Haiya Zhang: 2011 International Green Energy Economy Conference

Conference Host

Korea Energy Economics Institute

Conference Organizers

Center for Energy and Environmental Policy (CEEP) at the University of Delaware, assisted by the National council for Science and the Environment (NCSE), and the Council of Energy Research and Education Leaders (CEREL)

Summery of a few presentations at the IGEEC

1.       “Energy Quality”, by Dr. Cutler Cleveland, Boston University

In his presentation, Dr. Cleveland introduced the concept of ‘Energy Quality’, which implies that units of material are not equal when providing the same amount of energy. In other words, some has high efficiency, and some has lower. According to Dr. Cleveland, substitute energy sources have lower quality, such as ethanol. Since the scale of new energy source transition is large, we need to look for quality resources to transition into.

2.       “Curitiba City, Brazil”, by Mr. Eduardo Pereira Guimaraes, Curitiba City, Brazil

Mr. Guimaraes’s presentation gave a wonderful example of green city planning and its future in sustainability. Most of the planning and programs at Curitiba were initiated in 1970s. Among many programs, low-income families particularly favor the ‘Exchange Program’, where families can bring in 4 kg recycled garbage for 1 kg of food. “Green Line”, along with other transportation plans has always been put on an emphasis in Curitiba. 28m-long buses running on bio-fuel are used throughout the city center. The city government also invests a lot in environmental Education. ‘It’s just one idea until all population accept it’ said Mr Guimaraes, ‘and transparency is very important.’

3.       “Advancement of Steady State Economy”, by Dr. Brian Czech, CASSE

Dr. Czech presented the idea that truly going green equals to macro-economical de-growth. La Decroissance in Europe is an example of economic de-growth.

Therefore, the solution to environmental problems is not more investment in R&D, but to manage it on a sustainable scale. http://www.steadystate.org/ is the official site for CASSE and its projects. They are calling for support to their initiatives at all times.

4.       “Wisconsin Bioenergy Initiatives, the Biogas Opportunity, Lessons from Around the Globe for U.S and State Initiatives”, by Dr. Gary Radloff, Midwest Energy Policy

Dr. Radloff led a team of students to Germany to find out why Germany is the leader of biogas production, and what some of the social, technology, and policy drivers are. After visiting a technology fair and a few farms installed with biogas generating systems, they concluded three main reasons. First of all, the business models in Germany make it easy for farmers to cooperate with utility companies in terms of installing and managing the biogas digesters. Second, the system has a big scale and good design. Last but not least, the Germans are very innovative with inputs and end use of end product.

Haiya Zhang: ‘Is There a Place in China Where Dams will not be built?’

‘Is There a Place in China Where Dams will not be built?’

---Report on ‘Dam and Sustainability in China’ Program at Woodrow Wilson Center

The title is quoted from a question to Mr. Wang Hao, one of the speakers from China Institute for Water Resources and Hydropower Research.

Mr. Wang Hao first gave a presentation on Hydropower projects in China, i.e. Ertan, Ge Zhouba, and Three Gorges Dam. He briefed through the hydropower development history in China, and the current situation, as well as some of the problems faced by hydropower. Mr. Wang’s presentation was very generic in terms of data provided and comments on the relocation and environmental destruction related to the hydropower station construction.

Mr. Douglas Smith from International Hydropower Association gave an introductory presentation on the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol an enhanced sustainability assessment tool which is being used to measure and guide performance in the hydropower sector. The Protocol assesses the four main stages of hydropower development: Early Stage, Preparation, Implementation and Operation. Assessments rely on objective evidence to create a sustainability profile against some 20 topics depending on the relevant stage, and covering all aspects of sustainability. 

Ms. Desiree Tullos (Biological and Ecological Engineering, Oregon State University) lastly talked about her Sustainability and Interdisciplinary Analysis. It is a decision support tool that integrate social consensus into the analysis. She and her team incorporated questions specifically targeted at different social groups so collect their opinions on the hydropower station on Mekong River. Tullos’ study shows that academics and NGOs show concerns over big scale hydropower project, while government official note more on the positive side. Tullos’ team used surveys and questionnaires to analyze the non-quantified dimensions of hydropower stations, such as social and cultural issues. Her study is aiming to provide insights to the impact of dams on river flow and people’s life.

