European Pupils

Magazine
Elena Lacatus
Politehnica University of Bucharest, Romania
cristylacatus@gmail.com

GREEN ENERGY: GREEN ENERGY:

A MUST! O NECESITATE!
The Energy Concept Conceptul Green Energy
Writing nowadays about Energy on a Green A scrie astazi despre conceptul green energy
manner for a wide category of readers, aging be- pentru cititori cu varste cuprinse intre 16 si 24 de ani
tween 16 and 24 years, means first of all to find a presupune ca mai inainte sa fi identificat in acest
core interest issue. Fortu- domeniu un subiect capa-
nately this inexpugnably bil sa trezeasca interesul
topic lies on the history of acestora. Din fericire insa-
Energy itself. Regardless si Energia este un astfel
the awareness of humans de subiect incitant, deore-
the very essence of the Uni- ce indiferent de nivelul de
verse is the Energy. intelegere al oamenilor
Amazingly the very first misterioasa esenta a Uni-
approaches to this complex versului este Energia.
topic are also the philoso- In mod surprinzator
phical basis of all known primele abordari ale ace-
cultures ever existing on stui fascinant subiect sunt
the Earth. All of them elemente ale bazelor filo-
were dealing either with zofice ale tuturor culturi-
Energy, or with its effects, lor si civilizatiilor care s-
the only differences con- au succedat pe Pamant.
sisting in names and alloca- Fiecare dintre ele s-a ocu-
tion algorithms: Gods or pat explicit fie cu formele
Goddess, Entities or Uni- de manifestare ale ener-
versal Laws. giei fie cu efectele acesto-
After all it is a matter of ra, diferentele constand in
evolution, and even more, it alocarea numelor si in al-
is strictly a matter of Tech- Different cultural models of basic life elements goritmii de atribuire: zei
nological evolution. If we Modelele culturale ale elementelor sau zeite, entitati sau le-
are able today to move mat- fundamentale ale vietii gitati universale.
ter on atom-by-atom, at a nanoscale range, with an In esenta este o problema de evolutie, chiar mai
Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) tip this is due to mult, este o problema de evolutie a Tehnologiei. Da-
the Atomic archetype that has been initially philoso- ca astazi putem modela si manipula materia atom-cu
phically defined few millennia ago and it was con- -atom la scara nanometrica cu ajutorul sistemelor si
tinuously developed enriching our knowledge and dispozitivelor microscopului de forta atomica
understanding ever since. This was determining us (AFM) aceasta se intampla pentru ca in urma cu ca-
to improve our tools and technologies as to be able teva milenii a fost elaborat arhetipul modelului ato-
to describe and characterize nearby or faraway parts mic.
of our Universe and, at last, to proof the accuracy of Actionand ca un vector al cunoasterii acesta a
the philosophical model. After such a long journey oferit suport intelgerii Universului si in cele din ur-
we are still at the beginning of this knowledge gath- ma, dupa suficiente acumulari stiintifice si tehnolo-
ering and integration procedure! gice, si-a demonstrat veridicitatea in egala masura
The accurate description of the key life phe- atat la scara micro cat si a macro universului.
9
 European Pupils
Magazine
Green energy: A MUST!
nomena made by our ancestors to surpass their lack
of technological advancements through an out-
standing Synergetic Model of Life and Creation
toward which the present Global Science and Tech-
nology must rush to comprehend it in order to keep
the Earth surviving. Strangely, regardless our pre-
sent age, all of us firstly come on touch with few
basic models of Energy that emerged from fairy
tales, legends, and cartoons, no matter where or
when we grow up. Does gathering the power of Fire
-Earth-Water-Wind look familiar to you from
Japanese cartoons of the 80’s? If you will search
better the different Cultural models of Life you will
find that actually all known philosophies attempt to
describe the basic elements of Life and their animat-
ing power (Energy) in almost the same terms, re-
gardless space, time or language barriers.
Even if the model of Aristotle pointing five ele-
ments (Air, Water, Fire, Earth and Aether)
roughly correspond to the presently known four
states of matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma)
we must admit that despite the huge advances on
Science and Technology we are anywhere but near
the End of Physics – the Theory of Everything
(William Tilles).
Sustainable Energy Economy
Economia bazata pe energie sustenabila
Why Renewable Energy?
