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00755 Potential for producing bio-fuel in the Amazon deforested areas
07 Altemative energy sources (others, including development, economics) energy provision is an urgent necessity for the sake of human health, protection of the environment, and climate change abatement. Given sufficient recognition, resources and research biomass could become the environmentally friendly fuel of the future. Results suggest that biomass energy technologies must be encouraged, promoted, implemented, and fully demonstrated in Sudan.
05/00750 Carbon materials obtained from self-binding sugar cane bagasse and deciduous wood residues plastics Zandersons, J. et al. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2004, 26, (4), 345-360. It is demonstrated that dispersed biomass residues (bagasse, sawdust) can be processed into hard carbonaceous blocks, panels or boards with good strength and thermodynamic properties. There are two possible approaches: to mould dispersed biomass charcoal with a phenolformaldehyde binder or to produce this material by carbonizing the biomass fibreboard prepared by making use of steam explosion autohydrolysis pulp or steam explosion lignin as a binder. In the first step, steam explosion lignin, as a modifier and a binder is introduced to the lignocellulosic biomass by impregnation or during the hot pressing process to form a hard fibreboard. By subsequent carbonization of the fibreboard panels or blocks, carbonized panels or blocks with high bending and crushing strength and suitable thermodynamic properties are obtained due to the formation of an internal lignin reinforcement in cell lumina and impregnation of cell walls with lignin solution or molten lignin. The carbonized panels demonstrate a good dimensional stability after a standard treatment with water. The bending strength of the carbonized panels after 24 h soaking in water is 93% of that in dry state. The thermodynamic properties and porosity of the carbonized panels demonstrate their suitability for use as a building material. Lignin, a natural binder of fibreboards, has proven to be suitable for preparation of carbonaceous panels and boards. In this respect new carbon building blocks and panels from moulded biomass and carbonized steam exploded biomass act as a concentrated form of long-term carbon storage and will be a factor stabilizing the growing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.
05•00751 Four theoretical issues and a funeral: improving the policy-guiding value of eco-efficiency indicators Jollands, N. and Patterson, M. International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2004, 3, (3 4), 235-261. For eco-efficiency indicators to be useful in guiding policy, four issues must be resolved: (1) the meaning of 'eco-efficiency', (2) the meaning of 'eco-efficiency indicator', (3) the criteria for choosing the most suitable eco-efficiency indicator(s), and (4) the strengths and limitations of eco-efficiency indicators for guiding policy makers' decisions. These issues, if not resolved, may prove to be the death knell of the use of eco-efficiency indicators for policy development. This paper addresses each of these issues in detail, in the hope to maintain a potentially promising policy tool.
05•00752 Impact of distributed and independent power generation on greenhouse gas emissions: Sri Lanka Wijayatunga, P. D. C. et al. Energy Conversion and Management, 2004, 45, (20), 3193-3206. Sri Lanka has a hydropower dominated power system with approximately two-thirds of its generation capacity based on large hydro plants. The remaining one-third are based on oil fired thermal generation with varying technologies, such as oil steam, Diesel, gas turbines and combined cycle plants. A significant portion of this capacity is in operation as independent power plants (IPPs). In addition to these, Sri Lanka presently has about 40 MWs of mini-hydro plants, which are distributed in the highlands and their surrounding districts, mainly connected to the primary distribution system. Further, there are a few attempts to build fuel wood fired power plants of small capacities and connect them to the grid in various parts of the country. The study presented in this paper investigates the impact of these new developments in the power sector on the overall emissions and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in particular. It examines the resulting changes to the emissions and costs in the event of developing the proposed coal power plant as an IPP under different investment and operational conditions. The paper also examines the impact on emissions with 80 MWs of distributed power in different capacities of wind, mini-hydro and wood fired power plants. It is concluded that grid connected, distributed power generation (DPG) reduces emissions, with only a marginal increase in overall costs, due to the reduction in transmission and distribution network losses that result from the distributed nature of generation. These reductions can be enhanced by opting for renewable energy based DPGs, as the case presented in the paper, and coupling them with demand side management measures. It is also concluded that there is no impact on overall emissions by the base load IPPs unless they are allowed to change over to different fuel types and technologies.
