A World Bank TV Conference on Disaster Risk Management was organized by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) on 17 and 18 January, 2013. Dr. Ishii, the WFEO-CDRM Chair, participated in this conference that had a regional focus on East and South-east Asia. Representatives from governments of Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, and the Philippines together with a few NGO's and some professional communities, also participated in this conference.
WFEO-CDRM Chair, Dr. Yumio Ishii joins the international organizing committee of the World Landslide Forum 3
The Forum's umbrella title is "Landslide Risk Mitigation: Toward a Safer Geo-Environment" and is sponsored by the Global Promotion Committee of the International Program on Landslides (IPL) and by the Ministry of Land and Resources, the P.R. China (MLR). The Forum will be held on 2-6 June 2014 and the venue will take place at the China National Convention Center in Beijing (China).
The Forum will bring together government officials, scholars, international research and development communities, NGO representatives and numerous segments of the private industries to present their latest results on Geo-hazard mitigation, especially, on landslide disaster risk reduction and to exchange ideas on how to improve Geo-environment safety around the world. It will become a major event for Geo-hazard prevention as it is a unique opportunity for professionals from around the world to exchange on Geo-hazard mitigation.
New Structure for the Disaster Risk Management Standing Technical Committee
A new organizational structure for the Disaster Risk Management Standing Technical Committee (CDRM) has been established and is headed by Prof. Akira WADA, the new leader of the Sub-Technical Group on Earthquake Disasters.
"Floods: From Risk to Opportunities"
WFEO-CDRM committee member, Dr. Ali Chavoshian, served as editor-in-chief for the Book No. 357 Floods: From Risk to Opportunity of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences (IAHS) Red Book Series.
To find out more about the book's content, please follow the link
Last Call for Papers
10th Conference on "Standardization and related Activities - A means of International and Balkans Collaboration"
On 7 and 8 February, the India Energy Congress (IEC), a top congregation of energy professionals from across the sector and the annual flagship event of the World Energy Council, India, took place in New Delhi with this year's main theme being "Securing Tomorrow's Energy Today : Policy and Regulation".
A Low RPM (revolution per minute) Low Wind Velocity Aero-generator invented by Eng. Avinash D. Shirode
Nowadays, electric power supply of state electricity is very uncertain and the voltage is also unreliable. With frequent load shading, interruptions, voltage fluctuation and shutdowns usually unannounced to consumers, and cost per unit increasing day by day, electrical energy is expected to become scarcer and more and more costly in the future.
In houses and small offices, there are normally generators ran by petrol /diesel /kerosene which are used to supply electricity when there is no grid power, but the use of such appliances is not always satisfactory, is noisy and creates air pollution.
And with wind speed available in most of the urban areas not exceeding 4-5 m/s; the present use of wind mills is not economically and technically viable to cater the needs of domestic household requirements. Leading to a real need for a type of equipment that will generate sufficient electrical energy for domestic use of 1 to 5 kW, and which could be adapted to a very low wind speed year-round throughout the world.
The most innovative design of low RPM (revolutions per minute) low wind velocity Alternator starts generation of electricity (charging current) at as low as 0.6 meter per second wind speed and as low as 4 RPM for 12V System. This innovative product harnesses considerably what other windmills loose in the wind speed range of 0.6 m/s to 3 m/s. A Patent has been granted for 20 years.
The wind energy, though not consistent, is quite cheaper to solar and other forms of non-conventional energy. The cost of windmill as per this innovation, even if taken only as an alternative battery charging media, is within a reach of common man for their domestic energy needs. However, with an effective working windmill system, one may not require grid power at all. This windmill can be erected at any normally windy place, and can be used in remote areas where grid power has not yet reached.
It is best suited for residential areas, homes, schools, hospitals, etc. The investment can be recovered, depending upon the wind condition, in a reasonable time span, as the running cost is almost zero. This gives pollution free, noise free, maintenance free constant power at constant voltage which safeguards electrical appliances as well.
New Headquarters for UPADI
Created in 1949, the Pan American Federation of Engineering Societies (UPADI) that had its last headquarters in Costa Rica between 2009 and 2012 is since 1 February 2013 based in Brazil. Eng. José Tadeu da Silva, president of both, FEBRAE (Brazilian Federation of Engineering Associations) and CONFEA (Federal Council of Engineering and Agronomy), Jorge Spitalnik, regional vice president of UPADI and Eng. Paulo Roberto Vilela Day president of IBECA were among the large number of engineers from the UPADI member countries who attended the inauguration ceremony that took place on 1 February 2013.
The office space is provided by the Brazilian Institute of Cost Engineering (IBEC) in its own national headquarters in Rio de Janeiro.
The new president of UPADI, Eng. Luis René Eveline from Honduras was sworn in during the first meeting at the new headquarters of the organization and former president of UPADI, Eng. Irene Campos Gomez, pointed out that the permanent home of UPADI in Brazil will add to its strength and development
Engineers Australia's annual excellence awards
Engineers Australia celebrated its annual Engineering Excellence Awards on 20 November at a gala dinner held in the Great Hall of the Parliament House of Canberra (Australia).
Through various prestigious awards presented at this gathering, numerous innovative projects and accomplished engineers were celebrated.
During the ceremony, as much as eight national excellence awards were presented, including the Sir William Hudson Award for Engineering Excellence, which was accepted by Tom Brennan, project manager for the Pluto LNG Project, a project that illustrates leadership in the design and production of offshore gas facilities, aiming to become one of the most environmentally efficient LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) plants in the world.
At the gala dinner three individual award winners were also announced, Menno Henneveld for Professional Engineer of the Year; Hugh Tait for Young Professional Engineer of the Year; Wing Commander Geoff Kimmins for Engineering Associate of the Year and Dr. Andrew King for the President's Prize.
Role of WFEO STC on Engineering and the Environment in the International Conference on Sustainable Development in the Minerals Industry
CEE Task Force on Mining and Sustainable Development has taken an active role in the 6th international conference on Sustainable Development in the Minerals Industry (SDIMI) in Milos (Greece) which will take place between 30 June and 3 July, 2013.
The theme of the conference is the development, monitoring and assessment of sustainable development criteria for mineral operations. At present, the focus of public perception is placed on environmental and social consequences of mining. Growing environmental and social concerns, supply chain procurement standards, as well as public pressure and regulatory measures will profoundly shape the global mineral business in the near future.
In order to cope with these challenges, the minerals community must integrate sustainable development concepts, best-practices and stakeholders participation into the technical considerations, business strategies and performance goals that are associated with all facets of mineral exploitation, from exploration to mine closure. The Conference also aims to conclude with a consensus plan and a process, representing a variety of stakeholders, which can provide guidance and direction to the minerals community on the path to sustainable development. WFEO-CEE Chair P. Eng. Darrel Danyluk will participate to this event on behalf of WFEO and will talk about "Capacity Building and Sustainability in the Engineering Disciplines".
Eng. William "Bill" Rourke, the first chief executive of Engineers Australia (EA) passed away last month, after a life-long career dedicated to Engineering. Bill Rourke represented Australia at the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) until the year 2000, and always remained passionate about promoting engineering policies and the engineering profession.
Rourke was known for his commitment to engineering education, and for promoting closer links between EA and Australian higher educational institutes. His belief was that young engineers with the right values and education could make the world a better place.
He served a 43-year long career in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), reaching the rank of Rear Admiral, and spent six years from 1985 to 1991 as the chief executive of EA, and after retiring from that position, he also served a variety of roles at the World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO), among which vice-president from 1991 to 1999, he was then appointed special advisor to the president of WFEO.
To read more about his life and his achievements, please follow the link
