Energy and Climate Change

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

Posted at 07:16h in - Classification of themes - All, Energy and Climate Change, Environment, National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF), Ten questions and answers on technology topics by administrateur 0 Comments
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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?
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18 Oct Carbon credits

Posted at 07:14h in - Classification of publications - All, - Classification of themes - All, Academy’s advice and position paper, Energy and Climate Change, Environment, National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF) by administrateur 0 Comments
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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.
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18 Oct Critical Infrastructure – Adaptation for Climate Change

Posted at 07:12h in - Classification of publications - All, - Classification of themes - All, - Member Academies - All, Academic report, by a Commission or a Working Group, Academy’s advice and position paper, Energy and Climate Change, Environment, Irish Academy of Engineering (IAE) by administrateur 0 Comments
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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
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17 Oct Biofuels – Opportunities and limits

Posted at 16:20h in - Classification of publications - All, - Classification of themes - All, Academy’s advice and position paper, Biotechnologies, Energy and Climate Change, Environment, Mobility and Transportation, Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW) by administrateur 0 Comments
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Swiss Academy of Engineering Sciences (SATW)
2009
There is some dispute as to whether and to what extent biofuels should be encouraged: Many open questions remain as to their energy efficiency, commercial viability, as well as environmental and social compatibility. In principle, the SATW supports the encouragement of biofuels, as long as their production and trade result in a positive net energy balance; biofuels must further significantly improve the greenhouse gas balance and meet economic, social and environmental sustainability criteria. The SATW recommends limiting production in Switzerland to biofuels made from biological waste as well as plants unsuitable for human or animal consumption. Before Switzerland begins researching, developing, producing, importing and using biofuels more intensely, rules must be defined to minimise conflicts between food production, environmental protection and energy generation. The Swiss Federal Council is called upon to work towards an international agreement and join it, ensuring that the same principles apply in all countries.
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17 Oct For the Engineering Leaders of Tomorrow

Posted at 16:17h in - Classification of themes - All, Communications to the Academy by its members, Energy and Climate Change, Environment, Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng) by administrateur 0 Comments
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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2011
A report on a pair of lectures by Lord Browne of Madingley, President of the Academy between 2006 and 2011, published to mark the end of his term as President.  The two lectures are on Resources for Humanity, and The Education of the Engineer.
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17 Oct Heat: Degrees of Comfort

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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2012
Report into the options for heating homes in a low carbon economy.  Among others, key findings included: • Even with the most modern gas boilers and state-of-the art insulation, we cannot continue to heat so many homes by natural gas and achieve an 80% cut in emissions. • It is impossible to entirely disassociate climate policy from the current economic climate. In difficult economic circumstances, it becomes even more essential for government policy to signal firm, long-standing commitments to emissions targets in order to encourage and promote investment in infrastructure and technology. • Storage, whether of natural gas, biomass, large scale thermal storage, an intermediate vector such as hydrogen, electricity or heat, will be essential.
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17 Oct Nuclear Construction Lessons Learned Guidance on best practice: nuclear safety culture

Posted at 16:15h in - Classification of themes - All, Co-studies, Energy and Climate Change, Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng), Working group reports by administrateur 0 Comments
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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2012
Engineering the Future, following a request from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Office for Nuclear Development, set up a steering group to examine the lessons that could be learned from recent civil nuclear power plant construction projects.  The project steering group was formed by representatives from relevant engineering institutions and bodies and considered both the lessons that could be learned and how they should be incorporated into the proposed UK new build programme. In October 2010 the project steering group delivered a report to Charles Hendry MP, Minister of State for Energy & Climate Change, on the construction lessons learned from six international nuclear new build projects
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17 Oct Nuclear Construction Lessons Learned Guidance on best practice : Concrete

Posted at 16:14h in - Classification of themes - All, Co-studies, Energy and Climate Change, Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng), Working group reports by administrateur 0 Comments
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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2012
Engineering the Future, following a request from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Office for Nuclear Development, set up a steering group to examine the lessons that could be learned from recent civil nuclear power plant construction projects.  The project steering group was formed by representatives from relevant engineering institutions and bodies and considered both the lessons that could be learned and how they should be incorporated into the proposed UK new build programme. In October 2010 the project steering group delivered a report to Charles Hendry MP, Minister of State for Energy & Climate Change, on the construction lessons learned from six international nuclear new build projects.
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17 Oct Nuclear Lessons Learned Guidance on Best Practice: Welding

Posted at 16:12h in - Classification of themes - All, Co-studies, Energy and Climate Change, Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng), Working group reports by administrateur 0 Comments
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Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) (RAEng)
2012
Engineering the Future, following a request from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and the Office for Nuclear Development, set up a steering group to examine the lessons that could be learned from recent civil nuclear power plant construction projects.  The project steering group was formed by representatives from relevant engineering institutions and bodies and considered both the lessons that could be learned and how they should be incorporated into the proposed UK new build programme. In October 2010 the project steering group delivered a report to Charles Hendry MP, Minister of State for Energy & Climate Change, on the construction lessons learned from six international nuclear new build projects.
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