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Context: Colombia consumes natural gas in different sectors, especially in the ones that are residential and vehicular transport. Gas consumption serves as backup for power generation in situations of reduced hydroelectric capacity. Nowadays, gas reserve levels have been reduced and it is essential to ensure the uninterrupted supply of the resource. To achieve such objective, there are some alternatives which are difficult to implement at the same time, given the limited financial budget and implementation times that they demanded. In this way, several studies have advanced in the application of models to prioritize alternatives for both supplying power and reducing emissions in the generation, especially regarding the evaluation of energy sources and technology selection for supply. Method: The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) based in the Delphi method to define preferences according to the experts judgment, was applied to evaluate the selection of alternatives supply of natural gas in Colombia, considering technical, environmental and social criteria, which is reliable and policy oriented to guarantee supply of resources in the country. Results: Once the model was applied, we evaluated the criteria and alternatives for infrastructure to support gas supply, finding that reliability is the most relevant criterion as well as alternative of building the ‘Regasification Pacific Plant’ followed by the construction of the ‘Buenaventura-Cali pipeline’ and the ‘Storage Plant in Bogotá'. Conclusions: As the results indicate, in Colombia efforts should be focus on imports of the resource through the construction of regasification plants and pipelines to facilitate transport inland to demand points. The latter may help decision makers facing various alternatives to ensure the supply of this resource, which is relevant to various economic sectors, including generation of electricity in the country. Language: Spanish

The aim of this investigation is to show the sustainability features of the chinampa practice in the Valley of Mexico: Xochimilco, applying a FODA diagnosis in order to reveal the environmental transcendence of this particular agricultural model. It is possible to determine that the development of the chinampa has basically two components: the native and social. The first one constitutes the local ecosystem composed by shallow water lakes that are included in a great surface across the valley of Mexico. The second one concerns to the social aspect; which is how the work gets organized, the cultural practices and the implementation of methods and agricultural technologies that are the result of the thousand-year-old wisdom of the autochthonous groups of the chinampa zone. Which has helped to support the integration of the members of the family, as well as providing self-employment and a self sustained source of food, these features show that this system of agricultural production is sustainable in the environmental, social and economic aspects. Nevertheless the chinampa production is affected by diverse aspects as the development of modern agriculture technologies, the urban growth and pollution of the water.

Este trabalho discute o papel do gás natural no Brasil e no mundo, sugerindo que a humanidade está no caminho de construir o que se pode chamar de "Civilização do gás". Parte-se de um breve panorama da realidade energética internacional, comparando-se vários cenários, de instituições de reconhecida competência, que procuram descrever possibilidades para o futuro energético do planeta. Uma análise comparada desses cenários permite identificar o consumo crescente do gás natural como uma das tendências fortes para os próximos vinte a cinqüenta anos. Em seguida, introduz-se o conceito de "Civilização do gás", apresentando alguns elementos que o justificam. Oferece-se, então, uma perspectiva brasileira do problema. A partir de antecedentes históricos da indústria do gás no Brasil, apresenta-se uma visão crítica sobre o futuro dos gases combustíveis na matriz energética nacional.This work discusses the role of natural gas in Brazil and in the world, suggesting that the humanity is building up a kind of Gas Civilization. The text starts with a brief panorama of the international energy reality comparing several scenarios proposed by recognized institutions, and which try to describe possibilities for the future of energy in the planet. Such comparative analysis allows identifying the growing consumption of natural gas as a strong energy trend for the next 20 to 50 years. Then, the concept of Gas Civilization is introduced, presenting some elements justifying it. Following, the article offers a Brazilian perspective of the problem, starting from the historical antecedents of the gas industry in Brazil, and developing a critical vision regarding the future role of the combustible gases in the Brazilian energy mix.

