Using a center of gravity model and GIS software, we measured how China’s energy production and consumption centers changed (positions, movements, distances, and rates) from 1997 to 2009, thereby revealing regional differences in the relationship between supply and demand. We found that the centers of gravity for raw coal consumption, crude oil production and consumption, and electricity produc...

The growing geographic disconnect between consumption of goods, the extraction and processing of resources, and the environmental impacts associated with production activities makes it crucial to factor global trade into sustainability assessments. Using an empirically validated environmentally extended global trade model, we examine the relationship between two key resources underpinning econo...

A versatile closed circuit with new features is described. It may be used in a totally closed manner, without continuous gas inflow. As gas is absorbed from the circuit, it is replaced through a demand valve. Facilities for continuous gas input and use of a ventilator are included, and one control converts it to a non-rebreathing circuit. The circuit has excellent mechanical characteristics in ...

Due to increasing economic pressures in natural gas production, there is a recognized demand for flow meters that are able to measure when a significant quantity of liquid is present in gas flows. The key issues are that the liquid quantity is often unknown and its presence can affect the operation of traditional dry gas meters making the gas flow readings inaccurate. A number of techniques are...

This special report looks at the use of natural gas pipeline compressor stations on the interstate natural gas pipeline network that serves the lower 48 States. It examines the compression facilities added over the past 10 years and how the expansions have supported pipeline capacity growth intended to meet the increasing demand for natural gas. Questions or comments on the contents of this art...

Stochastic programming is an optimization approach taking into account uncertainties in the system model. There are numerous possible applications of stochastic programming. The purpose of this short report is to introduce stochastic programming in simple, tutorial-like, terms. A simple example of an optimization of a covering gas demand is provided together with pointing out some fundamental p...

| We discuss the problem of hedging between the natural gas and electric power markets. Based on multiple forecasts for natural gas prices, natural gas demand, and electricity prices, a stochastic optimization model advises a decision maker on when to buy or sell natural gas and when to transform gas into electricity. For relatively small models, branch-and-bound solves the problem to optimal-i...