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News - Desert Energy Project
20.12.2010: CCS, a story of how bad environmental news laundering is being done [1]
E.ON Energy, an energy giant in Germany, constructs a small facility to test stack gas cleaning using CO2 separations by amine solvent absorption in Wilhelmshaven (Germany).
According to Dr. Holger Bräuer, head of the project, the pilot plant will have a capacity to wash 20.000 cubic metres/hour (5,5 MW) which is 1 per cent of the stack gases actually produced by the coal fired power plant at Wilhelmshaven. The pilot plant, with a budget of € 10 million, is being constructed in cooperation with Flour, a company of USA, using monoethanolamine (MEA) as a CO2 solvent. After capturing CO2 it will be released to the athmosphere, because the technology of storing the gas will only be available in 2020. [2]
MEA is rather weak base and will re-release H2S or CO2 when the scrubbing solution is heated and returns the regenerated MEA solution to the scrubber unit again for reuse after being cooled. This leads to a loss of efficiency of 11 per cent.
This meager projected outcomes of the CCS pilot plant of E.ON which does not tackle the problem how to handle CO2 after its capture is part of laundring bad climate news and will be used by the local newspaper to calm public oposition to a planen XXL-coal fired power plant at Wilhelmshaven. This is part of a broad public campaign taking place in USA and Germany wash green fossil fuel and avoid the emerging technology of solar energy, wind farm and hydrogen as energy storage and clean fuel for transportation. [3] Read more
A matter of price, says Siemens [4]
Pollution rights range from €10 to €20 per ton of CO2, are inexpensive and do not justify CCS technology.Only when costs rise above €40, separateion, transport, and storage of CO2 will be attractive to power plant operators.
[1] "Waschmittel" trennt CO2 vom Rauchgas. Jeversches Wochenblatt Nr. 292. 14.12.2010.
[2] E.ONs Post Combustion – Wilhelmshaven. ZERO 09.12.2009
http://www.zeroco2.no/projects/ccsproject.2009-11-03.9120525836
[3] The global hydrogen initiative
http://www.desertenergyproject.net/Global_Initiative.pdf
[4]Open Innovation: Carbon Dioxide Separation. Pictures of the Future. Spring 2010.
http://www.siemens.com/innovation/en/publications/publications_pof/pof_spring_2010/open_innovation/co2_storage.htm
13.12.2010: Technology of carbon capture and storage (CCS) not yet proven [1]
According to Sergio Serra, the Brazilian special ambassador for climate change, his land does not support of carbon capture and storage in the UN Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Serra explained that the technology is not yet proven, and there are doubts that CO2 will remain underground indefinitely. At this stage CCS involves a certain risk that should not be taken, he said.
Positions of some OPEC members regarding climate protection [2]
United Arab Emirates: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, the United Arab Emirates Minister of Foreign Affairs, Expressed his country's support for the nations most at risk from the effects of climate change, and the will of the UAE to address the problem, pledging US$350 million for renewable energy projects in developing countries, as well as support for small island states.
Saudi Arabia and Kuwait: Saudi Oil Minister and Kuwait trade minister urged the economic interests of their countries should not be harmed
Ali al Naimi, the Saudi oil minister, called to revoke any agreement on protectionist trade policies that are directed against the various types of fossil fuels. He continued saying that Saudi Arabia is in need of greater co-operation from the international community, through increased foreign investment and transfer of technology to reduce its own dependence on oil. He was followed by Kuwaiti trade minister, Ahmad al Haroon which expressed a similar position regarding his country.
[1] UAE seeks support on carbon burial. The National 08.12.2010.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/uae-seeks-support-on-carbon-burial
[2] Sheikh Abdullah's pledge on climate. The National 12.12.2010.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/sheikh-abdullahs-pledge-on-climate
11.12.2010: The disastrous outcomes of Cancun 2010 [1]
Helping funds only after 2020: The Green Climate Fund is to administer money from the European Union, Japan and the United States of an amount of 100 billion dollars a year starting in 2020, along with 30 billion dollars in rapid assistance. Financial crisis limps the fund donors, and 2020 is far away. Nobody believes that some money of this will ever flow.
Deforestation and no-rights of indigenous people continues: Voices broad support for efforts to reduce the destruction of forests, asking to draft anti-deforestation plans and urges to respect the rights of indigenous people. (Brazil is building dams in the Amazon region modifying the ecology and displacing all living beings.)
Japan opposes to extend the treaty: A new meeting of the Kyoto Protocol group is scheduled for December 2011 in South Africa. Negotiations in Cancun do not require nations for now to inscribe their post-2012 commitments. Japan has led opposition to extending the treaty, saying it is unfair by not including China and the United States.
No reason to be proud: There is no reason to be proud of such an agreement. It does not tackle decarbonisation of fuel and nothing is binding. It is combating the effect of CO2 and not the cause. Read more
[1] Key points in climate agreement. Gulf News.com 11.12.2010.
http://gulfnews.com/news/world/other-world/key-points-in-climate-agreement-1.727702
04.12.2010: No commitment to legal targets at Cancun [1]
Dr Anna Korppoo, the programme director at the Helsinki-based Finnish Institute of International Affairs does not have any hope for a breakthrough in Cancun.
Professor Daniel Esty, who teaches at the Yale Law School and the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies points to the fact that no country can solve the problem on its own. International agreements are therefore vital for a success in Climate protection. As a developing nation, China is not obliged to commit to any legal emissions cuts.
Nuclear business overshadows environmental efforts [2]
The French president Sarkozy in December is on selling tour in India. Initial sell of two AREWA European pressure reactors will be upgraded to six in numbers, starting the implementation of the 10,000MW nuclear project. Nuclear energy would be the “focus” of Indo-French cooperation, he said, lauding the “considerable environmental benefit” and “energy independence” that it brought. As much as 80 per cent of France's electricity came from nuclear source. India's decision to expand its nuclear energy production from 4,000 to 62,000 megawatts in 20 years represents a “change of attitude.” However, Sarkozy did not mention the dangers of nuclear energy. It creates nuclear waste for billion of years. Germany is having a hard time to handle its nuclear waste. Other countries have no plans to solve the problem. Here again, big business is being done on cost of future generation. Read more
Facing the future of global energy: About 60 per cent of greenhouse emissions came from the energy sector. Solar energy and wind power may provide safe energies [3]
Meanwhile consciousness and willingness to tackle climate issues are rising in the arabian countries. Abu Dhabi became the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
According to Hermann Scheer neither the United Nations nore the International Energy Agency. provides sufficient focus on renewable energy. Sheer was a member of the SPD party and member of the German parliament who first called for IRENA's formation in 1990. [4]
Adnan Amin, director of IRENA reports the development of a map bearing informations on insolation and wind velocity around the world clarifying of renewable energy potential of the different regions to increase the efficiency of the green activities of the countries, and may help government in their decision.
