Domestic Energy Resources Research Articles

Coal and energy security for India: Role of carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage (CCS)

Abstract Coal is the abundant domestic energy resource in India and is projected to remain so in future under a business-as-usual scenario. Using domestic coal mitigates national energy security risks. However coal use exacerbates global climate change. Under a strict climate change regime, coal use is projected to decline in future. However this would increase imports of energy sources like natural gas (NG) and nuclear and consequent energy security risks for India. The paper shows that carbon dioxide (CO2) capture and storage (CCS) can mitigate CO2 emissions from coal-based large point source (LPS) clusters and therefore would play a key role in mitigating both energy security risks for India and global climate change risks. This paper estimates future CO2 emission projections from LPS in India, identifies the potential CO2 storage types at aggregate level and matches the two into the future using Asia-Pacific Integrated Model (AIM/Local model) with a Geographical Information System (GIS) interface. The paper argues that clustering LPS that are close to potential storage sites could provide reasonable economic opportunities for CCS in future if storage sites of different types are further explored and found to have adequate capacity. The paper also indicates possible LPS locations to utilize CCS opportunities economically in future, especially since India is projected to add over 220,000 MW of thermal power generation capacity by 2030.

Environmental Strategy of Japanese Digital Printing Industry

Japan has little domestic energy resources and relies on overseas energy resources for the bulk of its needs. The energy consumption of Japan in 2000 became approximately nine times larger than in 1955, just after the end of the Second World War. Expectations for the role of energy conservation are increasing, due to the exacerbation of global environmental problems. These suggest that we need not only the reduction of electricity consumption but also the reduction of environmentally-unfriendly materials and the adoption of product recycling.Some consider environmental conservation to be a burden on the economy. For a corporation, in order to sustain effective environmental conservation activities, the activities themselves must be part of a system that yields profits and enhances the corporate structure. In business processes, environmental conservation activities and profit yielding activities must be oriented in the same direction, and for this reason, these can be achieved at the same time by sharpening our ingenuity. We defined our environmental management as a “management that conserves the environment while creating economic value”. By setting a high level of environmental target, and accelerating process innovation and development of environmental technologies for products, the environmental loads and costs will be reduced by saving energy and resources while enhancing the product competitiveness.I will show an environmental management system and some typical environmental technologies developed in the Japanese digital printing industry.

国産エネルギー資源としてのメタンハイドレート

Depending on imports for 98.6% for oil and natural gas requirements, it has been a long-cherished dream for Japan to have domestic hydrocarbon energy resources. Methane hydrate, an ice-like white solid composed of water and methane gas, is believed to be widely distributed in the sea area off Japan. Therefore, Japan's Methane Hydrate R & D Program was established by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in FY2001. The organization established to execute this program is the Research Consortium for Methane Hydrate Resources in Japan (MH21). This program is divided into three phases, extending over 18 years. Phase 1 ended in FY2008. The main results of Phase 1 are as follows: (1) World's first successful continuous production of methane gas from methane hydrate-bearing layers in onshore production tests, (2) For the first time in the world, methane hydrate concentrated zones, which have development potential, were identified in the eastern Nankai Trough area, (3) Experimental in-situ testing methods of artificial and natural core samples of methane hydrate-bearing sediments were established, (4) Probabilistic resource assessment method based on well and seismic data was established, and the amount of methane gas trapped in the eastern Nankai Trough area was estimated, (5) Japan's own simulator dedicated to evaluating the production behavior of methane gas from methane hydrate-bearing layers was developed. Besides the above-mentioned achievements, fundamental studies were conducted on the Environmental Impact Assessment and Methane Hydrate System. The following technological issues have been identified by a sensitivity analysis of the Economic Evaluation: (1) increasing gas production rate (2) improving recovery factor, (3) reducing rate of sand-induced problems, and (4) reducing cost of subsea system. Phase 2 began in April 2009 to resolve these issues. The most important issue in Phase 2 is to conduct two offshore production tests in the sea off Japan. This paper introduces detailed results of Phase 1 and issues to be tackled during and after Phase 2.