La generación de electricidad en Venezuela está dominada por los combustibles fósiles y las hidroeléctricas a gran escala, predominado sobre otras fuentes energéticas. El objetivo de esta investigación es determinar el potencial solar fotovoltaico y eólico y plantear escenarios de sistemas híbridos de energía eléctrica para la Isla de Toas, Estado Zulia. En una primera parte se realizó una investigación documental sobre dicho potencial, luego con datos obtenidos de irradiación solar y velocidad del viento, mediante Global Solar, NASA Power y el uso de la aplicación Homer se presenta un proyecto factible de una micro red aplicado a la Isla de Toas, Municipio Almirante Padilla, Edo. Zulia. Demostrando así que el escenario fotovoltaico, eólico, batería e interconexión es la opción que mejor aplica, con un costo nivelado de electricidad de 0,3 $/kWh, ofrece mayor confiabilidad y disponibilidad, con posibilidad de transmitir los excedentes a la red eléctrica. // Electricity generation in Venezuela is dominated by fossil fuels and large-scale hydroelectric plants, predominating over other energy sources. The objective of this research is to determine the solar photovoltaic and wind potential and to propose scenarios of hybrid electric energy systems for Toas Island, Zulia State. In the first part, a documentary research on this potential was carried out, then with data obtained from solar irradiation and wind speed, through Global Solar, NASA Power and the use of the Homer application, a feasible project of a micro grid applied to Toas Island, Almirante Padilla Municipality, Zulia State, was presented. Thus demonstrating that the photovoltaic, wind, battery and interconnection scenario is the best applicable option, with a levelized cost of electricity of 0.3 $/kWh, offering greater reliability and availability, with the possibility of transmitting surpluses to the electric grid.

Hay diversos métodos disponibles para medir el consumo de energía en el ser humano. Debido al alto costo y pequeño número de laboratorios capaces de utilizar la calorimetría directa y la técnica del agua doblemente marcada, se ha realizado un número relativamente pequeño de mediciones del gasto energético utilizándose estos métodos. Así, cada día más, los investigadores se atienen en alto grado a los métodos de calorimetría indirecta (CI) y bioimpedancia eléctrica (BIA) y los clínicos a las ecuaciones de predicción para calcular los requerimientos de energía total en sus estudios y pacientes respectivamente. Objetivo: Evaluar el Gasto Energético Basal (GEB) y el Gasto Energético Total (GET) de individuos saludables comparando los resultados de CI, BIA y ecuaciones predictivas con los de requerimiento estimado de energía (EER), Fleisch, FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 y 2001. Material y métodos: Se evaluó el gasto energético en 81 individuos de ambos sexos por CI y BIA. De estos, fueron calculados el GEB por las ecuaciones FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 y 2001 y el GET por EER, Fleisch y FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 y 2001. Los datos se analizaron con el programa Sigma Stat for Windows versión 2.03 y se utilizó eltest de Dunn's para la comparación de las medianas obtenidas por los métodos y ecuaciones (p < 0,05). Resultados: Se verificó que el 60,5% de los participantes eran hombres. Los individuos en su mayoría eran eutróficos. La BIA mostró diferencias significativas entre los sexos. Las medianas de GEB, obtenidas por BIA y CI, presentaron diferencias estadísticamente significativas solamente para mujeres (p < 0,05) con una subestimación de los resultados del GEB obtenidos por la BIA en relación a los obtenidos por CI. Diferencias significativas fueron encontradas entre las fórmulas predictivas y la CI para ambos sexos, demostrando también una subestimación de esas en relación a la CI. Se observó una sobreestimación de GET con las fórmulas predictivas de la FAO/WHO/UNU/85 y 2001 en relación a la EER y Fleisch, para ambos sexos. Conclusión: La estimación del GEB puede ser realizada tanto por BIA como por CI, pero la BIA debe ser usada con criterios, ya que subestima de forma significativa para mujeres. En relación a las ecuaciones predictivas se puede observar que la sobreestimación puede desarrollar un balance energético positivo en poblaciones con riesgos para el sobrepeso y obesidad. Así son necesarias comparaciones para identificar las limitaciones de cada método. There are many available methods to measure the human energy consumption. Due to the high cost and small number of laboratories able to perform it, the direct calorimetry and doubly labeled water technique are rarely used to measure the energy expenditure. As consequence, there is an increase use of the indirect calorimetry and bioelectrical impedance analysis methods by researchers and predictive equations by physicians to calculate the total energy requirements in research and in clinic. Objective: To evaluate the basal energy expenditure (GEB) and total energy expenditure (GET) of healthy subjects comparing results of indirect calorimetry (CI), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and predictive equations such as estimated energy requirements (EER), Fleish, FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 and 2001. Material and methods: It was evaluated the energy expenditure in 81 subjects of both gender by CI and BIA. Of these, the GEB by predictive equations FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 and 2001 and the GET by EER, Fleisch and FAO/WHO/UNU 1985 and 2001 were calculated. The data was analyzed with the software Sigma Stat for Windows version 2.03 and Dunn's test was used for comparison of mean obtained with methods and equations (p < 0.05). Results: It was verified that 60.5% of the participants were men. The majority of subjects were eutrofic. BIA showed significant differences between men and women. The differences between the values of GEB, obtained by BIA and CI, were statistically significant only for women (p < 0.05) with an underestimation of the GEB results obtained by BIA in relation to those obtained by CI. Significant difference was found between the predictive equations and CI for both sexes, also demonstrating an underestimation of the equations in relation to CI. It was observed an overestimation of GET with the predictive equations of FAO/WHO/UNU/85 and 2001 in relation to EER and Fleisch for both sexes. Conclusion: The estimation of GEB can be carried out by both BIA and CI, although BIA must be used with criteria since it underestimates in a significant way for women. In relation to the predictive equations, overestimation can develop positive energy balance in populations with risks for overweight and obesity. Thus, it is necessary comparisons to identify the limitations of each method.

