Environmental technologies - Low carbon technologies

Title

Relationships between Soil Organic Matter, Nutrients, Bacterial Community Structure, And the Performance of Microbial Fuel Cells

Reference

Environmental Science & Technology 46 (3), 1914-1922. J.N., 2012.

Author(s)

Dunaj, S.J., Vallino, J.J., Hines, M.E., Gay, M., Kobyljanec, C., Rooney-Varga

Study type

Peer Review Journal    

Abstract

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) offer the potential for generating electricity, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and bioremediating pollutants through utilization of a plentiful renewable resource: soil organic carbon. We analyzed bacterial community structure, MFC performance, and soil characteristics in different microhabitats within MFCs constructed from agricultural or forest soils in order to determine how soil type and bacterial dynamics influence MFC performance. Our results indicated that MFCs constructed from agricultural soil had power output about 17 times that of forest soil-based MFCs and respiration rates about 10 times higher than forest soil MFCs. Agricultural soil MFCs had lower C:N ratios, polyphenol content, and acetate concentrations than forest soil MFCs. Bacterial community profile data indicate that the bacterial communities at the anode of the high power MFCs were less diverse than in low power MFCs and were dominated by Deltaproteobacteria, Geobacter, and to a lesser extent, Clostridia, while low-power MFC anode communities were dominated by Clostridia. These results suggest that the presence of organic carbon substrate (acetate) was not the major limiting factor in selecting for highly electrogenic bacterial communities, while the quality of available organic matter may have played a significant role in supporting high performing bacterial communities.

Policy theme(s)

Biotechnology >> Pollution remediation
Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies

Keywords

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es2032532
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Juliette_RooneyVarga@uml.edu

Title

Reference

Volume 13, Issue 2, 2011 pages 139-157
DOI:10.1080/1523908X.2011.573632

Author(s)

Ian Bailey, Jodie West & Ian Whitehead

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Public concern about the visual and environmental impacts of renewable-energy projects has been a major factor behind the stalling or rejection of many planning applications for on-shore renewables developments. Siting renewables facilities in off-shore locations would appear to reduce this tension but, as yet, limited research has been conducted on public attitudes to marine renewables—particularly tidal and wave power—to establish how genuinely 'out of sight and out of mind' such developments are in the public mind. This paper presents a quantitative study of public opinions on a test site for wave energy currently under construction near the coast of the Southwest UK. The findings suggest general public support for wave energy as an economically beneficial method of power generation with few adverse side-effects. The merits of quantitative and qualitative research on public attitudes towards renewable-energy technologies are then discussed and concepts of risk and reward perception are used to explore the possible future dynamics of public attitudes towards 'future' renewables technologies like wave energy. We conclude with reflections on risk and reward perceptions as a heuristic device for defining future directions for research on public attitudes towards different renewable-energy technologies.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Environmental information services >> Environmental communication >> Stakeholder/public engagement
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies

Keywords

public perceptions, wave energy, quantitative and qualitative research, risk and reward perceptions

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cjoe20
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Ian.bailey@plymouth.ac.uk

Title

Considerations of resource availability in technology development strategies: The case study of photovoltaics

Reference

Resources, Conservation and Recycling
Volume 56, Issue 1, November 2011, Pages 56-65

Author(s)

Anton Zuser, Helmut Rechberger 

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Photovoltaic (PV) technologies have experienced considerable growth rates of up to 70% in the last years. This has been possible because of low total CO2 emissions and a positive overall energy balance for PV. Several institutions have developed future scenarios which show an increase in global electricity demand from 17 000 TWh in 2005 to some 60 000 TWh by 2050. A significant part of this amount should be supplied by PV installations. Based on selected scenarios material demand is calculated for four different PV technologies: crystalline silicon (c-Si), amorphous silicon (a-Si) in tandem configuration, cadmium tellurium (CdTe) and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS). As these technologies use rare metals it is shown, that particular scenarios are unlikely to be realized because of supply constraints and scarcity phenomena. Critical materials are silver, tellurium and indium. We consider photovoltaics as an appropriate example for the implementation of resource availability considerations into technology development strategies.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies
Resource efficiency >> Materials >> Material efficiency

Keywords

Photovoltaic; Indium; Gallium; Tellurium; Silicon; Energy scenario

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344911001753
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aws@iwa.tuwien.ac.at

Title

Bioelectrochemical stimulation of petroleum hydrocarbon degradation in saline soil using U-tube microbial fuel cells

Reference

Biotechnology and Bioengineering

DOI: 10.1002/bit.23351

Author(s)

