sharing knowledge and strengthening collaboration with non-EU countries.

scholarly journals Probing the immune responses to nanoparticles across environmental species. A perspective of the EU Horizon 2020 project PANDORA

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. 3216-3232
Author(s):  
Annalisa Pinsino ◽  
Neus G. Bastús ◽  
Martí Busquets-Fité ◽  
Laura Canesi ◽  
Paola Cesaroni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Responses ◽  
Immune Status ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Engineered Nanoparticles ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
The Eu

Here we discuss the potential of engineered nanoparticles to act as agents affecting the immune status in different environmentally relevant species, with a focus on the emerging experimental models launched by the EU Horizon 2020 project PANDORA.

scholarly journals Life Cycle Analysis of a Game-Based Solution for Domestic Energy Saving

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (17) ◽  
pp. 6699
Author(s):  
Marta Gangolells ◽  
Miquel Casals ◽  
Núria Forcada ◽  
Marcel Macarulla
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Environmental Impact ◽  
Energy Saving ◽  
Resource Availability ◽  
Social Housing ◽  
Life Cycle Analysis ◽  
Comprehensive Analysis ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Domestic Energy ◽  
The Eu

ICT-based solutions are seen to be almost totally environmentally friendly, but game-based solutions for energy saving have not been explored yet. This paper describes a comprehensive analysis and an in-depth interpretation of the life cycle environmental impact of a game-based solution for domestic energy saving, developed and validated within the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project EnerGAware—Energy Game for Awareness of energy efficiency in social housing communities. Life cycle impacts were calculated with SimaPRO 8.5.2.0 using the ReCiPe 2016 v1.02 midpoint and endpoint methods and information contained within the Ecoinvent v3.4 database. Although the pre-competitive solution, directly arising from the research project, was found to have a relatively high environmental impact, its future exploitation, which mostly relies on existing infrastructure, was found to be highly competitive from an environmental perspective. The game will help reduce the life cycle impact of domestic energy consumption on damage to human health (3.68%), ecosystem quality (3.87%), and resource availability (4.81%). Most of the environmental impact of the market solution was found in the manufacturing phase (77.96–80.12%). Transport (8.86–7.57%), use (3.86–5.82%), and maintenance (7.24–7.54%) phases were found to contribute little to environmental impact. This research provides a useful reference for decision-making as it contributes to the environmental benchmarking of competing energy-saving strategies.

scholarly journals The Once-Only Principle: A Matter of Trust

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Robert Krimmer ◽  
Andriana Prentza ◽  
Szymon Mamrot ◽  
Carsten Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Legal Framework ◽  
Transformation Process ◽  
Single Market ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Horizon 2020 ◽  
Funded Project ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Set Up ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe Single Market is one of the cornerstones of the European Union. The idea to transform it into a Digital Single Market (DSM) was outlined several years ago. The EU has started different initiatives to support this transformation process. One of them is the program Horizon 2020 to support the process from a technical point of view. In parallel to this, initiatives were started to set up a sound legal framework for the DSM. The Single Digital Gateway Regulation (SDGR) is an outcome of these initiatives. The key aspect of the SDGR is the underlying Once-Only Principle (OOP), outlining that businesses and citizens in contact with public administrations have to provide data only once. “The Once-Only Principle Project (TOOP)” is the EU-funded project initiated for research, testing, and implementation of the OOP in Europe. The authors give an overview of the research questions of the different parts of TOOP. Besides that, they introduce the other chapters of this book and what the reader can expect as the content of them.

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