05/00753 Learning curves for environmental technology and their importance for climate policy analysis Rubin, E. S. et al. Energy, 2004, 29, (9-10), 1551-1559. The authors of this study seek to improve the ability of integrated assessment (IA) models to incorporate changes in CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS) technology cost and performance over time. This paper presents results of research that examines past experience in controlling other major power plant emissions that might serve as a reasonable guide to future rates of technological progress in CCS systems. In particular, the work focuses on US and worldwide experience with sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) control technologies over the past 30 years, and derive empirical learning rates for these technologies. Applying these rates to CCS costs in a largescale IA model shows that the cost of achieving a climate stabilization target are significantly lower relative to scenarios with no learning for CCS technologies.
05•00754
Pellets 2002: the first world conference on pellets
Vinterbfick, J. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2004, 27, (6), 513-520. Large-scale implementation of wood pellets as a solid biomass fuel represents a change in the energy system that will have both economic and environmental consequences. This article represents a summary of a state of the art conference, which was organized in Sweden in September 2002. The aim was to bring together people to create a network where industry, research, other expertise and decision makers meet to build a strong pellet industry for the future. The sum of the economic, technological and environmental evidence presented at this conference weighs very heavily in favour of the pellet option.
05/00755 Potential for producing bio-fuel in the Amazon deforested areas da Costa, R. C. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2004, 26, (5), 405415. This paper analyses the possibility of producing bio-fuel in the Amazon degraded lands. The aim here is to combine environmental concerns with an improvement of local people well-being. Firstly, a historical analysis is conducted in order to figure out the major deforestation driving forces in Amazon and to help to arrive at a feasible energy choice. Secondly, the geographical area is chosen. It is the spatial boundaries of Carajfis Iron Ore Program in the south-eastern Amazon where most of the deforestation has taken place in the last few decades. For this specific context, palm oil is chosen as a technological energy alternative due to its social production structure, its environmental benefits and its productivity. A quantified analysis is realized in terms of income generation (2000-3000 US$/family/yr), job creation (200000-300000 families settled), land required and restored (2-3.2 million ha), and carbon emission from fossil fuel avoided (13.1 Mt C). Some recommendations related to institutional and economic barriers are proposed in order to encourage the technology penetration in the market.
05•00756 Recovery of Spanish vernacular construction as a model of bioclimatic architecture Cafias, I. and Martin, S. Building and Environment, 2004, 39, (12), 14771495. The objective of the study is to set the bases of bioclimatic construction by learning from the traditional construction. The research is focused in the information obtained from the classical authors of Spanish vernacular architecture. The aim of this paper is to determine the design strategies used in vernacular constructions to adapt them to the environment. The results of the study can be used in two different forms: (1) to make a proposal for the recovery of vernacular constructions with peculiar bioclimatic strategies; (2) to translate some of the bioclimatic strategies used in vernacular constructions to the present ones.
05•00757
Renewable energy policy in the UK 1990-2003
Mitchell, C. and Connor, P. Energy Policy, 2004, 32, (17), 1935-1947. The UK's renewable energy policy has been characterized by opportunism, cost-limiting caps and continuous adjustments resulting from a lack of clarity of goals. Renewable electricity has had a specific delivery mechanism in place since 1990. The Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) did not deliver deployment; did not create mentors; did not promote diversity; was focused on electricity and was generally beneficial only to large companies. A new support mechanism, the Renewable Obligation, began in April 2002. This may result in more deployment than the NFFO, but is also beneficial to electricity-generating technologies and large, established companies only. The U K government published a visionary energy policy in early 2003 placing the U K on a path to cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 60% in 2050. This paper argues that unless the government 'learns' from its past results, mistakes and difficulties, clarifies the reasons for supporting renewable energy and then follows through with a focused policy aimed at delivery, diversity and the creation of mentors, it is likely to be no more successful than the previous 13 years of renewable policy.
