UEP 232, Assignment 1
Zhaohuan Li
September 12, 2013
Topic 1：Evaluate the renewable energy potential for power production
in Massachusetts
Summary
As energy needs by developing and industrialized countries is become larger and
larger, find a renewable energy with high potential is important. About 16% of global
final energy consumption comes from renewable resources, with 10% of all energy
from traditional biomass. New renewables (small hydro, modern biomass, wind, solar,
geothermal, and biofuels) accounted for another 3% and are growing very rapidly.
These energy resources all have great energy potential. However, the meaning of
potential is not just defined by energy transfer, but defined by economic,
environmental friendly and transport easily as well. The goal of this project is to
decide which existed renewable energy resource has the best potential in
Massachusetts and how to determine renewable energy plant.
Spatial questions
1. What the existed renewable energy resources are in Massachusetts
To find out these, we can know the quantity and spatial distribution of the
renewable energy resources in Massachusetts, and then we can compare with
these resources.
2. What the characteristics of the existed plant.
To study the characteristics of existed plant, we can find out the advantages and
disadvantages, which can be instruction to our project.
Reference
D. Voivontas, D. Assimacopoulos, E.G. Koukios (2001). Assessment of biomass
potential for power production: a GIS based method. Biomass and Bioenergy 20,
101-112.
This paper provides a GIS-based methodology to assess biomass theoretical
potential, available potential and economical potential. Besides, use the database
such as road network, electric grid and candidate power plants to determine the
best choice of plants’ location.
Nazli Yonca Aydin, Elcin Kentel, Sebnem Duzgun (2001). GIS-based environmental
assessment of wind energy systems for spatial planning: A case study from Western
Turkey. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 14, 364–373
This paper shows us another renewable energy, wind, and mainly focuses on the
site selection. It uses wind energy potential and environmental fitness as decision
criteria for the site selection process.
Topic 2: The relationship between obesity and accessibility to fitness
center in Great Boston area
Summary
Obesity can cause various diseases, particularly heart disease, type 2 diabetes and
certain types of cancer. Dieting and physical exercise are the mainstays of treatment
for obesity. However, dieting is not good for health as people will become weak for
they lack of some necessary nutrition. So do some physical exercise is the best
treatment for obesity. Though people like to go to the gym or fitness center to do
exercise, does it really help people stay away from obesity? This project is to find out
the relationship between obesity and accessibility to fitness center.
Spatial questions
1. What is the fitness center distribution in Great Boston area?
To start with the project, we have to know the distribution of fitness center so we
can find out car travel time and accessibility by bus to these fitness centers.
2. What are the income distribution and the rate of obesity around each fitness
center?
Most fitness centers need to charge some fee, so low income people may not go
to the fitness center even it is nearby. And the rate of obesity will show if it has
relationship with the fitness center.
Reference
Andrew Lovett, Robin Haynes, Gisela S.unnenberg, Susan Gale (2002). Car travel time
and accessibility by bus to general practitioner services: a study using patient
registers and GIS. Social Science & Medicine 55, 97–111
Jamie Pearce, Karen Witten, Phil Bartie (2006). Neighbourhoods and health: a
GIS approach to measuring community resource accessibility. J Epidemiol
Community Health 60, 389–395
These two articles give us examples of how to evaluate the travel time by matching
the location to the road network and deriving population-weighted average values
based on GIS data. Use the same method, I can evaluate the travel time to the fitness
center.