Les énergies renouvelables nous permettent de réduire notre dépendance vis-à-vis des combustibles fossiles et les émissions de gaz à effet de serre. Dans ce travail, une méthodologie appropriée pour la conversion de biomasses humides en carburants a été établie en utilisant le procédé de carbonisation hydrothermale (HTC). Les hydrochar obtenus dans le procédé de l’HTC ont montré de meilleures propriétés en tant que combustibles par rapport aux biomasses brutes pendant la gazéification. L'utilisation de la modélisation et des simulations de procédés nous a permis de trouver les meilleures conditions pour la conversion de la biomasse humide en énergie. En outre, le résultat de la simulation a montré que le procédé HTC est économiquement réalisable pour produire des hydrochar sous forme de pellets et qu'il pourrait concurrencer les pellets de pin en vrac. Las energías renovables nos permiten reducir nuestra dependencia de los combustibles fósiles y las emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero. En este trabajo, se estableció una metodología adecuada para la conversión de biomasas húmedas en combustibles, utilizando el proceso de la carbonización hidrotermal (HTC). Los hidrocarbones obtenidos en el proceso de HTC mostraron mejores propiedades como combustibles en comparación con las biomasas brutas durante la gasificación. La utilización de modelado y simulaciones de proceso nos permitió encontrar las mejores condiciones de conversión de biomasa humedad en energía. Además, el resultado de la simulación mostro que el proceso de HTC es económicamente factible para producir hidrocarbones como pellet y podría competir con el pellet de pino a granel. Renewable energies allow us to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. In this study, a suitable methodology for the conversion of wet biomass into fuels was established by using the hydrothermal carbonization process (HTC). The hydrocarbons obtained in the HTC process show better fuel properties compared to those of the raw biomasses during gasification. The use of modeling and process simulations allowed us to determine the optimum conditions for converting biomass moisture into energy. Furthermore, the simulation results show that the HTC process is economically feasible for producing hydrocarbons as pellets and could compete with bulk pine pellets.

AMADEUS es un proyecto europeo que investiga materiales y dispositivos de estado sólido para almacenar energía a muy alta temperatura. Usando aleados de silicio como materiales de cambio de fase se alcanzan calores latentes superiores a 1000 kWh/m3, propiciando la obtención de altísimas densidades energéticas. Dichos aleados suponen temperaturas de almacenamiento por encima de los 1000 ºC, muy por encima de las de los sistemas actuales de acumulación térmica. El artículo describe las actividades del proyecto y sus primeros resultados, explicando los principales retos de este nuevo sistema que combina la acumulación de energía en forma de calor en silicio fundido con dispositivos de estado sólido termiónicos y termofotovoltaicos para la posterior conversión en electricidad. AMADEUS is a H2020 project that researches on materials and solid-state devices for very high temperature energy storage and conversion. By exploring silicon-based alloys as new phase change materials (PCMs), latent heat higher than 1000 kWh/m3 is achievable, which implies a very high energy density. In addition, silicon-based PCMs lead to storage temperatures well beyond 1000 ºC, well beyond that of current state-of-the-art thermal energy storage (TES). This paper describes the project R&D activities and first results, and comments on challenges towards a new kind of systems combining latent heat energy storage in molten silicon with thermionic and thermophotovoltaic solid state heat-to-power conversion.

