Suchergebnisse

Osnovni cilj projekta FP7 Biomass Energy Europe – BEE je poboljšati točnost i mogućnost usporedbe budućih procjena potencijala biomase za proizvodnju energije, uz smanjenje heterogenosti, povećanje harmoniziranosti te razmjenu znanja. Jedan od glavnih rezultata projekta je razvoj priručnika (handbook) o metodologijama za procjenu potencijala biomase, koji sadrži detaljan opis predložene metodologije u ovisnosti o vrsti biomase i tipu analize (statistički, prostorno eksplicitni, integrirani i drugi). Glavni cilj Ilustrativnog primjera (Illustration Case) za Hrvatsku, a koji je proveden u sklopu BEE projekta, je izvršiti procjenu potencijala brzorastućih nasada na napuštenom zemljištu, odnosno zemljištu gdje poljoprivredna proizvodnja nije profitabilna. Korištena metodologija u skladu je s priručnikom razvijenim u BEE projektu. Osnovni izvor podataka sadržan je u Pedološkoj karti Hrvatske, koja je predstavljala osnovu za procjenu prikladnosti tla za bilo koju vrstu primjene. Teoretski potencijal brzorastućih nasada u Hrvatskoj procijenjen je na sljedeće iznose: • Površina šuma i šumskog zemljišta prikladnog za brzorastuće nasade: ukupno 51 200 ha, ukupna proizvodnja 470 200 t suhe tvari godišnje, odnosno 8,7 PJ • Površina poljoprivrednog zemljišta sa srednje prikladnim i neprikladnim tlom – ukupno 617 000 ha, ukupna proizvodnja 7 404 000 t suhe tvari godišnje, odnosno 136,2 PJ. Tehnički potencijal brzorastućih nasada u Hrvatskoj procijenjen je na sljedeće iznose: • Površina šuma i šumskog zemljišta prikladnog za brzorastuće nasade: ukupno 46 850 ha, ukupna proizvodnja 430 000 t suhe tvari godišnje, odnosno 7,9 PJ • Površina poljoprivrednog zemljišta sa srednje prikladnim i neprikladnim tlom – ukupno 235 650 ha, ukupna proizvodnja 2 827 800 t suhe tvari godišnje, odnosno 52,1 PJ. Unatoč značajnom potencijalu brzorastućih nasada, trenutno se koristi vrlo mali iznos raspoložive površine. Problemi i prepreke koje je potrebno ukloniti kako bi se iskorištavanje brzorastućih nasada povećalo, uključuje promjene u cjelopnoj politici, posebice prema malim zemljoposjednicima, uvođenje financijskih poticaja, nedostatak znanja i iskustva u uzgoju brzorastućih nasada te općenito nedostatak suradnje između relevantnih dionika. ; The overall objective of the FP7 Biomass Energy Europe – BEE project is to improve the accuracy and comparability of future biomass resource assessments for energy by reducing heterogeneity, increasing harmonisation and exchanging knowledge. One of the main results within the project is the development of the Methods Handbook for biomass potential assessment, which contains detailed description of the proposed methodology based on type of biomass and type of analysis (statistical, spatially explicit, integrated and others). The main objective of the Illustration case for Croatia performed within the BEE project is to estimate the energy and technical potential of fast-growing broadleaved species energy plantations on abandoned land or on land where agricultural production is not profitable. The methodology utilised is based on the BEE Methods Handbook. The main source of data used is contained within the Basic pedological map of the Republic Croatia, which forms the basis for the estimation of soil suitability for any kind of designated utilization. The theoretical potential for short rotation energy crops production in Croatia was estimated as following: • Forest area suitable for energy crops – a total of 51 200 ha was estimated to be suitable for SRC, producing in total 470 200 t DM/y or 8,7 PJ • Agricultural areas with moderately suitable soils and limited soil suitability – a total of 617 000 ha was estimated to be suitable for SRC, producing a total of 7 404 000 t DM/y or 136,2 PJ The technical potential for short rotation energy crops production in Croatia was estimated as following: • Forest area suitable for energy crops – a total of 46 850 ha was estimated to be suitable for SRC, producing in total 430 000 t DM/y or 7,9 PJ • Agricultural areas with moderately suitable soils and limited soil suitability – a total of 235 650 ha was estimated to be suitable for SRC, producing a total of 2 827 800 t DM/y or 52,1 PJ In spite of the considerable potential for short rotation energy crops production, currently a very small amount of the available area is utilised in Croatia. The issues and problems to be addressed in order to increase this production include a change in policy approach, especially aimed at small landowners, introduction of incentives and subsidies, lack of knowledge and experience in growing energy crops and generally a lack of cooperation between relevant stakeholders.