What will we choose: Green or Renewable?
Actually Sustainable Energy was the first approach
to the Oil Energy Crisis of the 70’s. Shortly after-
ward it appears obvious that sustainable energy
means as well a clean and environmentally friendly
energy, so the next pointing term was green even
10
Si totusi, dupa o calatorie atat de indelungata pe
calea cunoasterii, intelegerii si integrarii suntem
abia la inceputul acestui drum!
Descrierea fenomenelor de baza ale vietii, facute
de inaintasi, a depasit limitarile tehnologice ale mo-
mentului printr-un uimitor Sinergism al Modelului
Vietii si Creatiei catre care actuala Stiinta si Te-
hnologie globala trebuie sa se indrepte neintarziat
pentru a pastra planeta vie. Fiecare dintre noi, indi-
ferent de varsta pe care o are in prezent sau de locul
in care a crescut, a intrat in contact cu primele mo-
dele conceptuale ale energiei la varste foarte fragede
prin intermediul basmelor, legendelor, desenelor a-
nimate sau al jocurilor pentru calculator. Colectarea
puterii din Foc-Pamant-Apa si Vant le pare fami-
liara multora din desenele animate japoneze ale
anilor 80-90? La o analiza mai atenta a istoricului
definirii elementelor vietii se observa ca practic toa-
te filozofiile cunoscute pana in prezent descriu ele-
mentele vietii si puterea ce le anima in aproape acee-
asi termeni, indiferent de timp, zona geografica, cul-
tura sau limba. Chiar daca modelul lumii lui Aristo-
tel, continand cinci elemente (Aer, Apa, Foc, Pa-
mant si Eter), cu greu se identifica cu starile mate-
riei cunoscute astazi (Solid, Lichid, Gaz si Plasma)
trebuie sa recunoastem ca in ciuda progresului atins
de Stiinta si Tehnologie suntem departe de Sfarsitul
Fizicii chiar daca speram sa gasim solutia unei te-
orii Unificatoare a tuturor fortelor (Willam Tilles).
De ce Energie Regenerabila?
Ce concept ar trebui sa alegem: green sau Rege-
nerabil? De fapt, Energia Sustenabila a fost prima
sintagma sub care a fost abordata problema creata de
criza petroliera a anilor `70.
La scurt timp a devenit evident ca energia suste-
nabila trebuie sa fie in egala masura o energie curata
care sa nu dauneze mediului, astfel incat urmatorul
termen menit sa defineasca acest nou concept ener-
getic a fost green (verde, in lb.engleza- pornind de
la ideea integrarii in natura), chiar daca unele dintre
sursele energiei green sunt albastre sau incolore.
Ultimii ani au consacrat un nou termen menit sa
reuneasca toate aceste concepte si caracteristici
(sustenabil, curat, nepoluant, inepuizabil, etc)
printr-o singura sintagma: Energie Regenerabila.
Ce determina cercetatorii intregii lumi sa-si in-
 European Pupils
Magazine
Green energy: A MUST!
if some of the green are blue or colourless. In the
last couples of years the acknowledged term mean-
ing all together: sustainable, clean and environ-
mental friendly is Renewable.
Why worldwide scientists focus their multidisci-
plinary researches on these issues and almost all
governments support this tremendous scientific and
economic effort?
Because nowadays we are facing a very strange
situation coping with the economic effects of the
Non-Renewable Energy sources crisis spectrum
but at the same time hardly using a huge amount of
available energy having to last for a 5 billion year
lifetime. Also because the Climate is changing and
we must substantially decrease our potential impact
on the environment using drastically cleaner ener-
gies than non-renewable ones. And definitely for the
reason that at last these sources – Renewable - are
widely distributed around the planet and many tech-
nologies available to exploit them are also afford-
able.
Obviously, a huge global effort of innovation,
research and development continues to provide even
more options but all of these efforts are focused to-
ward scientific as well as social outputs. Decentral-
ized and affordable technology means more jobs,
more energy, social stability and security. There is
no alternative to these Green solutions because non-
renewable energy sources are rapidly depleting, and
are destroying the planet. On the matter of fact pres-
ently and from now on Renewable Energy has to
solve the problems created by Non-Renewable En-
ergy.
The International Energy Agency states that
theoretically there are three generations of renew-
able technologies, reaching back more than 100
years.
