Settlement Structure Research Articles

Hunte 4: Re-validation of a Bell Beaker domestic site in the Dümmer region in northwestern Germany

Abstract One of the few areas of the central North European Plain with settlement structures of the Single Grave groups (SG) as well as the Bell Beaker (BB) phenomenon is the Dümmer region in northwestern Germany. This region is characterised by extensive wetlands on the southern border of the Northern Lowland and has been subject of several research projects on Mesolithic and Neolithic sites since the last century. Archaeological prospections in the 1940s led to the detection of a domestic site of the BB groups at the Hunte 4 site. In 2020, new research was carried out at this site, which, through the integration of archaeology, geophysics and palynology, identified a Late SG and BB site and reconstructed the surrounding landscape. In contrast to the Hunte 1 settlement with building structures 2.5 km to the south, which also shows SG and BB activities, the results of the investigations at Hunte 4 point to a temporary use of the site. Consequently, a settlement system can be reconstructed in the region of the Dümmer for the second half of the third millennium and at the beginning of the second millennium BCE, which consisted of at least one permanent settlement and at the minimum one temporarily used sites – several more could be presumed but have to yet be localised. At the same time, the Dümmer region marks the southern border of a settlement system in the central Northern European Plain which is characterised by less domestic site, less permanent settlement sites and buildings structures. This contrasts with the increasing number of known settlement sites in the surrounding regions of the central Northern European Plain and suggests a higher translocality of individuals and groups in this area.

School entrance examinations as a small-scale data source for health monitoring of children using obesity as an example.

In the scope of the nationwide obligatory school entrance examinations (SEE), a standardised assessment of the preparedness for school of preschool children takes place in the federal states of Germany. For this purpose, height and weight of the children are determined. These data are available in aggregated form at county level, but are not yet being regularly compiled and processed at national level for use in policy and research. In a pilot project, the indexing and merging of SEE data from 2015-2019 was tested in collaboration with six federal states. This was done using obesity prevalence at the time of the school entrance examination. In addition, prevalences were linked to small-scale indicators on settlement structure and sociodemographics from public databases, differences in obesity prevalence at county level were identified, and correlations to regional influencing factors were visualised. It was feasible to merge SEE data from the federal states with little effort. The majority of the selected indicators were freely available in public databases. In an interactive, easily comprehensible and user-friendly Tableau dashboard for visualising the SEE data, it can be seen that obesity prevalences differ significantly between counties that are similar in terms of settlement structure or sociodemographics. Providing federal state SEE data and linking them to small-scale indicators enables region-based analyses and cross-state comparisons of similar counties and provides a data basis for continuous monitoring of the prevalence of obesity in early childhood.

Development of settlement in the Kalisz region in the eleventh and twelfth centuries based on research on the Słuszków I and Słuszków II hoards

The article presents considerations on the role of single and mass monetary finds in exploring the changes in early medieval settlement structures related to Kalisz and theregion. Archaeological excavations has so far been conducted mainly in Kalisz. Other sources of knowledge about the settlement network: fieldwalking surveys carried out as part of the Polish Archaeological Record (AZP) and the few historical sources from the early Middle Ages made it possible to create only a preliminary reconstructionshowing the historical, cultural and settlement processes taking place in the region. The 2020 discovery of the second silver hoard in Słuszków and the subsequent excavations provided interesting material for the assessment of the settlement structures of the Kalisz region and their evolution in each distinct phase of early medieval habitation.

