title: Alternative food networks and opportunities for transformation towards a sustainable and resilient urban food system

authors: Vieira, Leticia Canal

subjects: Local food supply

abstract: Food systems are suffering from pressures related to population growth, increased urbanisation, climate change, and resource scarcity. These pressures are exacerbated by globalisation, with consumers concentrated in urban areas while producers are dispersed across rural areas that are often remote or even in different countries. To address these challenges and create a more sustainable and resilient future, many local governments have embraced the idea of urban food systems. The literature identifies a range of sustainable and resilient outcomes for urban food systems but finding effective transition pathways remains a challenge. Alternative food networks have emerged with the goal of being more environmentally sustainable and socially just. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify how alternative food networks can contribute to achieving sustainable and resilient urban food systems. The analysis of 50 international case studies showed that alternative food networks may be able to create a food provision system that contributes to: the generation, transfer, and appropriate use of food knowledge and skills; the protection of surrounding ecosystems; more participative decision processes; improved local food supply; and, increased connectivity between urban and rural areas. Social justice and product diversity, however, are issues that remain a challenge. The paper concludes with insights for supporting Australian alternative food networks, including: the further evaluation of alternative food networks capacity of reducing green-house gas emissions and food loss and waste; the inclusion of alternative food networks as a possible climate change adaptation strategy for urban food supply; and an analysis of how governance arrangements can better support these initiatives.

text: Alternative food networks and opportunities for transformation towards a sustainable and resilient urban food system Food systems are suffering from pressures related to population growth, increased urbanisation, climate change, and resource scarcity. These pressures are exacerbated by globalisation, with consumers concentrated in urban areas while producers are dispersed across rural areas that are often remote or even in different countries. To address these challenges and create a more sustainable and resilient future, many local governments have embraced the idea of urban food systems. The literature identifies a range of sustainable and resilient outcomes for urban food systems but finding effective transition pathways remains a challenge. Alternative food networks have emerged with the goal of being more environmentally sustainable and socially just. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify how alternative food networks can contribute to achieving sustainable and resilient urban food systems. The analysis of 50 international case studies showed that alternative food networks may be able to create a food provision system that contributes to: the generation, transfer, and appropriate use of food knowledge and skills; the protection of surrounding ecosystems; more participative decision processes; improved local food supply; and, increased connectivity between urban and rural areas. Social justice and product diversity, however, are issues that remain a challenge. The paper concludes with insights for supporting Australian alternative food networks, including: the further evaluation of alternative food networks capacity of reducing green-house gas emissions and food loss and waste; the inclusion of alternative food networks as a possible climate change adaptation strategy for urban food supply; and an analysis of how governance arrangements can better support these initiatives.

year: 2020

title: Use of effective-capacitance variation as a measure of state-of-health in a series-connected automotive battery pack

authors: Leijen, Peter

subjects: Hybrid Electric Vehicles

abstract: In electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, series-connected battery packs are commonly used. Should the state-of-health (SOH) of one or several individual cells deteriorate, the entire battery pack is affected, reducing battery pack capacity which in turn reduces the maximum distance able to be driven. In order to predict the SOH of the individual battery cells, this paper introduces the concept of effective battery capacitance. Effective capacitance is defined as the local slope of the voltage vs charge curve derived from a third-order polynomial relationship between these parameters. The location of maximum effective capacitance can be used as a means of identifying end-of-life and/or catastrophic failure of battery modules. Four different Toyota Prius battery packs were used in establishing this method in the proof of concept work. The paper presents a linear relationship between maximum effective capacitance and SOH; this relationship is confirmed with a larger dataset.

text: Use of effective-capacitance variation as a measure of state-of-health in a series-connected automotive battery pack In electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, series-connected battery packs are commonly used. Should the state-of-health (SOH) of one or several individual cells deteriorate, the entire battery pack is affected, reducing battery pack capacity which in turn reduces the maximum distance able to be driven. In order to predict the SOH of the individual battery cells, this paper introduces the concept of effective battery capacitance. Effective capacitance is defined as the local slope of the voltage vs charge curve derived from a third-order polynomial relationship between these parameters. The location of maximum effective capacitance can be used as a means of identifying end-of-life and/or catastrophic failure of battery modules. Four different Toyota Prius battery packs were used in establishing this method in the proof of concept work. The paper presents a linear relationship between maximum effective capacitance and SOH; this relationship is confirmed with a larger dataset.

year: 2017

title: La gouvernance des rivières en Nouvelle-Zélande : une solution élégante ?

authors: Te Aho, Linda

subjects: Water governance,

abstract: Governance of Water in New Zealand: An Elegant Solution? This chapter is grounded in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand while drawing on larger references, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, the Rio+20 Declaration and constitutional provisions for Rights of Nature. The chapter analyses a proposed new model for the contentious issue of freshwater governance in New Zealand based on responsible use which also addresses the complex world of state-Māori relations.

text: La gouvernance des rivières en Nouvelle-Zélande : une solution élégante ? Governance of Water in New Zealand: An Elegant Solution? This chapter is grounded in the context of Aotearoa New Zealand while drawing on larger references, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous peoples, the Rio+20 Declaration and constitutional provisions for Rights of Nature. The chapter analyses a proposed new model for the contentious issue of freshwater governance in New Zealand based on responsible use which also addresses the complex world of state-Māori relations.

year: 2018