The paper presents results of study aimed to evaluate issues of current development of bioenergy in Latvia, taking into account restrictions, which may affect future progress of main biomass sources. These restrictions are based on latest European Union (EU) regulations and recommendations; and worldwide concerns of scholars on sustainability, particularly environmental (e.g. biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, carbon sequestration) of bioenergy (biomass) development. The appropriate qualitative and quantitative research methods have been used in the process of study. The results of examination suggest that biomass possesses one of the greatest potentials for further increasing renewables production, particularly in Latvia. The characteristics and perspectives of main biomass sources' development are assessed for compliance with the EU latest regulations, recommendations and policies, particularly Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) 2014-2020, and they demonstrate [reveal?] several limitations. The restrictions under the CAP regulations' so-called 'greening' requirements mainly affect the production of energy crops, limiting monocultures' growing. For some types of biomass production (e.g. energy cultures, wood biomass), several limitations or restrictions are considered, in particular, those related to environmental issues such as biodiversity, soil properties, agro-ecosystems and landscape. Forest origin, non-food plants (e.g. perennial grasses) and different kind of residues and waste could be the most important, perspective and sustainable biomass sources in Latvia. Besides, the dominance of a single bioenergy source would be unsustainable in the long run, and diversifying of the energy system is preferred.

In this work a power characterization of adult stages of the species Eucalyptus globulus and Eucalyptus nitens has been made. The study has been made in six different plantations in Cantabria (North coast of Spain), located at a latitude 43º28'N, and a longitude 3º48'W. The region has approximately 30,000 Ha dedicated to the growth of Eucalyptus. After the collection of samples they were weighed, analyzed and burned, resulting a mean net calorific value of 17,384 kJ/kg and 17,927 kJ/kg for the E. globulus and E. nitens, respectively. Finally, the economic and environmental consequences that the crop of these species would suppose for the region of Cantabria were analyzed. ; The authors want to thank to the Council on Research and Technological Development of the University of Cantabria by their financial support, to the company Bosques 2000 S.L. for his great help and to the Forest Department of the Government of Cantabria by its support in the collection of samples and data.

Examining the relationship between biofuels and food security, this book presents an economic analysis of the competition between biofuels and food. It covers the historical and current situation of biofuels and food security in Brazil, China, Japan, USA, EU, Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and other countries. Furthermore it demonstrates that not only feedstock of agricultural product-based biofuels, but also cellulose-based biofuels can compete with food-related demand and agricultural resources. The issue of whether this competition is good or bad for food security is explored, and this topic is examined at global, national, sub-national and household levels. ?In order to deal with energy security, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to strengthen agricultural/rural development, biofuel production and utilization is increasing all over the world. One of the most crucial problems is the competition for resources between biofuel and food. This biofuel and food security discussion is expected to continue into the future, and this book proposes the action that is needed to deal with this issue on various levels. ?Biofuel and Food Security provides a valuable resource to undergraduates and researchers of economics, agricultural economics and renewable science, and also policy makers involved in government or international organizations. It will additionally be of interest to those employed in renewable energy and agriculture in an industrial capacity.