SAR Interferometry Data Exploitation for Infrastructure Monitoring Using GIS Application

Monitoring structural stability in urban areas and infrastructure networks is emerging as one of the dominant socio-economic issues for population security. The problem is accentuated by the age of the infrastructure because of increasing risks due to material deterioration and loss of load capacity. In this case, SAR satellite data are crucial to identify and assess the deteriorating conditions of civil infrastructures. The large amount of data available from SAR satellite sensors leads to the exploitation and development of new GIS-based procedures for rapid responses and decision making. In recent decades, the DInSAR technique has been used efficiently for the monitoring of structures, providing measurement points located on structures with millimeter precision. Our study has analyzed the behavior of structures in settlements, attempting to discuss the interactions of soil and structures, and examining the behavior of different types of structures, such as roads and buildings. The method used is based on long-term SAR interferometry data and a semi-automatic procedure to measure the displacement (mm/year) of structures, through a GIS-based application performed in the “Implemented MOnitoring DIsplacement” I.MODI platform. The analysis provides extensive information on long-term spatial and temporal continuity of up to 25 years of record, using satellite SAR multi-sensors from ERS, Envisat, and COSMO-SkyMed. The interpretation uses time series spatial analysis, supported by orthophotos, and layers of the DBTR (regional topographic database), Digital Surface model (DSM), and hydrogeological map to show anomalous areas with a high displacement rate and to observe the correlation of settlements in the sediments. With the satellite information and Geographic Information System (GIS), we were able to observe relevant parameters, such as the velocity of advance in the direction of the slope (deformation profiles), the cumulative displacement, and the trend changes in structures. The results illustrate an innovative procedure that allows the management of DInSAR data to facilitate the effective management of structures in which a monitoring protocol was developed at different spatial scales, integrating the information into a GIS.

Military-Administrative and Demographic Aspects of the Kuban Cossack Settlements Formation on the Adagum Cordon Line in the Trans-Kuban (1860s)

Based on documentary materials, this paper reviews the development of Northwestern Caucasus by the Cossacks in the 1860s. For the development of new territories, a defensive-offensive strategy was used. With the help of fortified settlement structures, the advancement and retention of Russian borders in the trans-Kuban areas were carried out.
 The “inducted” settlements are of particular interest because they were invariably tied to the cordon lines during the settlement period of the Trans-Kuban region. Among them, Cossack villages were the most stable settlement type. The focus of the scientific problem is the civil-settlement aspect and the military-organizational narrative of the Adagum cordon line. Historical settlements arose from a complex interweaving of politics and geography, power, and settlement modus vivendi, reflecting not only the Cossacks' way of life but also their identity.
 The purpose of this paper is to analyze and determine the significance of the Cossack settlement structures throughout the regional historical process to understand the process of development of the Trans-Kuban areas and the emerging network of fortification objects with key settlement structures in the form of fortified stanitsa settlements, as well as the penetration of Russian influence into a new area of the historical region of Kuban.
 This article is intended for historians and anyone interested in the history of the Cossacks.

Judenschutz in gemischt-herrschaftlichen Kleinterritorien der fränkischen Reichsritterschaft

Abstract The article deals with the general conditions of Jewish life in two Franconian noble territories in the 17th and 18th centuries. The two market villages of Küps and Mitwitz were divided between different lords. Their population included Jewish inhabitants as well as representatives of both Christian denominations. These villages are thus characteristic of the settlement structure of Jews in the pre-modern period. The settlement of Jewish families was, on the one hand, a privilege of the imperial nobility, with which they demonstrated their imperial status to the outside world. On the other hand, the spatial and lordly fragmentation offered opportunities for settlement among different rulers – a circumstance that Jewish actors deliberately incorporated into their actions. They were well informed about the ruling conditions and knew how to make effective use of the existing competitive situation in order to expand their scope of action.

Analysis of Spatio-Temporal Evolution of Regional Settlements under the Background of Rapid Urbanization: A Case Study in Sishui County, China