This highlights, for instance, the inefficient way Germany is handling photovoltaic with only 1000 hours of sunshine per year compared with 3000 hours in the sunbelt of the Arabian countries. Speaking about efficiency Germany should concentrate on wind power, of which it has plenty enough. Its engagement in photovoltaic should be focused on cooperation with Arabic countries which have a threefold efficiency in photovoltaic.
Carbon-based fuels present serious repercussions for the environment and public health. Adnan Amin calls on the international community to come together in a common effort to transform the energy system in the coming decades. This means to overcome the animosity and differences between possible partners to form effective cooperation in the field of solar and wind resources.
While United States and China fail to cooperate with CO2 emission reduction, the Middle East and African countries have been active on this issue. Morocco had a renewables target of eight per cent of primary energy by 2012, Algeria achieved a 10 per cent share in 2008, while Jordan had set a target of seven per cent by 2015 and 10 per cent by 2020, said Amin.
This is a good start to count on. Reed more
[1] America blamed for climate talks stalemate. The National 28.11.2010.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/america-blamed-for-climate-talks-stalemate
[2] Sarkozy calls for permanent Security Council seat for India. The Hindu. 04.12.2010.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article931213.ece
[3] Irena chief wants to map energy. The National 30.11.2010.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/irena-chief-wants-to-map-energy
[4] Abu Dhabi Chosen to Host IRENA. World Changing.Change your Thinking 01.06.2009.
http://www.worldchanging.com/archives/010085.html
25.11.2010: Qatar requested the UN to include CCS in carbon credit schemes to boost its crude oil production which is declining [1]
Qatar Petroleum plans to inject carbon dioxide into its biggest oil deposit to reverse declining output. Qatar hopes to get carbon credits for their new diesel plant to make it financially attractive.
Qatar, formally requested that the UN include carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) to provide financial incentives for lowering carbon gas emissions in projects of oil production which are currently excluded from carbon credits of the clean development mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol,
Qatar experts say that CCS projects are especially difficult to justify economically in developing countries, which neither tax fuel consumption nor have alternative carbon-pricing mechanisms to discourage emissions. Abu Dhabi Government also supports the CCS request to be included in the UN programme.
The National writes why the GCC should adopt CCS [2]
1.- The CO2 from the big Pearl gas-to-diesel plant can be collected and pressed in the declining Dukhan's oil field. Crude oil production of these wells could be improved.
2.- CCS can be an environmental argument to protect Gulf exports of petrochemicals, steel and aluminium from taxes on high-carbon imports proposed by the US and Australia to protect their own industry.
3.- The region is known for its high carbon footprint which affects tourism, foreign investments and bids to host events such as Qatar's World Cup.
4.- Dubai plans to install coal-fired power plants. CCS could capture some of the greenhouse gases.
Local environmental groups, however focus on wind and solar power, and Brazil opposes CCS fearing it could undercut demand for carbon credits on reduction of deforestation. CCS requires several billion dollars and reduces a plant's efficiency by 30 per cent to 40 per cent.
Alternative to misconceptions of energy planings
The Gulf countries should stop sticking to ageing technologies which demand billions and look forward to the emerging energy of the 21.century. The phase-out of carbon based fuels has already begun. CCS is an example of undeveloped and inefficient ways to divert from solar and wind energy and the introduction of hydrogen as fuel. The Gulf countries should use their enormous wealth of solar energy to secure the leadership in electricity and hydrogen business. Read more
[1] Qatar Petroleum weighs carbon gas oilfield boost. The National 23.11.2010.
http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/qatar-petroleum-weighs-carbon-gas-oilfield-boost
[2] GCC must unite to capture advantage on carbon storage. The National. Robin M.Mills. 23.11.2010.
http://www.thenational.ae/business/energy/gcc-must-unite-to-capture-advantage-on-carbon-storage
18.11.2010: Scientists are helpless and present no global strategy for UN Climate Conference in Cancun December 2010 [1]
In December 2010 an enormous group of people will meet in Cancun to continue deliberations on how to tackle climate change. Old theories which already have been found to be not feasible are being put on the tble again. Geoengineering like Carbon Capture and Store, solar radiation management spreading sulphur particles in the stratosphere, introducing seawater aerosol in the air to mimic clouds, or placing mirrors in space to shade the earth, or even fertilizing the ocean with iron are old theories which were found to be of no help but are being revived whenever some media needs a story to fill a gap of news.
Two reports on geoengineering were presented to the US Congress on 29.11.2010 . They called for more coordinated research on the matter, but did not ruled it out. According to the US space agency Nasa geoengineering could provide a way to slow global warming until carbon emissions can be reduced enough to prevent catastrophic climate change.
Geoengineering dangerous and its cost are too high says study by Rutgers University 2009 [2]
The study of the Rutgers University stresses that anthropogenic stratospheric aerosol injection would cool the planet, stop the melting of sea ice and land-based glaciers, slow sea level rise, and increase the terrestrial carbon sink, but would also produce heavy side effects such as regional drought in Africa and Asia, ozone depletion, less sunlight for solar power, do nothing to stop ocean acidification, and present many ethical and moral issues. Sea fertilisation may creating toxic blooms that harm aquatic life.
Costs: Using existing U.S. military fighter and tanker planes, the annual costs of injecting aerosol precursors into the lower stratosphere would be several billion dollars. Using artillery or balloons to loft the gas would be much more expensive.
The Study of the Royal Society: Geoengineering the Climate [3]
The Royal Society says that Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) techniques have relatively low uncertainties and risks, however, these techniques work slowly to reduce global temperatures, and will not be available for a near future.
Solar Radiation Management (SRM) techniques, which reflect a small percentage of the sun's light and heat back into space. SRM may only reduce some, but not all, effects of climate change, while possibly creating other problems. CO2 levels are not reduced which increases ocean acidification.
Recommendations: The Royal Society in its Report recommends parties to the UNFCCC to agree to global emissions reductions of at least 50% on 1990 levels by 2050 and more thereafter.
CDR and SRM geoengineering methods should only be considered as complementary to package of strategies on climate change, and CDR should be prefered to SRM methods. UK government should fund a 10 year geoengineering research programme at a level of the order of £10M per annum. The Royal Society and international science partners, should develop a code of practice for geoengineering research and governance framework.
UK Regulation of Geoengineering, House of Commons [4]
A paper of the UK Parliament, responding to the Report of the Royal Society, considers that Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) and Solar Radiation Management (SRM) techniques provide a sound basis for building a grading system for geoengineering techniques for the purposes of regulation. Other criteria such as leverage and risk could be included, though the Parliament would be concerned if the criteria proliferated or were drawn so widely as to bring techniques unnecessarily within tight regulatory control. The paper concludes that geoengineering techniques should be graded according to factors such as trans-boundary effect, the dispersal of potentially hazardous materials in the environment and the direct effect on ecosystems. The regulatory regimes for geoengineering should then be tailored accordingly. Those techniques scoring low against the criteria should be subject to no additional regulation to that already in place, while those scoring high would be subject to additional controls.