J0801-3-2 米由来残渣バイオマスの燃料資源化 : 稲わらの微粉砕化とバーナ燃焼の試み(次世代燃料と新しい燃焼技術,エンジン,動カシステム(3))

Rice-derived biomass residue is potentially beneficial domestic energy resources. In this study, rice straw micro powder (RSMP) was produced from rice straw. Fuel properties of RSMP, such as particle shape, size distribution, elementary composition, heating value were investigated. Combustion test was conducted using a small coaxial jet burner, which has an assist jet flame burner of rice bran methyl ester (RBME). The results showed that RSMP has a size of 75μm or under, which would be applicable to the existing pulverized coal burner, and that a stable combustion was achieved up to 32% of the RSMP energy ratio for total heating value.

Options for CO2-lean hydrogen export from Norway to Germany

Abstract Norway is a nation with an abundant supply of energy, both from fossil and renewable resources. Due to limited domestic demand, Norway is today exporting large amounts of petroleum products. For the future, various options for export of CO2-lean energy exist, both from Northern and Southern Norway, and both from fossil sources (including carbon capture and storage), and renewable energies (particularly wind power). Transport vectors are hydrogen pipelines, liquid hydrogen ships and HVDC cables, and a plausible customer is central Europe due to its proximity, high population density and lack of domestic energy resources. Within the framework of the “NorWays” project, various options to deliver energy for hydrogen-based transportation from Norway to Germany were studied. Eight CO2-lean well-to-wheel energy export chains were evaluated with respect to efficiency, GHG emissions and other environmental impacts, costs and utilisation of Norwegian R&D experience. In the chosen scenarios, energy export via hydrogen pipelines and ships appeared energetically and economically interesting against existing approaches as NG and electricity export. Furthermore, increased utilisation of Norwegian R&D experience and higher value creation is anticipated by the export of a higher refined product.

Energy and exports in China

Abstract Exports have been a primary driver of China's economic growth over the last decade, and particularly since the country's accession to the World Trade Organization in late 2001. However, rapid growth in exports poses challenges for economic, energy, and environmental policymaking in China. Based on an analysis of national input–output and energy input tables, this paper examines linkages between China's exports and domestic energy consumption. We argue that, while exports place less demand on domestic energy resources than might be expected given export volumes, exports are the largest source of energy demand growth in China. Addressing the economic and environmental challenges created by rapid energy demand growth will require a more comprehensive, supply chain perspective on energy–export linkages.

Preemptive Federalism or Regulatory Dismantlement? The Bush Administration's Implementation of the Federal Coal Mining Reclamation Program

This article examines the implementation of the Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA) under the administration of President George W. Bush. It addresses a problem that is both conceptual and practical: how does a chief executive deal with policies that are at odds with each other? While the original purpose of SMCRA was to reclaim lands adversely affected by coal mining operations, I suggest that implementation efforts since 2001 have placed greater emphasis upon coal production than upon the maintenance of reclamation standards. This has been achieved by combining the factors often found within policy implementation approaches with the discretionary use of executive authority. The net result is that the president's preferred policy position, i.e., the development of domestic energy resources, has been enhanced despite some cost to countervailing policy goals, i.e., the conservation of water quality and wildlife in Appalachia.

Transportation of Wood Chips by Liquid Film Flow in Sloped Rough Terrain Pipelines

The unused biomass such as residues left on forest floor and unused portions of farm crops is considered as an important domestic and renewable energy resource. The present study addresses the forestry biomass derived from logging and thinning operations in forests. Since most of the forests in Japan locate in the mountain region, the forestry biomass has not been used continually due to the difficulty in carrying residues out of the forest. In order to promote the utilization of forestry biomass, the efficiencies for the transportation across steep slopes have to be improved. In the present study, the new method to transport wood chips by means of liquid film flow in sloped pipeline is proposed. The transportation limit of wood chips is investigated by using the test section imitating the sloped rough terrain pipeline. The wood chips are stagnated in the downstream region of hydraulic jump, which causes blockage of wood chips in the tube. To predict the flow rate of transportation limit of wood chips at a given liquid flow rate, analytical model is presented. From the comparison with the experimental results, it is found that the transportation limit in the sloped pipeline with horizontal tube can be predicted by the present analytical model.