China’s urbanization has achieved rapid development in the past 20 years, with towns expanding in size and the population increasing, while rural society has also undergone dramatic changes. An in-depth study on the evolution process of rural settlements in the context of rapid urbanization is beneficial to the rational planning of villages and the promotion of green and sustainable urban development. Located in East China, Sishui County is in the transition area between three types of landforms: hills, plains, and mountains. The spatial distribution of rural settlements in the urbanization process shows obvious regional differences. To our best knowledge, research on the spatio-temporal evolution of regional settlements in Sishui County is rare. In this study, we chose Sishui County as the study area, utilized Landsat5 (TM) and Landsat8 (OLI) satellite data as remote sensing data sources, and applied Geographic Information System (GIS) spatial analysis methods, central place theory, and core–periphery theory to explore the evolution process for the pattern, scale, and structure of rural settlements in this region from 2000 to 2021 and to investigate the influencing factors. The results show that: (1) in terms of the evolution of the rural settlement pattern, its distribution shows a gradual increase in the degree of dispersion, which indicates an overall development trend in the region of Sishui County in recent years and that the trend is gradually increasing; (2) in terms of scale evolution, the degree and speed of expansion in rural settlements of Sishui County have gradually decreased, and the scale grade has gradually increased; (3) in terms of structural evolution, the hierarchy system in rural settlements of Sishui County is constantly being improved and optimized from a simple to a complex core–periphery structure. These results will provide data support for the rational planning of villages and sustainable, high-quality urban development. They will also help local governments take appropriate measures to achieve coordinated and sustainable socio-economic and environmental development in the region.

PIDHIRTSI GROUP OF SITES OF THE KYIV DNIPRO REGION OF SCYTHIAN AGE

The paper reveals the issue of population switch in the Kyiv Dnipro region which occurred gradually from the end of the 7th to the 5th centuries BCE. It is related to the origin of the Pidhirtsi group of sites. In historiography since 1950—1960s two hypotheses on this topic have been developed: the integration version based on the diffusion of forest-steppe and Mylograd cultural elements and autochthonous one. Nowadays, after the discovery of new archaeological sites and revision of the chronology, the more progressive research direction is processual migration archeology. The design of the approach is multidisciplinary. The population switch phenomenon is connected to the climate caused migrations of the forest population of Mylograd culture to the Upper and Middle Dnipro regions. In such circumstances with a range of cross-cultural contacts, the Pidhirtsi group of sites was formed.
 The settlement structure reconstructed on the basis of the material culture changes in correlation with geo informational analysis of the sites for two chronological periods. The impulses of the Mylograd population were caused by the economic crisis and paleoclimatic situation, in fact cooling and increasing humidity. The first diffusion occurred at the end of 7th century BCE and traced after burial complexes. The peak of population switch took place in the end of 6th — beginning 5th centuries BCE. As an example of material culture change were revised the materials of Bortnychi settlement explored in the 1950s. In the area of the Mylograd culture was observed decreasing of the anthropogenic activity. The forest steppe population inhabited the Left Bank Dnipro — Don region.
 Reconstruction of the cultural and historical context on the forest and forest-steppe frontier is a necessary approach for understanding the regional settlement system. Long-range interdisciplinary paleoclimatic studies of the Kyiv Dnipro region are a prospective direction for future research.

The evolution of settlement system and the paths of rural revitalization in alpine pastoral areas of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau: A case study of Nagqu County

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is an area with highly distinctive natural and socio-cultural characteristics. In recent years, the pastoral areas of northern Tibet have undergone a phase transition from nomadic to settled grazing, and the settlement system is in a stage of formation and evolution. Against the backdrop of China’s new strategy of rural revitalization, conducting associated research on the evolution of the settlement system and the prospect of rural revitalization is of great significance for improving the living and working conditions of herdsmen in alpine pastoral areas and promoting sustainable development on the QTP. Using settlement patch data obtained by visual interpretation of high-definition remote sensing images, combined with field investigations, this paper explores the temporal and spatial evolution characteristics of the settlement system in Nagqu County, northern Tibet, summarizing its development status and existing problems from the perspective of factor-structure-function, and details the paths for rural revitalization on this basis. The results show the following: (1) Since 2005, the settlement system of Nagqu County has undergone a phase transition from concentrated settlement to functional expansion, with the continuous enrichment of development elements and the enhancement of functions. The density distribution of settlements shows strong adaptability to the natural geographical environment. The pattern of settlement has gradually changed from resource-dependent to facility-dependent. Transportation and public service facilities play an important role in guiding the speed and direction of settlement evolution. (2) There are still various problems in the settlement system of Nagqu County, including a weak industrial foundation; some occupation of important ecological spaces and ecologically fragile areas by settlements; insufficient attention to the cultural aspect of the Tibetan settlement system; a scattered settlement layout, which makes grassroots governance difficult; a large talent gap; and weak spatial support system of settlements. (3) From the perspective of enriching and integrating the development factors of rural settlements, reorganizing the diversified structure of rural settlements, and improving and expanding the functions of rural settlements, this paper explains the correlation mechanism between optimization of the rural settlement system and rural revitalization, and puts forward the implementation paths for rural revitalization in alpine pastoral areas of the QTP. The study expands our understanding of the characteristics of settlements in sparsely populated alpine pastoral areas, and provides valuable, up-to-date policy guidance for the promotion of rural revitalization in alpine pastoral areas on the QTP.