The Geoengineering Moratorium at UN Ministerial in Nagoya Japan 2010 [5]
At about the same time in Nagoya, Japan, An intergovernmental conference to protect global biodiversity, held in Nagoya, proposed a moratorium on large-scale geo-engineering experiments "until there is an adequate scientific basis on which to justify such activities and appropriate consideration of the associated risks"
The agreement asks governments to ensure that no geoengineering activities take place until risks to the environment and biodiversity and associated social, cultural and economic impacts have been appropriately considered.
The decision builds on the 2008 moratorium on ocean fertilization. That agreement, negotiated at COP 9 in Bonn, put the brakes on a litany of failed “experiments” - both public and private - to sequester atmospheric carbon dioxide in the oceans depths by spreading nutrients on the sea surface. Since then, attention has turned to a range of futuristic proposals to block a percentage of solar radiation via large-scale interventions in the atmosphere, stratosphere and outer space that would alter global temperatures and precipitation patterns.
Members of the conference criticise that Carbon Capture and Storage technologies are not included in the moratorium. This questions must be considered, as many government support CCS to distract from the necessity to decarbonise fuels.
The prohibition does not apply to the United States, which has yet to ratify the convention. When it comes to do something for climate and environment the USA is the first to quit the boat. [6]
The IPCC and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) in Germany on the wrong side of climate battle [7]
According to the Nature Magazine the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) encourages the geoengineering research, and will discuss the geoengineering costs, impacts and side effects in june 2011. Ottmar Edenhofer of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research in Germany and co-chairman of the IPCC's working group on climate-change mitigation, was cited saying that the commitments to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions will probably not be enough to limit global warming to 1.5-2 degrees Celsius over the next century.
Clarification published in Nature edition 468: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) does not recommend particular mitigation strategies or climate policies, and does not recommend geoengineering as a way to limit global warming to 1.5-2 degrees over the next century. Instead, the IPCC will assess the full range of options for the mitigation of climate change within its Fifth Assessment Report, based on peer-reviewed scientific literature.
The wrong side of climate battle
The bad option is the way of USA is handling environmental issues. The nation continues its politics of denial of international cooperation and persists on the use of cheap coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy, all of them do not consider the environmental consequential costs. Germany is having a bad time with destabilisation of hollows left by coal mining with damages of housings in mining area. Nuclear waste stored at the Asse repository must now be recovered. No safe place to store it can be found.
The IPCC and Ottmar Edenhofer of the German Potsdam Climate Institute (PKI) surrender in the effort to decarbonise fuel and join the wrong side trying to combat the effect of CO2 instead of advising to tackle its formation. Costs of a carbon free global energy supply is by far much cheaper compared with the faulty strategy which is now being followed. Scientists bow to the might of the energy giants which guide the governments. Energy is the primary power of economy. Any attempt to change the Status Quo of this branch faces a fierce adversary in organisations, governmental institutions and even in the mind of each citizen who dislikes any change which might turn out to become a new burden for his wallet.
The right side of the climate battle [8]
Decarbonising fuels is the way out of the climate dilemma. There are two sides tackling the climate challenge: The right side is avoiding the used of carbon based fuel. The wrong side is to try to capture greenhouse-gases, or even shade the earth and let it become stuffy.
Solar energy, wind turbines, and hydroelectric power, together with hydrogen economy as energy storage and fuel for transportation is strategy which is on the right side of the battle. For thus, government have to stop political segregation. The nations must cooperate to create a worldwide electrical grid and install electrolysers for the production of hydrogen.
Desertec is a small attempt in this direction, however, it starts using the complicated solar thermal technology which cannot start with a small size and most of all, it does not focuses on hydrogen aus fuel for transportation.
The proposal of Desert Energy Project can be used even by small communities an be scaled up to global dimensions. This strategy can build startups all over the world, even in poor regions of Africa and Asia. Promoting the decarbonisation of fuels might bring the IPCC and the PIK to the right side of the climate battle. Read more
[1] Geo-engineering may stop climate change but is it wise? The National 14.11.2010.
[2] Robock A, Marquardt A, Kravitz B, Stenchikov G: The Benefits, Risks, and Costs of Stratospheric Geoengineering. Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey.
http://climate.envsci.rutgers.edu/pdf/GRLreview2.pdf
[3] Geoengineering the climate: science, governance and uncertainty. The Royal Society. Chaired by Professor John Shepherd FRS. 1.September 2009.
http://royalsociety.org/geoengineering-the-climate/
[4] The Regulation of Geoengineering - Science and Technology Committee. House of Commons 18.03.2010.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmsctech/221/22105.htm
[5] Geoengineering Moratorium at UN Ministerial in Japan Risky Climate Techno-fixes Blocked. ETC Group on Erosion, Technology and Concentration. 29.10.2010.
http://www.politaia.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/ETCNRCBDmoratorium101029.pdf
[6] Geoengineering sparks international ban, first-ever congressional report
New York Times. October 29, 2010.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/10/29/AR2010102906365.html?hpid=topnews
[7] Geoengineering faces ban: Moratorium on schemes to reduce global warming clashes with reports urging more research. Nature 468, 13-14 (2010) | doi:10.1038/468013a
http://www.nature.com/news/2010/101102/full/468013a.html
[8] The global hydrogen initiative.
http://www.desertenergyproject.net/Global_Initiative.pdf
18.11.2010: Interim Report on Causes of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Desaster [1]
The committee presented an interim report on Causes of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Blowout and Ways to Prevent Such Eventson 16.November 2010.
The report cites that cementing the long-string production casing to prepare the well for temporary abandonment was not an effective barrier to prevent gases from entering the well. This became an important cause of the disaster of the oil rig in addition to a lack of suitable approach for managing the inherent risks, uncertainties, and dangers associated with deepwater drilling operations and a failure to learn from previous "near misses" well more than a month before the accident presented an opportunity to take actions to mitigate future risks. The type and volume of cement used to prepare for well abandonment and the time provided for the cement to cure may also have impacted the well's integrity.
Flawed decisions were not identified or corrected by BP and its service contractors, or by the oversight process employed by the U.S. Minerals Management Service and other regulatory agencies.
The blowout preventer was recently recovered and causes of its failure is being analysed. The final report, due in the summer of 2011
[1] Interim Report on Causes of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Blowout and Ways to Prevent Such Events Committee for the Analysis of Causes of the Deepwater Horizon Explosion, Fire, and Oil Spill to Identify Measures to Prevent Similar Accidents in the Future; National Academy of Engineering; National Research Council ISBN: 0-309-16382-X, 28 pages, 8.5 x 11, (2010) November 16, 2010
http://www.nap.edu/catalog/13047.html
16.11.2010: Climate change will aggravate the crisis in Middle East [1]
Experts say the Middle East will increasingly suffer from dust storms, floods in Saudi Arabia and Yemen, rising sea level, hotter, drier weather and worsen water scarcity due to climate change. Mohamed El-Ashry, former head of the Global Environment Facility, a fund that assists developing countries on climate and other environmental issues calls for actions. He stresses the necessity to address water issues that are also related to climate change causes, population growth.