Objetivo: La Sociedad Española de Nutrición Comunitaria (SENC) planteó en 1994 una guía alimentaria para la población española, renovada en 2001. Se presenta una nueva edición actualizada basada en la mejor evidencia científica disponible. Métodos: Desde un enfoque de salud en todas las políticas se convocó un grupo de expertos en nutrición y salud pública vinculados con la SENC para revisar la evidencia sobre dieta-salud, ingesta nutricional y consumo alimentario en la población española, hábitos de preparación y consumo de alimentos, factores determinantes e impacto de la dieta en la sostenibilidad medioambiental. Se han considerado revisiones sistemáticas existentes, actualizaciones, informes, metaanálisis y estudios recientes de calidad. El grupo colaborativo contribuyó a la elaboración del documento de trabajo y diseño del icono gráfico posteriormente sometidos a consulta, discusión y evaluación cualitativa con especial relevancia a través del Grupo Consultor de las Guías SENC-diciembre 2016. Resultados: Las nuevas recomendaciones y su representación gráfica subrayan como consideraciones básicas practicar actividad física, equilibrio emocional, balance energético para mantener el peso corporal adecuado, procedimientos culinarios saludables e ingesta adecuada de agua. Las recomendaciones promueven una alimentación equilibrada, variada y moderada que incluye cereales de grano entero, frutas, verduras, legumbres, cantidades variables de lácteos y alterna el consumo de pescados, huevos y carnes magras, junto con el uso preferente de aceite de oliva virgen extra como grasa culinaria. Refuerzan el interés por una dieta saludable, solidaria, sostenible, con productos de temporada, de cercanía, eje de convivialidad, dedicando el tiempo suficiente y animan a valorar la información del etiquetado nutricional. Conclusiones: El análisis de la evidencia disponible y de la información actualizada sobre el consumo alimentario en España pone de manifiesto la necesidad de reforzar e implementar las recomendaciones recogidas en este documento para conseguir progresivamente un mayor grado de adherencia. Objective: The Spanish Society of Community Nutrition (SENC) designed in 1994 a food guide for the Spanish population, updated in 2001. This report presents a new updated edition based on the best scientific evidence available. Methods: From a health in all policies approach, a group of experts in nutrition and public health associated with SENC was convened to review the evidence on diet-health, nutrition intake and food consumption in the Spanish population, as well as food preparation and consumption habits, determinants and impact of diet on environmental sustainability. Existing systematic reviews, updates, reports, meta-analysis and the latest quality studies have been considered. The collaborative group contributed to draft the document and design the graphic icon, then subject of a consultation process, discussion and qualitative evaluation, particularly relevant through the Advisory Group for the SENC-December 2016 Dietary Guidelines. Results: The new recommendations and its graphical representation highlights as basic considerations the practice of physical activity, emotional balance, energy balance to maintain body weight at adequate levels, healthy cooking procedures and adequate water intake. The recommendations promote a balanced, varied and moderate diet that includes whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, varying amounts of dairy and alternating consumption of fish, eggs and lean meats, along with the preferential use of extra virgin olive oil for cooking and seasoning. Reinforce the interest in a healthy, sympathetic, supportive, sustainable diet, based on seasonal and local products, axis for conviviality, devoting adequate time and encourage the use of nutrition labelling information. Conclusions: The analysis of the evidence available and updated information on food consumption in Spain highlights the need to strengthen and implement the recommendations contained in this document to progressively achieve a greater adherence.

Current discourses on the exploitation of energy sources, sustainability, and the possibility to keep increasing production and growth in global advanced capitalism are embedded within the neoliberal geopolitics of the energy-militaryindustrial-complex and generate social conflicts around the dominant dynamics of capitalist exploitation of human and environmental energy resources. Exploring this issue, in this article, I report the experience of ‘Energy Independent Caroline Town' as the pilot case of a broader research project of 18 month between Calabria (Italy) and US. Trying to understand critical aspects, reasons and self-narrations for defining as a ‘success' or a ‘failure' a local energy transition initiative, I looked at this experiment, which is considered in literature and by most of the participants as a case of successful communitarian energy transition, bringing attention to the participation of inhabitants in energy sustainable local plans. Thus, considering participation as the key dimension for successful initiatives of local energy transition, the main questions that organize the work are: ‘who decides' in local energy policy, and can ‘the local' decide its own energy independency'? What can enable the local to decide its own energy autonomy and so, like little David(s), try to fight, and even break free of, giant Goliath(s)?