The Impact of China on the Middle East

This article assesses the impact of the fast economic growth and expansion of China on the Middle East. It examines the evolution of the profile of the Middle East during 1995–2004 in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth, energy resources and potential, commodity structure of the foreign trade of the Middle East, its main trade partners and China's role in the international trade of the region. The importance of the Middle East for China's economy from 1995 to 2004 is discussed, including trade in goods and services, Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and supplies of energy and raw materials. Trade competition and/or collaboration between the Middle East and China, especially since the accession of China to the World Trade Organization (WTO), are also considered. Finally, China's impact on the Middle East is analysed by looking into trade, capital flows, labour flows, energy and raw materials and competition in the domestic and international markets with respect to goods and services. Indirect effects of China as a global player on the Middle East may also play a role, mainly through the big player in the Middle East: the United States.

杉小径木の圧縮半炭化燃料の圧縮強度・発熱量特性

Sugi thinnings with small diameter that are not suitable for lumber can be considered as important domestic energy resources. To utilize Sugi thinnings as alternative fuel of coal cokes, properties of compressive strength and heating value of compressed semi-carbonized wood fuel are investigated. To enhance the heating value, "semi-carbonization", that is the pyrolysis in the temperature range between 200 and 400 degree, is conducted. From the variation of heating value and energy yield of char with pyrolysis temperature, the semi-carbonization pyrolysis is found to be the upgrading technology to convert the woody biomass into the high energy density fuel at high energy yield. To increase the compressive strength, "Cold Isostatic Pressing" method is adopted. The compressive strength of the compressed wood fuel decreases with pyrolysis temperature, while the heating value increases. The drastic decrease in the compressive strength is observed at temperature of 250 degree. The increase in the hydrostatic compression pressure improves the compressive strength for an entire range of semi-carbonization pyrolysis. The alternative fuel with high heating value and high compressive strength can be produced by the semi-carbonization processing at temperature of 280 degree for wood fuel compressed at hydrostatic pressure of 200MPa.

Monitoring the sustainability of Russia's energy development

Abstract This article presents an assessment of Russia's energy sector, its current state and planned future direction. The analysis of Russia's energy trends is based on a set of indicators for sustainable energy development (ISED), developed under the leadership of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The article discusses Russia's Energy Strategy to 2020, and outlines major developments and challenges of the country's energy system. Russia's energy priorities, captured in the Strategy to 2020, emphasize securing a stable and uninterrupted energy supply; reducing energy intensity and improving energy efficiency; developing the domestic energy resource base; reducing negative environmental impacts; and ensuring affordable energy for the poorer segments of the population. Energy needs and challenges are discussed in relation to the three aspects of sustainability as defined in Agenda 21: economic, social and environmental. Concerns are expressed regarding environmental repercussions of energy development, in particular since Russia's 1998 economic rebound. There are also concerns, despite the economic recovery, that anticipated increases in energy tariffs may exceed the affordability of poorer segments of the population.

ＬＮＧとのハイブリッド型発電によるメタンハイドレート開発導入の検討

“Methane hydrate/LNG hybrid-type power generation project” as a strategy for promoting methane hydrate development is proposed in this study. This project has the following advantages.(1) It will be profitable under the current electric power price (19yen/kWh) by expansion of power output and extension of operating life.(2) The risk from methane hydrate development can be reduced.(3) It enables to reduce the CO2 emission and production cost of the hot water injection method by using waste heat in the power plant.However, under the CO2 emission trading system, unit price of the dealings which enables this project to be more profitable than the coal-fired power plant is considerably high: 10, 000 yen/ton-CO2. In order to introduce this project to the electricity market, the other incentives such as preferential tax treatment for domestic energy resource development are also required.