The Arab world contribute merely 4.2% to the global emissions but will heavily impaired by the climate change.
Water resources are dwindling [2]
The Impact of Climate Change on the Arab Countries Report 2009 by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED), says that the region’s water supply had shrunk to a quarter of its 1960 level. By 2015, Arabs will have less than 500 cubic meters of water a year each, compared to a world average exceeding 6,000 cubic meters per head.
Human health would be adversely affected by higher temperatures, mainly due to disease vectors like mosquitoes, waterborne pathogens, water quality, air quality and food availability and quality.
Sea level rise will affect the bulk of the Arab region's economic activity, agriculture and population centres are in the coastal zone, which is highly vulnerable to sea level rise.
Food production will face an increased threat, affecting basic human needs.
Tourism, an important sector of the economy for a number of Arab countries, is highly vulnerable to climate change.
Biodiversity in the Arab countries, already deteriorating, will be further damaged
by intensifying climate change.
Land use and urban planning: An estimated 75% of buildings and infrastructure in the region are at direct risk from sea level rise, higher intensity and frequency of hot days and storm surges.
Najib Saab; AFED’s secretary-general said the citizens and governments of Arab countries are still not aware of those impacts. Their study showed that during this century the Fertile Crescent (stretching through Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian territories) will lose all signs of fertility if no actions will be taken. In eastern Syria and in Yemen water scarcity intensifies rural exodus, and large numbers of Arabs had to leave their homes. Tunisia, Jordan and Oman are more active than most arab governments.
The reports call on Arab leaders do take water shortages seriously.
Drought in the past five years has killed 85 percent of livestock in eastern Syria [3]
The ancient Inezi tribe of Syria reared camels in the sandswept lands north of the Euphrates River. Now water shortages have consigned that way of life to distant memory. Drought in the past five years has also killed 85 percent of livestock in eastern Syria, the Inezis' ancestral land.
Illegal wells to irrigate subsidized wheat and cotton have contributed to the destruction of the water table. Farms dependent on rain have turned into parched land. Diseases, such as wheat rust, have further devastated crops this season. Rainfall shrinked to an average 152 mm from 163 in the 1990s and 189 in the 1980s. An unprecedented heat wave struck this year. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for 46 days in a row in July and August.
Pollution also played a role in the deterioration of 59 percent of total agricultural land, with raw sewage being widely used for irrigation.
According to Hekmat Jolaq, a government agricultural engineer, claims for more investment, the streamlining of irrigation plans and adoption of technology, such as newly developed grazing plants developed by China.
Lebanon [4]
The effects of global warming make the winter resort Lebanon's second highest mountain at 2,695 meters to install new ski-lifts higher up, above 2,000 meters. Animals and plants seek higher altitudes as their habitat warms up.
In many cases, climate change will exacerbate Lebanon's water and energy crises, as well as air pollution and other environmental woes. Despite its relatively high rainfall, Lebanon expects to slip into water deficit by 2015, regardless of climate change, thanks to urbanization, population growth and mismanagement.
Reduced snowfall will hurt groundwater recharge and rivers. Snow melting earlier in spring means less water will be available in summer when farmers need it for irrigation.
Act now!
Do not be scared about climate change, it may even turn to become a good business for the Arabian countries. The strong insolation of the region is an enormous energy wealth. The best of it: It is also valid for poor regions which have no oil wells.
Photovoltaic power plants can be started even by communities which extreme low budget and can increase up to global dimensions using revenues. The small start is an advantage over standard natural gas power plants or even nuclear power plants which have to be constructed as fixed construction, too expensive for small communities. Wind turbines may complete the system later on.
The electricity can be used to desalinate sea water and transport it where it is needed. Surplus energy can be used to hydrolyse water to obtain hydrogen as clean fuel for transportation. This initiative may provide almost emission-free energy for future generations.
It is time for private enterprises, small communities and the government to stop mourning and act. Read more
See Dowload Centre
[1] Arab world among most vulnerable to climate change. The Arab News 11.14.2010.
http://arabnews.com/middleeast/article190831.ece
[2] Impact of Climate Change on the Arab Countries. Report 2009 by the Arab Forum for Environment and Development (AFED).
http://www.afedonline.org/afedreport09/Full%20English%20Report.pdf
[3] Environmental disaster hits eastern Syria.Kuwait Times 16.11.2010.
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTE0ODY2NTc5Mg==
[4] Climate change threatens Lebanon's snow, cedars. Kuwait Times 16.11.2010.
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=NjU5ODY3ODE=
The International Energy Agency (IEA) confirms warnings of Energy Watch Group (EWG) [1]
The IEA Report 2010 stresses the uncertainty of the energy economy and points to the responsibility of governments to respond to the challenges of climate change and energy security for the future.
The Energy Watch Group's warnings says that the Peak Oil of conventional production of crude oil happened in 2006. The IEA assumption concerning global production is not realistic. A rapid expansion of renewable energies secures supply with low costs. These warnings are confirmed by the IEA Report 2010, and scientists see wind, water and solar energy to replace oil in a near future.
Wind, Water and solar energy can provide total demand for global energy, replacing all fossil fuels [2]
Even if demand did rise to 16.9 TW, WWS sources could provide far more power. Detailed studies by us and others indicate that energy from the wind, worldwide, is about 1,700 TW. Solar, alone, offers 6,500 TW. Of course, wind and sun out in the open seas, over high mountains and across protected regions would not be available. If we subtract these and low-wind area not likely to be developed, we are still left with 40 to 85 TW for wind and 580 TW for solar, each far beyond future human demand. Yet currently we generate only 0.02 TW of wind power and 0.008 TW of solar. These sources hold an incredible amount of untapped potential.
Fthenakis, Mason and Zweibel 2008 say solar energy supplies over 90%, and together with other renewables, 100% of the total US energy demand with a corresponding 92% reduction in energy-related carbondioxide emissions compared to the 2005 levels.
The authors propose a plan based on PV and CSP and wind energy, with integration of compressed air energy storage (CAES) and production of hydrogen. The authors, however, cite the political foresight as the biggest challenge, which has to be handled. in our opinion, is the political foresight. Technical challenges are only minor challenges. [3]
Thomas Seltmann, project manager of Energy Watch Group says in an EWG email of 11.11.2020 that suppositions of the IEA are still not realistic when it comes to conventianal and unconventional production of crude oil from gas condensates and tar sands. Seltmann recommends governments an urgent expansion of renewable energies to conter price peaks in crude oil. A rapid development of green technology is cheaper compared with a slow evolution. A complete change to renewables is possible within decades and is less costly than fürther development of oil, coal and natural gas.
