The National Centre for Atmospheric Science. A research centre that provides the United Kingdom with excellence in atmospheric science research

Transcription

1 The National Centre for Atmospheric Science A research centre that provides the United Kingdom with excellence in atmospheric science research

2 The NCAS Vision To be a world-leading centre for atmospheric science research

3 NCAS Mission The mission of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science is to pursue and support internationally leading research and to advance the application of atmospheric science for the benefit of society NCAS will: undertake and lead strategic and directed research; provide facilities and training to support atmospheric and wider environmental science; apply expertise and exploit facilities to support business and government; provide NERC with national capability, advice and leadership in atmospheric science.

4 What does NCAS do? Science Programmes The science of Climate Change, including climate modelling and projections Air Quality, including atmospheric composition Weather, including hazardous and severe weather Development of Technologies for observing and modelling the atmosphere Facilities and Services Atmospheric Measurement Facility - AMF Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements FAAM Computational Modelling Service - CMS The British Atmospheric Data Centre - BADC

5 What Science Does NCAS do? Identify & model the processes governing climate variability & change on regional & local space and time-scales from months to decades; quantify and reduce the uncertainty in predictions on these scales Identify & model the processes that govern climate on multi-decadal to centennial time-scales; quantify and reduce the uncertainty in predictions for the next century Improve the prediction of human exposure to air pollution and the attribution of contributing sources Improve the capability for predicting high impact weather.

6 Where NCAS is Located

7 Where NCAS is Located

8 NCAS Organisation NCAS delivery is contracted out by NERC (a collaborative centre). Main contractor University of Leeds Sub-Contracts with 4 other principal universities (Cambridge, Manchester, Reading, York) and 7 further universities FAAM is delivered by direct contract with BAE SYSTEMS and NERC directly employing staff at Cranfield BADC and radar facilities are provided by STFC under a direct SLA with NERC NCAS is not a legal entity

9 What else does NCAS do?

10 FAAM The Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements The Atmospheric Research Aircraft is a uniquely modified aircraft that is a collaboration between the Met Office and NERC. The facility flies measurement campaigns all over the world in support of the UK s atmospheric science community. The facility also responds to national emergencies and flies when required in support of businesses and the government.

11 Facts about the Atmospheric Research Aircraft The original BAe 146 developmental prototype G-LUXE Modified to become to NERC Met Office ARA first flight 1st October Since conversion has flown near 5000 hours worldwide as a research platform. NERC purchased the ARA from BAe Systems on 1 April 2014 new 5 year operations contract from 1 April The ARA is used for Radiative transfer studies in clear and cloudy air Tropospheric chemistry measurements Cloud physics and dynamic studies Dynamics of mesoscale weather systems Boundary layer and turbulence studies Remote sensing: verification of ground based instruments Satellite ground truth: radiometric measurements and winds; instrument testbed

12 Atmospheric Measurement Facility - AMF Operates ground-based observing systems (e.g. radar, lidar) Runs observatories (e.g. Cape Verde, Weybourne) Performs laboratory and calibration studies

13 AMF Science: Recent Locations ASCOS ACSE ACCACIA Volcanoes Arran Microclimates COALESCE COPE CSIP ClearFlo GaudEx NUPIAQ T-REX RICO Cape Verde Station FENNEC CAST AMMA DACCIWA VOCALS South Georgia Falklands OFCAP

14 Computational and Data Services CMS - Computational Modelling Service Supports access to atmospheric computational models and high performance computing BADC British Atmospheric Data Centre NERC's designated datacentre for the Atmospheric Sciences. Enables researchers to locate, access and interpret atmospheric data Ensures the long-term integrity of atmospheric data Jasmine Super Data Cluster

15 Some examples of NCAS Science

16 Responding to Emergencies: Volcanoes NCAS was heavily involved with was the scientific response to the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyafyallajökull in Much of European airspace closed for 6 days NCAS independent dispersion modelling was quoted by CAA as one of the reasons why it was able to introduce new regulations to re-open airspace NCAS measurements using the FAAM aircraft and NERC ARSF aircraft allowed CAA to base new regulations on Met Office dispersion forecasts In 2011, NCAS ground-based lidar measurements kept Keflavik international airport open for 2 days when otherwise it would have been closed

17 Responding to Emergencies: Volcanoes FAAM airborne lidar, 21 Apr 2010 Depolarisation reveals layered ash and sulphuric acid

18 Lab on a Chip NCAS scientists in collaboration with the Microfluidics experts, Dolomite, have developed of a new generation of microfluidics-based environmental testing equipment for use in air quality monitoring. Microfluidics enables very small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing instrument manufacturers to develop smaller, low powerful systems. Many types of atmospheric chemical measurements were once limited to large high power laboratory instruments. The lab-on-a-chip technology will allow measurement of air pollutants to move into remote field locations.

