Ultrafine Particles - Air Quality and Climate: European Federation of Clean Air and Environmental Protection Associations (EFCA) International Symposium, Brussels, Belgium, July 5 and 6, 2022 - Proceedings

Ultrafine particles (UFP), the nano fraction of airborne particulate matter, are considered to be causing serious health problems and environmental effects. Combustion is a major source, also by producing volatile organic pollutants which are converted in the atmosphere through photochemical reactions. Increasing applications of man-made nanomaterials add to the problem, e.g. after incineration at the end of their lifetime. A further interest in UFP’s results from their specific role in atmospheric processes such as cloud formation and precipitation and, in fact, in climate. The relation between UFP and human health and that of UFP and climate are both areas of active research and cross-links between these fields are found nowadays. The subtitle of the conference series: “air quality and climate” reflects this development. Present policies to decrease exposure to particulate matter make use of the mass-based metrics PM10/PM2.5, which do not properly represent all risks for human health. EFCA is, therefore, in favour of the development of a fraction-by-fraction approach on particulate matter, both with respect to size and chemical composition. It already recommended European policymakers the introduction of Black Carbon Particles as additional metric in the Air Quality Directive. EFCA‘s 8th Ultrafine Particles Symposium 2022 featured the most recent scientific progress in the field and so contribute to policy-relevant developments which improve the dialogue with policymakers in Europe. The Symposium has gained visibility by permanently moving to Brussels and attracts an effective mix of EU representatives and scientists. EFCA and KIT, together with GUS and CEEES are pleased to organize this event again

Energy Storage as Part of a Secure Energy Supply

The current energy system is subject to a fundamental transformation: A system that is oriented towards a constant energy supply by means of fossil fuels is now expected to integrate increasing amounts of renewable energy to achieve overall a more sustainable energy supply. The challenges arising from this paradigm shift are currently most obvious in the area of electric power supply. However, it affects all areas of the energy system, albeit with different results. Within the energy system, various independent grids fulfill the function of transporting and spatially distributing energy or energy carriers, and the demand-oriented supply ensures that energy demands are met at all times. However, renewable energy sources generally supply their energy independently from any specific energy demand. Their contribution to the overall energy system is expected to increase significantly. Energy storage technologies are one option for temporal matching of energy supply and demand. Energy storage systems have the ability to take up a certain amount of energy, store it in a storage medium for a suitable period of time, and release it in a controlled manner after a certain time delay. Energy storage systems can also be constructed as process chains by combining unit operations, each of which cover different aspects of these functions. Large-scale mechanical storage of electric power is currently almost exclusively achieved by pumped-storage hydroelectric power stations. These systems may be supplemented in the future by compressed-air energy storage and possibly air separation plants. In the area of electrochemical storage, various technologies are currently in various stages of research, development, and demonstration of their suitability for large-scale electrical energy storage. Thermal energy storage technologies are based on the storage of sensible heat, exploitation of phase transitions, adsorption/desorption processes, and chemical reactions. The latter offer the possibility of permanent and loss-free storage of heat. The storage of energy in chemical bonds involves compounds that can act as energy carriers or as chemical feedstocks. Thus, they are in direct economic competition with established (fossil fuel) supply routes. The key technology here – now and for the foreseeable future – is the electrolysis of water to produce hydrogen and oxygen. Hydrogen can be transformed by various processes into other energy carriers, which can be exploited in different sectors of the energy system and/or as raw materials for energy-intensive industrial processes. Some functions of energy storage systems can be taken over by industrial processes. Within the overall energy system, chemical energy storage technologies open up opportunities to link and interweave the various energy streams and sectors. Chemical energy storage not only offers means for greater integration of renewable energy outside the electric power sector, it also creates new opportunities for increased flexibility, novel synergies, and additional optimization. Several examples of specific energy utilization are discussed and evaluated with respect to energy storage applications. The article describes various technologies for energy storage and their potential applications in the context of Germany’s Energiewende, i.e. the transition towards a more sustainable energy system. Therefore, the existing legal framework defines some of the discussions and findings within the article, specifically the compensation for renewable electricity providers defined by the German Renewable Energy Sources Act, which is under constant reformation. While the article is written from a German perspective, the authors hope this article will be of general interest for anyone working in the areas of energy systems or energy technology

Airbag - Ein Prallsack macht Karriere

Die Sicherheit von Fahrzeuginsassen war spätestens seit Beginn der Massenmotorisierung ein Kritikpunkt in der öffentlichen Betrachtung von Kraftfahrzeugen. Die zunehmende Verkehrsdichte in der Nachkriegszeit, die weite Verbreitung des Automobils - auch an weniger ambitionierte Autofahrer - und die technische Weiterentwicklung, die sich zunächst auf die reine Leistungsfähigkeit konzentrierte, führten zu einem dramatischen Anstieg der Unfallzahlen und einer ebenso spektakulären Zunahme der Verletzten und Toten. Speziell in den 60er- und 70er-Jahren erreichte die Zahl der Verkehrsopfer in allen von der Massenmotorisierung erfassten Ländern, also insbesondere in Europa und Nordamerika, nicht mehr zu vertretende Größenordnungen

2nd Workshop on Energy for Sustainable Science at Research Infrastructures

New technologies and applied innovation in the field of sustainable energy are needed in order to achieve a competitive and climate neutral Europe. As one of the first three Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KIC) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), KIC InnoEnergy invests in innovation projects and new educational programmes and provides business creation service with the purpose of delivering the disruptive technologies and innovations that Europe requires to meet this ambitious goal. Its stakeholders are top European players in the industry, research institutes, universities and business schools. Six regionally bundled European hubs – Barcelona/Lisbon, Grenoble, Eindhoven, Karlsruhe, Stockholm and Krakow - lead one thematic field each in sustainable energy. The thematic fields addressed range from Intelligent “Energy-efficient Residential Buildings and Cities” over “Energy from Chemical Fuels”, “Renewable Energies”, “Clean Coal Technologies” to “European Smart Electric Grid and Electric storage” as well as “Sustainable Nuclear and Renewable Energy Convergence”. Since the start of KIC InnoEnergy in 2010, a wealth of ventures were nurtured, new technology products and services for the energy value chain were created and participants in the educational programmes were trained to become the game changers in sustainable energy. KIC InnoEnergy has the vision to become the leading engine for innovation and entrepreneurship in sustainable energy in Europe