First-generation technologies appeared with the
Industrial Revolution and include hydropower, bio-
mass, geothermal and heat power. All these tech-
nologies are still in widespread use and continuously
improving.
Second-generation technologies include solar
heating and cooling, solar photovoltaics, modern
forms of bioenergy, and wind power. These are
only now entering markets even the research, devel-
opment and demonstration investments runs since
11
drepte in acelasi timp studiile multidisciplinare asu-
pra acestui subiect si aproape toate guvernele re-
sponsabile ale lumii sa sustina acest colosal efort
stiintific si economic?
Situatia stranie in care ne gasim la ora actuala
din punct de vedere energetic: incercam sa facem
fata efectelor economice generate de spectrul crizei
resurselor energetice neregenerabile, dar in acelasi
timp utilizam un procent nesemnificativ din resurse-
le energetice regenerabile disponibile care pot susti-
ne necesitatile unei economii globale aflate in e-
xpansiune pentru inca cel putin 5 milioane de ani.
Schimbarile climatice care fac imperativa reducerea
impactului asupra mediului al tehnologiilor utilizate
Off-Shore wind farm
Ferme eoliene de coasta
in diversele ramuri economice (toate energofage),
ceea ce conduce in mod firesc la necesitatea inlocui-
rii resurselor neregenerabile poluante si in curs de
epuizare accelerata cu resursele regenerabile perfect
ecologice si practic inepuizabile.
Disponibilitatea noului tip de resurse energetice
regenerabile: sunt raspandite peste tot pe suprafata si
in interiorul planetei, iar unele dintre tehnologiile de
exploatare au costuri relativ scazute. Evident, efortu-
rile de inovare, cercetare si dezvoltare depuse la sca-
ra globala vor continua sa furnizeze solutii tehnolo-
gice noi si tot mai accesibile, dar trebuie remarcat ca
toate aceste eforturi sunt focalizate in egala masura
atat asupra implicatiilor stiintifice cat si a celor so-
ciale. Tehnologii accesibile si descentralizate inse-
amna mai multe locuri de munca, mai multa energie,
stabilitate sociala si securitate. Nu exista alternative
la aceasta abordare green pentru ca resursele regene-
rabile sunt in curs de epuizare si distrug planeta;
 European Pupils
Magazine
Green energy: A MUST!
the ‘80s, initiated for energy security concerns re-
lated to the oil crises of the ‘70s. The continuing ap-
peal of these technologies is echoing the significant
advancements in materials science of the last dec-
ades.
Third-generation technologies are still under de-
velopment and include advanced biomass gasifica-
tion, biorefinery technologies, concentrating solar
thermal power, hot dry rock geothermal energy,
ocean energy and osmotic power generation. Ad-
vances on nanotechnology are also expected to play
a major role.
Solar-thermal Concentrator
Concentrator termic-solar
Sustainable Energy Economy
Achieving a Sustainable Energy Economy
through a harmonized manner means to cope with
regional energy challenges having deep impact in all
areas of Social, Economic and Political life.
The Coordinated Leading attributes have to
make effective the research and development (R&D)
activities getting the best use of the demonstration
phase of the lab research as through Education and
Deployment to attract Investments. Actually proper
Investments are boosting the above state-of-the-art
R&D and are speeding up the Construction phase,
based on adequately detailed studies on the essential
policies and market conditions.
Having such a deep impact upon all areas of hu-
man activities the public awareness is envisaged
12
de fapt, atat in prezent cat si de acum inainte energia
regenerabila trebuie sa rezolve problemele create in
mare masura prin exploatarea resurselor neregenera-
bile. Agentia Internationala a Energiei a stabilit ca
teoretic pot fi identificate trei generatii de tehnologii
de exploatare a resurselor regenerabile, incepand de
acum mai bine de 100 de ani:
Prima generatie de tehnologii a aparut odata cu
Revolutia Industriala si a cuprins sursele hidroe-
nergetice, biomasa, sursele geotermale si efectele
incalzirii diferentiate. Toate aceste tehnologii cu-
nosc si in prezent o larga raspandire si continua sa
se perfectioneze.