[1] World Energy Outlook 2010. International Energy Agency.
http://www.worldenergyoutlook.org/docs/weo2010/WEO2010_ES_English.pdf
[2] Jacobson MZ, Delucchi MA: A Path to Sustailable Energy by 2030 Schientific American. November 2009.
http://www.stanford.edu/group/efmh/jacobson/sad1109Jaco5p.indd.pdf
[3] Fthenakis V, Mason JE, Zweibel K: The technical, geographical, and economic feasibility for solar energy to supply the energy needs of the US. Energy Policy 2008.
http://www.solarplan.org/Research/F-M-Z_Solar%20Grand%20Plan_Energy%20Policy_2009.pdf
08.11.2010: German nuclear waste train under heavy protests of the citizens [1]
A train returned 123 tonnes of German nuclear waste that was treated in France by the Areva group. The transport equals ten times amount of radioactive material freed by the explosion of Tchernobyle. Activists say the Gorleben facility lacks safety to store the high radioactive waste from German nuclear power plants.
Up to 5000 activist kept sitting on the tracks to stop the train despite icy temperatures, some tried to sabotage the tracks. The police cleared the route after long disputes and fights.
Last shipment of the deadly leftovers took place in 2008, also under violent struggle between police and protesters.
It must be kept 30 years under observation at intermediate storage sites regarding possible damages caused by temperatures up to 400 degrees C in the interior or the transport casks. After that the casks must be stored for one million years.
The CASTOR cask [2]
The name CASTOR is an acronym for "Cask for Storage and Transport of radioactive Material". CASTORs were developed to transport spent fuel elements from nuclear power plants and highly radioactive vitrified waste material from reprocessing to their intermediate storage sites. They serve to shield off radiation and prevent the release of radioactivity. Spent fuel elements and high radioactive waste can be stored in these containers for up to 40 years.
The major component of the CASTOR is its 30 to 40 centimetre thick cask body made of ductile iron. Depending on the design type, several longitudinal boreholes filled with polyethylene rods have been incorporated into the wall to improve neutron shielding. The casks, which are loaded under water, are nickel-plated on the inside and coated with polyester resin on the outside.
Most of the casks have cooling fins to accommodate fuel rods or high level waste that are still generating heat. The casks can weigh up to 140 tons when loaded.
See picture The protests against the deadly remnants of a generation which exploits the nature regardless of the harm they cause to future generations.
Alternative to nuclear energy and carbon fuel [3]
A global alternative to nuclear power plants and fossil energy using solar energy, wind turbines is available for politicians and scientists which act as advisors of governments. They should face the necessity to embrace a global strategy for the energy of the future. Read more
[1] German police try to free blocked nuclear waste train. Yahoo 07.11.2010.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/francegermanyenvironmentnuclearenergyprotest#
[2] Castor transport containers. TeS Containers for radioactive materials. Bundesanstalt für Materialfoschung und Prüfung. 26.01.2010.
http://www.tes.bam.de/e_ram/e_methoden/e_castor.htm
[3] The Global Energy Initiative
http://www.desertenergyproject.net/Global_Initiative.pdf
06.11.2010: Hawaii destructive environmental politics [1]
HECO (Hawaiian Electric Company) was granted permission to burn 10 million litres palm oil in two power stations in Hawaii, with plans to become one of the biggest palm oil users in the Americas.
Palmoil as fuel means more deforestation and land-grabbing in South-east Asia and West-Africa and more climate change. Supplier will be Sime Darby which owns the largest palm oil plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia, expanding to West Africa. Sime Darby has been directly involved in the destruction of rainforests and peatlands, including orangutan habitat for palm oil violating people's rights and creating land conflicts in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Natural Resource Defense Council wrongly supports palmoil as fuel for Hawaii [2]
US conservation organisation Natural Resource Defense Council has allows HECO to class palm oil from Sime Darby as sustainable.
Rainforest Rescue says that more demand will, directly or indirectly, mean more plantation expansion and thus more deforestation, land conflicts and evictions. The group cites the Indonesian civil society organisation Sawit Watch which expressed "deep concern over the policies being adopted which promote the use and import of biofuels as an alternative to fossil fuel. Their disproportionate use is one of the new driving forces of large-scale and monoculture oil palm plantation expansion that contributes to global warming, social conflicts and rights abuses in producing countries, particularly Indonesia".
The cultivation of oil palms, like all other industrial monoculture plantations, is not and never will be sustainable. [3] Read more
New alternatives to carbon based fuel
Hawaii should invest in their abundant solar, wind, and wave energy resources, as well as energy efficiency and conservation measures. Investment in these new technologies are nowadays affordable. Prices of photovoltaic and wind energy became competitive with fossil sources. Together with hydrogen technology a solid and stable system of carbon free eneregy may be established. Read more
[1] Palm oil for power stations in Hawaii threatens forests and communities. Rainforest Rescue. 28.10.2010.
[2] NRDC and HECO agree on biodiesel procurement policy. August 22, 2007.
http://switchboard.nrdc.org/blogs/ngreene/nrdc_heco_agree_on_biodiesel_p.html
[3] International Declaration Against the 'Greenwashing' of Palm Oil by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)
http://www.biofuelwatch.org.uk/docs/17-11-2008-ENGLISH-RSPOInternational-Declaration.pdf
4.11.2010: Renewable energy for Kuwait [1]
The Ministry of Public Works is implementing an energy conservation strategy in all future projects, according to Dr. Fadhil Safar, the Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Municipal Affairs.
Solar energy will be installed in all government buildings at first. Other buildings will follow later on. Japanese contractors will be install power-generating windmills in Abdally.
The Renewable Energy Development Organization (REDO), will provide help to the government to implement solar and wind energy in Kuwait. REDO works under the umbrella of the United Nations. It was established in New York in 2010, having regional offices in New York, Spain and Kuwait. The organization promotes the use of all forms of renewable energy. REDO intends to facilitate access to all the relevant renewable energy information, including technical data, economic data and renewable resource potential data, and informations on policy frameworks, capacity-building projects, available finance mechanisms and energy efficiency measures.
Renewable hydrogen to boost Kuwait fuel export [2]
The government should also consider the production of hydrogen to store energy and to start the the hydrogen economy. Considering the development of clean fuel for transportation, Kuwait may thus stabilise the electric grid and secure the market of hydrogen, the clean fuel of next decades. Read more
[1] Kuwait to embrace renewable energy in three years: Dr Safar. Kuwait Times. 04.11.2010.
http://www.kuwaittimes.net/read_news.php?newsid=MTk1MDk4ODc=
[2] The ENERTRAG-Hybrid Powerplant
http://www.iphe.net/docs/Meetings/Australia_5-09/Germany%20-%20Enertrag.pdf
27.10.2010: The wrong environmental policy of United Arab Emirates [1]
The World Wide Fund in its Living Planet Report 2010 says that the per capita green house gases emission of United Arab Emirates residents calculated for the whole world population equals the biocapacity equivalent of more than 4.5 Earths. The environmental footprints of UAE citizens are, according to Worldwide Fund, higher than those of USA. China is supposed to have such a low carbon footprint that it is not being mentioned in the graphic. The report also says that living like the average resident of India, humanity would be using less than half the planet’s biocapacity.