Mr. Wang Hao received lots of questions and concerns by the public regarding hydropower construction and solution to its drawbacks. Many questions were raised about the dam construction decision making process, and the drawback analysis on the current hydropower projects in China. Transparency of the decision making process is something that Chinese government needs to take into consideration. The public has a strong desire to know the factor driving those hydropower projects. To open up the process may help the public understand the situation faced by the government, and may turn collision into cooperation. Hydropower plants construction has enormous impact on people’s life along the river flow. To ease public’s doubt would make this energy solution accepted and trusted by the public and neighboring countries. After all, they are important stakeholders of the hydropower projects as well. When asked if there is any place in China where dams will not be built, Mr. Wang answered “Nu (Salween) River, China has no plan to construct any project on Nu River”. It is known that in 1970s, a 13-dam project was initiated on Salween River in Yunnan, which was then announced to be reduced to a 4-dam project due to numerous oppositions. Investigations by journalist showed little support for the dam project from locals, who feared they would not get adequate compensation. With modern information technology blooming, government officials should not underestimate people’s knowledge and information on current issues. A big civil engineering project such as hydropower station does not need anti-trust from the general public.

Regarding the Hydropower Sustainability Assessment by International Hydropower Association, a protocol is developed for developers to improve and to get further finance. It took in integrated aspects of sustainable hydropower construction, and built a framework for stake holders, specifically developers, to follow. However, it only provides recommendations, and lack of strong incentives and consistency. Perhaps governments can adopt this protocol, and add more incentives for developers to follow. Then the Assessment can be more practical.

References:

--Jianqiang, Liu (2007-02-28). "Fog on the Nu River". China Dialogue. http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/811-Fog-on-the-Nu-River. Retrieved 2009-12-04.

--www.salweenwatch.org

--"Salween River". Foundation for Ecological Recovery, http://www.terraper.org/key_issues_view.php?id=6. Retrieved 2009-12-04

Haiya Zhang: Research in Hybrid Vehicles, its development and future.

Hybrid Vehicle: a vehicle that uses two or more distinct power sources to move the vehicle.
A common name: Hybrid Electronic Vehicle (HEV) which combine an internal combustion engine and one or more electric motors.

Different Technologies
Gas-electric hybrids: Add an electric motor and rechargeable batteries to the conventional gas engine. The onboard computer does all the hard work of switching between gas and electric power. At low speed or idle, the battery provides necessary energy. I.e. Ford Escape SUV: the overall most fuel efficient SUV in the market. However, affected by the weather, usually takes 20 to 30min to recharge the battery.
Plug-in hybrid: a plug-in hybrid uses larger battery packs that can be recharged by connecting to common household electricity. Plug-in hybrids can be driven for long distances—from a few miles to as much as 40 miles—without using any gasoline.
Electric car: powered exclusively by electricity. Historically, EVs have not been widely adopted because of limited driving range before needing to be recharged, long recharging times, and a lack of commitment by automakers to produce and market electric cars that have all the creature comforts of gas-powered cars. However, battery technology improves—simultaneously increasing energy storage and reducing cost.

Diesel: Use higher compression ratios and higher combustion temperatures, diesels operate more efficiently. A gallon of diesel fuel contains about 10 percent more energy than a gallon of gasoline. Diesel vehicles now account for nearly half of all new vehicle sales in Europe, and a small but growing market share in the US.
Ethanol car: Renewable fuel. E85, 85% blend of ethanol contributes less pollution, reducing smog-forming emissions by as much as 50 percent relative to gasoline. Drawbacks: higher price, less energy (20 to 30%), and lack of availability (mostly in the Midwest, MN & IL).
Hydrogen: Use a hydrogen internal combustion engine, which is basically a modified gasoline engine. It can also be used in a fuel cell, like a battery, but doesn’t need to be recharged.


Mileage and Performance
Current hybrid cars can get up to 60 miles to the gallon on the highway. In the near future, hybrid cars are expected to get fuel mileage as high as 190 miles per gallon!


Emission
Hybrid vehicle emissions today are getting close to or even lower than the recommended level set by the EPA. The recommended levels they suggest for a typical passenger vehicle should be equated to 5.5 metric tons of carbon dioxide. The three most popular hybrid vehicles, Honda Civic, Honda Insight and Toyota Prius, set the standards even higher by producing 4.1, 3.5, and 3.5 tons showing a major improvement in carbon dioxide emissions. Hybrid vehicles can reduce air emissions of smog-forming pollutants by up to 90% and cut carbon dioxide emissions in half.


