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National Institute for Water Resources

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Aris Peter Georgakakos

Sponsored Research

  1. “STREAMFLOW FORECASTING USING GEOMORPHOLOGIC WATERSHED CHARACTERISTICS,” Principal Investigator, (6/1/85   5/31/86), sponsored by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

    Scope: Development and testing of a new method for streamflow simulation and prediction based on climatic and watershed characteristics.
  2. “OPTIMAL REAL TIME FORECASTING AND CONTROL OF RESERVOIR HYDRO SYSTEMS USING REMOTE AND ON SITE SENSORS,” Co-Principal Investigator, (9/1/86   8/31/88), Joint Project with Dr. K. P. Georgakakos, University of Iowa, Sponsored by the US Geological Survey.

    Scope: Integrated hydro meteorological models are used to provide real-time forecasts of inflow to reservoirs. Uncertainty due to remote and on-site sensor accuracy and spatial and temporal sampling errors is explicitly taken into consideration. The forecasts are utilized by a real time control scheme for optimal system management.
  3. “THE VALUE OF STREAMFLOW FORECASTING ON RESERVOIR OPERATION,” Principal Investigator, (4/1/87   3/31/88), sponsored by the US Geological Survey.

    Scope: The value of streamflow forecasting is evaluated with respect to reservoir system outputs. Substantial gains are realizable in energy generation, water supply reliability, and flood protection.
  4. “OPTIMAL REAL TIME CONTROL OF HYDROPOWER SYSTEMS,” Principal Investigator, (4/1/87   3/31/88), sponsored by Georgia Power Company.

    Scope: Adaptation and testing of the ELQG control method for the short-term management of hydropower systems. Development of a microcomputer control software for a Georgia Power hydroelectric project.
  5. “OPTIMAL REGULATION OF THE SAVANNAH RIVER SYSTEM,” Principal Investigator, (10/1/88   3/31/90), sponsored by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District.

    Scope: Development of a real-time management model and software for the Savannah River basin. This model runs on microcomputers and optimizes energy generation while satisfying flood protection, low flow, and navigation requirements.
  6. “OPTIMAL REAL TIME CONTROL OF THE ACTIVATED SLUDGE PROCESS,” Principal Investigator, (6/1/88 - 8/31/89), sponsored by the Exxon Research Foundation.

    Scope: Application of modern control techniques in the regulation of the activated sludge process. The process is simulated using multi component biological reactor and dynamic thickener models. The control model runs in real time and determines optimal recycling and wastage rates.
  7. “OPTIMAL CONTROL OF GROUNDWATER SYSTEMS,” Principal Investigator, (1/1/88 - 8/31/89), sponsored by the Onassis Foundation (Greece).

    Scope: Development of an optimization method for optimal well location and pumping. Use of Finite Element and Finite Difference models in conjunction with efficient dynamical optimization techniques. Explicit account of uncertainty in aquifer parameters and boundary conditions.
  8. “IMPACTS OF GLOBAL WARMING ON RESERVOIR SYSTEMS,” Principal Investigator, (9/1/90 - 8/31/92), joint project with Dr. K. P. Georgakakos, University of Iowa, sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey/Department of the Interior.

    Scope: This project (1) determined the impacts of global climatic change on the character of the watershed runoff process and (2) quantified the impact of climatic change on reservoir system functions such as energy generation, flood control, water supply, and low flow augmentation.
  9. “OPTIMAL REGULATION OF LAKE LANIER,” Principal Investigator, (4/1/91   3/31/92), sponsored by the Georgia Geological Survey.

    Scope: Development and testing of a PC-based control software for the operation of Lake Lanier/Buford Dam. Derivation of water use tradeoffs and optimal operational policies.
  10. “BOD CURVE FITTING FOR THE SAVANNAH RIVER,” sponsored by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (5/92   12/92).

    Scope: Development and testing of a PC-based parameter estimation algorithm for BOD curve fitting. This procedure is a part of a general water quality data management system currently used by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
  11. “OPERATIONAL TRADEOFFS OF THE EQUATORIAL LAKES IN EAST AFRICA,” Principal Investigator, (3/1/93 - 2/28/95), sponsored by the Bureau of Reclamation and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

    Scope: Development and implementation of a computer-aided management scheme for tradeoff analysis of the Equatorial Lakes in southern Nile.
  12. “SIMULATION VS. OPTIMIZATION IN RESERVOIR MANAGEMENT: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE STUDY,” Principal Investigator, (4/1/93 - 3/31/94), sponsored by the Georgia Geological Survey, the Atlanta Regional Commission, and Georgia Power.

    Scope: Comparison of a reservoir simulation model (HEC-5) with Georgia Tech's reservoir control model for a real-world system. Comparison criteria include the value of dependable power capacity and energy generation, flood prevention, and drought management.
  13. “MONITORING, FORECASTING, AND SIMULATION OF THE RIVER NILE, PHASE I,” Principal Investigator, (7/1/94 - 8/31/95), sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the U.S. Agency for International Development (US AID).

