– Member Academies – All

18 Oct Industrial Biomass: Source of Chemicals, Materials, and Energy!

Belgium Academies (ARB)
2011
Biomass seemed a very promising resource for substituting fossil hydrocarbons as a renewable source of energy and as a sustainable raw material for various industrial sectors. However, during the first decade of the 21st century, competition between the use of biomass for food and feed on the one hand, and for energy and industrial applications on the other hand, became a big issue. Dramatic food price rises in the first half of 2008 were blamed to the use of arable land for the production of first generation biofuels at the expense of food and feed. On purpose, the present report of the BACAS working group does not focus on the food and feed issue, but examines thoroughly the implications and limitations of the use of non- food (industrial ) biomass as a source of chemicals, materials and energy. For its analysis, the BACAS report started from the widely accepted “5 F-cascade”, a list of priorities regarding the use of biomass: 1.    Food and feed 2.    Fine and bulk chemicals and pharma 3.    Fibre and biomaterials 4.    Fuels and energy 5.    Fertilisers and soil conditioners The authors have covered the impact of an increasing use of industrial (or technical) biomass as a renewable resource for various industrial sectors and for power generation. The use of biomass as a renewable primary energy source will be of key importance for achieving the 20/20/20 targets of the European Union, i.e. use of at least 20% of renewables for energy production, 20% less greenhouse gas emissions and 20% more efficient energy use by the year 2020: biomass is expected to provide 2/3 of the renewable energy target by 2020. The report starts with an overview of state-of-the-art processes and technologies for converting industrial biomass. Next, it focuses on the 5 F-cascade of applications of biomass and on the legislation affecting the bio-based economy. Finally a number of recommendations are formulated meant for government, industry, research and development agencies. The EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP) should develop an integrated policy for the bio-based economy, including the removal of still existing trade barriers, a scientifically substantiated policy with regard to genetically modified crops and sustainability criteria. The public and private scientific communities are urged to set up public-private partnerships in order to support coordinated research programs, in particular with regard to feedstock yields and biomass optimization in view of maximizing the efficiency of processes converting biomass into energy or industrial products.
Read More

18 Oct The Cost Effective Delivery of Essential Infrastructure

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2011
This report follows on from the earlier joint report by the Academy and Engineers Ireland on “Infrastructure for an island population of 8 million people” published in February 2010.  The report is framed within the context of the current serious economic and social environment on the island of Ireland. Two serious problems confront Ireland and Northern Ireland concerning investment infrastructure: - Lack of available capital - Requirement for sustained investment in critical infrastructure to permit essential economic growth and the maintenance of international competitiveness The report recognises that the current reduction in construction prices presents an opportunity to secure significant reductions in the non-construction costs of projects.  By streamlining processes and procedures for land acquisition, planning, public procurement, institutional arrangements, training, skills, funding and financing mechanisms and through synergies between projects in Ireland and Northern Ireland, major cost reductions can be achieved.
Read More

18 Oct Energy Policy and Economic Recovery; 2010 – 2015

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2011
The unprecedented economic crisis in Ireland has created circumstances that require a rapid and fundamental change in energy policy in order to support economic recovery.  A short term (five year) policy perspective is urgently required.  For the next five years the overriding priority in the energy sector is to achieve a significant cost reduction in order to facilitate competitiveness in the productive, particularly the export, sectors of the economy. The report sets out an alternative strategy for the next five years, based on: - Reducing capital investment in the energy sector to a minimum necessary level, particularly with respect to wind power generation and associated grid extensions. - Switching investment to demand side measures, particularly to energy conservation measures. - Taking advantage of the subdued level of natural gas prices predicted for the next five to ten years. A switch, from a policy focussed on increased electricity production, to one focussed on reducing energy consumption would:- - Meet Ireland’s carbon abatement obligations at a lower cost than current production focussed policy - Provide a significant and welcome stimulus to the Irish construction industry
Read More

18 Oct Infrastructure, Engineering and Climate Change Adaptation – ensuring services in an uncertain future

Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2011
This study was an activity of the Engineering the Future partnership, carried out on behalf of Defra by The Royal Academy of Engineering, the Institution of Engineering and Technology, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Institution of Chemical Engineers.  The report examines vulnerabilities in different sectors of the national infrastructure to the effects of climate change and the modifications that would be needed to increase resilience. It also considers vulnerabilities that affect the infrastructure system as a whole and which arise as a result of Interdependencies between different sectors.
Read More

18 Oct Making green growth real: UK offshore wind supply chain

Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2011
To learn more about the opportunities and challenges for the UK’s offshore wind supply chain, The Royal Academy of Engineering gathered together leaders from across the industry – developers, suppliers, financiers, policymakers, port owners and education providers – at a roundtable discussion on 11 March 2011. This document summarises the conclusions from that roundtable – making recommendations in four key areas: Infrastructure, Skills, Investment and Health and Safety. In particular, the report recommends that the Government does the following: 1. Support UK businesses that have already secured opportunities within the sector; 2. Engage with businesses planning to enter the market and help them to understand the industry; 3. Explore opportunities for UK companies unaware of the sector, matching gaps in the supply chain to the capabilities of businesses.
Read More

18 Oct From Water Technology to Green Growth

Danish Academy of Technical Sciences (ATV)
2011
What is needed in education, research and technological development to enhance the business potential for Danish companies within the water sector? ATV recommends a more intelligent and long-term management of water challenges. This can contribute to growth, sustainability and working places.
Read More

18 Oct Wind-power: can it be the energy for the 21st century?

National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2009
Given the oil price increase and climate evolution issues, the wind-power is of a renewed strong interest. Many countries are investing in this form of energy and the European Union has set ambitious objectives regarding it. With over 20 years of experience, is this form of energy fulfilling its promises? What are the most immediate problems to solve in order to continue its development and harmonious distribution throughout Europe? Is the investment in wind-energy the most profitable and efficient way to reduce CO2 emissions?
Read More

18 Oct Carbon credits

National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2009
This short opinion of the “Energy and Climate Change” Commission of the NATF emits 3 recommendations; 1. 80% of carbon credits exchanges take place in Europe and 20% in the Kyoto market, via the CDP (Clean Development Mechanism). It should be more widely extended. 2. The complexity and the heavy process of carbon credits attribution should be simplified and a special attention should be paid not to only consider important industries. 3. Given its relatively short lifetime, methane is not as accumulated in the atmosphere as is CO2. The GIEC stressing the importance of methane vs. CO2 (1CH4=25CO2) may detour the fight against the CO2 emissions and disperse our efforts.
Read More

18 Oct Critical Infrastructure – Adaptation for Climate Change

Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE)
2009
This report addresses adaptation issues in three key infrastructural areas: water supply, flood alleviation, and energy infrastructure. It is based on inputs from leading specialists in these fields and the deliberations of a symposium, held in Dublin Castle on April 28th, 2009, and attended by the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and an invited audience of researchers, engineers, scientists, policy experts and administrators from all parts of Ireland. The IAE make 18 key recommendations in this report. Significantly, most of these do not involve immediate capital expenditure, but deal with institutional steps that are necessary to ensure the problem is tackled effectively and economically
Read More