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The European Commission defines “Nature Based Solutions (NBS) to societal challenges” as solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, are cost-effective, provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. The concept of NBS has been adopted in the research programme HORIZON 2020, as well as in the OPERANDUM principles, aiming to provide science-based evidence for the usability of NBS, ranging from local to landscape scales, and foster the market opportunities, upscaling and replicating in Europe and Worldwide. NBS is a complex process of nature that requires a range of methods and tools aligned with all possible procedures such as co-design, implementation, evaluation and monitoring, policies and regulations.

In the context of MODUS project, several tools were developed for SMEs, to be used in their development process for different application domains. In this paper, the overview of the architecture of each one of these tools is presented, as included in the final version of the MODUS toolset and a use case scenario is presented.

Similar to aircraft applications, the reduction of fuel consumption in marine power systems is of great importance, because it leads to reduction in CO2 emissions, in travel costs and so to optimal use of fossil fuels. Moreover, the ship autonomy becomes higher. In the ECOMARINE project, in order to maximize electricity production by waste heat recovery and to simultaneously improve electric power quality, the introduction of a supplementary thermoelectric energy recovery unit is being implemented. The heat of the produced gases from a diesel generator is directly converted to electrical energy with the use of a thermoelectric generator. The typical temperature of the exhaust gases is over 300oC, thus their temperature difference from the ambient temperature corresponds to a typical thermoelectric module’s operating temperature difference. The generated voltage of the module drops with the increase of its current; hence an MPPT is required in order to achieve the maximum power output. Although ZT~ 1 materials do not provide in general the thermal efficiency and system costs to be the long term solution to industrial scale waste heat recovery, in the particular case of marine energy production, where special conditions apply, they could serve as sustainable prototype energy system components. Advanced TE materials having ZT~ 2 properties that have recently been developed and characterized and new advanced TE materials with ZT~ 4 envisioned in the long-term future will strongly enhance TEG commercialization., This work has been supported by the research program "Fuel consumption reduction in marine power systems through innovative energy recovery management (ECOMARINE)", Project Code 11SYN_7_104, within the Greek Research Activity "COOPERATION". This project is co-financed by the European Union (European Social Fund) and Greek National Funds.

The present work proposes a methodological approach for modeling decisions regarding energy reduction in an elevator.This is achieved with the integration of existing as well as acquired knowledge, in a decision module implemented inthe electronics of an elevator. So far, elevators do not exploit information regarding their recent usage. In the developedsystem decisions are driven based on information arising from monitoring the use of the elevator. Monitoring providesvarious records of usage which consequently are used to predict elevator’s future usage and to adapt accordingly itsfunctioning. Till now, there are only elevators that encompass in their electronics algorithms with if then rules in orderto control elevator’s functioning. However, these if then rules are based only on good practice knowledge of similarelevators installed in similar buildings. Even this knowledge which unavoidably is associated with uncertainty is notencoded in a mathematically consisted way in the algorithms. The design, the implementation and a first pilot evaluationstudy of an elevator’s intelligent decision module are presented. The study concludes that the presented applicationsufficiently reduces energy consumption through properly controlled functioning

OPEN-SME introduces an Open Software Component Reuse, which collectivelyprovides two processes and three tools. COMPARE (Component Repository and Search Engine)is one of the three tools, the one that allows SME software re-users to search and discover theassets (software artefacts, technical documents, test suites, metamodels) produced by the DomainEngineering Process. COMPARE features an advanced search engine that can be used forsearching among the components, according to specific needs and selection criteria. Also,COMPARE supports the effective communication of structured information flows between thesoftware re-users (asset consumers) and the reuse engineers (asset producers). These informationflows allow re-users to place orders/requests and provide their feedback to the reuse engineers.

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) are quickly gaining popularity due tothe fact that they are potentially low-cost solutions, which can be used in a varietyof application areas. However, they are also highly susceptible to attacks, due toboth the open and distributed nature of the network and the limited resources ofthe nodes. In this paper, we propose a modular, scalable, secure and trusted networking protocol stack, able to offer self-configuration and secure roaming ofdata and services over multiple administrative domains and across insecureinfrastructures of heterogeneous WSNs. The focus is on trusted route selection,secure service discovery, and intrusion detection, while critical parts of thesecurity functionality may be implemented in low-cost reconfigurable hardwaremodules, as a defense measurement against side channel attacks.

In electromigration failure studies it is generally assumed that electromigrationinduced failures may be adequately modelled by a log normal distribution. Severalresearch works have proved the inefficiency of this modelling and have indicatedthe possible applicability of the logarithmic distribution of extreme values. This isespecially important in the case of early failures distribution. To further examinethis possibility a novel electromigration model was created, using an objectcriented and fuily 2-dimensional electrical and thermal sub-models.The repeatedsimulations performed show that the log extreme value distribution is a betterstatistical model for electromigration failures. The significance of such amodelling is particularly apparent in electromlgration failure rate prediction.

