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Abstract This paper characterized the wood pellet and torrefied wood pellet fuel as compared to coal for 100 MW co-firing power generation plant. There were five experiments to characterise the chemical and physical properties of coal, wood pellet and torrefied wood pellet namely moisture analysis, Thermo gravimetric Analyser (TGA), Bomb Calorimeter, Organic Elemental Analyser and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The moisture analysis result from moisture analyser and TGA shows that the moisture content of torrefied wood pellet is lower than wood pellet at 6.760% and 3.629%. Moreover, the volatile matter, hydrogen and nitrogen content of torrefied wood pellet is lower than wood pellet at 65.20%, 5.993% and 0.4078% correspondingly. The calorific value, fixed carbon content, ash and sulphur also increase in torrefied wood pellet at 20.68 MJ/kg, 28.85%, 2.321% and 0.1656% respectively. In general, torrefaction improve the fuel properties of wood pellet similar to coal. The 100 MW direct co-firing power plant provides less capital investment, operation and maintenance cost for low rate co-firing ratio. However, there is economic challenges for high rate co-firing substation of torrefied wood pellets.

AbstractThe future European energy supply system will have a high share of renewable energy sources (RES) to meet the greenhouse gas emission policy of the European Commission. Such a system is characterized by the need for a strongly interconnected energy transport grid as well as a high demand of energy storage capacities to compensate the time fluctuating characteristic of most RE generation technologies. With the RE generators at the location of high harvest potential, the appropriate dimension of storage and transmission system between different regions, a cost efficient system can be achieved. To find the preferred target system, the optimization tool GENESYS (Genetic Optimization of a European Energy System) was developed. The example calculations under the assumption of 100% self-supply, show a need of about 2,500 GW RES in total, a storage capacity of about 240,000 GWh, corresponding to 6% of the annual energy demand, and a HVDC transmission grid of 375,000 GWkm. The combined cost for generation, storage and transmission excluding distribution, was estimated to be 6.87 ct/kWh.

The European Geosciences Union (EGU) brings together geoscientists from all over the world covering all disciplines of the Earth, planetary and space sciences. This geoscientific interdisciplinarity is needed to tackle the challenges of the future. One major challenge for humankind is to provide adequate and reliable supplies of affordable energy and other resources in efficient and environmentally sustainable ways. This Energy Procedia issue provides an overview of the contributions of the Division on Energy, Resources & the Environment (ERE) at the EGU General Assembly 2017.

Abstract The quality of the thermal environment within the built environment is dependent by local climate and urban design features. Therefore, the scientific knowledge on urban design and microclimate are fundamental for obtaining a tolerable thermal environment at the neighborhood scale. Such problematic interested the huge part of the world population that lives in urban area, which is currently about 50% and it is expected will increase to 66 % by 2050. The specificity of the urban climate is frequently associated with the urban heat islands phenomenon, which refers to the elevated temperatures within the city areas compared to the rural surroundings. In this context a typical urban geometry is represented by the so called “urban canyon “that denotes an ideal infinite urban street confined by buildings on both sides In this study an urban geometry, constituted by three urban street canyons with a canyon aspect ratio H/W of 1.0, has been examined. CFD simulations were performed to evaluate the fields of temperature and velocity of the air within the urban canyons and their surroundings. Several scenarios were examined considering alternatively the leeward or the windward walls hitted by the sunrays, while the opposite facade was shaded, as well as varying the reflective properties of the surfaces and the wind velocity. The results of simulations evidence that the adoption of materials of the building envelope with high albedo coefficient guarantees a decrease of the temperatures at least of 1.5°C. Therefore, an increase of the knowledge of urban climate may provide valuable contribution to promote energy efficiency in the built environment.

AbstractThe European Union aspires to reducing the import dependency of raw materials that are critical to its industries. In this respect, mineral resource information and data sharing by European Geological Surveys is crucial. In 2010, the European Commission identified 14 critical non-energy non-agricultural raw materials. This list was updated in 2014. This article presents the Critical Raw Material (CRM) Map of Europe produced by EuroGeoSurvey's Mineral Resources Expert Group. This map shows European mineral deposits from the EU FP7 ProMine project database, as containing critical commodities, according to the list of CRM published by the European Commission.

AbstractAlthough the application of internal insulation to existing perimeter walls poses significant challenges in terms of building physics and loss of habitable space, it is sometimes an inevitable choice because of practical or legislative constraints. Innovative solutions are then required to deliver satisfying performances and reduce nuisance to inhabitants of residential buildings in case they are going to remain in their flats during the retrofit works.Three systems for inner thermal retrofitting purposes have been designed and produced as prototypes. Two of them are composed by silica aerogel containing fibrous material: the first one is a rigid flat laminated panel, the second one is a rollable solution with a fabric finishing layer. The third insulating system is a perlite based board with a hydrophobic layer. All the materials composing the retrofit solutions have been characterized by means of laboratory tests in order to measure their main hygrothermal properties. In fact, some parameters are fundamental for determining the hygrothermal performance of the composite systems: thermal conductivity, at dry and wet state (moisture dependant), water vapour diffusion resistance factor, hygroscopic sorption at isotherm condition and water absorption coefficient. All those measured data were necessary for optimizing the solutions, guaranteeing energy efficiency and vapour open layers to systems that are intended for installation on existing walls.

Abstractwhatever the adoptod treatment system, the wastewater treatment is accompanied by production of large amounts of sludge which must be disposed. Several pathways exist lor the disposal of sewage sludge, but the choice must depend on the cost of installation, the result as an added value of the product and the possible impact of the chain retained on the environment To justify the choice of sludge recycling in agriculture, we will have to estimate the fertilizer value of sludge through the analysis of physico-chemica1 and microbiological parameters complying with regulations. Considering these parameters will detennine the worth of sludge,the environmental impact and precautions for use. For this purpose, we have to compare the sludge characteristics from three wastewater treatment plants (WIV) in the wilaya of Mascara, (west of Algeria), Mascara, Tizi and Ghriss. The results show that our overall sludge is rich in nutrients (N, P, K) but contains a hight concentrations in Nickel (Ni) of lIbout 8.6mg I kg prohably due to industrial waste. To enhance ille fertilizing power of the sludge in an agricultural field we recommend an additional treatment

AbstractDuring the last decades significant effort has been put into research on the social, economical, political and technical issues related to large scale deployment of Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). A complete CCS cycle requires safe, reliable and cost efficient solutions for transmission of CO2 from the capturing facility to the location of permanent storage. The current initiative originates from DNV’s long engagement in developing standards and guidelines for offshore pipelines and an identified need to specifically address the technical challenges related to transmission of CO2 with associated contaminants. The guideline will be based on a comprehensive literature review and gathering of experience from existing (both onshore and offshore) CO2 pipeline operators. Available pipeline codes, standards, guidelines and regulations combined with the latest available research and technical developments is set as the point of departure for this guideline development. Issues related to pipeline design, commissioning and operation as well as re-qualification/conversion of existing pipelines for transmission of CO2 will be addressed. The guideline is being developed as a joint industry project and is scheduled for delivery by end of July 2009. After completion of the JIP, the guideline will be converted into a public available Recommended Practice (RP) by Det Norske Veritas (DNV). The guideline will give “how to?” answers for safe, reliable and cost-effective transmission of CO2 in pipelines. This paper addresses main technical issues one need to manage.