Perceptions of energy crop production are assessed in this paper. The Görlitz district (Germany) serves as a case study area for this purpose. Semi-structured interviews with farmers and standardized surveys among lay persons were conducted. Many farmers perceive themselves being responsible for providing many ecosystem services. Farmers prefer a regional scale of energy crop cultivation based on conventional crops. Improved legal frameworks and incentives would safeguard equal competition and ecosystem services. Laypersons think that drinking water, food production, biodiversity and pollination are the most important ecosystem services of agricultural landscapes. Providing biomass for renewable energy production is not considered to be an important ecosystem service. Laypersons believe that biomass production should be restricted to fields that are not needed for food production, and the use of residues or landscape management materials. According to laypersons, more money should be spent to halt the decline of ecosystem services. ; V tomto článku je hodnoceno vnímání produkce energetických plodin. Jako případová studie slouží okres Görlitz v Německu. Byly uskutečněny semi-strukturované rozhovory se zemědělci a standardizovaná dotazníková šetření s laickou veřejností. Většina farmářů vnímá sama sebe jako poskytovatele mnoha ekosystémových služeb. Farmáři preferují pěstování konvenčních energetických plodin s podporou na regionální úrovni. Lepší legislativní nástroje a dotace by podle nich zajistily rovnou soutěž a ekosystémové služby. Laická veřejnost se domnívá, že pitná voda, produkce potravin, biodiverzita a opylení představují nejdůležitější ekosystémové služby, které poskytuje zemědělská krajina. Zajištění biomasy pro produkci obnovitelné energie není považováno za důležitou ekosystémovou službu. Laická veřejnost má za to, že produkce biomasy by měla být omezena na plochy, které nejsou potřebné pro produkci potravin, využití zbytkových produktů či management krajiny. Více peněz by naopak mělo být věnováno proti úpadku ekosystémových služeb.

