International IWRM Conference in Germany

If you get a chance, you should attend this conference. It looks like a good one!

http://www.iwrm-karlsruhe.com/en/home/homepage.jsp

It will be held on 21-22 November in Karlsruhe, Germany.

Main Topic:

Interactions of Water with Energy and Materials in Urban Areas and Agriculture

 

Sub-Topics:

Challenges for Future Cities and Efficient Agricultural Production

• Security and Efficiency of Water Infrastructures
• Energy Efficiency in Water Usage
• Heavy Rain and Flood Management
• Management of Waste Water
• Water Related Environmental Protection in

Urban Planning Competing Water Uses

• Optimal and Sustainable Use of Water
• Climate Change and Effects on Water Resources

Regulatory and Policy Framework

• Demand Side Water Management
• Water Efficiency Frameworks
• Public and Private Water Policies

 

Empirical vs. Conceptual Model

Often times, we need to choose between the conceptual modeling framework and the empirical. We should consider the definition of each:

The empirical model

 

The empirical model attempts to establish a causal linkage between “X” and “Y” without detailed consideration of the internal processes. The equations and parameters of such model have limited physical significance. Instead, they are selected through optimization of some goodness-of-fit criterion.

The conceptual model

 

The conceptual model represents, to the extent possible, all physical mechanisms that govern the process within the system.

Water-Marginal Cost Curve

In a very interesting report I recently read, the idea of a Water-Marginal Cost Curve was brought to light (Barilla Group, 2009). This approach is claimed to provide decision makers with a microeconomic analysis of the cost and potential of a range of existing technical measures to close the projected gap between water demand and supply.




References:
Barilla Group, et al. "Chartering Our Water Future, Economic frameworks to inform decision-making". 2009.