Other publications

18 Oct Synthetic biology and (white) industrial biotechnologies (Advice) – (Report only in French)

Posted at 09:04h in - Classification of themes - All, Biotechnologies, National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF), Other, Other publications, Research, Technologies, Innovation and Employment by administrateur 0 Comments
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National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2012
Biotechnology is the application of S&T to living organisms. White biotechnology (Bio-Based Industries - BBl) uses renewable carbon-sources in fermentation-processes to produce food compounds, fuels, specialties and chemical commodities, and plastics.  Synthetic biology (SB) introduces engineering principles into biotechnology, promoting the emergence of a true bio-economy.  Although endowed with a well-developed agriculture and BBI-related research, there are only about a dozen companies engaged in applications of SB to BBl in France, including start-ups, intermediate enterprises, and Total, resulting in few industrial realisations. The sector is considered risky by investors.  Consistent efforts to train engineers and PhD-students in these areas are essential.  Regarding risks, traditional BBI-products must be distinguished from SB-products in specific sectors. Upstream from industrial SB-applications on a large scale, research on the security, safety, ethics, toxicology and ecotoxicology is vital.  The academic SB-community self-regulates its conduct in an effort of openness, transparency, anticipation and prevention of potential risks.
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17 Oct Engineering for a Successful Nation

Posted at 14:06h in - Classification of themes - All, Energy and Climate Change, Other, Other publications, Research, Technologies, Innovation and Employment, Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng) by administrateur 0 Comments
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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2015
Joint publication with Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Report of key findings from an assessment of the economic returns of engineering research and postgraduate training in the UK.
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17 Oct Annual Report 2014

Posted at 13:51h in - Classification of publications - All, - Classification of themes - All, Academic report, by a Commission or a Working Group, Academy’s advice and position paper, Biotechnologies, Co-studies, Communications to the Academy by its members, Demography, Education, Training, Employment, Energy and Climate Change, Environment, Ethics, Information and Communication Technologies, Mobility and Transportation, Other, Other publications, Real Academia de Ingenieria (Spain) (RAI), Research, Technologies, Innovation and Employment, Society and Technology, Technologies and Development for Developing Countries, Technologies and Health, Ten questions and answers on technology topics, Urbanism and Housing, Working group reports by administrateur 0 Comments
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Real Academia de Ingenieria (Spain) (RAI)
2015
 
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17 Oct Energy Vectors

Posted at 13:44h in - Classification of publications - All, - Classification of themes - All, Academic report, by a Commission or a Working Group, Academy’s advice and position paper, Co-studies, Communications to the Academy by its members, Energy and Climate Change, Environment, National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF), Other publications, Ten questions and answers on technology topics, Working group reports by administrateur 0 Comments
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National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2015
Changes in energy procurement/uses have often followed differing ‘trajectories’ in different countries while being related by factors such as oil prices and climate change.  While these forces are still active, time-scales have shifted (e.g. for peak oil and gas). The Fukushima accident has recently shaken confidence into nuclear power. This Report proposes a robust methodology helping in situations of energy transition to make relevant choices on both economic and ecological levels. Focussing on the French situation, it defines Energy Vectors as the support system delivering energy in the form of electricity, petrol, gas, or heat, etc. to consumers and deals with the intermediary stage of vectors between energy sources (coal, gas, U, wind, hydro) and demand of final energy (for transport, heating, industrial processes, etc.). But end-consumers are often not aware of the source for the final energy they receive. Distinguishing between sources would allow economic and ecological competition (when C02 emissions carry a price-tag).  This report throws new light on the political decisions that must be taken and provides guidelines with a long-range relevance - the parametric structure allowing application to any given case. Group Leader: Gilbert Ruelle, Former Director of the Alstom Division Alternators, Honorary President of CREEBEL, and NATF Fellow
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17 Oct Methane