Xin Wang, Zhang Cai, Qixing Zhou, Zhineng Zhang, Cuihong Chen

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Bioremediation is a cost-effective and eco-friendly approach to decontaminate soils polluted by petroleum hydrocarbons. However, this technique usually requires a long time due to the slow degradation rate by bacteria. By applying U-tube microbial fuel cells (MFCs) designed here, the degradation rate of petroleum hydrocarbons close to the anode (<1cm) was enhanced by 120% from 6.9±2.5% to 15.2±0.6% with simultaneous 125±7 C of charge output (0.85±0.05 mW/m², 1 kΩ) in the tested period (25 days). Hydrocarbon fingerprint analysis showed that the degradation rate of both alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) was accelerated. The decrease of initial water content from 33% to 28% and 23% resulted in a decrease on charge output and hydrocarbon degradation rate, which could be attributed to the increase of internal resistance. A salt accumulation was observed in each reactor due to the evaporation of water from the air-cathode, possibly inhibited the activity of exoelectrogenic bacteria (EB) and resulted in the elimination of the current at the end of the tested period. The number of hydrocarbon degradation bacteria (HDB) in soil close to the anode increased by nearly two orders of magnitude in the MFC assisted system (373±56×10³ CFU/g-soil) than that in the disconnected control (8±2×10³ CFU/g-oil), providing a solid evidence for in situ biostimulation of HDB growth by colonization of EB in the same system.

Policy theme(s)

petroleum hydrocarbon; biostimulation; microbial fuel cells (MFCs); saline soil; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Keywords

Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies
Soil >> Threats to soil >> Soil contamination

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bit.23351/abstract
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zhouqx@nankai.edu.cn

Title

Ecofriendly hydrogen production from abundant hydrogen sulfide using solar light-driven hierarchical nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ photocatalyst

Reference

Green Chem., 2011, 13, 2500-2506
DOI: 10.1039/C1GC15515F

Author(s)

Nilima S. Chaudhari, Ashwini P. Bhirud, Ravindra S. Sonawane, Latesh K. Nikam, Sambhaji S. Warule, Vilas H. Rane and Bharat B. Kale

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

It is quite well-known that refineries are producing huge amount of H₂S which has been used to produce sulphur and water using the well-known Claus process. This process is not an economically viable process, due to the high-cost chemical process and creates further acute environmental problems. Therefore, we have demonstrated the conversion of poisonous H₂S into H₂ using an ecofriendly phocatalysis process which is a green unconventional energy source. We have investigated ecofriendly nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ photocatalyst to produce hydrogen from H₂S using solar light. We also demonstrate the controlled synthesis of hierarchical nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ using a facile hydrothermal method. The morphologies obtained have been greatly influenced by the presence of triethylamine (TEA) with various concentrations during the reaction. Surprisingly, a highly crystalline hexagonal layer structured ZnIn₂S₄ was obtained instead of cubic spinel. The hierarchical nanostructure, i.e. marigold flower-like morphology, was obtained without any surfactant. The thin and transparent petals self-assembled to form the unique nanostructured marigold flower. The highly crystalline puffy marigold flowers and nanoplates/nanostrips were obtained using TEA-assisted hydrothermal synthesis. Optical study shows the band gap in the range of 2.34–2.48 eV. Considering the band gap in the visible region, ZnIn₂S₄ is used as photocatalyst for hydrogen production from hydrogen sulphide under solar light which is hitherto unattempted. The constant photocatalytic activity of hydrogen evolution, i.e. 5287 µmol h-1, was obtained using such hierarchical nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ under visible light irradiation. It is noteworthy that the H₂ evolution rate obtained is much higher compared to earlier reported photocatalysts. Considering the significance of morphologies for photocatalytic application, the formation mechanism has also been furnished. The unique hierarchical nanostructured ZnIn₂S₄ ternary semiconductor having hexagonal layer will have potential applications in solar cells, LEDs, charge storage, electrochemical recording, thermoelectricity and other prospective electronic and optical devices.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies
Sustainable consumption and production >> Sustainable production >> Sustainable manufacturing processes

Keywords

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/GC/c1gc15515f
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bbkale@cmet.gov.in

Title

Emission scenarios for a global hydrogen economy and the consequences for global air pollution

Reference

Global Environmental Change
Volume 21, Issue 3, August 2011, Pages 983-994
Symposium on Social Theory and the Environment in the New World (dis)Order

Author(s)

Bas van Ruijven,, Jean-Francois Lamarque, Detlef P. van Vuuren, Tom Kram, Hans Eerens

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Hydrogen is named as possible energy carrier for future energy systems. However, the impact of large-scale hydrogen use on the atmosphere is uncertain. Application of hydrogen in clean fuel cells reduces emissions of air pollutants, but emissions from hydrogen production and leakages of molecular hydrogen could influence atmospheric chemistry. This paper combines a global energy system model and a global atmospheric model to explore the range of impacts of hydrogen on atmospheric chemistry. We found that emissions of molecular hydrogen may range from 0.2 up to 10% (or 25-167 Tg hydrogen/yr) for a global hydrogen energy system. The lower end of this range would in fact be equal to current emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Hydrogen energy use leads to a clear decrease in emissions of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and sulphur dioxide, but large-scale hydrogen production from coal may lead to net increase in emissions of nitrous oxide and volatile organic compound. Compared to a reference scenario, this would lead to positive impacts on surface concentrations of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and ozone. However, if hydrogen leakage would not be minimised it leads to an increase in methane lifetimes and a decrease in stratospheric ozone concentrations.

