The efficient use of energy: Tracing the global flow of energy from fuel to service

Cullen, Jonathan M.; Allwood, Julian M.

doi:10.1016/j.enpol.2009.08.054

Cited by 208 publications

(131 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…As Mackay [2] demonstrated, it is very difficult to establish a society fully run on renewables. However, Cullen and Alwood [3] showed that most of the energy we use is lost as non-functional waste energy. So the initial demand can be reduced by more effective usage, such as by low-exergy means [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Potential Mapping for Energy-Producing Neighborhoods

Dobbelsteen

Broersma²,

Stremke³

2011

International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Ur

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Over the past five years, the method of energy potential mapping (EPM) has evolved from a cartoonish charting of climatic features with energy consequences to a detailed methodology for the development of spatial plans based on energy-effective foundations. By means of EPM the rudimentary features and properties of an area are analyzed, made discrete and translated into maps of the specific area (be it a region, city, district or neighbourhood) depicting potentials for energy supply and generation. In the latest studies in accordance with EPM, these energy potential maps are presented as a stack at different heights (above the surface) and depths (underground), showing the maximum potential of an area. Based on these, a proposal can be made for the spatial organization of the area. In the full paper we will discuss the methodology of EPM and exemplify the method by means of recent studies, in particular De Groene Compagnie ('The Green Campaign'), a new development area in the north of the Netherlands, which turned out to have the potential to become energy-productive.Keywords: Sustainable development, Energy potential mapping, Energy neutrality, Heat maps, Spatial planning, Regional development, Urban planning BACKGROUNDAlthough the earth receives almost 9000 times more energy from the sun than that mankind needs, energy is becoming a huge problem. Western societies heavily rely on energy, fossil fuels in particular. The Netherlands for instance produces less than 4% of its energy by means of sustainable sources [1]. The rest is fossils and a bit of imported nuclear energy. As Mackay [2] demonstrated, it is very difficult to establish a society fully run on renewables. However, Cullen and Alwood [3] showed that most of the energy we use is lost as non-functional waste energy. So the initial demand can be reduced by more effective usage, such as by low-exergy means [4].Estimates of resources fluctuate, but it is apparent to both energy experts and oil companies that the end is coming near. We have passed peak oil [5]: these days we consume more oil than can be produced. That this is a literally dangerous situation was demonstrated by the two gulf wars and recent turmoil around gas from Russia (first: Ukraine disconnected, second: Belarus threatening to halt the throughput of Russian gas). Apart from this international perspective and its influence on the price of energy, few people from the West understand how dependent they have become on energy, and that a collapse in the provision would have devastating effects to everyday life.Last but certainly not least, the western hunger -or rather thirst -for energy is severely limiting the opportunities of developing and emerging regions to catch up in prosperity. As Fig.1 indicates, western countries owe their prosperity to limited use of energy in other parts of the world. Needless to say this situation deviates strongly from the equity goals posed by the Brundtland Committee in 1987 [6].The abundance -until now -and relatively cheap and easy access to fossil ...

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Energy Potential Mapping for Energy-Producing Neighborhoods

Dobbelsteen

Broersma²,

Stremke³

2011

International Journal of Sustainable Building Technology and Ur

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“…Reaching these objectives would create a more sustainable global energy market (Cranston and Hammond 2010). Renewable energy resources typically produce lower carbon emissions and thus have a reduced environmental impact (Conti and Holtberg 2011;Cullen and Allwood 2010). Hydrogen is considered a strong alternative fuel source as it has the largest energy density per unit mass of all known fuels (142 kJ/g) (Ghosh and Hallenbeck 2014) and is considered a Bclean fuel^as water is its primary byproduct (Brentner et al 2010).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Improving biohydrogen production using Clostridium beijerinckii immobilized with magnetite nanoparticles

Seelert

Ghosh

Yargeau

2015

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol

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In order to supplement the need for alternative energy resources within the near future, enhancing the production of biohydrogen with immobilized Clostridium beijerinckii NCIMB8052 was investigated. Magnetite nanoparticles were functionalized, with chitosan and alginic acid polyelectrolytes using a layer-by-layer method, to promote bacterial attachment. Cultivating C. beijerinckii with these nanoparticles resulted in a shorter lag growth phase and increased total biohydrogen production within 100-ml, 250-ml and 3.6-L reactors compared with freely suspended organisms. The greatest hydrogen yield was obtained in the 250-ml reactor with a value of 2.1±0.7 mol H 2 /mol glucose, corresponding to substrate conversion and energy conversion efficiencies of 52±18 and 10±3 %, respectively. The hydrogen yields obtained using the immobilized bacteria are comparable to values found in literature. However, to make this process viable, further improvements are required to increase the substrate and energy conversion efficiencies.

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“…The method used to map energy flows into a Sankey diagram in this study was mainly based on previous studies on global energy flows [19] and China's energy flows [20,21], but adjusted to take into account the specifics of Malaysia's energy system and also the data availability.…”

Section: Tools and Data Input For Mapping Energy Flowsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Use of Energy in Malaysia: Tracing Energy Flows from Primary Source to End Use

Chong

et al. 2015

Energies

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Malaysia is a rapidly developing country in Southeast Asia that aims to achieve high-income country status by 2020; its economic growth is highly dependent on its abundant energy resources, especially natural gas and crude oil. In this paper, a complete picture of Malaysia's energy use from primary source to end use is presented by mapping a Sankey diagram of Malaysia's energy flows, together with ongoing trends analysis of the main factors influencing the energy flows. The results indicate that Malaysia's energy use depends heavily on fossil fuels, including oil, gas and coal. In the past 30 years, Malaysia has successfully diversified its energy structure by introducing more natural gas and coal into its power generation. To sustainably feed the rapidly growing energy demand in end-use sectors with the challenge of global climate change, Malaysia must pay more attention to the development of renewable energy, green technology and energy conservation in the future.

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The efficient use of energy: Tracing the global flow of energy from fuel to service

Cited by 208 publications

References 12 publications

Energy Potential Mapping for Energy-Producing Neighborhoods

Energy Potential Mapping for Energy-Producing Neighborhoods

Improving biohydrogen production using Clostridium beijerinckii immobilized with magnetite nanoparticles

The Use of Energy in Malaysia: Tracing Energy Flows from Primary Source to End Use

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