Posted at 13:42h in - Classification of publications - All, - Classification of themes - All, Academic report, by a Commission or a Working Group, Academy’s advice and position paper, Co-studies, Communications to the Academy by its members, Energy and Climate Change, Environment, National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF), Other publications, Ten questions and answers on technology topics, Working group reports by administrateur 0 Comments
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National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2016
Strong variations of atmospheric concentrations of methane, a potent greenhouse gas, have accompanied glacial and interglacial periods. Such variations influence the timetable and magnitude of climate changes. The report describes and analyses natural and human-related sources and sinks of atmospheric methane with particular attention to potentially massive emissions from thawing permafrost in Arctic wetlands and marine methane hydrates (clathrates). The methane fluxes between main reservoirs and the atmosphere is measured via ground-based networks or from outer space, allowing a better understanding of evolving atmospheric concentrations and interaction between sinks and sources. As atmospheric methane is destroyed over time (half-life ~7 years), its CO2 equivalence, in terms of GHG-efficiency is not straight-forward, depending on the time-scale applied.  While increasing fossil fuel exploitation is an important methane source, emissions could be limited at reasonable cost.  Feedbacks from wetlands and soils are more difficult to control. A number of recommendations on how to limit methane release are made in areas such as agricultural practices, waste- and landfill management, biomass combustion, exploitation of coal, natural gas and oil. Carefully follow developments in boreal zones, especially regarding the possible exploitation of methane from permafrost and marine clathrates. Group Leader: Jean-Claude André, Former Director of the European Centre for Research and Advanced Training in Scientific Computing (CERFACS), and NATF Fellow
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17 Oct Report of the National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF) – First contribution to the Energy Transition National Debate

Posted at 13:41h in - Classification of publications - All, - Classification of themes - All, Academic report, by a Commission or a Working Group, Academy’s advice and position paper, Co-studies, Communications to the Academy by its members, Energy and Climate Change, National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF), Other publications, Ten questions and answers on technology topics, Working group reports by administrateur 0 Comments
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National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2014
Changes in world-wide energy production and utilisation are partly imposed (emerging countries’ energy needs, depletion of some oil/gas fields), or voluntarily implemented (energy autonomy, climate-change policy, industrial competition). France has launched a nation-wide debate on energy-policies with the participation of NATF. This document is a first contribution. It examines also the policy paths chosen respectively by the USA and Germany. Some of the EU 20-20-20, the EU “Roadmap to 2050”, as well as self-imposed energy targets can be achieved through demand-control and energy-efficiency, i.e. better (including older) building insulation, more efficient household appliances, direct heating, thermal solar panels, heat pumps, etc. While new urban areas need to be energy-lean with little commuting requirements, meeting these requirements has a price and needs societal commitment. Fossil fuels should be kept for transport and chemical industry sectors. Vehicles will increasingly use electricity or biofuels. Industrialists stabilise energy requirements through improvement of production processes. French nuclear power capacity will continue, but move to more flexibility, compensating for the intermittency of wind- and solar power. “Smart” grids and non-intermittent renewable energy sources should contribute to power stability. Total savings in French energy consumption could attain –15% by 2025 and –30% by 2050. The final goal is the reduction of the GHG emissions at the least cost. Working-group leader: Bernard Tardieu, Honorary President Coyne & Bellier, President of the Committee on Energy & Climate Change, and NATF Fellow
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17 Oct Technologies and Climate Change – Solutions for Mitigation and Adaptation

Posted at 13:28h in - Classification of publications - All, - Classification of themes - All, Academic report, by a Commission or a Working Group, Academy’s advice and position paper, Co-studies, Communications to the Academy by its members, Energy and Climate Change, National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF), Other publications, Ten questions and answers on technology topics, Working group reports by administrateur 0 Comments
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National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2016
The report takes stock of available or future technologies for mitigating climate change. First conclusion: climate-engineering, in the current state of knowledge, is not an alternative. Then it identifies the most favourable conditions, especially in the most contributing sectors, for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and promoting preventive adaptation measures, including a carbon emission penalty. The cost of increased energy efficiency must be less than the value of the energy saved and, as the case may be, the worth of CO2 not emitted. The same cost-benefit analysis should apply for any mitigation technology considered. Preventive adaptation measures are possible in agriculture, forestry, energy, urban environment, manufacturing, coastal protection, access to safe water, resources management, etc. Moreover, involving civil society (lifestyles and behaviours) will play an important role in reducing GHG emissions. And we must not forget technologies in developing countries, which are often more vulnerable to climate change than the richer developed countries. Working-group leaders: Marion Guillou, President of the Board of the Agronomic, Veterinary and Forest Institute of France – AGREENIUM; and Alain Pavé, University professor and former Research director at CNRS – both are NATF Fellows
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