19 Responding to Emergencies Gas Leaks In March 2012 a leak developed at Total's Elgin North Sea gas platform NCAS, though use of the NERC/FAAM BAe-146 atmospheric research aircraft, flew six missions to monitor the leak flow rate and composition. The data allowed Total engineers to plan the re-occupation of the platform. Engineers were able to stop the leak on 16 May. The final flight on 15 August allowed NCAS to provide independent confirmation that the leak had stopped.

20 Elgin Platform Ahead of the FAAM Aircraft

21 Montreal Protocol In 1987 the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer came into force. This was a response to the scientific evidence that human-induced destruction of the ozone layer that was occurring. NCAS uses numerical models to understand atmospheric ozone. These models: Are used to explain the processes of polar and middle latitude ozone decline Are used to predict how the ozone layer will change in the future, Have been used to inform revisions to the Protocol Have shown that the Protocol has saved 2 million skin cancer deaths

22 DIAMET: Improving Forecasting of Severe Weather 8 December 2011 Windstorm Friedhelm hits the UK with damaging winds across Scotland. FAAM measures the vertical cross-section of the high winds showing a low-level jetstream up to 50 m s-1 Low level severe winds which hit SW Scotland

23 DIAMET: Improving Forecasting of Severe Weather Forecasting Extreme Weather A key role of the FAAM aircraft is in providing data to improve the forecasting of severe storms. It is one of the few atmospheric research aircraft which is large and robust enough to operate in such a wide variety of challenging conditions, feeding new insights directly into the nation's weather forecasts. The NERC DIAMET (DIAbatic influences on Mesoscale structures in ExTratropical storms) project, in collaboration with the Met Office, is only possible because of this unique facility

24 Informing the Climate Change Debate Ed Hawkins

25 Informing the Climate Change Debate NCAS scientist Dr Ed Hawkins had his research discussed in a US senate hearing "Climate Change: It's happening Now". Graph in question was taken from his blog and formed part of the Climate Model Inter-comparison Project 5 (CMIP5). Climate models all give slightly different projections of future climate, and it is useful to understand how the projections vary. CMIP5 is organised by the IPCC for this purpose.

26

27 NERC Ownership & Governance Project

28 NCAS Organisational Limitations Lack of a legal entity means that NCAS cannot enter into legal agreements with other organisations (including funders) Lack of a legal entity means that NCAS cannot own IP or assets Distributed structure coupled with university employment of staff leads to remote/weak management and conflicts of interest Distributed structure and lack of a legal entity leads to weak identity and branding Universities acting as component legal entities of NCAS take credit (and funding) for NCAS-generated work

29 NCAS O&G High Level Drivers 1. NCAS Sustainability: NCAS can develop its own strategic plan, make funding and other agreements, manage its own income and resources 2. NCAS Effectiveness: NCAS can manage its staff effectively, without conflicts of interest

30 Change Objectives and Requirements 1. To organise NCAS so as to: (i) maintain and enhance its reputation as a world-leading science organisation; (ii) develop and grow the impact and influence of NCAS science. 2. To develop NCAS into an organisation which can: (i) own assets; (ii) enter into legal agreements and partnerships with other organisations; (iii)attract and manage funding from a wide variety of sources.

31 Change Objectives and Requirements 1. Allow NCAS to develop into an organisation which: (i) attracts, develops and retains highly talented people; (ii) is an organisation with which staff identify; (iii) enables staff to fulfil their potential whilst minimising conflicts of interest; (iv) works for the benefit of its staff and stakeholders (funders and customers). 2. Facilitate the promotion of strong and productive partnerships with key stakeholders, especially the major university contributors to NCAS and the Met Office.

