Verification of feasibility in terms of engineering and ELSI,
and effectiveness and safety in terms of meteorology
Weather intervention to prevent damage from heavy rainfall has never been tackled in human history, and is by no means an easy task, even with the cutting-edge technologies. Even if it is feasible, it requires careful consideration of safety and ethical issues. One method currently proposed is microwave atmospheric heating technology, in which microwaves are irradiated to a certain point in the sky to promote atmospheric heating and induce the formation of raining clouds away from densely populated areas. It is essential to repeatedly run simulations on a computer prior to engineering indoor and outdoor experiments to fully confirm whether this technique is effective from meteorological and societal viewpoints.
Item 6-1Atmospheric heating/simulator
Principal investigator: Hirohiko Masunaga
Outline
This study conducts a desk study on the technical feasibility of weather intervention, particularly focusing on microwave atmospheric heating, based on simulations. First, we enhance the existing meteorological radar simulators to develop a tool for conducting numerical experiments on microwave atmospheric heating through microwave irradiation. Using this tool, we investigate optimal frequencies and power oscillation while collaborating with Item 4-1 and 5-1.
Methods
To verify the feasibility of atmospheric heating through microwave irradiation, we develop a simulator for conducting virtual experiments on atmospheric heating and carry out the simulations. Specifically, we use meteorological fields composed of temperature, humidity and clouds as input values to quantitatively assess the localized temperature increase effects resulting from microwave irradiation from one or more ground-based emitters. In addition, we provide the source code of the microwave heating simulator developed in this study to Item 4-1 and Item 5-1. They conduct weather numerical simulations that implement the atmospheric heating simulator online.
Importance
Conducting a desk study to determine whether a technically feasible emitter design can achieve sufficient atmospheric heating effect is essential as a feasibility investigation prior to developing equipment. Before designing equipment, simulations can be conducted to explore the selection of ideal microwave frequencies, required power levels, and the number and arrangement of emitters needed to achieve maximum heating effects, allowing for virtually unlimited experimentation without extra costs or risks.
Expected problems and solutions
The microwave emitter intended for atmospheric heating is an unprecedented equipment over the world, and there are currently no simulators specifically designed for microwave irradiation. As this is a pioneering research and development with no prior precedents, we may face unexpected technical problems. The principal investigator of Item 6 has experienced of co-research with the developers of the radar simulator. If there is a development problem, the PI will ask their opinion and try to find a smooth solution.
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