UNESCO Chair Symposium on “Hydro-climatic Settings and Renewable Energy Challenges of Arid Environments”

The Chair Symposium was conducted during the International Society for Ecological Modelling (ISEM) Global Conference held in Jeju, South Korea, from 17 - 21 September 2017. The Chair Symposium was scheduled for 18 September 2017, from 10h50 to 12h40. 

Presentations and discussions placed emphasis on the complex characteristics of the arid environment (i.e. the complex earth-atmospheric interactions system of high temperatures, low relative humidity, high evaporation and evapo-transpiration, low precipitation, long sunlight hours and high solar intensity) and the benefits of understanding these settings, and the opportunities for water augmentation and renewable energy programmes. The symposium opened-up academic debate and possible collaborations, for addressing the water-energy challenges of arid environments. 

The following abstracts of the Special Session are part of the Symposium Proceedings: 

1. Kgabi NA, Namibia University of Precipitation intensity and frequency challenges of the Arid Environment: Atmospheric Water-holding capacity, International Society for Ecological Modelling (ISEM) Global Conference, Jeju, South Korea, 17 - 21 September 2017 

2. Reju SA, Mbokoma GS and Kgabi NA, Modelling the Water-Air Interactions of the Namibian Atmosphere: Meteorological Factors, International Society for Ecological Modelling (ISEM) Global Conference, Jeju, South Korea, 17 - 21 September 2017 

3. Nakayama T, Maksyutov S, Long-term trend of carbon cycle in inland waters by using advanced eco-hydrologic and biogeochemical coupling model, International Society for Ecological Modelling (ISEM) Global Conference, Jeju, South Korea, 17 - 21 September 2017 

4. Okorie M, Inambao F, Chiguvare Z, Wind shear coefficients and energy yields estimations of arid inland and coastal locations, International Society for Ecological Modelling (ISEM) Global Conference, Jeju, South Korea, 17 - 21 September 2017 

5. Gope G, Amunyela J, Okorie M, The viability and potential value of concentrated solar power (CSP) systems for electricity generation in the Namibian environment, International Society for Ecological Modelling (ISEM) Global Conference, Jeju, South Korea, 17 - 21 September 2017 

All presentations are currently being developed into full papers to be submitted in May 2018 for possible publication in the Elsevier Journal of Ecological Modelling.