32 The National Centre for Atmospheric Science A research centre that provides the United Kingdom with excellence in atmospheric science research 11

33 The NCAS Vision To be a world-leading centre for atmospheric science research

34 NCAS Mission The mission of the National Centre for Atmospheric Science is to pursue and support internationally leading research and to advance the application of atmospheric science for the benefit of society NCAS will: undertake and lead strategic and directed research; provide facilities and training to support atmospheric and wider environmental science; apply expertise and exploit facilities to support business and government; provide NERC with national capability, advice and leadership in atmospheric science.

35 What does NCAS do? Science Programmes The science of Climate Change, including climate modelling and projections Air Quality, including atmospheric composition Weather, including hazardous and severe weather Development of Technologies for observing and modelling the atmosphere Facilities and Services Atmospheric Measurement Facility - AMF Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements FAAM Computational Modelling Service - CMS The British Atmospheric Data Centre - BADC

36 What Science Does NCAS do? Identify & model the processes governing climate variability & change on regional & local space and time-scales from months to decades; quantify and reduce the uncertainty in predictions on these scales Identify & model the processes that govern climate on multi-decadal to centennial time-scales; quantify and reduce the uncertainty in predictions for the next century Improve the prediction of human exposure to air pollution and the attribution of contributing sources Improve the capability for predicting high impact weather.

37 Where NCAS is Located

38 Where NCAS is Located

39 NCAS Organisation NCAS delivery is contracted out by NERC (a collaborative centre). Main contractor University of Leeds Sub-Contracts with 4 other principal universities (Cambridge, Manchester, Reading, York) and 7 further universities FAAM is delivered by direct contract with BAE SYSTEMS and NERC directly employing staff at Cranfield BADC and radar facilities are provided by STFC under a direct SLA with NERC NCAS is not a legal entity

40 What else does NCAS do? 9

41 FAAM The Facility for Airborne Atmospheric Measurements The Atmospheric Research Aircraft is a uniquely modified aircraft that is a collaboration between the Met Office and NERC. The facility flies measurement campaigns all over the world in support of the UK s atmospheric science community. The facility also responds to national emergencies and flies when required in support of businesses and the government.

42 Facts about the Atmospheric Research Aircraft The original BAe 146 developmental prototype G-LUXE Modified to become to NERC Met Office ARA first flight 1st October Since conversion has flown near 5000 hours worldwide as a research platform. NERC purchased the ARA from BAe Systems on 1 April 2014 new 5 year operations contract from 1 April The ARA is used for Radiative transfer studies in clear and cloudy air Tropospheric chemistry measurements Cloud physics and dynamic studies Dynamics of mesoscale weather systems Boundary layer and turbulence studies Remote sensing: verification of ground based instruments Satellite ground truth: radiometric measurements and winds; instrument testbed

43 Atmospheric Measurement Facility - AMF Operates ground-based observing systems (e.g. radar, lidar) Runs observatories (e.g. Cape Verde, Weybourne) Performs laboratory and calibration studies

44 AMF Science: Recent Locations ASCOS ACSE ACCACIA Volcanoes Arran Microclimates COALESCE COPE CSIP ClearFlo GaudEx NUPIAQ T-REX RICO Cape Verde Station FENNEC CAST AMMA DACCIWA VOCALS South Georgia Falklands OFCAP

45 Computational and Data Services CMS - Computational Modelling Service Supports access to atmospheric computational models and high performance computing BADC British Atmospheric Data Centre NERC's designated datacentre for the Atmospheric Sciences. Enables researchers to locate, access and interpret atmospheric data Ensures the long-term integrity of atmospheric data Jasmine Super Data Cluster

46 Some examples of NCAS Science

47 Responding to Emergencies: Volcanoes NCAS was heavily involved with was the scientific response to the eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyafyallajökull in Much of European airspace closed for 6 days NCAS independent dispersion modelling was quoted by CAA as one of the reasons why it was able to introduce new regulations to re-open airspace NCAS measurements using the FAAM aircraft and NERC ARSF aircraft allowed CAA to base new regulations on Met Office dispersion forecasts In 2011, NCAS ground-based lidar measurements kept Keflavik international airport open for 2 days when otherwise it would have been closed

48 Responding to Emergencies: Volcanoes FAAM airborne lidar, 21 Apr 2010 Depolarisation reveals layered ash and sulphuric acid

49 Lab on a Chip NCAS scientists in collaboration with the Microfluidics experts, Dolomite, have developed of a new generation of microfluidics-based environmental testing equipment for use in air quality monitoring. Microfluidics enables very small-scale fluid control and analysis, allowing instrument manufacturers to develop smaller, low powerful systems. Many types of atmospheric chemical measurements were once limited to large high power laboratory instruments. The lab-on-a-chip technology will allow measurement of air pollutants to move into remote field locations.

