The biomass based electricity generation potential of the Province of Cienfuegos, Cuba

By 2013, the province of Cienfuegos in Cuba consumed about 5165 GWh of primary energy, of which an estimated 60 % was used to produce 767 GWh of electricity. 29 % of the primary energy was obtained from renewable fuel, and only less than 5 % of the biomass energy, was used to produce about 27 GWh of biomass based electricity. This study proposes and assesses opportunities to produce electricity from biomass in the sugar industry of the province. The scenarios considered include: upgrading the agricultural yield of sugarcane, producing energy cane and combusting it after the sugarcane milling season, combusting the filter cake, combusting marabu (Dichrostachys cinerea, a bush tree considered a plague in Cuba) after the sugarcane milling season, and updating the electricity generation technology. Results are given for the different scenarios and it is shown that a combined scenario, including upgrading agricultural yield of sugarcane, upgrading electricity generation technology, combusting filter cake, and producing energy cane to generate electricity after the sugarcane milling season, thus allowing to use the generation units in sugar factories during 8000 h per year affords a potential production of 1150 GWh of electricity, 50 % more than consumed in Cienfuegos province in 2013. © 2016, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht

Water footprint from growing potato crops in Cuba

This article determines the water footprint from the potato crop in Cuba between the years 2009 and 2012 using the CROPWAT model. Climate, yields and fertilization data are specific to each of the areas where the crops were grown. The results are compared with previous works in other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. In the case of Cuba, the results show a difference of 25% with respect to international reports developed with data related to climate and average crops in the country. Other countries in the region have similar levels, although with a smaller gray component and a larger green component. The water footprint from potato crops is also compared with other crops in Cuba, finding that potatoes represent the fourth largest water demand.En el artículo se determina la huella hídrica de la cosecha de la papa en Cuba entre los años 2009 y 2012 utilizando el modelo CROPWAT. Los datos climáticos, de rendimiento y de fertilización son específicos de cada una de las áreas donde se realiza la cosecha y los resultados obtenidos se comparan con los de trabajos anteriores realizados en otros países de América Latina y el Caribe. En el caso de Cuba los resultados muestran diferencias de un 25% respecto a los obtenidos en reportes internacionales elaborados a partir de datos climáticos y de la cosecha promedios del país. Respecto a otros países de la región tienen niveles similares aunque con menor componente gris y mayor componente verde. También se compara la Huella Hídrica de la cosecha de la papa con la de otros cultivos en Cuba estableciéndose que la papa ocupa el cuarto lugar en demanda de agua

Electricity management in the production of leadaAcid batteries: the industrial case of a production plant in Colombia

Electricity stands as the main energy used for lead-acid battery (LAB) manufacturing. This study introduces an energy management methodology to address the electricity consumption in lead-acid battery plants, improving efficiency standards. The “equivalent battery production” is introduced to define the energy performance criteria to be met in the different production sections of the battery plant. The methodology combines the guidelines of the ISO 50001 standard with the energy management framework for manufacturing plants. The result is a structured approach for detecting inefficiencies and pinpointing their sources. The management methodology was implemented during 2016. In the formation area 222 MWh were saved during 2016. This saving accounts for 3.9% less electricity than forecasted by the energy baseline of the area. Additionally, the emission of some 40 tCO2.eq. associated with the generation of the electricity production were saved. Moreover, at plant level 424 MWh were saved, which account for 3.6% less electricity than forecasted by the energy baseline of the plant. In total, around 76 tCO2.eq. were saved as a result of the electricity savings in the plant

On the evolution of “cleaner production” as a concept and a practice

“Cleaner Production“(CP) is about less and more efficient energy and materials use and the substitution of more harmful products (for the environment and health) by less dangerous ones. CP was the reply of the industry to the call for sustainable development as launched by the WCED (1987) and further elaborated in Rio's Agenda 21 (UN, 1992). During the past 25 years, the concept was put in practice. During this period it changed in scope, methods, and application area. This provided a deeper socio-economic impact to an idea that was originally launched to awaken industry on its environmental responsibilities. This paper provides a review of essentials that contributed to the fundamental changes in CP during the most recent quarter of a century. It takes off with a review of CP definitions illustrating the changes of the content. Changes in scope are exemplified with the increasing importance of “Corporate Social Responsibility” (CSR). This includes that post-modern companies have not only responsibilities on their economic performance and the environment, but should also act on issues including human rights and resources, business ethics, and community involvement. The links between CP and green and circular economy are indicated. The CP approach is increasingly applied outside the industry. CP for sustainable tourism is discussed in more detail but is only an example of the wider application in e.g. agriculture or health services

Buyst (Erik). An Economie History of Residential Building in Belgium between 1890 and 1961

Hens Luc M.A. Buyst (Erik). An Economie History of Residential Building in Belgium between 1890 and 1961. In: Revue belge de philologie et d'histoire, tome 74, fasc. 3-4, 1996. Histoire medievale, moderne et contemporaine - Middeleeuwse, moderne en hedendaagse geschiedenis. pp. 1043-1045

The current potential of low-carbon economy and biomass-based electricity in cuba. The case of sugarcane, energy cane and marabu (dichrostachys cinerea) as biomass sources

The emissions of greenhouse gases stand as a major threat of today. Moving towards CO2 neutral or low-carbon economies is a need to achieve sustainable development. This study assesses the potentialities to move Cuba towards a low-carbon economy by replacing the current electricity mix, dominated by fossil fuel based electricity generation, with biomass-based electricity generation. Because of their significant potential, the study focusses on the use of sugarcane, energy cane and marabu (dichrostachys cinerea) based biomass. Results show that biomass can support over 97% of the electricity generation planned by the Cuban government for 2030. Replacing fossil fuel based electricity with biomass-based electricity today potentially reduces up to 81% of the greenhouse gas emissions as compared to the emission levels of 2012. Implementing biomass-based electricity generation in Cuba can also reduce the costs of electricity generation by 1–30% (depending on the market price of fossil fuels)

The current potential of low-carbon economy and biomass-based electricity in cuba. The case of sugarcane, energy cane and marabu (dichrostachys cinerea) as biomass sources

The emissions of greenhouse gases stand as a major threat of today. Moving towards CO2 neutral or low-carbon economies is a need to achieve sustainable development. This study assesses the potentialities to move Cuba towards a low-carbon economy by replacing the current electricity mix, dominated by fossil fuel based electricity generation, with biomass-based electricity generation. Because of their significant potential, the study focusses on the use of sugarcane, energy cane and marabu (dichrostachys cinerea) based biomass. Results show that biomass can support over 97% of the electricity generation planned by the Cuban government for 2030. Replacing fossil fuel based electricity with biomass-based electricity today potentially reduces up to 81% of the greenhouse gas emissions as compared to the emission levels of 2012. Implementing biomass-based electricity generation in Cuba can also reduce the costs of electricity generation by 1–30% (depending on the market price of fossil fuels)