Initiatives like Masdar, a carbon-free city, new green-building regulations, and Dubai's Metro system are projects the world is looking upon as leading environmental technologies. However they will not change the calamity of global climate [2]
List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions[3]
| Rank | Country | Annual CO2 emissions | Percentage of global total |
| (in thousands of metric tons) | |||
| World | 29,321,302.00 | 100 % | |
| 1 | China | 6,538,367.00 | 22.30% |
| 2 | United States | 5,838,381.00 | 19.91% |
| 3 | India | 1,612,362.00 | 5.50% |
| 4 | Russia | 1,537,357.00 | 5.24% |
| 5 | Japan | 1,254,543.00 | 4.28% |
| 6 | Germany | 787,936.00 | 2.69% |
| 32 | United Arab Emirates | 135,540.00 | 0.46 |
Statistic tricks and how everything can be proved as true, even when its vacuous
Any data set or statistics may, unfortunatly, be used to show anything you are trying to prove.
The World Wide Fund Report puts the Emirates at the forefront of emission per capita. However, this conclusion is close-minded and has no relevance in global climate. The lifestyle habits of less than 5 millions of UAE citizens, 0.08% of a 6,800 Million global population can hardly influence the final outcomes on global climate.
Results of the computer model Masdar Institute and the Emirates Wildlife Society-World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS-WWF) harms global environment [4]
Cutting Abu Dhabi's carbon emissions by 15 per cent would bring a reduction of 0.07% of the global emission, but at enormous sacrifice of safety and quality of living of the UAE population. A computer model says this requires nuclear power plants which produces nuclear waste. Also a not existent carbon capture technology will double the price of electricity and water. Cutting CO2 emissions by 40 per cent demands to recycle all its sewage water, mandate energy efficiency appliances and cut air conditioning by 60 per cent.
According to Razan al Mubarak, the managing director of EWS-WWF the computer model may elucidate potential effect of policies of development trends and impact in the water and energy sector to reduce Abu Dhabi's greenhouse emissions. All three scenarios of the computer model demands for a nuclear energy programme, which produces no direct CO2 emissions and is expected to come online later this decade.
Abu Dhabi on the road to nowhere
Nuclear power is a cheap energy when decommissioning costs, rising costs of uranium and most of al, the danger of nuclear waste is not calculated. Burn out fuel rods cannot be discarded. Germany is facing the problem of repositories which are not solved. USA do not has any repositories The strategy of the administration of Obama stores the deadly radioactive remnants of nuclear power plants at the power plants. The nuclear waste will remain active for million of years. This is no gain for the global environmental issues. Another dream of a clean future include Carbon Capture and Store. CCS stores the polluters for future generations. Investing in nuclear energy is close-minded. Read more
The energy of the post-oil era in the hands of Arab countries for a global strategy
Solar energy and wind farms are forming the power of coming generations. The UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait should form a consortium. Together with European countries, such as Germany or Spain should this consortium produce solar electricity and hydrogen which can store energy a may be used as fuel for transportation. Solar energy, wind parks and hydrogen as fuel will provide a carbon-free technology. The consortium may become able to produce hydrogen as fuel for cars. Such a consortium may supply the whole world. Producing hydrogen as green fuel the Arab countries have the possibility to export the fuel of the future, instead of becoming dependent of uranium producing countries. Read more
Efficiency of energy strategies
Efficiency of German subsidies for green energy are questioned because of enormous cost due to inefficient location. Each German family will be billed 144 Euro in 2011 for additional costs of green electricity, a total of 3,8 Billion Euro each year. These subventions are payed mainly for photovoltaic electricity in Germany. The efficiency is to be questioned, because Germany has only 1000 hour of sunshine whereas the Arabian deserts account for 3000 hours.Similar situation is reported from U.S.A, where electricity prices in Ontario are rising caused in part by the Ontario government’s Green Energy Act. [5]
Efficiency is a matter of location
Wind farms are efficient in Germany which has strong and steady winds. Subventions for wind farms should be applied there.
Solar energy, however should move to Arabian deserts, such as Kuwait. Applying the subventions of photovoltaic electricity to projects in the sunbelt would increase efficiency of the installed systems an increase the efficiency of the investments. Hydrogen technology may be generated to stabilise the grid and may be used as fuel for transportation. [6]
[1] Living Planet Report 2010. Biodiversity, biocapacity and development. WWF International
http://assets.panda.org/downloads/lpr2010.pdf
[2] UAE has world's largest environmental footprint. The National 14. October 2010.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/uae-has-worlds-largest-environmental-footprint
[3] Wikipedia : List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_carbon_dioxide_emissions
[4] Computer model reveals measures needed to cut greenhouse emissions. The National 14.October 2010.
http://www.thenational.ae/news/uae-news/environment/computer-model-reveals-measures-needed-to-cut-greenhouse-emissions
[5] Stromkunden muessen mit drastischen Aufschlaegen rechnen. Spiegel Online 14.10.2010
http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/0,1518,723136,00.html
[6] Green Energy Act means Ontario Hydro prices ‘going up like a rocket’. Wind Concerns Ontario 8/22/2010. Read more
07.09.2010: German government defines the roadmap into the era of renewable energyNuclear reactor operators will support renewable energy with €15 billion ($19.3 billion). Environmentalists want the shut down of nuclear power plants to begin in 2011. Read more
Prices of wind/photovoltaic power plants
According to ENERTRAG the price of wind power plants are US$ 4.3 Billion (3,5 B Euro)/ 1 Gigawatt.
Photovoltaic plants and hydrogen production price is US$ 4,1 Billion (3,3 billion Euro)/ 1 Gigawatt. Read more
Abu Dhabi nuclear power plants when all operations and fuel costs are factored in US$ 7.1 Billion/1Gw (5.7 B
Euro) Read more
Hydrogen is the fuel for the next decades. A cooperation between Arabian countries of the Gulf region could pave the way to the leadership of electricity and hydrogen and be prepared for the post-oil era. Nuclear power is an ageing technology which is being shut down in developed countries. Construction, operation, uranium as fuel and decommissioning is to expensive. Nuclear waste cannot be safely stored.
16.10.2010: Carbon Credits are not good to improve the environment [1]
Ukraine's government issued a raft of corruption allegations against the country's former prime minister Ms. Yulia Tymoshenko alleging that she authorized the sale last year of about €320 million in carbon credits under the Kyoto Protocol framework, and used most of the proceeds to cover a shortfall in Ukraine's pension fund. The Kyoto Protocol says that revenues of Carbon Trade are bound to environmental issues.