Quality Characteristics of Greek Brown Coals and Their Relation to the Applied Exploitation and Utilization Methods

Brown coal exploitation in Greece is of primary interest because it is an abundant domestic energy resource that contributes more than 70% in total electricity production. Greek brown coals present challenging and diverse technological characteristics, which should be studied to design and manage efficiently the mining, as well as, the operation of nearby power stations. The present study focuses on the organic and inorganic properties, as well as the mineralogy of the most-prominent Greek coal basins and their importance to mine planning, as well as to power station design and a productive working operation.

Analysis of the impact of electricity grid interconnection between Korea and Japan—Feasibility study for energy network in Northeast Asia

This study analyzes the impact of an electricity grid interconnection between Korea and Japan on their energy systems. Both countries seriously consider energy security as the most important policy issue because of a lack of domestic energy resources. In addition, public concern for the environment is recently rising up in response to the global warming. Electricity grid interconnection has strong potential to cope with such complicated problems cost-effectively. We have developed the interconnection model, which includes the electricity grid interconnection between the electricity sectors of Korea and Japan, considering both technological and economic efficiency. The result of the study reveals the significant cost-effectiveness of the interconnection, in particular, under stringent condition such as nuclear phase-out in Japan and CO 2 emission target in Korea and Japan. In the case that Japan's nuclear power plants will be phased out, the interconnection attains further cost reduction of constructing substitutive thermal power plants. On the other hand, when Korea and Japan set a joint CO 2 emission target, it achieves the emission target more efficiently than they reduce the emission individually.

FBC utilization prospects in decentralized cogeneration units in Caucasus region countries

Great differences are encountered among Caucasus region countries with respect to energy resources reserves and economic conditions. Thermal power plants consist of obsolete and inefficient units, while the Soviet-type large heating systems in the area collapsed after 1992 and their reconstruction is considered uneconomic. Renovation needs of the power and heat sector, and the potential of Fluidised Bed Combustion implementations in decentralized cogeneration units were investigated, since operating oil and gas power plants exhibit high fuel consumption, low efficiency and poor environmental performance. Results showed significant prospects of Fluidised Bed Combustion utilization in decentralized cogeneration units in the Caucausus region heat and power sector. Their introduction constitutes an economically attractive way to cover power and heat demands and promotes utilization of domestic energy resources in all of three countries, provided that financial difficulties could be confronted.

Evaluation of the national nuclear energy R&D projects in Korea: multi-attribute utility analysis

The Korean government has selected nuclear energy as the major source of electricity generation in Korea because of the lack of domestic energy resources. Thus, nuclear energy has become an increasingly vital part of resources for national development. The national nuclear energy R&D projects have been implemented for ensuring a safe and stable supply of nuclear energy in Korea since 1992. Evaluation of the national nuclear energy R&D projects has critical importance in the aspect of nuclear energy management. This paper employs multi-attribute utility analysis as a basis for obtaining an index to evaluate the national nuclear energy R&D projects using a specific case study of Korea. To structure and quantify basic values for the evaluation, we elicited important attributes, then refined and structured them into a hierarchy. A multi-attribute index is constructed as a multi-attribute utility function, based on value judgments provided by a group of technical researchers, policy analysts, faculties, and government officers. The implications of the results are also discussed. We found that the work and results of this study can provide valuable insights and decision opportunities for virtually all major decision-making in assessment of the national nuclear energy R&D projects in Korea.

The role of nuclear energy in 21st century for sustainable development in Korea

With the growing international consensus concerning the harmful health and environmental impact of fossil energy use, there is on the political level recognition of nuclear power's potential role in delivering large quantities of energy without releasing common environmental pollutants and greenhouse gases. The energy consumption in Korea has greatly increased with rapid economic growth and industrialization since 1970. The average annual growth rate was 8% in 1970s and more than 10% in 1980s and 1990s except during the '98 financial crisis. Due to the lack of domestic energy resource bases, the rapid economic growth and industrialization has to be supported by the imported energy. Thus, the imported energy dependence of total energy supply has rapidly increased from 47.5% in 1970 to 97.5% in 1997. The fossil fuels share of energy consumption grew up to 88.2% in 1997. This resulted to CO2 emission of 140 million ton-C, which account for 1.8% of world greenhouse gases emission. (MOCIE, 2000) Because of rapid industrialization, Korea has relatively higher energy intensive industries compared to most of the developed countries with 3.1 ton-C/capita and 0.49 ton-C/million Won. Thus, energy policy is being focused on the improvement of energy efficiency and optimum energy mix for the reduction of GHGs. At present, 16 units of Nuclear Power Plant are in operation, 6 units under construction. The nuclear share of electric power generation was 43% last year. This share will be increased up to more than 50% by 2015. In order to meet voluntary GHGs emission target, a drastic switching to non-carbon energy bases would be necessary.