Policy theme(s)

Air pollution >> Source of emissions >> Transport emissions
Air pollution >> Impact of emissions >> Climate change impacts
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies
Environmental technologies >> Pollution control >> Low polluting technologies

Keywords:

Hydrogen energy; Atmospheric chemistry; Molecular hydrogen emissions; Stratospheric ozone; Air polluting emissions

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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N/A

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http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378011000409
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bas.vanruijven@pbl.nl

Title

Integration of a microbial fuel cell with activated sludge process for energy-saving wastewater treatment: Taking a sequencing batch reactor as an example

Reference

Biotechnology and Bioengineering
Volume 108, Issue 6, pages 1260-1267, June 2011

Author(s)

Xian-Wei Liu, Yong-Peng Wang, Yu-Xi Huang, Xue-Fei Sun, Guo-Ping Sheng, Raymond J. Zeng, Feng Li, Fang Dong, Shu-Guang Wang, Zhong-Hua Tong,
Han-Qing Yu

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

In the research and application of microbial fuel cell (MFC), how to incorporate MFCs into current wastewater infrastructure is an importance issue. Here, we report a novel strategy of integrating an MFC into a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) to test the energy production and the chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. The membrane-less biocathode MFC is integrated with the SBR to recover energy from the aeration in the form of electricity and thus reduce the SBR operation costs. In a lab-scale integrated SBR-MFC system, the maximum power production of the MFC was 2.34 W/m3 for one typical cycle and the current density reached up to 14 A/m3. As a result, the MFC contributed to the 18.7% COD consumption of the integrated system and also recovered energy from the aeration tank with a volume fraction of only 12% of the SBR. Our strategy provides a feasible and effective energy-saving and -recovering solution to upgrade the existing activated sludge processes.

Policy theme(s)

Biotechnology >> Pollution remediation
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Environmental technologies >> Pollution control >> Water treatment
Water >> Water quality >> Wastewater treatment

Keywords

activated sludge, biocathode, energy recovery, microbial fuel cell (MFC), sequencing batch reactor (SBR), upgrade

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/bit.23056/abstract
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hqyu@ustc.edu.cn

Title

Application for ECQFD for enabling environmentally conscious design and sustainable development in an electric vehicle

Reference

Clean Technologies & Environmental Policy
Vol 13, Number 2, 381-396
DOI: 10.1007/s10098-010-0317-1

Author(s)

S Vinodh and Gopinath Rathod

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Environmental consciousness is regarded as a vital concept for survival in the competitive market scenario. The need for infusing environmental consciousness during early stage of product design is important. This reports a study which is focused on the application of Environmentally Conscious Quality Function Deployment (ECQFD) to an electric vehicle. ECQFD consists of four phases. ECQFD phases I and II are concerned with the identification important parts of electric vehicle that are vital for improving the environmental consciousness. ECQFD phases III and IV are used to analyze which design changes among the formulated design options of electric vehicle are most effective with regard to environmental improvement. The study results indicate that it could be applied in early product design and development stages for ensuring sustainability.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies
Sustainable mobility >> Green transport technologies >> Electric vehicles

Keywords

Quality Function Deployment, Product Design, Environmentally Conscious Quality Function, Deployment, Design for Environment

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://www.springerlink.com/content/06312760440l675q/
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vinodh_sekar82@yahoo.com

Title

Biofuels: Ethical issues

Reference

Final Plenary Special Report Renewable Energy Sources (SRREN)
IPCC Summary report for policy makers report 2011

Author(s)

Nuffield Council on Bioethics

Study type

Report

Abstract

Concerns over energy security, economic development and climate change are driving the development of biofuels as one of a number of possible alternatives to fossil fuels for meeting global energy demands.Current methods of biofuel production have been associated with harms to the environment, threats to food security and human rights violations in countries where they are grown. New types of biofuels, such as lignocellulosic and algal biofuels, could help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions whilst avoiding these problems, but commercial-scale production is some years away. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics has published a report setting out an ethical framework to guide policy making for biofuels. The Council concludes that current UK and European policies encourage unethical practices and include few incentives for the development of new biofuels technologies.