    Scope: Development of a planning and management decision system for the High Aswan Dam using meteorological satellite data and on-site hydrologic measurements. Joint project with the US National Weather Service.
  14. “MONITORING, FORECASTING, AND SIMULATION OF THE RIVER NILE, PHASE II,” Principal Investigator, (10/1/95 - 8/31/96), sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the U.S. Agency for International Development (US AID).

    Scope: Extension of the Main Nile Decision Support System to include all storage projects on the White Nile.
  15. “MONITORING, FORECASTING, AND SIMULATION OF THE RIVER NILE, PHASE III,” Principal Investigator, (6/1/97 - 8/31/99), sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the U.S. Agency for International Development (US AID).

    Scope: (1) Extension of the Decision Support System to include all storage projects on Blue, White, and Main Nile Tributaries, (2) detailed assessment of various operational strategies and operational conflicts.
  16. “INTEGRATED FORECASTING AND CONTROL FOR THE IGUACU RIVER BASIN IN SOUTHERN BRAZIL,” Co-Principal Investigator, (9/1/96 - 3/31/97), Joint Project with the Hydrologic Research Center in San Diego California, sponsored by the Brazilian Electrical Utility Industry (COPEL).

    Scope: (1) Development of a forecast-control scheme for the real time operation of the Foz do Areia reservoir for flood control and hydropower management.
  17. “ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE,” Co-Principal Investigator, (4/1/96 - 12/31/1996), sponsored by National Science Foundation.

    Scope: Startup grant to establish a technical cooperation between U.S. and Brazil to pursue research on climate change impact assessments.
  18. “A DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THE ACF RIVER BASIN,” Principal Investigator, (9/1/1998 - present), sponsored by the City of LaGrange, City of Rome, and USGS.

    Scope: Implementation of the Georgia Tech river basin planning system for the ACF/ACT river basins. Assessment of tradeoffs and impacts associated with various water allocation strategies.
  19. “INFORMATION SYSTEM FOR WATER RESOURCES MONITORING AND PLANNING IN THE LAKE VICTORIA REGION,” Principal Investigator, (9/1/1997 - 6/30/1999), sponsored by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations.

    Scope: This project developed and implemented technologies integrating ground hydro meteorological measurements, satellite-based monitoring, geographically referenced information systems, and a suite of hydrologic and decision models for the planning and management of Lake Victoria.
  20. “INTEGRATIVE WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT,” Principal Investigator, (8/1/1999 - 7/31/2001), joint project with the Hydrologic Research Center (San Diego, CA) and TVA, sponsored by NOAA/NASA.

    Scope: Evaluation of integrated decision systems (including climate, meteorological, hydrologic, and decision models with remote and on-site sensors) in real-time river basin management.
  21. “GWRI SATELLITE DATA ACQUISITION FACILITY,” Principal Investigator, (1999), funded by the Georgia Research Alliance.

    Scope: The satellite data acquisition facility at the Georgia Water Resources Institute consists of two receiving antennas, a computer that manages the acquisition of data and their visualization/archiving, and a facility where satellite images are stored for use in research projects. Data are received from geostationary as well as polar orbiting satellites and cover the visible, near-infrared, water vapor, and thermal infrared bands over North and South America. Satellite images are used to develop and test remote sensing methods for the estimation of hydro meteorological variables.
  22. “US NATIONAL CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACT ASSESSMENT: WATER RESOURCES,” Principal Investigator and Coordinator, (7/1/1998 - 12/31/1999), mandated by the US Congress and sponsored by the US Geological Survey. The assessment took place under the auspices of the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), which is mandated by statute with the responsibility to undertake scientific assessments of the potential consequences of global change for the United States.

    Scope: The Georgia Water Resources Institute coordinated the funding for the National Water Sector Assessment and carried out new research on the sensitivity of river basin management to climate variability and change.
  23. “DEMAND AND CLIMATE CHANGE IMPACTS FOR THE NILE BASIN,” Principal Investigator, (1/1/1999 – 3/31/2000), sponsored by the US State Department.

    Scope: The project aimed at assessing the implications of climate and demand scenarios for the Nile Basin countries.
  24. “A PLANNING MODEL FOR THE ACHELOOS RIVER BASIN, WESTERN GREECE,” CO-Principal Investigator, (6/1/1997 - 12/31/1998), sponsored by the Greek Ministry of Water Works and the Environment. The project was conducted jointly with the National Technical University of Athens, Greece.

    Scope: The purpose of this project was to develop a comprehensive planning model for the Acheloos River Basin and assess the benefits and impacts of proposed hydropower facilities and inter-basin transfers.
  25. “IMPACTS OF BIOLOGICAL INTEGRITY REQUIREMENTS ON THE MANAGEMENT OF THE APALACHICOLA- CHATTAHOOCHEE-FLINT (ACF) RIVER BASIN,” Principal Investigator, (9/1/2000 - 8/31/2001), sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region IV.