50 Responding to Emergencies Gas Leaks In March 2012 a leak developed at Total's Elgin North Sea gas platform NCAS, though use of the NERC/FAAM BAe-146 atmospheric research aircraft, flew six missions to monitor the leak flow rate and composition. The data allowed Total engineers to plan the re-occupation of the platform. Engineers were able to stop the leak on 16 May. The final flight on 15 August allowed NCAS to provide independent confirmation that the leak had stopped. In March 2012 a leak developed at Total's Elgin North Sea gas platform. As part of their relief work, Total needed to know the leaking gas flowrate and composition. Total engaged the services of NCAS and six missions were flown using the FAAM aircraft. The data and its interpretation by NCAS provided Total with information which enabled their engineers to reoccupy the platform

51 Elgin Platform Ahead of the FAAM Aircraft

52 Montreal Protocol In 1987 the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer came into force. This was a response to the scientific evidence that human-induced destruction of the ozone layer that was occurring. NCAS uses numerical models to understand atmospheric ozone. These models: Are used to explain the processes of polar and middle latitude ozone decline Are used to predict how the ozone layer will change in the future, Have been used to inform revisions to the Protocol Have shown that the Protocol has saved 2 million skin cancer deaths

53 DIAMET: Improving Forecasting of Severe Weather 8 December 2011 Windstorm Friedhelm hits the UK with damaging winds across Scotland. FAAM measures the vertical cross-section of the high winds showing a low-level jetstream up to 50 m s-1 Low level severe winds which hit SW Scotland

54 DIAMET: Improving Forecasting of Severe Weather Forecasting Extreme Weather A key role of the FAAM aircraft is in providing data to improve the forecasting of severe storms. It is one of the few atmospheric research aircraft which is large and robust enough to operate in such a wide variety of challenging conditions, feeding new insights directly into the nation's weather forecasts. The NERC DIAMET (DIAbatic influences on Mesoscale structures in ExTratropical storms) project, in collaboration with the Met Office, is only possible because of this unique facility

55 Informing the Climate Change Debate Ed Hawkins

56 Informing the Climate Change Debate NCAS scientist Dr Ed Hawkins had his research discussed in a US senate hearing "Climate Change: It's happening Now". Graph in question was taken from his blog and formed part of the Climate Model Inter-comparison Project 5 (CMIP5). Climate models all give slightly different projections of future climate, and it is useful to understand how the projections vary. CMIP5 is organised by the IPCC for this purpose.

57

58 NERC Ownership & Governance Project

59 NCAS Organisational Limitations Lack of a legal entity means that NCAS cannot enter into legal agreements with other organisations (including funders) Lack of a legal entity means that NCAS cannot own IP or assets Distributed structure coupled with university employment of staff leads to remote/weak management and conflicts of interest Distributed structure and lack of a legal entity leads to weak identity and branding Universities acting as component legal entities of NCAS take credit (and funding) for NCAS-generated work

60 NCAS O&G High Level Drivers 1. NCAS Sustainability: NCAS can develop its own strategic plan, make funding and other agreements, manage its own income and resources 2. NCAS Effectiveness: NCAS can manage its staff effectively, without conflicts of interest

61 Change Objectives and Requirements 1. To organise NCAS so as to: (i) maintain and enhance its reputation as a world-leading science organisation; (ii) develop and grow the impact and influence of NCAS science. 2. To develop NCAS into an organisation which can: (i) own assets; (ii) enter into legal agreements and partnerships with other organisations; (iii)attract and manage funding from a wide variety of sources.

62 Change Objectives and Requirements 1. Allow NCAS to develop into an organisation which: (i) attracts, develops and retains highly talented people; (ii) is an organisation with which staff identify; (iii) enables staff to fulfil their potential whilst minimising conflicts of interest; (iv) works for the benefit of its staff and stakeholders (funders and customers). 2. Facilitate the promotion of strong and productive partnerships with key stakeholders, especially the major university contributors to NCAS and the Met Office.