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News about detail urban mapping in Sweden, mapping environmental impacts of hydro power in Laos or mapping of available solar energy for solar power applications…

Detailed Urban Mapping in Sweden (30 mar. 2012)

GRAS is mapping impervious surface areas in several cities throughout Sweden. The mapping is based on a variety of available input data such as aerial photos, GIS data and LiDAR data. The mapping is performed with a highly automated mapping solution developed by GRAS.

The output is shape files with impervious surfaces classified into various classes specified by the client. The mapping results is used as input in a swedish based research project about estimation of surface runoff coefficients for hydrological modelling.

More info at

Mapping environmental impacts of hydro power in Laos(15 mar. 2012)

GRAS has been selected as service provider under the procurement “Earth Observation (EO) based information services in support of the European Investment Bank” (EIB) projects. GRAS is supported by DHI and Earth Systems Lao for the project which is part of the “European Space Agency” (ESA) strategy to mainstream the use of EO-based services within the EIB financing and project operations. The aim of this service is to produce, deliver and assess the utility and benefits of EO information products and services in support of the “Nam Theun II” (NT2) Hydropower project in Lao PDR, which is being backed by the European Investment Bank (EIB) and other commercial lenders and international financial institutions. The service will deliver EO based forest cover and land use information for the NT2 project area with a particular focus on documenting (illegal) activities such as logging, settlements and agriculture in designated areas for forest protection and resettlement. In addition an EO based monitoring system of reservoir dynamics will be developed based on high-frequency medium resolution optical and radar (ASAR) data , and all information will be made available for the watershed management program which is embedded in the NT2 project.

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Mapping of available solar energy for solar power applications(25 feb. 2012)

As part of the DANIDA-funded “Projet de faisabilité des ressources de l’énergie renouvelables au Mali”-project, GRAS has performed a mapping of the solar resources as a sustainable energy source for Mali, West Africa. The project demonstrates how information derived from geostationary satellite imagery can be used to assess the temporal and spatial variability of the available solar energy at the surface.

The project uses data from the Meteosat Second Generation (MSG) satellites which are operated by EUMETSAT on behalf of ESA and the national weather services of the ESA member states. The SEVIRI-instrument onboard the MSG satellites provide coverage of the entire earth disk every 15 minutes in 11 spectral bands. This allows for continuous tracking of cloud cover and atmospheric attenuation on a continental basis. The MSG based Down-welling Surface Shortwave Radiation was adjusted to local conditions using in-situ data acquired from a number of ground stations distributed throughout central Mali. A following validation exercise proved the ability of accurate mapping of the solar potential at both high temporal and spatial resolution on national scale using geostationary satellite data.

The outputs of the project are monthly and yearly assessments of the solar energy available at the surface for a given time frame in a high spatial resolution. The information was delivered in the form of maps showing the spatial distribution of the available energy as shown in the examples below for a three year period between July 2008 and June 2011.
The project has been performed in cooperation with the CNESOLER (Centre National d’Energie Solaire & des Energies Renouvelables – Malian National Centre for Solar & Renewable Energy) and UNEP Risø Centre.

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(03/04/2012) Spain has taken part in NATO’s Technical Interoperability Experiment for 2012 (TIE12) with the GMV-developed Mobile ISTAR Operating system (called SEISMO after its Spanish initials: Sistema de Explotación ISTAR Móvil).

The system came through all the technical and operational interoperability tests with flying colours. It outperformed all the other participating operating systems, coming top with a 100% success rate.

The SEISMO program, funded by the Spanish Defense Ministry form’s part of Spain’s participation in the multinational cooperation program MAJIIC2 (Multi-Intelligence All-Source Joint Intelligence Surveillance And Reconnaissance Interoperability Coalition). This program, a multinational effort involving nine NATO members plus NC3A, aims to enforce the standards and capabilities that facilitate sharing of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) products and maximize the use of surveillance and reconnaissance resources. It also sets out to improve situational awareness through collaborative employment and use of interoperable ISR sensor and exploitation capabilities. The program agreements include the conducting of experiments and exercises to develop capabilities, both technical and operational, and progressively improve and fine-tune the systems on the basis of the lessons learnt.

The exercise was held from 5 to 23 March 2012. The NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A), based in the Hague, Netherlands, was the venue for most of the exercises, with a WAN connection with Langley Air Force Base (Virginia, USA). The participating nations were France, Germany, Holland, Norway, Spain, the UK and US.

The exercise was a resounding success in terms of inter-country collaboration and particularly the level of technical and operational capabilities demonstrated by the SEISMO system.