Fuel and Energy Abstracts
March 2005
111
05/00750 Carbon materials obtained from self-binding sugar cane bagasse and deciduous wood residues plastics Zandersons, J. et al. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2004, 26, (4), 345-360. It is demonstrated that dispersed biomass residues (bagasse, sawdust) can be processed into hard carbonaceous blocks, panels or boards with good strength and thermodynamic properties. There are two possible approaches: to mould dispersed biomass charcoal with a phenolformaldehyde binder or to produce this material by carbonizing the biomass fibreboard prepared by making use of steam explosion autohydrolysis pulp or steam explosion lignin as a binder. In the first step, steam explosion lignin, as a modifier and a binder is introduced to the lignocellulosic biomass by impregnation or during the hot pressing process to form a hard fibreboard. By subsequent carbonization of the fibreboard panels or blocks, carbonized panels or blocks with high bending and crushing strength and suitable thermodynamic properties are obtained due to the formation of an internal lignin reinforcement in cell lumina and impregnation of cell walls with lignin solution or molten lignin. The carbonized panels demonstrate a good dimensional stability after a standard treatment with water. The bending strength of the carbonized panels after 24 h soaking in water is 93% of that in dry state. The thermodynamic properties and porosity of the carbonized panels demonstrate their suitability for use as a building material. Lignin, a natural binder of fibreboards, has proven to be suitable for preparation of carbonaceous panels and boards. In this respect new carbon building blocks and panels from moulded biomass and carbonized steam exploded biomass act as a concentrated form of long-term carbon storage and will be a factor stabilizing the growing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere.
05•00751 Four theoretical issues and a funeral: improving the policy-guiding value of eco-efficiency indicators Jollands, N. and Patterson, M. International Journal of Environment and Sustainable Development, 2004, 3, (3 4), 235-261. For eco-efficiency indicators to be useful in guiding policy, four issues must be resolved: (1) the meaning of 'eco-efficiency', (2) the meaning of 'eco-efficiency indicator', (3) the criteria for choosing the most suitable eco-efficiency indicator(s), and (4) the strengths and limitations of eco-efficiency indicators for guiding policy makers' decisions. These issues, if not resolved, may prove to be the death knell of the use of eco-efficiency indicators for policy development. This paper addresses each of these issues in detail, in the hope to maintain a potentially promising policy tool.
05•00752 Impact of distributed and independent power generation on greenhouse gas emissions: Sri Lanka Wijayatunga, P. D. C. et al. Energy Conversion and Management, 2004, 45, (20), 3193-3206. Sri Lanka has a hydropower dominated power system with approximately two-thirds of its generation capacity based on large hydro plants. The remaining one-third are based on oil fired thermal generation with varying technologies, such as oil steam, Diesel, gas turbines and combined cycle plants. A significant portion of this capacity is in operation as independent power plants (IPPs). In addition to these, Sri Lanka presently has about 40 MWs of mini-hydro plants, which are distributed in the highlands and their surrounding districts, mainly connected to the primary distribution system. Further, there are a few attempts to build fuel wood fired power plants of small capacities and connect them to the grid in various parts of the country. The study presented in this paper investigates the impact of these new developments in the power sector on the overall emissions and the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in particular. It examines the resulting changes to the emissions and costs in the event of developing the proposed coal power plant as an IPP under different investment and operational conditions. The paper also examines the impact on emissions with 80 MWs of distributed power in different capacities of wind, mini-hydro and wood fired power plants. It is concluded that grid connected, distributed power generation (DPG) reduces emissions, with only a marginal increase in overall costs, due to the reduction in transmission and distribution network losses that result from the distributed nature of generation. These reductions can be enhanced by opting for renewable energy based DPGs, as the case presented in the paper, and coupling them with demand side management measures. It is also concluded that there is no impact on overall emissions by the base load IPPs unless they are allowed to change over to different fuel types and technologies.