GROUND TRUTHING: STUDYING PERI-URBANIZATION AND LAND-BASED LIVELIHOODS IN MANKWENG AND ITS ENVIRONS (LIMPOPO, SOUTH AFRICA)

Abstract. Peri-urbanization is often referred to as a transition zone following either an urban-rural gradient or an inner and outer peri-urban zone. Contrary to these notions and linked to its history in a former homeland, peri-urbanization in Mankweng appears as a complex and erratic process in reaction to shifting livelihoods, in-migration, and climate change. The process of ground truth for the study was designed by accommodating a combination of remote sensing images of WorldView-3 for the densely, vastly changing populated area (200 km2) and of Sentinel-2 for the overall study area of 400 km2. For the purpose of intensive data gathering, 16 plus three additional sites were selected in the area covered with the very high-resolution imagery as well as transect drives in the rural part. The study sites were selected and well distributed based on specific parameters such as building density, home garden size, road type with the goal of better interpreting what can be distinguished on the imagery and what influences land-based livelihoods. Additional information was gathered from informants during the ground truth through open questions and informal discussions. A solid knowledge of the land uses and land cover, including housing structures, agricultural practices, and challenges of land-based subsistence, was attained. The results revealed influential change drivers, settlement structure types, distinct development patterns, changes in traditional land-based livelihood specifically in terms of agriculture in the region and indicators for a functional zoning of the area. The ground truth provides a thorough basis for the object-based image analysis of the 200 km2 peri-urban area being next.

On the Robustness and Generalization Ability of Building Footprint Extraction on the Example of SegNet and Mask R-CNN

Building footprint (BFP) extraction focuses on the precise pixel-wise segmentation of buildings from aerial photographs such as satellite images. BFP extraction is an essential task in remote sensing and represents the foundation for many higher-level analysis tasks, such as disaster management, monitoring of city development, etc. Building footprint extraction is challenging because buildings can have different sizes, shapes, and appearances both in the same region and in different regions of the world. In addition, effects, such as occlusions, shadows, and bad lighting, have to also be considered and compensated. A rich body of work for BFP extraction has been presented in the literature, and promising research results have been reported on benchmarking datasets. Despite the comprehensive work performed, it is still unclear how robust and generalizable state-of-the-art methods are to different regions, cities, settlement structures, and densities. The purpose of this study is to close this gap by investigating questions on the practical applicability of BFP extraction. In particular, we evaluate the robustness and generalizability of state-of-the-art methods as well as their transfer learning capabilities. Therefore, we investigate in detail two of the most popular deep learning architectures for BFP extraction (i.e., SegNet, an encoder–decoder-based architecture and Mask R-CNN, an object detection architecture) and evaluate them with respect to different aspects on a proprietary high-resolution satellite image dataset as well as on publicly available datasets. Results show that both networks generalize well to new data, new cities, and across cities from different continents. They both benefit from increased training data, especially when this data is from the same distribution (data source) or of comparable resolution. Transfer learning from a data source with different recording parameters is not always beneficial.

