Chemistry and Sustainable Energy. Dr Jeff Hardy Manager, Environment, Sustainability and Energy Royal Society of Chemistry

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1 Chemistry and Sustainable Energy Dr Jeff Hardy Manager, Environment, Sustainability and Energy Royal Society of Chemistry

2 Overview The RSC Energy in context The chemical sciences The role of the RSC 05/09/2006 2

3 RSC: The Royal Charter The RSC's original Charter was granted in The RSC's Royal Charter, granted in 1980, states that: "The object for which the Society is constituted is the general advancement of chemical science and its application and for that purpose: i. to foster and encourage the growth and application of such science by the dissemination of chemical knowledge; ii. to establish, uphold and advance the standards of qualification, competence and conduct of those who practise chemistry as a profession; iii. to serve the public interest by acting in an advisory, consultative or representative capacity in matters relating to the science and practice of chemistry; and iv. to advance the aims and objectives of members of the Society so far as they relate to the advancement of the science or practice of chemistry." 05/09/2006 3

4 Environment Sustainability & Energy Forum

5 Sustainable Energy Green Chemical Technology Chemical Science Priorities for Sustainable Water Sustainable Water Chemistry of the Natural Environment 05/09/2006 5

6 Energy in context Image courtesy of BBC 05/09/2006 6

7 Climate change Image courtesy of Wikipedia.org 05/09/2006 7

8 Wedge theory 14 7 Billion of Tons of Carbon Emitted per Year Historical emissions Currently projected path Flat path O 14 GtC/y Seven wedges 7GtC/y Robert Socolow and Stephen Pacala, Princeton University /09/2006 8

9 How do you deal with a wedge? Cumulatively, a wedge redirects the flow of 25 GtC in its first 50 years. Total = 25 Gigatons carbon 1 GtC/yr One wedge equals 2 billion cars at 60 mpg instead of 30 mpg One million 2-MW windmills displacing coal power 700 GW nuclear power (twice current capacity) displacing coal power Carbon capture and storage at 800 GW coal power plants 50 years Robert Socolow, Princeton University 05/09/2006 9

10 March 2005 Primary energy production Energy distribution and storage Efficient use of energy Products-waste-recycling 05/09/

11 RSC response to DTI energy review Diversity Long-term Energy efficiency Technology development Nuclear waste 05/09/

12 RSC response to DTI energy review Diversity Long-term Energy efficiency Technology development Nuclear waste Saving energy is critical Nurture and harness UK research skills Provide vision, mechanisms and funding to deliver solutions 05/09/

13 Chemical science can provide energy that is Secure Affordable Addressing climate change Sustainable 05/09/

14 How can the chemical sciences reduce our reliance upon imported energy? How can the chemical sciences enable us to safely manage waste products from energy production? How can the chemical sciences help to reduce the energy demand of domestic living? 05/09/

15 How can the chemical sciences reduce our reliance upon imported energy? Sugar Production Sugar feedstocks Residues Biomass Combined Heat & Power Bio & Chemical processing Fuels Chemicals & Materials Gas & Liquid Thermochemical Processes Gas & Liquid Harnessing renewable power Images courtesy of istock Biorefinery Images courtesy of morguefile.com 05/09/

16 Renewables Development of next generation photovoltaic devices Coatings for wind and tidal/wave power Biofuels Biogas 05/09/

17 Biorefinery concept Sugar Production Sugar feedstocks Residues Biomass Combined Heat & Power Bio & Chemical processing Fuels Chemicals & Materials Gas & Liquid Thermochemical Processes Gas & Liquid 05/09/

18 How can the chemical sciences enable us to safely manage waste products from energy production? Carbon capture and storage Images courtesy of istock Nuclear waste management Images courtesy of BNFL online asset library and Dr Etienne Vernaz 05/09/

19 Image courtesy of IPCC 05/09/

20 Nuclear waste management Problem waste types Immobilisation matrices Geological repository Geoscientific reassurance Public reassurance 05/09/

21 How can the chemical sciences help to reduce the energy demand of domestic living? Smart houses Images courtesy of BBC and SusChem Transport Images courtesy of istock Education Images courtesy of morguefile.com 05/09/

22 Smart Houses Smart insulation and coatings Micro-generation Smart and interactive controls 05/09/

23 Transport Additives Materials and composites Biofuels Battery technology Hydrogen storage Fuel cells Top to bottom images courtesy of: Boeing Hypercar.com Princeton University 05/09/

24 Education Clear, evidence based unbiased science Demonstration lead education Government to lead by example RSC reports, policy seminars, educational materials, curriculum development 05/09/

25 The RSC is a major resource of energy knowledge in the UK 43,000 members 83 Specialist Groups 23 learned journals Specialist reports, workshops, policy seminars Responses to Government consultations Extensive collaboration with other UK and overseas learned societies and other bodies in providing information and transfer of skills 05/09/

26 RSC influence Chemical Science Priorities for Sustainable Energy Solutions DTI Energy Review S&T inquiry into Carbon Capture and Storage EAC inquiry into Reducing Carbon Emissions from Transport EAC inquiry into Climate Change The UK Programme EFRA inquiry into Climate Change: Citizen s Agenda EFRA inquiry into Climate change: the Role of Bioenergy 05/09/

27 Forthcoming RSC events Converting carbon dioxide to chemicals (July 27th, 2006) UK long-term nuclear waste management (November 6-7th, 2006) Sustainable energy conference (Sept 2007) 05/09/

28 Thank you for listening +44 (0) /09/