Rehabilitation of Irrigation Distribution Systems: The Case of Jericho City
Efficiency enhancement in irrigation distribution system (IDS) contributes to substantial water savings. This paper aims to present the methodology and lessons learned from efforts to improve efficiency in the irrigation distribution system of Jericho City. This effort presents a new paradigm in water management in water scarce countries, which focuses on both supply and demand management rather than on supply augmentation. Converting the existing irrigation canal system to a pressurized pipe network carries out rehabilitation of IDS in Jericho City. Analysis of the new IDS is performed through computer simulation. Considerations and constraints for sustainable irrigation management are presented.
Improving water use in agriculture : experiences in the Middle East and North Africa
Emerging water shortages are of great concern in many countries of the region. As the agricultural sector is generally by far the most important water consumer and higher priority is given to meeting domestic and industrial water demands, it is to be expected that gradually less water will be available for agriculture. An overview is given of present system and on-farm water use efficiencies and the potential for water savings and yield increases through the use of improved distribution networks and more appropriate irrigation technologies for smallholders. The water conservation efforts of Israel, Cyprus and Jordan are examined in detail with respect to institutions, the irrigation infrastructure, water charges and demand management, operation and maintenance, irrigation scheduling and extension, technology development and transfer, the role of the private sector, quality control on irrigation equipment, land tenure and land consolidation, and water users associations. The World Bank's experience with lending for the irrigation sector in the region is also described. The elements that would need to be considered for inclusion in a national program for water conservation in the agricultural sector are identified.
Physical Principles of Wind Energy Conversion
The primary component of a wind turbine is the energy converter which transforms the kinetic energy contained in the moving air, into mechanical energy. For the initial discussions of principles, the exact nature of the energy converter is irrelevant. The extraction of mechanical energy from a stream of moving air with the help of a diskshaped, rotating wind energy converter follows its own basic rules.