    Scope: This project aimed to incorporate and assess the impact of biological integrity requirements within the ACF decision support system. The assessment investigations quantified the tradeoffs associated with ecological versus other basin water uses.
  26. “LAKE VICTORIA TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER PROGRAM,” Principal Investigator, (8/1/2000 - 12/31/2000), sponsored by the World Bank.

    Scope: This project aimed to further develop the modules of the Lake Victoria Decision Support System and facilitate its effective transfer to the user agencies in East Africa.
  27. “A DECISION SUPPORT TOOL FOR THE NILE BASIN” Principal Investigator, sponsored by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy (2000-2003).

    Scope: This project aimed to develop and transfer modern river basin management technologies to the Nile Basin Countries. The project produced the Nile Decision Support Tool (Nile DST) which include (a) comprehensive data bases with hydro meteorological data from conventional and remote sensors, soil data, water use data, hydraulic facility data, socioeconomic data (agricultural yield, population density, etc.) and (b) several interlinked models for climate and weather forecasting, hydrologic watershed, river and reservoir regulation, hydropower scheduling, agricultural planning, environmental and ecological assessment, and economic valuation.
  28. “WATER RESOURCES TRAINING AND CAPACITY BUILDING FOR THE NILE BASIN COUNTRIES,” Principal Investigator, sponsored by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy (2003-2006).

    Scope: This on-going training program aims to carry out extensive training on the Nile DST and associated disciplines. The project includes training in data base development and management, environmental data quality control, hydrologic modeling, river and reservoir simulation, reservoir optimization, water resources assessments, agricultural planning, and satellite based remote sensing. Training is conducted in the Nile Basin countries as well as the US.
  29. “INFORM: Integrated Forecasting and Reservoir Management,” CO-Principal Investigator, sponsored by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Global Programs (NOAA OGP), the California Energy Commission (CEC), and CalFed (2003-2006). This project is carried out jointly with the Hydrologic Research Center in San Diego, California.

    Scope: INFORM aimed to develop and demonstrate the value of integrated climate-hydrologic-water resources modeling and information systems for river basin management. The project includes the Trinity River, Sacramento River, American River, Feather River, San Joaquin River, and the Bay Delta.
  30. “SATELLITE PRECIPITATION ESTIMATION AND USE IN RIVER BASIN MANAGEMENT,” Co-Principal Investigator with Dr. Christa Peters-Lidard, sponsored by NASA (2004-2007).

    Scope: This project researched and developed reliable methodologies for precipitation estimation using data from geostationary satellites and TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measurement Mission Satellite). Demonstrations in water resources are planned for East Africa and southeast US.
  31. “ACF-ACT RIVER BASIN ASSESSMENTS,” Principal Investigator, sponsored by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (Georgia EPD) (2005-2006).

    Scope: This project aims to support Georgia EPD in the operational planning and management of major Georgia river basins. It includes the development of decision support systems, the performance of comprehensive assessments, and the continued training of agency personnel.
  32. “DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR THE HUAIHE RIVER BASIN,” Principal Investigator, sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources (2005-2007).

    Scope: Development and transfer of modern DSS tools for the Huaihe River Basin in central China. This project is implemented as a result of a recent decision by the Chinese Government to identify the Georgia Tech Decision Support System for hydro power management as a priority import technology.
  33. “WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT, PLANNING, AND MANAGEMENT IN THE SOUTHEAST US USING DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEMS DRIVEN BY CLIMATE-BASED HYDROLOGIC FORECASTS,” Principal Investigator, sponsored by the NOAA OGP Climate Prediction Program for the Americas (CPPA), NASA, NWS Southeast River Forecast Center, and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (2006-2008).

    Scope: Development and implementation of an integrated forecast-decision system for the Southeast US. Establishment of a participatory decision process for water resources management. Joint project with Princeton University, the Southeast River Forecast Center, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, and the US Geological Survey.
  34. “INFORMATION AND PLANNING TOOLS FOR THE ZHEJIANG RIVER BASIN,” Principal Investigator, sponsored by the Chinese Ministry of Water Resources (2006-2008).

    Scope: Development and transfer of modern information and planning tools for the Zhejiang River Basin in south east China.
  35. “TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR WATER RESOURCES PLANNING IN GEORGIA,” Principal Investigator, sponsored by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (Georgia EPD) (2006-2007).

    Scope: This project aims to develop a mathematical tool to support Georgia’s water resources planning process.     

PENDING RESEARCH AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES:

  1. Integrated Forecast and Reservoir Management for Northern California (INFORM), Phase II, sponsored by NOAA, CalFed, and the California Energy Commission.
  2. Operational Decision Support for Hydro-thermal Power Systems, sponsored by the Chinese Ministries of Water Resources and Energy Development.
  3. Strategic Environmental Assessment of the Congo River Basin, sponsored by the World Bank and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  4. International Water Resources Institute for Education, Research, and Technology Transfer. This initiative aims to establish a graduate education and research program in partnership with the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and with focus on the sustainable management of African natural resources. Sponsorship is sought from a cadre of international organizations. 

The annual expenditures of Dr. Georgakakos’ research and technology transfer program currently range from $500,000 to $750,000, exclusive of GWRI federal funds.