1. Opening session. Why science is needed for the culture of the third millennium - The motor for progress / Antonino Zichichi. Acceptance remarks on receiving the 2009 Gian Carlo Wick gold medal award / Nicholas P. Samios. Glacial retreat and its impact in Tibetan plateau under global warming / Honglie Sun. Climate stabilization on the basis of geo-engineering technologies / Yuri Antonovitch Izrael. Modeling forest ecosystems, their response to and interaction with global climate change / Herman H. Shugart. Forest policies, carbon sequestration and biodiversity protection / Jan Szyszko. Avoiding disaster : Book presentation / Henning Wegener and William Barletta -- 2. Information security focus : Cyber conflicts and cyber stability - finding a path to cyper peace. Cyber conflict vs. cyber stability : Finding a path to cyber peace / Henning Wegener. Advancing the global cybersecurity agenda and promoting cyberstability globally / Hamadoun I. Toure. Bridging the global gaps in cyber security / Mohd Noor Amin. Cyber war vs. cyber stability / Jody R. Westby. Cyber conflict vs. cyber security : Finding a path to peace / John. G. Grimes. Information security, ensembles of experts / Rick Wesson. Cyber conflict vs. cyber stability : EU and multi-national collaboration / Jacques Bus. Erice declaration on principles for cyber stability and cyber peace / Jody Westby and William Barletta -- 3. Pollution focus : Integrating environmental health research and chemical innovation. Fomenting new opportunities to protect human health / John Peterson Myers. Green chemistry : A necessary step to a sustainable future / John C. Warner. Health impact of environmental chemicals : Need for green chemistry / Jerrold J. Heindel. Moving the chemical enterprise toward sustainability : Key issues / Terry Collins -- 4. Energy & climate focus : Essential technologies for moderating climate change and improving energy security. Balancing perspectives on energy supply, economics, and the environment / Carl O. Bauer. The outlook for power plant CO[symbol] capture / Edward S. Rubin. Making rapid transition to an energy system centered on energy efficiency and renewables possible / Wolfgang Eichhammer. Beyond emerging low-carbon technologies to face climate change? / Giorgio Simbolotti. Institutions for developing new climate solutions / Lee Lane, W. David Montgomery and Anne E. Smith. Moderating climate change by limiting emissions of both short- and long-lived greenhouse gases / Michael C. MacCracken. Current status of technology for collection of uranium from seawater / Masao Tamada. An explanation of oil peaking / Roger W. Bentley. The future of global oil supply : Understanding the building blocks / Peter Jackson. The importance of technology - The constant wild card / Rodney F. Nelson. Recent scientific development in Taiwan in response to global climate change / Maw-Kuen Wu -- 5. Climate focus : Global warming and greenhouse gases. Exponential analysis in the problem of the assessment of the contribution of greenhouse gases in global warming / Mikhail J. Antonovsky -- 6. Energy, climate, pollution and limits of development focus : Advanced technologies and strategies in China for meeting the energy, environment and economy predicament in a greenhouse constrained society. Myths and realities about energy and energy-related CO[energy] emissions in China / Mark D. Levine. Technologies and policies for the transition to low carbon energy system in China / Zhang Xiliang. Assessment of CO[symbol] storage potential in oil/gas-bearing reservoirs in Songliao Basin of China / Mingyuan Li. Carbon cycle in Karst processes / Yuan Daoxian. Bioenergy in China : A grand challenge for economic and environmental sustainability / Jie Zhuang and Gui-Rui Yu. Screening for climate change adaptation : Water problem, impact and challenges in China / Jun Xia -- 7. Climate and data focus : Significant climate uncertainties addressed by satellites. NASA satellite observations for climate research and applications for public health / John A. Haynes. Climate insights from monitoring solar energy output / Judit M. Pap -- 8. Climate & clouds focus : Sensitivity of climate to additional CO[symbol] as indicated by water cycle feedback issues. A natural limit to anthropogenic global warming / William Kininmonth. On the observational determination of climate sensitivity and its implications / Richard S. Lindzen and Yong-Sang Choi. Two basic problems of simulating climate feedbacks / Garth W. Paltridge -- 9. Climate without computer simulation focus : Mathematics, physics, and climate. What is the climate change signal? / Kyle L. Swanson. A key open question of climate forecasting / Christopher Essex -- 10. Climate and health focus : Windblown dust. Medical geology : Dust exposure and potential health risks in the Middle East / Mark B. Lyles. Climate change and climate systems influence and control the atmospheric dispersion of desert dust : Implications for human health / Dale Griffin -- 11. Science & technology focus : WMD proliferation - energy of the future - mathematics & democracy. Remote detection with particle beams / Gregory Canavan. Exploring the Italian navigator's new world : Toward economic,full-scale, low-carbon, conveniently-available, proliferation - robust, renewable energy resources / Lowell Wood. The Mathematics of Democracy in South Asia / K. C. Sivaramakrishnan -- 12. WFS general meeting PMP reports - debate and conclusions. Permanent monitoring panel on motivations for terrorism / Lord John Alderdice. AIDS and infectious diseases PMP / Franco M. Buonaguro. Mother and child PMP / Nathalie Charpak. Permanent monitoring panel on limits of development / Christopher D. Ellis. Pollution permanent monitoring panel : Annual report / Lorne Everett. Multinational repositories : Recent developments and 2010 session and workshop proposals / Charles McCombie. Energy PMP report / William Fulkerson ... [et al.]. Report of the permanent monitoring panel for the mitigation of terrorist acts : PMP-MTA / Sally Leivesley. Permanent monitoring panel on climate activity report / William A. Sprigg. Permanent monitoring panel on information security report from the co-chairs / Henning Wegener and Jody R. Westby -- 13. Information security panel meeting. Erice declaration on principles for cyber stability and cyber peace / World Federation of Scientists : Permanent monitoring panel on information security. Top cyber security problems that need resolution to address communications / World Federation of Scientists : Permanent monitoring panel on information security. Quest for cyber peace / World Federation of Scientists : Permanent monitoring panel on information security -- 14. Limits of development panel meeting. About questions to be discussed on occasion of the 2009 Erice meeting of the PMP limits of development : The situation in Argentina / Juan Manuel Borthagaray and Andres Borthagaray. Sustainable development in Mexico : Facing the multi-headed hydra / Alberto Gonzalez-Pozo -- 15. Mitigation of terrorist attacks meeting. Permanent Monitoring Panel - Mitigation of Terrorist Acts (MPM-MTA) workshop agenda / Richard Wilson. Development of CBRN event mitigation / Friedrich Steinhausler. One science for CBRN mitigation / Annette L. Sobel. The need for a corps of radiation workers for immediate assignment / Richard Wilson. India's response to the prospect of WMD terrorism / Ramamurti Rajaraman. Politization in the process of international cooperation to mitigate nuclear terrorism : Some dubious results / Vasily Krivokhizha. Immediate communications in the CBRN environment / Robert V. Duncan. Immediate evaluation of radiological and nuclear attacks / Richard L. Garwin. Establishment of a scientifically-informed rapid response system / Richard Wilson -- 16. Energy panel meeting. Status of ITER broader approach activities / Akira Miyahara. Topics of energy research in Japan / Akira Miyahara.