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.nuffieldbioethics.org/biofuels-0
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bioethics@nuffieldbioethics.org

Title

Life Cycle Environmental Assessment of Lithium-Ion and Nickel Metal Hydride Batteries for Plug-In Hybrid and Battery Electric Vehicles

Reference

Environmental Science & Technology, 2011; : 110420102855020 DOI: 10.1021/es103607c

Author(s)

Guillaume Majeau-Bettez, Troy R. Hawkins, Anders Hammer Strømman

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

This study presents the life cycle assessment (LCA) of three batteries for plug-in hybrid and full performance battery electric vehicles. A transparent life cycle inventory (LCI) was compiled in a component-wise manner for nickel metal hydride (NiMH), nickel cobalt manganese lithium-ion (NCM), and iron phosphate lithium-ion (LFP) batteries. The battery systems were investigated with a functional unit based on energy storage, and environmental impacts were analyzed using midpoint indicators. On a per-storage basis, the NiMH technology was found to have the highest environmental impact, followed by NCM and then LFP, for all categories considered except ozone depletion potential. We found higher life cycle global warming emissions than have been previously reported. Detailed contribution and structural path analyses allowed for the identification of the different processes and value-chains most directly responsible for these emissions. This article contributes a public and detailed inventory, which can be easily be adapted to any powertrain, along with readily usable environmental performance assessments.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon and renewable energy
Environmental technologies >> Pollution control >> Low polluting technologies
Sustainable mobility >> Green transport technologies >> Electric vehicles

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

Selected for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

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http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/es103607c
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guillaume.majeau-bettez@ntnu.no  

Title

Flexible energy storage devices based on graphene paper

Reference

Energy and Environmental Science, 2011, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C0EE00640H,

Author(s)

Hyeokjo Gwon, Hyun-Suk Kim, Kye Ung Lee, Dong-Hwa Seo, Yun Chang Park, Yun-Sung Lee, Byung Tae Ahn and Kisuk Kang

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

Recently, great interest has been aroused in flexible/bendable electronic equipment such as rollup displays and wearable devices. As flexible energy conversion and energy storage units with high energy and power density represent indispensable components of flexible electronics, they should be carefully considered. However, it is a great challenge to fabricate flexible/bendable power sources. This is mainly due to the lack of reliable materials that combine both electronically superior conductivity and mechanical flexibility, which also possess high stability in electrochemical environments. In this work, we report a new approach to flexible energy devices. We suggest the use of a flexible electrode based on free-standing graphene paper, to be applied in lithium rechargeable batteries. This is the first report in which graphene paper is adopted as a key element applied in a flexible lithium rechargeable battery. Moreover graphene paper is a functional material, which does not only act as a conducting agent, but also as a current collector. The unique combination of its outstanding properties such as high mechanical strength, large surface area, and superior electrical conductivity make graphene paper, a promising base material for flexible energy storage devices. In essence, we discover that the graphene based flexible electrode exhibits significantly improved performances in electrochemical properties, such as in energy density and power density. Moreover graphene paper has better life cycle compared to non-flexible conventional electrode architecture. Accordingly, we believe that our findings will contribute to the full realization of flexible lithium rechargeable batteries used in bendable electronic equipments.

Policy theme(s)

Environmental technologies>>Climate change mitigation>>Low carbon technologies

Keywords

N/A

Entry Source:

N/A

Referred to in EC doc:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

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http://pubs.rsc.org/en/Content/ArticleLanding/2011/EE/c0ee00640h
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matlgen1@kaist.ac.kr

Title

Unlocking the €53 billion savings from smart meters in the EU: How increasing the adoption of dynamic tariffs could make or break the EU's smart grid investment

Reference

Energy Policy
Volume 38, Issue 10, October 2010, Pages 6222-6231

Author(s)

Ahmad Faruqui, Dan Harris and Ryan Hledik

Study type

Peer Review Journal

Abstract

We estimate the cost of installing smart meters in the EU to be €51 billion, and that operational savings will be worth between €26 and 41 billion, leaving a gap of €10-25 billion between benefits and costs. Smart meters can fill this gap because they enable the provision of dynamic pricing, which reduces peak demand and lowers the need for building and running expensive peaking power plants. The present value of savings in peaking infrastructure could be as high as €67 billion for the EU if policy-makers can overcome barriers to consumers adopting dynamic tariffs, but only €14 billion otherwise. We outline a number of ways to increase the adoption of dynamic tariffs

Policy theme(s)

Climate change and energy >> Climate change mitigation >> Energy infrastructure
Environmental technologies >> Climate change mitigation >> Low carbon technologies
Resource efficiency >> Energy efficiency

Keywords

Dynamic pricing, Smart meters, Energy conservation

Entry Source:

Shortlisted for Science for Environment Policy News Alert

Referred to in EC doc:

N/A

View this study at:

http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0301421510004738
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ahmad.faruqui@brattle.com