Source

2012-03 – Project win – Middenschalig wegenbestand
2012-03 – Partner of the Year Award 2011
2012-03 – FME Certified Trainer
2012-02 – Uitbreiding aanbod GIM GIS Training Centre
2012-02 – Salon des mandataires
2012-02 – Project win – Noise mapping
2012-02 – Project win – GIM ASTRID Analysis
2012-02 – Project win – Digital exchange platform
2012-02 – Multimodaal Vlaams Brabant

News about: … forecast and observation of general and street-level conditions in European cities / earth observation for improved governance of informal mining / contract for GIZ-SADC REDD Project on development of an Integrated Monitoring System …etc

Forecasts and observation of general and street-level conditions in European cities (21.02.2012)

Air quality information and forecasts, as well as warnings about the levels of pollutants such as nitrogen dioxides, ozone and particulate matter, will soon be made available in near real time.

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GAF applies earth observation for improved governance of informal mining (17.02.2012)

GAF AG, in a team together with DLR and IES, is carrying out a contract to use optical and radar remote sensing sensors and interpretation techniques to locate, map and monitor small-scale and artisanal mining (ASM) operations. In many countries, information about ASM is largely incomplete and, as a consequence, ASM activities remain informal and outside of governmental supervision and regulation.

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GAF awarded contract for GIZ-SADC REDD Project: Development of an Integrated Monitoring System (16.02.2012)

GAF AG in a partnership with Deutsche Forst Service (DFS) has been awarded by GIZ, a newly conceptualised REDD Project for the southern African region. The counterpart is the Southern African…

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GAF contracted to implement a significant part of GMES Initial Operations (GIO) Land Monitoring Services (06.02.2012)

The European Environment Agency (EEA) has contracted GAF AG to map high-resolution Forest and Impervious Area characteristics for two lots in West-, Central- and South-Eastern Europe in the framework of the GMES Initial Operations (GIO) Land Monitoring Services.

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GAF capacity building for the development of the Afghan mining sector (02.02.2012)

GAF has established in Kabul a training centre and an attached demonstration mine to support the training of mines inspectors of the Ministry of Mines in Afghanistan. The newly constructed mock-underground mine sets the realistic stage to train and exercise international best practice. A one-year curriculum for mining inspectors has been developed covering theoretical and practical training for a full suite of topics.

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BC is providing the transformation and allocation of monitoring data from Wadden Sea National Park of Hamburg (Department of Urban Development of Hamburg) for the Trilateral Monitoring and Assessment Program (TMAP).

This data will be made available to the public through the Common Wadden Sea Secretariat (CWSS), Wilhelmshaven, Germany.

Source

BMT ARGOSS, a subsidiary of BMT Group, the leading international maritime design, environmental and engineering consultancy, has recently been awarded a number of projects in Southeast Asia including metocean studies for Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd and its offshore development, east of Sabah in Malaysia.

As well as operating regional wind and wave models, BMT ARGOSS can generate and provide localised hindcast data sets and has recently worked closely with sister company, BMT WBM to undertake innovative, nested hydrodynamicMetOcean data modelling in the Makassar Strait, Indonesia. Coupled with its recent development in tropical storm modelling, BMT ARGOSS is providing the necessary support within the engineering design, planning and installation phases of offshore production facilities including jacket and floating structures, as well as the associated pipelines back to shore.

Robin Stephens, Manager of the Metocean Group at BMT ARGOSS explains: “As oil and gas companies look towards much deeper water provinces such as the Makassar Strait and areas close to Vietnam for offshore production, metocean studies become even more important due to the harsher environmental conditions. Our customers need to be able to understand and quantify the conditions that need to be withstood and we can guide them through this process.”

Stephens continues: “It’s all about reducing the uncertainty in the basis of design – we’re working in a very erratic environment and we need to inform the design engineers of pragmatic values for extreme loadings and that’s a balance between economy and safety.”

Source

Astrium Services Integrates Global Seeps with TGS’ New Seismic Data


Astrium Services Integrates Global Seeps with TGS’ New Seismic Data to Better Locate Offshore Oil Prospects

  • Nalcor Energy Oil & Gas realises benefits of integrating Global Seeps with seismic data
  • Off-the-shelf oil seeps study available now – Offshore Newfoundland & Labrador

Leicester, UK – 20th March 2012 – Astrium Services’ GEO-Information teams have signed an agreement with TGS, who provides seismic data to oil and gas exploration and production companies worldwide, to utilise Astrium’s Global Seeps to help improve the probability of locating new offshore discoveries.

During a recent joint project, enhanced targeting of potential hydrocarbon prospects was achieved when oil seepage slicks information from Astrium GEO-Information Services’ Global Seeps database was integrated with frontier seismic data. TGS will use Astrium’s offshore oil seepage information products to plan and position seismic surveys. This will enable oil & gas firms to source combined seismic and Global Seeps data, streamline future exploration efforts, and improve the chances of successfully identifying slicks resulting from natural seepage of hydrocarbon reserves.

