Geo-scientific characterisation of the Boom Clay in the Netherlands in light of permanent confinement of radio-active waste

Recently, the OPERA research program has been initiated in the Netherlands. Its central objective is to develop initial, conditional safety cases for repositories in the Boom Clay and Zechstein rocksalt formations. TNO Geological Survey of the Netherlands has been granted two projects that deal with the geoscientific characterisation of the Tertiairy Boom Clay in the Netherlands, one of which is in cooperation with Utrecht University. The set-up of these projects is presented..

Innovation, low energy buildings and intermediaries in Europe: systematic case study review

As buildings throughout their lifecycle account for circa 40% of total energy use in Europe, reducing energy use of the building stock is a key task. This task is, however, complicated by a range of factors, including slow renewal and renovation rates of buildings, multiple non- coordinated actors, conservative building practices, and limited competence to innovate. Drawing from academic literature published during 2005-2015, this article carries out a systematic review of case studies on low energy innovations in the European residential building sector, analysing their drivers. Specific attention is paid to intermediary actors in facilitating innovation processes and creating new opportunities. The study finds that qualitative case study literature on low energy building innovation has been limited, particularly regarding the existing building stock. Environmental concerns, EU, national and local policies have been the key drivers; financial, knowledge and social sustainability and equity drivers have been of modest importance; while design, health and comfort, and market drivers have played a minor role. Intermediary organisations and individuals have been important through five processes: (1) facilitating individual building projects, (2) creating niche markets, (3) implementing new practices in social housing stock, (4) supporting new business model creation, and (5) facilitating building use post construction. The intermediaries have included both public and private actors, while local authority agents have acted as intermediaries in several cases

The role of CO2-enhanced coalbed methane production in the global CCS strategy

Subsurface coal seams are generally considered as important potential geological media for underground storage of carbon dioxide, but this is a more complex option than other storage options. The required number of wells and the uncertainties due to the complexity were generally considered as main barriers and large-scale projects are hence pending after the initial pilot projects. However, CBM production is currently initiated in coal basins throughout the world, thereby providing more and more possibilities for application of storage of CO2 in coal in the future. Experience gained from other CCS projects will be essential In this paper, it is recommended that - if feasible - future coal storage projects should be developed with horizontal injection wells in a mature CBM field that has seen peak production of CBM. The possibility of using horizontal wells for injection in coal should be tested first. An integrated approach aiming at local benefits through small-scale electricity generation or re-use of production water could have an clear added value. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd

Energy, resources & the environment: Some future challenges

The European Geosciences Union brings together geoscientists from all over Europe and the rest of the world, covering all disciplines of the earth sciences. This geoscientific inter- and multidisciplinarity is needed to tackle the challenges of the future. A major challenge for humankind is to provide adequate and reliable supplies of affordable energy and other resources. These should be obtained in environmentally sustainable ways, which is essential for economic prosperity, environmental quality and political stability around the world. This issue gives a general overview of contributions during the General Assembly 2013 in the division for Energy, Resources & the Environment. © 2013 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd