1


Issue No.4, 24 September 2002

The Secretariat of the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Agency'sCommittee on Energy Research and Technology are pleased to bring you this On-line Publication of Energy News.


HEADLINES IN THIS ISSUE

1. IEA presents focused input at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development:

  • Energy & Poverty
  • Toward Solutions: Sustainable Development in the Energy Sector.

2. Bus Systems for the Future - Achieving Sustainable Transport Worldwide - the Johannesburg Summit also saw the unveiling of IEA's new study on how improved bus systems can be cost-effective substitutes for greater car use in the world's mega-cities.

3. Capture and storage of CO2 - a technology status update on Zero Emissions Technologies for Fossil Fuels - Solutions for the 21st Century - from IEA's Working Party on Fossil Fuels.

4. Bioenergy explained. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about bioenergy, carbon sinks and their role in global climate change are now accessible on-line from the IEA's international collaborative programme on Bioenergy. So is IEA Bioenergy's 2001 Annual Report, with its special feature "Biomass Combustion and Co-Firing".

5. Coal comminution characterisation for industrial Circulating Fluidized Bed processes - task-sharing IEA international project defines a new approach for gauging the capacity of different coals to form fine ash particles during combustion.

6. Upcoming Events
- Sixth International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies - Kyoto (Japan), 1-4 October 2002.
- Seminar - Accelerating the Deployment of Renewable Energy / Distributed Generation in the Baltics - Riga (Latvia), 10-11 October, 2002.
- International Conference on Clean Coal Technologies for our Future - Sardinia (Italy), 21-23 October 2002.
- Energy Efficient and Healthy Buildings in Sustainable Cities - Joint conference of the 3rd European Conference on Energy Performance and Indoor Climate in Buildings and the 23rd Conference of the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre - Lyon (France), 23-26 October, 2002.
- Sustainable Bioenergy Production Systems International Workshop - Belo Horizonte (Brazil), 28 October - 1 November, 2002.
- 20th Anniversary Windsor Workshop "Towards Sustainable Transportation", Toronto, Ontario (Canada), 2-5 June 2003.

7. Publications and websites
- Distributed Generation in Liberalised Electricity Markets
- Innovative Nuclear Reactor Development: Opportunities for International Co-operation
- Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Denmark 2002 Review
- Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Republic of Korea 2002 Review
- Transportation Projections in OECD Countries

- IEA websites in Austria and Finland in local languages.

NEWS IN BRIEF



1. An accredited participant in Johannesburg at the August/September World Summit on Sustainable Development, the IEA delivered some messages striking at core issues. "There can be no economic development without secure, affordable energy", declared IEA Executive Director Robert Priddle, as he presented the IEA study Energy & Poverty. This publication offers new analysis underlining that some 1.6 billion people -- one quarter of the world's population -- lack access to electricity. In the absence of vigorous new policies, 1.4 billion people will still have no access in 2030. The IEA's study explores the links between energy use and poverty in developing nations. It focuses notably on new country-by-country IEA data on electricity access and on heavy and growing dependence on biomass for heating and cooking, with inherent threats to health and the environment. The authors show the difference rural electrification can make at present and in future, assessing policies for making electricity more affordable for poor people. For the press release and access to a pdf version of the publication: http://www.iea.org/textbase/nppdf/free/2002/energy_poverty.pdf.

Are we on a sustainable energy path? The IEA's study Toward Solutions: Sustainable Development in the Energy Sector highlighted at Johannesburg some pathways to sustainable development in key energy areas. The report points to action on: energy security; improving energy efficiency; using more renewable energy; making markets work; technology, including research, development and deployment; access to energy; transportation; and environment, health and safety. To download Toward Solutions: Sustainable Development in the Energy Sector, see: http://www.iea.org/Textbase/work/2002/johannesburg/towchapt.htm. For background papers and further information, see the website "The IEA and the World Summit on Sustainable Development" at: http://www.iea.org/Textbase/work/workshopdetail.asp?WS_ID=151.



2. Bus Systems for the Future - Achieving Sustainable Transport Worldwide. The Johannesburg Summit also saw the unveiling of the IEA's new study on how improved bus systems can cost-effectively curb greater car use in the world's mega-cities. All around the globe, cities are facing traffic congestion and sprawl as populations expand and more vehicles come onto already crowded roads. Unacceptably high levels of air pollution, noise and accident rates are setting off alarm bells. The IEA's study describes how faster bus transit systems are already providing rapid, reliable and efficient urban travel in Latin America, and how they can be developed elsewhere. Clean fuels and advanced technologies are also explored in detail. To download: http://www.iea.org/Textbase/publications/free_new_Desc.asp?PUBS_ID=1091.



3. Capture and storage of CO2 - a technology status update on Zero Emissions Technologies for Fossil Fuels - Solutions for the 21st Century - from the IEA's Working Party on Fossil Fuels (WPFF). The Zero Emissions Concept envisages channelling entire input streams at industrial complexes into final products, or converting those inputs for other industries or processes. Ideally a no-waste process, the Concept can be applied to all fossil-fuel-based power plants and industries. The IEA's Committee on Energy Research and Technology adopted the Concept in June 2002, and its Working Party on Fossil Fuels is currently addressing the collaboration, deployment and communications priorities involved in its diffusion. To access the Working Party's technology status report Solutions for the 21st Century: http://www.iea.org/impagr/cip/pdf/zets_tsr_no4.pdf.