More info at

Astrium Services takes Satellite-based Monitoring to a new Level with Go Monitor

  • Innovative monitoring concept combines daily coverage, weather-independent acquisitions and high-quality image analysis
  • Customers appreciate fully tailored monitoring programmes, timely email alerts, secure online access and comprehensive change reports
  • 60 off-the-shelf pre-selected monitored sites worldwide

Toulouse, 21 February 2012 – Astrium Services’ GEO-Information team has now taken satellite-based monitoring to a new level. Based on cutting-edge satellite imagery, standard and advanced image analysis, processing and interpretation, the new service Go Monitor provides high-quality change information for any area of interest worldwide on a reliable and cost-effective basis.

No matter how remote or inaccessible a site may be, with daily revisit options and independent of weather conditions, Go Monitor supports users around the globe in their day-to-day operations. Go Monitor helps to effectively monitor activities, to precisely understand the environment in which they operate and to take well-informed decisions.

  • Defence & intelligence bodies observe infrastructure for effective targeting and identification of relevant assets
  • Oil & gas organisations monitor exploration, production and facilities – both onshore and offshore – for the benefit of health, safety and environmental responsibility, as well as improved productivity and the fulfillment of external regulations
  • Civil engineering companies monitor under and above ground construction of infrastructure, both existing and under development, to increase safety and performance.

More info at

“Het Waterschapshuis” has awarded the partnership Cyclomedia-Aerodata a major contract for flying the entire country of The Netherlands (40.000 sqkm) in 2012 & 2013 @ 10cm resolution.

This marks the 4th and 5th time Aerodata will be executing this project (similar previous projects were done in 2009, 2010 & 2011).

All of the approx. 100 000 images will be orthorectified and mosaiced and are made available for stereo map compilation (BGT large scale base map).

End users are the Dutch Kadaster, Provinces, national and regional Water boards and several Ministries.

As before, flights will be executed in both years in the leaf-off season (February -> April).

The data from all projects are off the shelf available to public and private customers.

Source Aerodata

A consortium led by GeoVille and GRAS has been selected to carry out an ESA project in the frame of the TIGER initiative. The objective of TIGER-NET is the contribution to facilitating the African participation in the rapidly evolving global ‘Earth Observing’ system. The project will provide a Water Observation and Information System for water authorities, technical centres and other stakeholders which will be developed in close collaboration with the African users.

ESA realised that the rapidly evolving global earth observing system may provide a significant contribution to the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Africa and consequently launched in 2001 the TIGER initiative. The TIGER initiative supports water authorities, technical centres and other stakeholders in the African water sector to enhance their capacity to collect and use water relevant geo-information to better monitor and assess water resources by exploiting earth observation products and services.

To respond to the urgent information needs for IWRM in Africa, ESA has launched TIGER-NET as a major initiative to develop and demonstrate a user-driven water observation and information system based on earth observation technology, fulfilling operational requirements and providing a solid base for extension and roll-out to other basins in Africa.

The project was officially kicked off at the World Water Forum in Marseilles in March 2012 on a side event chaired by the African Ministerial Conference on Water (AMCOW) and will be running for three years starting 1 April 2012.

TIGER-NET will focus on a number of selected countries and regions with particular attention to major trans-boundary basins in Africa. The initial list of key users includes the Nile Basin Initiative, Lake Chad Basin Commission, Volta Basin Authority, Department of Water Affairs South Africa and the Namibian Ministry of Water. The high level objectives of the project are to enhance the capacity of African water authorities by developing a water observation and information system for monitoring, assessing and inventorying water resources in a cost-effective manner by exploiting the wealth of information that can be extracted from earth observation data.

Example for soil moisture at 1 km – the graphic represents monthly mean of ASAR GM 1 km product from March, 2008

A water observation and information system based on open source software exploiting satellite data will be installed in each of the selected water authorities to monitor and assess water resources and in their river basins. The system will consist of a database module for data storage, EO and GIS modules for processing and analysis of satellite images, a module for hydrological modelling as well as decision support tools for overall management of water resources. Successful and sustainable development of earth observation applications requires dedicated capacity building and training of African scientists and water authorities. Accordingly, capacity building will be an important part of the project.

Partners

As project partners, GeoVille and GRAS will be leading the consortium with support from the following organizations: Institute of Photogrammetry & Remote Sensing, Vienna University of Technology (TU Vienna, Austria), Dept. of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark (DTU ENV, Denmark) and Department of International Health, University of Copenhagen (ISIM, Denmark).

Further information can be found on ESA’s news. A dedicated project website and portal will be launched later.