This is part of H2020 HELMET Project

Hydro-meteorological risk (HMR) management involves a range of methods, such as monitoring of uncertain climate, planning and prevention by technical countermeasures, risk assessment, preparedness for risk by early warnings, spreading knowledge and awareness, response and recovery. To execute HMR management by risk assessment, many models and tools, ranging from conceptual to sophisticated/numerical methods are currently in use. However, there is still a gap in systematically classifying and documenting them in the field of disaster risk management. This paper discusses various methods used for HMR assessment and its management via potential nature-based solutions (NBS), which are actually lessons learnt from nature. We focused on three hydrometeorological hazards (HMHs), floods, droughts and heatwaves, and their management by relevant NBS. Different methodologies related to the chosen HMHs are considered with respect to exposure, vulnerability and adaptation interaction of the elements at risk. Two widely used methods for flood risk assessment are fuzzy logic (e.g. fuzzy analytic hierarchy process) and probabilistic methodology (e.g. univariate and multivariate probability distributions). Different kinds of indices have been described in the literature to define drought risk, dependingupon the type of drought and the purpose of evaluation. For heatwave risk estimation, mapping of the vulnerable property and population-based on geographical information system is a widely used methodology in addition to a number of computational, mathematical and statistical methods, such as principal component analysis, extreme value theorem, functional data analysis, the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process and meta-analysis. NBS (blue, green and hybrid infrastructures) are promoted for HMR management. For example, marshes and wetlands in place of dams for flood and drought risk reduction, and green infrastructure for urban cooling and combating heatwaves, are potential NBS. More research is needed into risk assessment and management through NBS, to enhance its wider significance for sustainable living, building adaptations and resilience.

The European Commission defines “Nature Based Solutions (NBS) to societal challenges” assolutions that are inspired and supported by nature, are cost-effective, provide environmental, socialand economic benefits and help build resilience. The concept of NBS has been adoptedin the research programme HORIZON 2020, as well as in the OPERANDUM principles,aiming to provide science-based evidence for the usability of NBS, ranging from local to landscapescales, and foster the market opportunities, upscaling and replicating in Europe and Worldwide. NBSis a complex process of nature that requires a range of methods and tools aligned with all possible procedures such as co-design, implementation, evaluation and monitoring, policies and regulations.

TAVAC Presentation at INDEL Symposium, November 2018

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are being promoted as adaptive measures against predicted increasing hydrometeorological hazards (HMHs), such as heatwaves and floods which have already caused significant loss of life and economic damage across the globe. However, the underpinning factors such as policy framework, end-users' interests and participation for NBS design and operationalisation are yet to be established. We discuss the operationalisation and implementation processes of NBS by means of a novel concept of Open-Air Laboratories (OAL) for its wider acceptance. The design and implementation of environmentally, economically, technically and socio-culturally sustainable NBS require inter- and transdisciplinary approaches which could be achieved by fostering co-creation processes by engaging stakeholders across various sectors and levels, inspiring more effective use of skills, diverse knowledge, manpower and resources, and connecting and harmonising the adaptation aims. The OAL serves as a benchmark for NBS upscaling, replication and exploitation in policy-making process through monitoring by field measurement, evaluation by key performance indicators and building solid evidence on their short- and long-term multiple benefits in different climatic, environmental and socioeconomic conditions, thereby alleviating the challenges of political resistance, financial barriers and lack of knowledge. We conclude that holistic management of HMHs by effective use of NBS can be achieved with standard-compliant data for replicating and monitoring NBS in OALs, knowledge about policy silos and interaction between research communities and end-users. Further research is needed for multi-risk analysis of HMHs and inclusion of NBS into policy frameworks, adaptable at local, regional and national scales leading to modification in the prevalent guidelines related to HMHs. The findings of this work can be used for developing synergies between current policy frameworks, scientific research and practical implementation of NBS in Europe and beyond for its wider acceptance.

TAVAC Presentation at INDEL Symposium, November 2018

Hydro-meteorological risk (HMR) management involves a range of methods, such as monitoring of uncertain climate, planning and prevention by technical countermeasures, risk assessment, preparedness for risk by early warnings, spreading knowledge and awareness, response and recovery. To execute HMR management by risk assessment, many models and tools, ranging from conceptual to sophisticated/numerical methods are currently in use. However, there is still a gap in systematically classifying and documenting them in the field of disaster risk management. This paper discusses various methods used for HMR assessment and its management via potential nature-based solutions (NBS), which are actually lessons learnt from nature. We focused on three hydrometeorological hazards (HMHs), floods, droughts and heatwaves, and their management by relevant NBS. Different methodologies related to the chosen HMHs are considered with respect to exposure, vulnerability and adaptation interaction of the elements at risk. Two widely used methods for flood risk assessment are fuzzy logic (e.g. fuzzy analytic hierarchy process) and probabilistic methodology (e.g. univariate and multivariate probability distributions). Different kinds of indices have been described in the literature to define drought risk, depending upon the type of drought and the purpose of evaluation. For heatwave risk estimation, mapping of the vulnerable property and population-based on geographical information system is a widely used methodology in addition to a number of computational, mathematical and statistical methods, such as principal component analysis, extreme value theorem, functional data analysis, the Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process and meta-analysis. NBS (blue, green and hybrid infrastructures) are promoted for HMR management. For example, marshes and wetlands in place of dams for flood and drought risk reduction, and green infrastructure for urban cooling and combating heatwaves, are potential NBS. More research is needed into risk assessment and management through NBS, to enhance its wider significance for sustainable living, building adaptations and resilience.

The European Commission defines “Nature Based Solutions (NBS) to societal challenges” as solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, are cost-effective, provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. The concept of NBS has been adopted in the research programme HORIZON 2020, as well as in the OPERANDUM principles, aiming to provide science-based evidence for the usability of NBS, ranging from local to landscape scales, and foster the market opportunities, upscaling and replicating in Europe and Worldwide. NBS is a complex process of nature that requires a range of methods and tools aligned with all possible procedures such as co-design, implementation, evaluation and monitoring, policies and regulations.