[1] Ukraine Government Probe Implicates Rivals. The Wall Street Journal. October 14, 2010.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704763904575550300237363426.html
11.10.2010: Researchers say hybrids vehicles will use hydrogen in near future [1]
Offer and colleagues 2010 reviewed hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric vehicle options for a road transport system and its cost in 2030.
The authors write that hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles will be important road transport in near future, however, the battery electric vehicle with hydrogen fuel cell range extender is recommended. Technology roadmap may begin with plug-in internal combustion engine hybrids and change then to hydrogen fuel cell extender.
Recycling of the platinum, lithium and other precious metals of the aggregates should be recycled and prices must be competitive to conventional vehicles.
The authors also stress that battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles should not be regarded as antagonistic, either/or options but that both should be pursued and supported.
[1] Offer GJ, Howey D, Contestabile M, Clague R, Brandon NP: Comparative analysis of battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell and hybrid vehicles in a future sustainable road transport system. Energy Policy Volume 38, Issue 1, January 2010, Pages 24-29 Doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2009.08.040
11.10.2010: Carbon capture and storage (CCS) strategies in Germany will be of no gain for environmental protection[1]
Schreiber and colleagues 2010 report that introducing CCS technology for lignite and hard coal power plants leads to a considerable loss of efficiency, and about 50 million t of lignite will be additionally required in 2030 in comparison to the reference case without CCS in 2010.
CCS implementation may reduce the global warming potential by up to 70%. However, NOx emissions will not be reduced, the coal composition, coal origin and the required transport, CO2 pipeline transport and CO2 storage reduce the environmental gains to minor importance, say the authors.
[1] Schreiber A, Zapp P, Markewitz P, Vögele S: Environmental analysis of a German strategy for carbon capture and storage of coal power plants. Energy Policy. Article in Press, 5 October 2010. Doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2010.09.006
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2010.09.006
06.10.2010: U.S. Military goes green in Afghanistan [1]
The New York Times reports that US armed forces are pushing to develop renewable energy to decrease its need to transport fossil fuels, as the supply route across the Khyber Pass into Afghanistan is under attack of insurgents.
The use of equipment such as portable solar panels, energy-conserving lights, solar tent shields that provide shade and electricity, solar chargers for computers and communications equipment are now being introduced to decrease high costs of fossil fuels transportation.
These new types of renewable energy now account for only a small percentage of the power used by the armed forces, but military experts plan a new green offensive.
According to Ray Mabus, the Navy secretary, 50 percent of the power for the Navy and Marines are to come from renewable energy sources by 2020. That figure includes energy for bases as well as fuel for cars and ships. Fossil fuel accounts for 30 to 80 percent of the load in convoys into Afghanistan with costs of $400/gallon to get it there.
Col. Robert Charette Jr., managing energy issues, hopes that the new solar equipment will prove reliable and durable enough for military use, however, it will not diminish fuel transport.
Are there breakthroughs?
Last year, the Navy tested one hybrid amphibious assault ship which at speeds under 10 knots runs on electricity.
The Air Force plans to have the entire fleet to fly on biofuels by 2011. Some test-flights with a 50-50 mix of plant-based biofuel and jet fuel. The Navy looks at fuel made from algae.
Truck-based refineries transforming food crops of the enemy in fuel for tanks
Military experts say biofuels can in theory be produced wherever plants are available, even near battlefields. The army ponders if it is possible to conceive biofuel plants built on trucks which can use crops found at the battle zone. This would leave nothing as burned earth after an occupation of a country. Food supply of the affected population and feed for the remaining cattle will be gone when the occupant leaves the region.
How to power an aircraft carrier
Aircraft carriers are powered by nuclear energy, so are U.S. submarines also. This is not a clean way to handle environmental issues. Nuclear fuel rods end as radiating waste which is active for million of years. The United States do not possess a viable strategy to handle nuclear waste. There exist no safe repositories. Even Germany, leading in nuclear safety, has failed to provide a safe repository.
Biofuel from algae growing in a glass tank may give a green look to small Evinrude outboard engines of the navy, but will not power a destroyer in action.
Photovoltaic will certainly be an aid to power computers, cellphones and some cooling fans. However it is of no use when it comes to provide solar energy for high demand and to produce hydrogen as energy storage and as fuel under near-battlefield conditions. To meet such demands a high amount of arrays are necessary and a great area must be covered turning it highly vulnerable as a target for the enemy and cannot be kept on top of a truck. High solar power plants are suitable for civil peaceful projects in the deserts of our world but an not for war.
Analysing the rather immature U.S. military ideas concerning alternatives to fossil fuels, it seems that there is a connection to the coming primary election of the Iowa-Caucasus which paves the way for the next presidential election campaign. Iowa is a rural state which depends on bioalcohol from corn and biodiesel from oil plants. Any news related to green subjects generates votes which are needed to guarantee the ever growing budget of the armed forces.
[1] U.S. Military Orders Less Dependence on Fossil Fuels. The New York Times 4.10.2020.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/05/science/earth/05fossil.html?_r=1&hp
01.10.2010: Strong initiative in photovoltaic energy for homes in Germany
|
Photovoltaic and wind farms and hydrogen take over the energy market with German technology
As an answer to the support of the German government and its energy plan, a strong move to install photovoltaic technology on roofs of homes takes place. This is an indicator that solar energy and wind farms take over the energy market. A surplus of electricity will generate hydrogen as fuel for cars and may be used as an energy storage. |
 |
Photovoltaic electricity will nearly equal nuclear power by end of 2010 [1]
In 2009 Germany installed 10 GigaWatt photovoltaic arrays. In 2010 another 6 to 10 GigaWatt will be added, which nears 21 GigaWatt of nuclear power plants in Germany.
Efficiency of German subsidies for green energy questioned
Each German family will be billed 144 Euro in 2011 for additional costs of green electricity, a total of 3,8 Billion Euro each year. These subventions are payed mainly for photovoltaic electricity in Germany. The efficiency is to be questioned, because Germany has only 1000 hour of sunshine whereas the Arabian deserts account for 3000 hours.
Similar situation is reported from U.S.A, where electricity prices in Ontario are rising caused in part by the Ontario government’s Green Energy Act. [2]
Efficiency is a matter of location
Wind farms are efficient in Germany which has strong and steady winds. Subventions for wind farms should be applied there.
Solar energy, however should move to Arabian deserts, such as Kuwait. Applying the subventions of photovoltaic electricity to projects in the sunbelt would increase efficiency of the installed systems an increase the efficiency of the investments. Hydrogen technology may be generated to stabilise the grid and may be used as fuel for transportation.