Market potential and projection
The number of hybrid gas-electric cars sold in the U.S. declined from 34,000 in March to 25,000 in April, and to 16,000 in May. The overall auto market is down 4 percent compared to a year ago. Hybrids were hit even harder, taking a precipitous fall of 42.1 percent compared to 2010. As usual, the Toyota Prius dominates the market, with its 51 percent drop compared to a year ago pulling down the total hybrid market numbers.


Policy
• California - hybrid car owners are allowed the use of carpool lanes and are exempt from parking fees in certain parts of the sate.
• Colorado - hybrid car owners are offered a tax credit.
• Connecticut - those interested in purchasing a hybrid car with a fuel economy rating of better than 40mpg are exempt from sales tax on the purchase.
• Florida and Georgia - hybrid car owners may drive in carpool lanes regardless of the number of passengers.
• Maine - hybrid car owners may be eligible for a tax rebate of as high as $500.
• Maryland - hybrid car owners are eligible for a tax rebate of $1000.
• New Mexico - hybrid car owners do not have to pay the motor vehicle excise tax.
• New York - hybrid car owners may be eligible for up to $5000 in tax rebates.
• Oregon - hybrid car owners are eligible for a $1500 tax rebate.
• Pennsylvania - as of 2005, hybrid car owners are eligible for a $500 rebate.
• Utah - hybrid car owners are eligible for up to a $3000 income tax credit.
The main obstacles seem to be smaller fleet sizes and the extra costs of a hybrid system are yet compensated for by fuel savings. However, Advances in technology and lowered battery cost and higher capacity etc. developed in the hybrid car industry are already filtering into truck use as Toyota, Ford, GM and others introduce hybrid pickups and SUVs. FedEx and others are starting to invest in hybrid delivery type vehicles—particularly for city use where hybrid technology may pay off first.

By Haiya Zhang

Source sited:
www.hybridcars.com/index.php
www.hybrid-car.org
www.eartheasy.com

Haiya Zhang: Brief research into Hydroelectricity

Brief research into Hydroelectricity

Basic concept: the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water----Renewable, mostly used among all renewables

Different Sizes

Large or specialized industrial facilities: over a few hundred MW to over 10GW (10,000 MW).

There are only three hydropower station that produces more than 10GW: Three Gorges Dam (22.5 GW), Itaipu Dam (14 GW) between Brazil and Paraguay, and Guri Dam (10.2 GW) in Venezuela.

Small, micro, and pico

Advantages:

Low economic cost compare to other renewable energy generation, low CO2 emission, and multi-functional: flood control

Disadvantages:

Permanent ecosystem and land damage, siltation, short flows, methane emission, relocation (Three Gorges Dam takes 20 years), poverty and corruption, failure hazard etc.

Ten of the largest hydroelectric producers as at 2009.[31][32]
Country	Annual hydroelectric production (TWh)	Installed capacity (GW)	Capacity factor	% of total capacity
China	652.05	196.79	0.37	22.25
Canada	369.5	88.974	0.59	61.12
Brazil	363.8	69.080	0.56	85.56
United States	250.6	79.511	0.42	5.74
Russia	167.0	45.000	0.42	17.64
Norway	140.5	27.528	0.49	98.25
India	115.6	33.600	0.43	15.80
Venezuela	85.96	14.622	0.67	69.20
Japan	69.2	27.229	0.37	7.21
Sweden	65.5	16.209	0.46	44.34

In China’s 12^th five-year plan, hydroelectricity and thermal energy are on the top energy solution list.

Case study: Salween River

Origin: Qinghai, Tibetan plateau

Flow through: Yunnan, China

Significance: Battle field of World War 2

           Boundary water between Burma and Thailand

           Biodiversity and habitat of indigenous people

From the origin to the mouth: 5,400m difference in elevation--- huge potential for hydropower plant

Chinese government has proposed hydropower plant construction in 1970s. Thailand and Burma also have plans to construct dams to produce hydroelectricity. China has proposed 13 dams on the Salween through Yunnan, some of which lie within the Three Parallel Rivers World Heritage Site. Objections were raised, and construction was then suspended. Until recently, the central government announced that instead of building a 13-dam hydropower plant serie, only a 4-dam one will be constructed outside the World Heritage site.

On the Burma side, there was military offense against Local Karen people in order to start the project in 2007. Earlier in 2011, Karen people had an uprising and protested against the construction of the dam on Salween River in Burma.

Hydroelectricity: popular on energy, economical and political level; not so friendly from the environmental and social perspective. Many aspects need to be taken into consideration, but many hydropower plant constructions do not even have EIA done, or only done poorly because some are too eager to have the project built.