A doua generatie de tehnologii cuprinde schim-
batoarele termice solare, puterea eoliana, formele
moderne de bioenergie si instalatiile cu panouri
solare fotovoltaice. Acestea se afla in plina imple-
mentare in prezent, chiar daca investitiile in cerceta-
re, dezvoltare si prototipare au inceput inca din anii
`80. Continua dezvoltare a acestor tehnologii a avut
efecte spectaculoase in diverse ramuri stiintifice, in
special in stiinta materialelor.
A treia generatie de tehnologii se gaseste inca
in dezvoltare si include rezultatele cercetarilor din
diverse domenii: gazeificare, biomasa, biorafina-
re, concentratoare termice solare, energie geoter-
mica si energia oceanelor. Se asteapta ca progrese-
le pe care le inregistreaza continuu nanotehnologia
sa aiba un impact deosebit asupra multora dintre
tehnologiile acestei generatii si a celor urmatoare.
Economie bazata pe energie sustenabila
Atingerea unei astfel de tinte presupune adopta-
rea unor masuri politic cu efect economic si social
capabile sa armonizeze reglementarile energetice
regionale.
Atributele conducerii coordonate sunt acelea de a
facilita punerea in practica a rezultatelor activitatilor
de cercetare si dezvoltare facand uz de cele mai re-
zultate obtinute in cercetarea de laborator si in eta-
pele de demonstrare, astfel incat prin educare si e-
xemplificare sa atraga investitii. De fapt, investitiile
eficiente se focalizeaza la un nivel al cercetarii mai
ridicat decat stadiul actual cunoscut in domeniul re-
spectiv la momentul investitiei, accelerand etapa de
constructie pe baza unor analize adecvate ale tendin-
telor pietei si ale politicilor de promovare. Energi-
 European Pupils
Magazine
Green energy: A MUST!
through specific promoting actions on medium and
long term with the proper support of the Education
and Work Force Development.
The last decades speed up the Industry Learning
Curve however it takes 5 to 10 years at least to turn
conceptual devices (lab scale demonstrators) into
commercial applications.
Although achieving the potential of Renewable
Energy requires a balanced portfolio among Revo-
lutionary, Accelerated and Disruptive develop-
ment supported through adequate economic and so-
cial politics.
Renewables Efficiency
Being mostly on an early stage of development
the Renewable Energy is publicly perceived as hav-
ing poor efficiency. The efficiency refers to the tech-
nological measures meant to improve the efficiency
of conversion.
The most commonly misrelated compare refers
to gas/diesel for cars fuelling (reported as above
85% efficiency).
Actually from oil extraction to automotive mo-
bility the overall efficiency is ~12 - 14%.
In the case of electricity (incandescent lighten-
ing) from coal (non-renewable resource) the overall
efficiency is even poorer ~1%. Both examples
clearly demonstrate that vast amounts of energy
wastes in the conversion process and largely unfair
comparing terms are presented to the public opinion
talking about Renewables efficiencies.
Being largely emergent technologies the
Renewables are worldwide ranked on a top position
of the investments, regardless the actual Economic
Crisis.
To point the key challenges of the Renewables
means to stimulate their implementation at Giga
Watts scale (speed and scale). At the same time a
main paradigm shift should occur on people attitude
toward Energy, valuing efficiency, cost,
coordinated implementation, performance and
reliability.
Educated and properly trained customers would
properly value, achieve and exploit green buildings,
vehicles and industrial applications and on the
forefront of them are the teenagers and students of
today.
13
a regenerabila are un impact profund asupra tuturor
domeniilor activitatii umane, astfel incat nivelul de
informare al utilizatorilor este deosebit de important,
fiind abordat atat prin masuri imediate cat si prin
strategii pe termen lung, toate fiind sustinute de e-
ducarea si pregatirea fortei de munca.
Ultimele decenii au accelerat ritmul procesului
de asimilare a rezultatelor cercetarii in industrie, dar
transformarea produsului de la faza de concept
(demonstrator la scara laboratorului) intr-o aplicatie
comerciala (la nivel industrial) tot mai dureaza cel
putin 5-10 ani. Prin urmare, atingerea potentialului
si exploatarea eficienta a energiilor regenerabile pre-
supune stabilirea echilibrului intre etapele de de-
zvoltare revolutionara, accelerata si cea posibil per-
turbatoare prin strategii si politici economice ade-
cvate.