Object-based mapping and classification features for tropical highlands using on Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, and GEDI canopy height data - A case study of the Muringato catchment, Kenya

Tropical highlands remain a challenging target for remote sensing due to their high heterogeneity of the landscape and frequent cloud cover, causing a shortage of high-quality and reliable comprehensive data on land use and land cover on a local or regional scale. These, however, are urgently needed by local stakeholders and decisionmakers. This applies for example to the Muringato sub-catchment in Nyeri County, Kenya, where acute water problems have been identified to be usually directly related to specific land use and land cover. This article contributes to the understanding of tropical highlands from a remote sensing perspective by examining Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2 and Global Forest Canopy Height Model data from the Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation, all provided by the Google Earth Engine. To do so, we assess classifiers derived from these datasets for different land cover types, analyzing the performance of promising candidates identified in the literature, using 2,800 samples extracted from high-resolution image data across Nyeri County. We also propose an object-based classification strategy based on sequential masking. This strategy is adapted to very heterogeneous landscapes by refining image objects after re-evaluating their homogeneity. Small buildings, which constitute a significant part of the settlement structure in the area, are particularly difficult to detect. To improve the recognition of these objects we additionally consider the local contrast of the relevant classifier to identify potential candidates. Evaluating our sample data, we found that especially optical indices like the Sentinel Water Index, the Enhanced Normalized Difference Impervious Surfaces Index or specific Sentinel-2 bands combined with canopy height data are promising for water, built-up or tree cover detection. With these findings, our proposed object-based classification approach is applied to the Muringato sub-catchment as a representative example of the Kenyan tropical highland region. We achieve a classification accuracy of approximately 88% in the Muringato sub-catchment, outperforming existing products available for the study area. The knowledge gained in the study will also be used for future remote sensing-based monitoring of the region.

BETWEEN SEDENTISM AND NOMADISM: LIFEWAYS ON THE FOREST-STEPPE FRONTIER OF THE LEFT BANK OF DNIEPER IN SCYTHIAN TIME

The paper is devoted to the issue of reconstruction of the lifeways and economics of the part of tribes in the forest-steppe region of the Left Bank of Dnieper during the Scythian period. The question of the role of nomads and semi nomads in the ethnic and cultural history of the population is one of the most important, since the correct assessment of the interaction between the forest-steppe agricultural population and the different groups of nomads depends on the reconstruction of ethnic processes in the Left-bank forest-steppe du­ring Scythian time. It can be assumed that the Dnieper Left-bank forest-steppe by its environment and convenient ways attracted both farmers and nomads. This led to the use of several ecological niches, which was reflected in the spread of the settlement structure of farmers in the areas that are most suitable for agriculture (chernozem soils of various types) and rich in resources for life, construction, etc. (access to water, forest areas). The nomadic population that has subjugated farmers has repeatedly penetrated the region several times. Nomads mostly used the steppe areas and floodplains of the region, leaving behind the main type of sites — the mounds, burial rites of which are fundamentally different from the settled agricultural population.
 The study proposes the conditional use of the term «nomads» for groups of mobile pastoralists only at the time of their penetration into the region. In the new conditions, their lifeways significantly changed. The term reflects a transition to mobile stockbreeding within a limited territory of movement, permanent winter houses near the settlements and hillforts of the settled population of the region, prevailing transhumance, etc. At the moment, the term «semi nomads» is the most adequate for those groups of mobile pastoralists who remained in the forest-steppe region of the Left Bank of Dnieper during the Scythian time. Judging by the flat necropolis in Barvinkova Gora tract near Bilsk hillfort, a part of the migrants from the south turned to a sedentary way of life in the 4th century BC. In general, it can be assumed that the migration of nomads into the region significantly impacted lifeways of the local sedentary population.