Tel: +352 26 71 41 35
Fax: +352 26 71 41 35
Email:info@geoville.com
Web: www.geoville.com
GeoVille Group is a private sector enterprise located in Austria and Luxembourg. GeoVille Group specialises in products and services related to Earth Observation (EO) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) applications.
GeoVille is Europe’s leading company in using satellite data for land monitoring and spatial planning applications.
Our services provide the bridge from user needs to technical implementation – merging geospatial explicit data with statistics – to the analysis of what on-going processes and trends mean for real world applications.

Tel: +45 35 32 41 75
Email:gras@grasdk.com
Web: www.grasdk.com
GRAS is an independent company specialized in earth observation, satellite image processing and Geographic Information Systems. GRAS is part of DHIGROUP, an international consulting and research organization specialized in water, environment and health.
Since 2000, more than 150 projects in more than 50 countries worldwide have been completed. GRAS has a strong background in remote sensing for hydrology, water quality, environmental assessment, and land cover mapping.

Remote sensing solutions provider DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) has signed a contract with Brazil’s National Institute for Space Research (INPE) to deliver near real-time satellite imagery to monitor forest clearing in the Amazon rainforest and target illegal logging as it happens.

INPE is leading the world in the use of satellite imagery to monitor deforestation, providing information central to Brazil’s war on deforestation that has cut deforestation rates by 78% since 2004. The space agency’s groundbreaking DETER service uses regular satellite images to detect forest clearance as it happens – rather than surveying the damage afterwards – guiding Brazil’s enforcement officers to provide effective forest clearing control. However in recent years, the authorities have discovered that illegal loggers are clearing smaller areas to evade detection by the 250metre-pixel MODIS data that is currently in use.

The new £2.1m contract signed with DMCii will enable INPE to downlink higher resolution 22metre resolution data directly from the UK-DMC2 satellite to its groundstation at Cuiaba, Brazil. With approximately 130 times as many pixels per hectare as the MODIS images currently in use, the data will detect these smaller clearings and provide more detailed maps. The UK-DMC2 satellite will image the entire Amazon basin every two weeks, so that the authorities are alerted as soon as possible after logging is detected. In a unique agreement, the data covering Brazil will be made freely available on open licence through the INPE website so the general public can follow progress against deforestation.

Dr. Gilberto Camara, Director General of INPE said: “With the recent failure of Landsat 5 it became urgent to increase the supply of satellite imagery to operate our forest monitoring system, and DMC data provides a very cost effective tool. The 650km wide swath DMC imagery provides a frequency of coverage and level of detail which enhances the ability of our DETER system to identify deforestation at an early stage. I am particularly pleased that DMCii has agreed to an open licence so that INPE can make the data freely available through its website – an innovation which has enhanced public monitoring of forest management in Brazil.”

The contract builds on seven years of cooperation with INPE. Paul Stephens, Director of Sales & Marketing at DMCii commented: “DMCii has a commitment to improved forest governance and management through the provision of timely and reliable information. This is especially important for development of effective REDD+ programmes in tropical forested countries. I am delighted to extend our long standing work with INPE, which is the world leader in the fight against deforestation.”

About DMC International Imaging Ltd

DMC International Imaging Ltd (DMCii) is a UK based supplier of remote sensing data products and services for international Earth Observation (EO) markets. DMCii supplies programmed and archived optical satellite imagery provided by the multi-satellite Disaster Monitoring Constellation (DMC). DMCii’s data is used extensively in a wide variety of commercial and government applications including agriculture, forestry and environmental mapping.

In partnership with the UK Space Agency and the other Disaster Monitoring Constellation member nations (Algeria, China, Nigeria, Turkey and Spain), DMCii works with the International Charter ‘Space and Major Disasters’ to provide free satellite imagery for humanitarian use in the event of major international disasters such as tsunamis, hurricanes, fires and flooding.

DMCii was formed in October 2004 and is a subsidiary of Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL), the world leader in small satellite technology. SSTL designed and built the Disaster Monitoring Constellation with the support of the UK Space Agency and in conjunction with the other Disaster Monitoring Constellation Consortium member nations listed above.

DMC International Imaging Ltd is not affiliated in any way with Intergraph Corp., Z/I Imaging Corp., or their registered trade mark DMC.

Notes to editor:
This press release can be downloaded from http://tinyurl.com/dmciipr
High-resolution multi-spectral satellite images showing agriculture in Rio Grande do Sul and forest clearing in Rondonia are available upon request from Robin Wolstenholme.

Press contacts:
Paul Stephens, Sales & Marketing Director, DMC International Imaging Ltd., www.dmcii.com
Tel: +44 (0)1483 804299 Email: p.stephens@dmcii.com