05/00753 Learning curves for environmental technology and their importance for climate policy analysis Rubin, E. S. et al. Energy, 2004, 29, (9-10), 1551-1559. The authors of this study seek to improve the ability of integrated assessment (IA) models to incorporate changes in CO2 capture and sequestration (CCS) technology cost and performance over time. This paper presents results of research that examines past experience in controlling other major power plant emissions that might serve as a reasonable guide to future rates of technological progress in CCS systems. In particular, the work focuses on US and worldwide experience with sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) control technologies over the past 30 years, and derive empirical learning rates for these technologies. Applying these rates to CCS costs in a largescale IA model shows that the cost of achieving a climate stabilization target are significantly lower relative to scenarios with no learning for CCS technologies.
05•00754
Pellets 2002: the first world conference on pellets
Vinterbfick, J. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2004, 27, (6), 513-520. Large-scale implementation of wood pellets as a solid biomass fuel represents a change in the energy system that will have both economic and environmental consequences. This article represents a summary of a state of the art conference, which was organized in Sweden in September 2002. The aim was to bring together people to create a network where industry, research, other expertise and decision makers meet to build a strong pellet industry for the future. The sum of the economic, technological and environmental evidence presented at this conference weighs very heavily in favour of the pellet option.
05/00755 Potential for producing bio-fuel in the Amazon deforested areas da Costa, R. C. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2004, 26, (5), 405415. This paper analyses the possibility of producing bio-fuel in the Amazon degraded lands. The aim here is to combine environmental concerns with an improvement of local people well-being. Firstly, a historical analysis is conducted in order to figure out the major deforestation driving forces in Amazon and to help to arrive at a feasible energy choice. Secondly, the geographical area is chosen. It is the spatial boundaries of Carajfis Iron Ore Program in the south-eastern Amazon where most of the deforestation has taken place in the last few decades. For this specific context, palm oil is chosen as a technological energy alternative due to its social production structure, its environmental benefits and its productivity. A quantified analysis is realized in terms of income generation (2000-3000 US$/family/yr), job creation (200000-300000 families settled), land required and restored (2-3.2 million ha), and carbon emission from fossil fuel avoided (13.1 Mt C). Some recommendations related to institutional and economic barriers are proposed in order to encourage the technology penetration in the market.
05•00756 Recovery of Spanish vernacular construction as a model of bioclimatic architecture Cafias, I. and Martin, S. Building and Environment, 2004, 39, (12), 14771495. The objective of the study is to set the bases of bioclimatic construction by learning from the traditional construction. The research is focused in the information obtained from the classical authors of Spanish vernacular architecture. The aim of this paper is to determine the design strategies used in vernacular constructions to adapt them to the environment. The results of the study can be used in two different forms: (1) to make a proposal for the recovery of vernacular constructions with peculiar bioclimatic strategies; (2) to translate some of the bioclimatic strategies used in vernacular constructions to the present ones.
05•00757
Renewable energy policy in the UK 1990-2003
Mitchell, C. and Connor, P. Energy Policy, 2004, 32, (17), 1935-1947. The UK's renewable energy policy has been characterized by opportunism, cost-limiting caps and continuous adjustments resulting from a lack of clarity of goals. Renewable electricity has had a specific delivery mechanism in place since 1990. The Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation (NFFO) did not deliver deployment; did not create mentors; did not promote diversity; was focused on electricity and was generally beneficial only to large companies. A new support mechanism, the Renewable Obligation, began in April 2002. This may result in more deployment than the NFFO, but is also beneficial to electricity-generating technologies and large, established companies only. The U K government published a visionary energy policy in early 2003 placing the U K on a path to cutting carbon dioxide emissions by 60% in 2050. This paper argues that unless the government 'learns' from its past results, mistakes and difficulties, clarifies the reasons for supporting renewable energy and then follows through with a focused policy aimed at delivery, diversity and the creation of mentors, it is likely to be no more successful than the previous 13 years of renewable policy.
Fuel and Energy Abstracts
March 2005
111