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Volume 6, Issue 41
Jan 12, 2007
Circulation: 18,120
Editor: Beth Keithly

Friday FYI

Newsletter from the The Office of Global Strategies and International Relations - U. T. Dallas

Commentary

A Whitepaper on Alan G. MacDiarmid Institute of Renewable Energy

China Three Gorges University
International Forum on Renewable Energy
Yichang, People’s Republic of China
November 19, 2006

This whitepaper is a result of scholars, government officials and business leaders from Brazil, People’s Republic of China, Ireland, New Zealand and United States who attended the 1st International Forum on Renewable Energy, organized by the Alan G. MacDiarmid Institute of Renewable Energy of China Three Gorges University in Yichang, Hubei Province, China. The aim of the Forum, as outlined by the Institute’s Honorary Chairman Alan G. MacDiarmid, Y2000 Nobel laureate in chemistry, is to further the common goal of promoting research and development of renewable energy and to make global contributions in this vital area. Participants of this Forum are enthusiastic to collaborate in order to fully turn the vision into reality.

Currently, the energy shortage and environment deterioration are fundamental challenges for humanity. To this end, the countries represented at this Forum are focusing their research and development efforts on new technologies and techniques to diminish and ultimately replace the use of fossil fuel, thus improving and controlling the environment degradation. The utilization of renewable energy, such as bio-energy, wind energy, and hydro-energy, together with the promotion of energy efficiency, are the primary measures to resolve the energy crisis. Bio-energy has the same advantage as wind energy and hydro-energy, which is to ease the intensive dependence on petroleum resource and control environment pollution. In addition, it also promotes the development of agricultural chain industry.

It is recognized that the energy structure of each country varies. Even if it is renewable energy, the type of energy and the extent that energy are to be used or having been utilized still vary among different countries. In addition, the sustainable development and comprehensive application of different renewable energy is also crucial. So, it is very significant to exchange information on the research and development of renewable energy with each other. We will establish an effective communication mechanism for all participants.

For example, the Brazilian experience in ethanol and biodiesel sustainable production is unique and it involves the strategic planning and logistic, ethanol production technology development, deployment and construction of plants, and research activities related to crop genetic improvement and agri-industrial productivity, among others. A National Program of Agrienergy (2006-2011) is now in progress with goals to increase considerably the capacity of liquid and solid biofuels production (from crops, forestry and residues), with considerable capacity to export ethanol, in first period, and biodiesel, in near future, and initiatives as creation of new research center of Brazilian Corporation for Agricultural Research (Embrapa), exclusively devoted to Agrienergy, and other world class research institutions turned to second generation biofuels.

The development and utilization of renewable energy is not only a research chain of the most advanced science and technology, but also a chain of high-tech industry, on which every member has its own advantages in one or some field(s). It is of vital importance for the members, who are at complementary advantages, to work in collaboration with each other to achieve the goal of a set of shaped technologies or (and) industries. We will explore concrete methods and take specific measures to ensure our effective collaboration.

Research and development of renewable energy requires not only the efforts from experts and scholars, the great consideration and support from governments of different countries, but also the full understanding of different peoples and the all-round participation of enterprises as well. In the meantime, extended participation from more organizations, groups and individuals is also essential in view of the importance of the development and utilization of renewable energy. Therefore, each member, based on this meeting, will fulfill the obligation to pursue wide support and cooperation from all walks of life in its own community.

This group intends to pursue the following common goals:

  1. On the basis of this meeting, the International Forum on Renewable Energy will meet annually either at China Three Gorges University, or in different venues in turn, possibly in Brazil in 2007.
  2. The website of the International Forum on Renewable Energy will be established, and will be maintained at China Three Gorges University.
  3. The mechanism of interactions between researchers from member organizations will be established. Members will provide opportunities for the exchange of personnel.
  4. Members will work actively to recommend to organizations, groups and individuals specializing in the research and development of renewable energy to liaise with the Forum directly.
  5. Members will report the Forum and the declaration in written form to relevant departments of their respective governments with the purpose of striving for governments’ consideration and support.
  6. Hydropower faces issues of uneven distribution in flood and dry seasons. We are all aware that hydrogen will also play a significant role in tomorrow’s energy supply. We will examine ways to maximize benefits of hydropower and work with those who are seeking to introduce a hydrogen economy or other options. Specifically we will develop new energy storage technologies such as new lighter-weight batteries and strategies to utilize hydropower-electricity for transportation. We will work out a feasibility survey on the production, transmission and usage of hydroelectricity to hydrogen process from producers’ and consumers’ viewpoints.
  7. Cellulose conversion is an issue of general interest to different countries and a strategic plan for collaboration will be established. Another critically important biofuel route is the gasification of biomass to energy. An area of future interest is the development of biokerosene and other alcohol alternatives for application in aviation, fuel cells and hydrogen production.
  8. The policy drivers of energy security, rural employment, economic development and eco-environment improvement, including combating global climate change and improving water quality, can be met through energy efficiency, renewable energy and technologies for emission reduction and carbon capture and sequestration. The Three Gorges Region is making gains in some of these policy areas through the development of hydroelectricity. Biomass and hydrogen energy have the potential to build further on these gains. The ultimate aim is to make the Three Gorges Region supplied by 100% renewable energy as a model for the rest of China in particular and the world in general. This will attract both research funding and business development and demonstrate leadership in scientific, technological and social change.

Members participating in the International Forum on Renewable Energy (Yichang, 2006) are:

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