Energy production sustainable

Lamy, C., Coutanceau, C., and Leger, J.-M. (2009) The direct ethanol fuel cell a challenge to convert bioethanol cleanly into electric energy, in Catalysis for Sustainable Energy Production, (eds P. Barbaro and C. Bianchini), Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, Weinheim, pp. 3-46. 

In view of the finiteness of fossil energy products, accompanied by growing environmental problems, it is necessary to establish new, sustainable and future-oriented concepts for energy generation. The goal of sustainable development inevitably involves the exploitation of renewable sources of energy. Therefore, the European Union (EU) aims to double the proportion of renewable energy from 6% to 12% by 2010. Currently, around 4% (69 MtOE = 69 x 1061 of oil equivalents) of the EU s total... 

A large increase in biomass energy production has the potential to cause serious environmental problems. Land use issues and concerns about pollution are major concerns. Areas with fragile ecosystems and rare species would need to be preserved. Agricultural lands would also compete with food production. The loss of soil fertility from overuse is a concern. Biomass production would need to be varied and sustainable while preserving local ecosystems. 

In addition to the chapters discussing the various aspects of bio-energy, two chapters are dedicated to hydrogen production and fuel cells. A second book in this series, based on a second workshop, Catalysis for Sustainable Energy Production (organized by IDECAT - the European Network of Excellence on catalysis, see Preface), will discuss these aspects in more detail. 

Boonyanuwat, A., Jentis, A. and Lercher, J.A. (2006) International Conference on Catalysis for Sustainable Energy Production, Florence, 29 November-1 December 2006. 

Catalpisfor Sustainable Energy Production. Edited by P. Barbara and C. Bianchini Copyright 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN 978-3-527-32095-0... 

Catalysis is thus an enabling factor for sustainable energy, but a new approach to catalysis is needed in order to address the major changes that we will face in the near future. For this reason, IDECAT (a European Network of Excellence on Catalysis) organized in 2006 two thematic (brainstorm-like) workshops dedicated to the identification of a roadmap and priorities for a catalytic approach for sustainable energy production and for the direct catalytic conversion of renewable feedstocks into energy. 

A second workshop, Catalysis for Sustainable Energy Production , was held in Sesto Fiorentino (Florence, Italy) from 29 November to 1 December 2006. The structure and approach of this workshop were similar to those of the first, but the focus was on (i) fuel cells, (ii) hydrogen and methane storage and (iii) H2 production from old to new processes, including those using renewable energy sources. The present book is based on this second workshop and reports a series of invited contributions which provide both the state-of-the-art and frontier research in the field. Many contributions are from industry, but authors were also asked to focus their description on the identification of priority topics and problems. The active discussions during the workshop are reflected in the various chapters of this book. 

Although a specific chapter dedicated to the role of catalysis in energy production is not included, because most of the aspects were already covered in the final chapter of the previous book, the reader can easily use the final sections of each chapter to identify priorities for research on catalysis for sustainable energy. 

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