The heterarchical life and spatial analyses of the historical Buddhist temples in the Chiang Saen Basin, Northern Thailand

Social hierarchy is the most prominent framework scholars use to examine settlement structure and development in Southeast Asia's pre- and post-state eras. The concept of social heterarchy, an unfixed ranked and diversified form of social structure, is an alternative approach to examining the sociopolitical organization of early settlements in the region. However, applications of heterarchy are limited in archaeological research on the sociopolitical organization and social landscape in Southeast Asian state societies. This paper incorporates space syntax and GIS angular and viewshed analyses to understand how sociopolitical interactions were arranged through the spatial configurations of the historical Buddhist temples in Chiang Saen, Thailand. This paper explores the complex interactions between various historical Chiang Saen social and religious groups through their temple spaces across time. Temple spatial characteristics indicate heterarchical forms of organization—evidenced by the hybrid and nonhierarchical temple spatial patterns characterized by open accessibility and integrated and symmetrical organization of spaces—co-existed with hierarchical relationships from the 13th to 17th century. The approach discussed here provides a better understanding of the multiscale relationships and interactions among sociopolitical groups in the historical communities in Chiang Saen, enabling a broader view that can embrace the co-occurrence of hierarchical and heterarchical forms of governance.

Structure of settlements and resources of swifts scallop <i>(Chlamys swiftii</i>, Bivalvia) at the coast of Primorsky Region (Japan Sea)

Current state of <i>Chlamys swiftii</i> settlements and resources of this species in the coastal waters of Primorye (Japan Sea) are considered on the base of surveys conducted in 2007–2021. The data on spatial distribution and abundance of the scallops were obtained by methods of scuba counts at the depth < 20 m. The total biomass and abundance were calculated using the Voronoi diagrams (Thiessen polygons). In total, the data were analyzed for 13457 stations located along the entire coast of Primorye from the Tumannaya/Tumen River mouth to Cape Zolotoy where 2875 scallops were sampled, weighted and measured. The average density of <i>Ch. Swiftii</i> abundance and biomass distribution was estimated. The scallops do not form dense settlements suitable for commercial fishery. The settlements with the highest mean biomass (22.5 ± 5.0 g/m2) were concentrated in the area from Cape Povorotny to Cape Yuzhny, and the lowest biomass of the settlements was observed in Peter the Great Bay (3.7 ± 2.1 g/m2). The settlements had mosaic distribution. The total stock of the species is estimated as 1.4 . 103 t, the commercial stock – as 1.3 . 103 t. About 99 % of the total stock was concentrated at the eastern coast of Primorye in the area from Cape Povorotny to Cape Zolotoy. More regular and mass recruitment is noted for the settlements in this area, than in Peter the Great Bay. Percentage of scallops with non-commercial size varied from 1.9 to 19.0 %, by years, whereas the scallops at the age 3–7 years with shell height 70–110 mm dominated in the area from Cape Povorotny to Cape Zolotoy and those at the age 3–6 years with shell height 80–115 mm – in Peter the Great Bay. The modal age of <i>Ch. Swiftii</i> was 4 years, the oldest specimens reached 7–12 years, by surveys.

“Becoming Muslim”

Archaeology is in a unique position to offer a material culture based perspective on Islamization and conversion to Islam, particularly in regions where historical sources might be limited or absent. This is explored with reference to two archaeological areas, Gao in Mali, and Harlaa in Ethiopia to assess if similar material markers can recur archaeologically through evaluating mosques, Muslim burials and Arabic epigraphy, settlement structure and domestic architecture, animal and plant remains, ceramics, and miscellaneous artifacts potentially suggestive of Islamization in both regions, primarily for the period between the 11th–13th centuries CE. It is concluded that the evidence from Gao and Harlaa attests the variety of interpretations of Islam that exist, but, correspondingly, through the recurrence of key markers such as mosques, Muslim burials, and Arabic epigraphy, also affirms material similarity, yet without having to make course to a unitary and erroneous concept of “African Islam.”