4. Bioenergy explained. The difference between CO2 emissions from bioenergy and those from fossil fuels? The role of trees and forests as greenhouse-gas sinks? Carbon sinks versus wood output? How to manage bioenergy resources? Answers to these and other Frequently Asked Questions on these topics are now accessible on-line from the IEA's international collaborative programme on Bioenergy at: http://www.ieabioenergy.com/MediaItem.aspx?id=13. The website also offers IEA Bioenergy's 2001 Annual Report, with its special feature "Biomass Combustion and Co-Firing": http://www.ieabioenergy.com/DocSet.aspx?id=15. For more about the IEA's Bioenergy collaborative programme: http://www.ieabioenergy.com/.


5. Coal comminution characterisation for industrial circulating fluidized bed processes - task-sharing IEA international project defines a new approach for gauging the capacity of different coals to form fine ash particles during combustion. The management of the bed solids inventory and particle size distribution in fluidized bed combustors has long been recognised as a key factor for the efficient and trouble-free operation of industrial-scale fluidized bed combustors. Task-shared work performed under the IEA Fluidised Bed Conversion Implementing Agreement in 2000 and 2001 has developed a new approach to investigating the capacity of different coals to form fine ash particles. It is based on the concept of Primary Ash Particle Size Distribution (PAPSD), taking into account the particles that are liberated from the carbon matrix under the combined action of combustion and primary attrition of the mother fuel particles. After char combustion is complete, the Final Ash Particle Size Distribution (FAPSD) will result from the secondary attrition, due only to mechanical effects, which is mainly dependent on the boiler design and operation. To access a detailed report: http://www.iea.org/tech/fbc/index.html (click on "Past Events and Reports", then the title under "IEA-FBC Task I Report").



6. Upcoming Events

Sixth International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies - Kyoto (Japan), 1-4 October 2002. Cutting-edge technologies for capture, storage and utilisation of carbon dioxide will be among the hot topics discussed at this conference, along with updates on other CO2 mitigation options such as enhanced energy efficiency and use of renewables. For further information: http://www.ieagreen.org.uk.


Seminar - Accelerating the Deployment of Renewable Energy / Distributed Generation in the Baltics - Riga (Latvia), 10-11 October, 2002. Aimed at assisting the efforts of relevant organisations from Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Poland, this seminar will feature presentations based on the following themes: case studies; regulatory issues; regional organisations; and solutions to current barriers. The event is supported by the EU Taiex fund, the Climate Technology Initiative, the Government of Sweden, FTI Consulting, National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and Energy Regulators Regional Association. Attendance is free of charge, but participation is limited so early registration is required. Schedule and registration form: http://www.iea.org/Textbase/work/workshopdetail.asp?WS_ID=74.


International Conference on Clean Coal Technologies for our Future - Sardinia (Italy), 21-23 October 2002. The focus: "Response to Electricity Market Liberalization, Growing Energy Demand and Environmental Protection". Topics: environmental and energy policies; improving conventional technologies; CO2 capture and sequestration; clean coal technology (CCT); achieving environmental and competitive goals through CCT diffusion; public support for CCTs; technology transfer for CCTs. For more details: http://www.iea-coal.org.uk/.


Energy Efficient and Healthy Buildings in Sustainable Cities, Lyon (France), 23-26 October 2002. Joint conference of the 3rd European Conference on Energy Performance and Indoor Climate in Buildings and the 23rd Conference of the Air Infiltration and Ventilation Centre (AIVC). AIVC comes under the aegis of the IEA's Energy Conservation in Buildings and Community Systems Programme. For details: http://epic.entpe.fr.

Sustainable Bioenergy Production Systems International Workshop - Belo Horizonte (Brazil), 28 October - 1 November, 2002. A spotlight on the economic, social and environmental sustainability of bioenergy production systems and fruitful strategies for the future. For more information: http://www.ieabioenergy.com/events/Brazil2002/.


20th Anniversary Windsor Workshop, "Towards Sustainable Transportation", Toronto, Ontario (Canada), 2-5 June 2003. International experts from the public and private sectors will compare experience, share information and consider future developments in all aspects of transport: research, policy, fuel supply and vehicle manufacturing.
Invitation letter: http://www.iea.org/impagr/cip/pdf/coverletter.pdf.
Call for papers: http://www.iea.org/impagr/cip/pdf/noticeforabstracts.pdf.
Brochure: http://www.iea.org/impagr/cip/pdf/postcard.pdf.
Abstracts submission: http://www.iea.org/impagr/cip/pdf/submissionform.pdf.



7. Publications & websites

- Distributed Generation in Liberalised Electricity Markets. (http://www.iea.org/bookshop/add.aspx?id=43)

- Innovative Nuclear Reactor Development: Opportunities for International Co-operation (full publication available for downloading) (http://www.iea.org/bookshop/add.aspx?id=133)

- Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Denmark 2002 Review (http://www.iea.org/bookshop/add.aspx?id=46)

- Energy Policies of IEA Countries - Republic of Korea 2002 Review (http://www.iea.org/bookshop/add.aspx?id=42)

- IEA World Energy Outlook 2002 See http://www.iea.org/Textbase/publications/free_new_Desc.asp?PUBS_ID=1090

- Austrian or Finnish web browsers can now consult public International Energy Agency websites in their own languages.
For Austria's website: http://energytech.at/iea/index.html.