[1] Stromkunden muessen mit drastischen Aufschlaegen rechnen. Spiegel Online 14.10.2010
http://www.spiegel.de/wirtschaft/soziales/0,1518,723136,00.html
[2] Green Energy Act means Ontario Hydro prices ‘going up like a rocket’. Wind Concerns Ontario 8/22/2010. Read more
28.09.2010: Failed volcano eruption in Northwest Saudi Arabia rises concerns related to the geological stability of the region [1]
A swarm of 30.000 quakes shook the region of Harrat Lunayyir from May to June 2009. The earthquakes with a magnitude of 5,4 on 19 May 2009 opened a 8 kilometres rift and damaged several houses. Around 40.000 residents were evacuated, but are back home again.
John Pallister of the USGS and colleagues at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia stress that the region is at risk from significant geological hazards. According to the researchers the Harrat fields remain active and potentially hazardous, even far away from the plate boundary.
The lava became stuck two kilometres beneath the surface and solidifies. Africa and Arabia is being torn apart causing the volcanic activities. The eruption was avoided as the magma pressed into an area of 50 to 80 kilometres causing the whole region to rise by 40 centimetres.
At the moment lava infiltration takes place at the region of the Red Sea, 200 kilometres away from the centre of the almost-eruption at Harrat Lunayyir. This magma is also being pressed beneath Jemen, Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Geologists call such events “leakage”. The risk for residents of the whole Middle East is very high. See Picture the Harrat Lunayyir rift.
The risk of geologic instability of the region must be considered when planing nuclear power plants. Solar energy and wind farms are not threatened by earthquakes.
[1] Failed eruption shook Saudi Arabia Long-distance magma flow triggered thousands of earthquakes. Richard Lovett Nature News 26.09.2010. Doi:10.1038/news.2010.494
http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100926/full/news.2010.494.html
26.09.2010: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) report on nuclear waste and fuel [1]
A Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) report titled 'The Future of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle' gives advises on nuclear waste and fuel.
The MIT report calls for interim storage of nuclear waste for the next century and do not waist time and money with repositories like the Yucca mountain. Nuclear waist should be kept at the prower plants or at other sites at ground level. During this time a geological storage solution could be found, the fuel rods could cool down and recycling technology could be conceived. Co-chair of the study is Ernie Moniz, director of the MIT Energy Initiative which released the report on 16 September 2010. The report also says that no reprocessing of spent fuel is necessary as sufficient uranium can still be won by mining. A stop of reprocessing would alsao reduce the production of plutonium and uranium isotopes for nuclear weapons.
The Department of Energy (DOE) wants to withdraw its own congressionally mandated application to close the Youka repository plans and continue the construction. State and environmental groups are in opposition to the repository. The MIT study is helpful to the Department of Energy to calm down heated public opinion.
The MIT report calls for investment in nuclear research programmes in order of US$ 1 billion per year.
Thomas Cochran, of the Natural Resources Defense Council, supports backing off from nuclear reprocessing and agrees with the MIT study that uranium will remain abundant and cheap. Research should focus on conventional nuclear reactors to make them cheaper and more efficient.
The Department of Energy granted $54,5 billion subventions for the nuclear industry to get competitive with fossil fuels. Despite these subventions less nuclear power plants as predicted will be built. The nuclear industry hopes for a US tax on carbon emission and the cap-and-trade system which could improve competitiveness of nuclear energy.
Solar energy is the response to inappropriate nuclear power plants [2]
Masdar City at Abu Dhabi embraces high technology to use the power of sunshine for air conditioning using leading technology advancements in the Middle East. The emirate’s electricity utility which also equip his building in the capital.
It is being estimated that each kilowatt of solar cooling capacity today costs between 2.000 Euro and 3.000 Euro,
In Middle-Europe about 50 to 200 hours of air conditioning are necessary, while 1.000 hours are needed in the Mediterranean region and southern areas. Development of this market has enormous potentials in the next 5 to 10 years.
Saudi Arabia started the Solar Energy Research Center (SERC) at the KAUST University. The Center focuses on unique and leading solar building technology, which involves utilization of solar energy in the cooling, heating, lighting, and water supply systems for buildings. Reducing energy consumption in cooling/heating systems and lighting can thus contribute a great deal to reducing global warming and addresses the future oil shortages. [3]
[1] Fuel and waste no bar to US nuclear growth. Nature News. Nature 467, 376-377 (2010)
Doi:10.1038/467376a Published online 21 September 2010. Report finds that plentiful fuel supplies and temporary storage will buy decades of time to develop a longer-term strategy.
http://www.nature.com/news/2010/100922/full/467376a.html
[2] Masdar turns up heat in race to harness solar power for cooling
http://thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100926/BUSINESS/100929700/1005
[3] KAUST Center-in-Development Award: Solar Energy Research Center (SERC).
http://www.kaust.edu.sa/research/grc/taiwan.html
23.09.2010: Wind farms in Britain [1]
Off-shore wind park Thanet is loccated 11 kilometres in front of the shore of Margate, Kent. Cost of the 300 Mwatt/h construction was 3,50 Euro/Watt.The array is composed of 100 Vesta V90 wind turbines with an operational life of 40 years, after which it will be decommissioned. Vattenfall is the owner of the project.
Other important British wind energy project is the London Array which will be ready in 2012 with 340 wind turbines. The London Array wind Farm is located in the outer Thames Estuary. It is being constructed by a consortium of E.ON, DONG Energy and Masdar. Decommissioning will start after 20 years of operation of the turbines. The electrical infrastructure of 40 years design life will be re-utilised when new turbines are installed. [2]
[1] Thanet Offshore Wind Farm
http://www.vattenfall.co.uk/en/thanet-offshore-wind-farm.htm
[2] Decommissioning Programme for London Array
http://www.londonarray.com/wp-content/uploads/lal-decommissioning-programme_consultation_-08-01-09.pdf
21.09.2010: Oil sands industry releases toxic elements in the environment of Canada [1]
According to Kelly and colleagues 2010 bitumen production in the Alberta oil sands increased from 482,000 to 1.3 million barrels/d between 1995 and 2008 and is projected to double by 2020 disturbing the boreal landscape. Development of the oil sands, including mining, processing, and tailings pond leakage was found by the authors, to pollute the Athabasca River with 13 elements considered priority pollutants under the US Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water Act, via air and water.
The authors showed that Canada's or Alberta's guidelines for the protection of aquatic life were exceeded for cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, silver, and zinc in melted snow and/or water collected near or downstream of development.
Disturbing ruthlessly geologic stratifications releases to the environment toxic components bounded through thousand of years. This applies not only to tar sands but also to uranium mining. See picture
[1] Kelly EN, Schindler DW, Hodson PV, Short JW, Radmanovich R, Nielsen CC: Oil sands development contributes elements toxic at low concentrations to the Athabasca River and its tributaries. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2010 Sep 14;107(37):16178-83. Epub 2010 Aug 30.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20805486
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