What motivates and hinders municipal adaptation policy? Exploring vertical and horizontal diffusion in Hessen and Finland

Municipalities across the globe are seeking to adapt to increasing climate change impacts, such as heavy rainfall, drought, heat waves, and floods. An important question is how to support the diffusion of innovations in local adaptation policy-making. Responses often lack consideration of the diversity of municipalities and their varying needs and capacities. This article addresses this gap by analysing how internal and external motivations for and barriers to adaptation policy and diffusion vary across municipalities of different sizes in the federal State of Hessen in Germany and in Finland. Hessen and Finland have comparable population sizes and settlement structures, but their municipalities are embedded in different multilevel governance architectures and climatic geographies. The analysis builds on quantitative data from two independent surveys among Hessian and Finnish municipalities. The results show that while there are similarities and some differences among the motivations, with municipalities in Hessen focusing more on extreme weather events and Finnish municipalities more on well-being, the barriers are strikingly similar, focusing on lack of resources as well as unclear responsibilities of different governance levels and within municipalities. Size is an important factor determining the adaptation needs and capacities of municipalities in both surveys. The findings highlight the need for a clearer adaptation governance framework, support from the closest governance level and more resources, but also context-sensitive policy support that has been discussed in theory and practice.

Agriculture During Scythian Time in the Don Forest-steppe Region: to the question of cultural and regional features

The article deals with the economic aspect of the ethnic-cultural characteristics of settlements of the VI–III centuries BC, belonged to the Scythoid and Gorodets cultures. The landscape features of the Don basin have been considered, that led to the location structure of hillforts and settlements in the forested valleys of the main rivers of the region. While the steppe interfluves remained unpopulated during that period. Information on specialized tools for soil cultivation and harvesting has been systematized. A set of cultivated and weed plants is characterized by grain and seed prints detected on pottery. These data indicate the agricultural orientation of economic systems in both settled communities of the region. The population of the Scythoid culture was engaged in plow farming, the Gorodets one – in mainly slash. Agricultural needs explain the development of the first typical forest-steppe southern territories, the second – more wooded northern ones.

The value of forecasts for PV power plants operating in the past, present and future Scandinavian energy markets

When participating in the Scandinavian wholesale energy markets with intermittent PV power, imbalances between market-committed and actual energy generation need to be economically accounted for in the imbalance settlement. The market-committed energy is based on forecasts issued at specific timestamps defined by the market. The economic value of such forecasts can be quantified for the past, present and future energy market regulations by comparing the achieved income using perfect forecasts to the income with imperfect forecasts. Differences between these regulations include changing from 60 min to 15 min market intervals, and from a dual-price to a single-price imbalance settlement structure.PV power production data were modelled from meteorological measurements carried out at 11 locations in each of the Nord Pool bidding areas. Forecasts generated from a smart persistence model and a more sophisticated numerical weather prediction (NWP) model were compared for these locations, and the value of these forecasts was estimated from historical market data for each of the 11 bidding areas. The results show that the estimated income, and income losses, are dependent on the electricity mix of the bidding areas. In addition, the transition from the dual-price to the single-price imbalance settlement structure reduces the value of providing accurate forecasts. Moreover, the added incentive to provide accurate forecasts when settling the markets and imbalances on 15 min instead of 60 min intervals is negligible with the single-price imbalance settlement. Finally, the results show that intraday trading is generally beneficial for PV power plants in Scandinavia.

Our MapAI approach: focusing on data pipeline and loss functions

Precision building detection is a difficult challenge because resolution, lighting conditions, and image quality greatly influence the performance of machine learning models. Additionally, the building types, settlement structure, road structure, soil color and texture, vegetation, and car types can also affect image segmentation, making the solutions local or regional. In this paper, we describe the solution for the MapAI challenge submitted by the ATELIER team. We focused on two primary parts: data processing and loss functions. Our main insights were that the data can be effectively resampled by exploiting its structure and that the boundary intersection over union metric is very forgiving, not giving the network enough incentive to refine the borders. The segmentation was performed with a standard 5-level deep U-Net with an additional conditional random fields (CRF) denoiser.