Sustainable Cultivation Concepts for Domestic Energy Production from Biomass

Referee: Dr. J. Grant McLeod, Semiarid Prairie Agricultural Research Centre, Research Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, P.O. Box 1030 Swift Current, Saskatchewan S9H 3X2, CanadaAccording to the European Union, biomass will play a major role in the substitution of fossil fuels with renewable resources. Biomass will contribute 83% to the increased use of renewable resources by the year 2010. In contrast to other solar energy sources, plant biomass is always available and can be converted into energy continuously.An important objective in the production of energy crops on arable farm land should be to realize a high net energy yield and fulfill obligations in the field of environmental protection. The “double cropping system” was developed to meet these obligations. Silaging as a conservation method for wet biomass makes this sustainable cultivation system possible. It includes a diverse array of crops and provides the opportunity to integrate rural organic wastes into this energy concept.The model presented, “the energy self supplying farm”, shows that it is possible to meet the energy consumption requirements of a livestock farming operation with energy crop production on 10 to 18% of the arable farm land. According to a new rape energy concept, a land resource requirement of roughly 10% is feasible if biomass residues from rape oil production for liquid fuels are also utilized for energy production.For a farm with livestock, anaerobic digestion technology is an appropriate technique to deliver heat and electricity for the farmstead. Digestion residues, used as fertilizer in energy crop production, results in an almost complete nutrient recycling. Energy output can be increased above the demand of the farm via the biogas reactor, using the total biomass produced with double cropping. Surplus electricity is supplied to the grid at a guaranteed price.Biomass is a domestic energy resource, and farmers have the chance to extend their function from a supplier of raw material to managers of domestic energy resources. Under the currently established framework, monetary return per hectare could be more than double with biomass energy production via biogas.This will allow the agricultural economy to recover and promote a sustainable regional development. In addition to being a convenient method of waste management, sustainable energy crop production can make a significant contribution to environmental protection and the improvement of the social and economic cohesion within a community.

Domestic Energy Situation in Nigeria: Technological Implications and Policy Alternatives

Using data from a recent study, the paper describes the domestic energy situation in Nigeria, noting specific technical innovations in this sector. The energy policy environment, and the emerging technological capabilities are discussed. Field data were collected using a variety of research techniques, including interview survey, indepth interviews, focus group discussions, and the use of secondary data sources. The data were collected from the following target groups households in selected rural and urban towns (totalling 585 households), consumers and suppliers of various domestic energy resources, and local fabricators of enduse appliances. The existing institutional capabilities and capacities were also assessed. Study findings present a basic description of households and types of domestic fuel in use, and the dynamics of the demand and the supply of domestic fuels, including the choice of fuel, the profile of users, fuel switching, trends in fuel costs, technical innovations and institutional capabilities and capacities. A framework for rethinking and replanning technology policy in the domestic energy sector is also presented.

Renewable energy strategy in Japan

Japan has few indigenous energy supplies, and imports the bulk of its energy, so it is hardly surprising that, following the oil crises of the mid 1970's, it has taken renewable energy seriously. Moreover, increasing constrains on energy and the environment, especially the global environmental consequences of energy use, are causing a rising concern world wide, giving a warning that such constraints may be limits to sustaining our future development. This paper, at first, introduce prospects of energy demand and supply in Japan, then, the author look at the real potential of domestic renewable energy resources, such as solar thermal energy, photovoltaics, wind power, hydro power, ocean energy, biomass, and geothermal energy. Finally, the renewable energy strategy in Japan is asserted.