Renewables Perspective
Perspectiva energiilor regenerabile
Eficienta energiei regenerabile
Aflandu-se in cele mai multe cazuri in stadiile de
inceput ale dezvoltarii, energia regenerabila este
perceputa de publicul larg ca o alternativa energetica
cu eficienta scazuta. Eficienta se refera la masurile
tehnologice adoptate pentru a spori randamentul
conversiei energetice.
Cel mai adesea termenii comparatiei sunt
prezentati eronat facandu-se referire la carburantii
auto (benzina /motorina) raportati cu η>85%.
De fapt, de la stadiul extragerii titeiului si pana la
deplasarea automobilului ciclul transformarilor este
mult mai amplu, iar eficienta medie se situeaza intre
12-14%.
In cazul electricitatii (iluminatului electric prin
incandescenta) obtinute din arderea carbunelui
 European Pupils
Magazine
Green energy: A MUST!
Bibliography
Elena Lacatus, European Agencies and Technology
Platforms, EDA as a Defence Industry Catalyst,
NATO Science for Peace and Security Series,
2009, ISBN 978-606-521-269-5
Elena Lacatus, Power and Energy, USA Regulations
and Practices on R&D Policy, NATO Science
for Peace and Security Series, 2008, ISBN 978-
606-521-010-3
www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/
article/2009/02/pv-efficiency-record-of-41-1-
reached-54694
www.semiconductor-today.com/news_items/2009/
aug/concentrix_170809.htm
www.ftexploring.com/energy/enrg-types.htm
www.observatorynano.eu/project/document/2010/
Iconography
Old dam, http://
farm4.static.flickr.com/3240/2599342357_038e1
68811.jpg
Biomass, www.civilianism.com/futurism/wp-
content/uploads/2009/10/Biomass.jpg
Geothermal,
www.oceanlight.com/lr/
full/3b3cb828f3d93850661f18c95180b1bd.jpg
Solar Heat Heating, www.mtl-ltd.co.uk/userimages/
solar(1).jpg
Solar Photovoltaics, www.www-
alternativeenergy.com/images/float/solar-energy-
advantages.jpg
Bioenergy, www.treehugger.com/algae-solazyme-
h02.jpg
Wind Power, www.instablogsimages.com/
images/2009/09/19/wind-power-
2_otk6l_18722_b4C8Q_24429.jpg
Solar Thermal, www.solarcentral.org/drupal/files/
icons/photo_08728.jpg
Hot Dry Rock-Geothermal, http://
montaraventures.com/energy/wp-content/
uploads/2008/04/geodynamics-egs.jpg
Omosis power plant, www.statkraft.com/
presscentre/news/the-worlds-first-osmotic-power
-plant-opened.aspx
14
(resursa neregenerabila) eficienta medie a conversiei
este si mai scazuta, ~1%.
Ambele exemple demonstreaza clar ca imense
cantitati de energie se pierd pe parcursul procesului
de conversie si ca in general sunt prezentate
consumatorilor date cu termeni de comparatie
Photovoltaic Panels
Energie-fotovoltaica
diferiti in ceea ce priveste energia regenerabila.
Fiind in cea mai mare parte sustinute de
tehnologii aflate in dezvoltare, energiile regenerabile
ocupa pozitii de varf in clasamentele investitiilor din
intreaga lume, indiferent de perioada de criza
economica pe care o traversam.
Daca ar fi sa evidentiem problema cu care se
confrunta in prezent energiile regenerabile, ar
trebui sa urmarim cum este stimulata de la caz la caz
implementarea acestora la nivelul exploatarii
industriale (GW) atat ca rapiditate cat si ca
infrastructura. In acelasi timp, pe langa
implementare o importanta transformare trebuie sa
se produca in mentalitatea potentialilor utilizatori,
astfel incat sa se nuanteze atitudinea acestora fata de
energia regenerabila evaluandu-i corect eficienta,
costurile, conditiile de implementare, performantele,
fiabilitatea si disponibilitatea.
Consumatorii educati si instruiti coresunzator
vor putea aprecia, achizitiona si exploata diverse
produse realizate in conformitate cu premizele
conceptului green - case, masini si aplicatii
industriale, etc- printre primele randuri ale acestui
nou tip de consumatori gasindu-se elevii si studentii
de astazi.