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The geotechnical challenges for safe slope design in large scale surface mining operations are enormous. Sometimes one degree of slope inclination can significantly reduce the overburden to ore ratio and therefore dramatically improve the economics of the operation, while large scale slope failures may have a significant impact on human lives. Furthermore, adverse weather conditions, such as high precipitation rates, may unfavorably affect the already delicate balance between operations and safety. Geotechnical, weather and production parameters should be systematically monitored and evaluated in order to safely operate such pits. Appropriate data management, processing and storage are critical to ensure timely and informed decisions.

Drought constitutes one of the major impacts of global climate change in the Mediterranean region, leading to freshwater scarcity. This problem is more evident in eastern Med regions especially during the summer time when the population grows exponentially due to tourist activities. On the other hand, the Med region presents substantial renewable energy source potential to power critical infrastructures and secure energy efficiency. This work focuses on the web_GIS module of the DES2iRES platform that consists of three independent but interoperable modules (GIS, Geostatistical and Optimization). All modules collaborate to inform in minimum time the users about the optimal design of desalination plants powered by renewable energy sources based on their preferences. Solar, wind and wave energy sources are taken into consideration. DES2iRES platform incorporates advanced geostatistical tools and an optimization algorithm for optimal design of the desalination plant. The sequence of operation of DES2iRES is as follows: (1) The user selects the type of renewable energy source that wants to power the desalination plant, (2) the type of desalination plant, (3) the technologies and specific hardware that may be used (PV modeles, battery charges, wind generators, DC/AC converters, batteries, etc.), (4) the water demand profile and (5) the location where the desalination plant is to be established. Upon retrieval of the request, the DES2iRES web-GIS triggers the other two modules: Geostat to implement spatiotemporal geostatistical analysis of the existing ground meteorological data and/or models for the user-defined location and the Optimization module to apply the respective algorithm and design the desalination plant. The outcome of the design is automatically sent to the user via email. This end-to-end process is entirely controlled and supervised by the web-GIS that relies upon cutting edge geospatial and non-geospatial technologies to share geospatial data and allow asynchronous tasks for processing and data dissemination. Developed under open geospatial standards of OGC, DES2iRES web-GIS module is easily expandable to include more renewable energy sources, diverse desalination technologies and meteorological data and models. One of the most important features of DES2iRES platform is that it permits the users to enter and store their own parameters and configurations, other the ones already integrated in the respective database, including ground meteorological data series of a specific location. At the moment, DES2iRES is accessible via the address http://desires.tuc.gr/ and is operational for two pilot areas in Greece and Tunisia. Nevertheless, the inclusion of more data for the entire Mediterranean region is envisaged to take place in the near future. We are confident that DES2iRES is a powerful tool for public authorities and investors to perform strategic planning in critical infrastructures that assure water and energy efficiency. This research was funded by the ERANETMED NEXUS-14-049 project DES2iRES (T3EPA-00017) co-funded by Greece and the European Union. This work was funded by the Operational Program "Competitiveness, Entrepreneurship and Innovation 2014-2020" (co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund) and managed by the General Secretariat of Research and Technology, Ministry of Education, Research, and Religious Affairs under the project DES2iRES (T3EPA-00017) of the ERAnet, ERANETMED_NEXUS-14-049. This support is gratefully acknowledged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean region presents a surplus in renewable energy but limited water availability. Desalination confronts water scarcity and secure appropriate quality and quantity of water for diverse applications such as irrigation and drinking. So, a challenge arises: How to establish and operate desalination plants minimizing their environmental footprint along with the corresponding life-cycle costs? This work paves the path towards a concrete and easy-to-implement response to this challenge. This is accomplished through an open-source publicly available Geographical Information System Platform that has been recently developed. Initially, the platform, called DES2iRES, determines the most favorable location for the establishment of a desalination plant based on renewable energy sources availability in its vicinity. Then, the platform takes a step forward and designs the optimal arrangement of the renewable energy source and desalination systems. In order to carry out these tasks effectively, three independent modules operate in parallel within the DES2iRES platform following an interoperable schema. In the present study, emphasis is given to the geo-information module although the main tasks carried out by the other modules are also described. The benefits of using the DES2iRES platform to design a desalination plant powered with renewable energy sources is demonstrated in a theoretical scenario for two study areas in Greece and Tunisia. Finally, constrains in extending platform's operations are discussed along with future plans to cope those by incorporating diverse data sources to enhance the efficiency of the desalination plant design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Satellite altimeters have been producing, as of 1992, an amazing and historic record of sea level changes. As Europe moves into full operational altimetry, it has become imperative that the quality of these monitoring signals with their uncertainties should be controlled, fully and properly descripted, but also traced and connected to undisputable standards and units. Excellent quality is the foundation of these operational services of Europe in altimetry. In line with the above, the strategy of the Fiducial Reference Measurements for Altimetry (FRM4ALT) has been introduced to address and to achieve reliable, long-term, consistent, and undisputable satellite altimetry products for Earth observation and for sea-level change monitoring. FRM4ALT has been introduced and implemented by the European Space Agency in an effort to reach a uniform and absolute standardization for calibrating satellite altimeters. This paper examines the problem and the need behind the FRM4ALT principle to achieve an objective Earth observation. Secondly, it describes the expected FRM products and services which are to come into being out of this new observational strategy. Thirdly, it outlines the technology and the services required for reaching this goal. And finally, it elaborates upon the necessary resources, skills, partnerships, and facilities for establishing FRM standardization for altimetry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]