This paper analyses the potential biomass supply in the 15 EU countries, 8 new member states and 2 candidate countries (ACC10), plus Belarus and the Ukraine. For this purpose five scenarios were designed to describe the short-, moderate- and long-term potential of biomass-for-energy. Our assessments show that under certain restrictions on land availability, the potential supply of biomass energy amounts to up to 12.8 EJy-1 in the EU15 and 6.1 EJy-1 in the ACC10. For comparison, the overall energy supply in the EU15 totalled 62.6 EJy-1 in 2001. Consequently, there are no important resource limitations in meeting the biomass target for 2010, which was set by the European Commission (5.6 EJy-1 for the EU15 according to the 1997 White Paper on Renewable Energy Sources (RES)). However, given the slow implementation of the RES policy it is very unlikely that the biomass target will be met within 2010.

To achieve the UK Government's aim of expansion in the growth of perennial energy crops requires farmers to select these crops in preference to conventional rotations. Existing studies estimating the total potential resource have either only simplistically considered the farmer decision-making and opportunity costs, for example using an estimate of annual land rental charge; or have not considered spatial variability, for example using representative farm types. This paper attempts to apply a farm-scale modelling approach with spatially specific data to improve understanding of potential perennial energy crop supply. The model main inputs are yield maps for the perennial energy crops, Miscanthus and willow grown as short-rotation coppice (SRC), and regional yields for conventional crops. These are used to configure location specific farm-scale models, which optimize for profit maximization with risk aversion. Areas that are unsuitable or unavailable for energy crops, due to environmental or social factors, are constrained from selection. The results are maps of economic supply, assuming a homogenous farm-gate price, allowing supply cost curves for the UK market to be derived. The results show a high degree of regional variation in supply, with different patterns for each energy crop. Using estimates of yields under climate change scenarios suggests that Miscanthus supply may increase under future climates while the opposite effect is suggested for SRC willow. The results suggest that SRC willow is only likely to able to supply a small proportion of the anticipated perennial energy crop target, without increases in market prices. Miscanthus appears to have greater scope for supply, and its dominance may be amplified over time by the effects of climate change. Finally, the relationship to the demand side of the market is discussed, and work is proposed to investigate the factors impacting how the market as a whole may develop.

Similarly to other EU countries, Italy began subsidizing electric energy production from renewable sources such as biogas. This proved to be an inefficient way of using available resources. In the Po Valley -- the most productive agricultural area in Italy -- the share of corn area used for biogas production increased from 0.4% in 2007 to more than 10% in 2012, reaching 18.2% in Lombardy. This, in a framework of declining acreage due to Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, increases demand, competition for land, and agricultural prices, therefore pushing up production cost for livestock and, consequently, famous Italian quality products. Italy has started reforming its energy policy by incentivizing the construction of small manure-based biogas plants but more can and has to be done to promote a more efficient utilization of biogas, which, for example, can be upgraded into biomethane (with relatively low energy requirements) and injected into the natural gas grid.