Ethanol Fuels: Energy Balance, Economics, and Environmental Impacts Are Negative

Several studies suggest that the $1.4 billion in government subsidies are encouraging the ethanol program without substantial benefits to the U.S. economy. Large ethanol industries and a few U.S. government agencies, such as the USDA, support the production of ethanol. Corn-farmers receive minimal profits. In the U.S. ethanol system, considerably more energy, including high-grade fossil fuel, is required to produce ethanol than is available in the energy-ethanol output. Specifically about 29% more energy is used to produce a gallon of ethanol than the energy in a gallon of ethanol. Fossil energy powers corn production and the fermentation/distillation processes. Increasing subsidized ethanol production will take more feed from livestock production, and is estimated to currently cost consumers an additional $1 billion per year. Ethanol production increases environmental degradation. Corn production causes more total soil erosion than any other crop. Also, corn production uses more insecticides, herbicides, and nitrogen fertilizers than any other crop. All these factors degrade the agricultural and natural environment and contribute to water pollution and air pollution. Increasing the cost of food and diverting human food resources to the costly inefficient production of ethanol fuel raise major ethical questions. These occur at a time when more than half of the world's population is malnourished. The ethical priority for corn and other food crops should be for food and feed. Subsidized ethanol produced from U.S. corn is not a renewable energy source.     

北京市城市水循环过程对能源消耗的影响（英文）

Energy is consumed at every stage of the cycle of water production, distribution, end use, and recycled water treatment. Understanding the nexus of energy and water may help to minimize energy and water consumption and reduce environmental emissions. However, the interlinkages between water and energy have not received adequate attention. To address this gap, this paper disaggregates and quantifies the energy consumption of the entire water cycle process in Beijing. The results of this study show that total energy consumption by water production, treatment and distribution, end use, and recycled water reuse amounts to 55.6 billion kWh of electricity in 2015, or about 33% of the total urban energy usage. While water supply amount increased by only 10% from 2005 to 2015, the related energy consumption increased by 215% due to water supply structural change. The Beijing municipal government plans to implement many water saving measures in the area from 2016 to 2020, however, these policies will increase energy consumption by 74 million kWh in Beijing. This study responds to the urgent need for research on the synergies between energy and water. In order to achieve the goal of low-energy water utilization in the future, water and energy should be integrated in planning and management.     

Geothermal Energy for Northern Canada: Is it Economical?

We examined the potential of geothermal energy development in northern Canadian communities to support local energy demand, along with providing an initial assessment of the economic viability of geothermal energy resources for (a) low enthalpy heating systems and (b) electrical power generation from high temperature resources. We estimate yearly energy production and cost per kWh for geothermal systems using scenarios for thermal and electrical production sustained over 15 years from temperatures reached in the 2–6-km depth range. All the calculations are based on a borehole fluid productivity of 30 kg/s. We assume this to be feasible in sedimentary aquifers and through fractured granites. Under such an assumption and assumptions made on the efficiency of heat exchangers, our modeling shows that thermal energy output for 120°C from 3- to 5-km wells can be as low as 5–8 cents/kWh thermal. For a 6 km depth, the cost of thermal energy can be as low as 1–2 cents/kW thermal for thermal energy production of 100–200 MWh annually.     

中国低碳治理的制约因素和相应对策

作为全球碳排放大国,中国低碳治理的发展方向对全球气候变化有深远的影响,值得深入研究。通过中国低碳治理的制约因素及其成因的分析,提出地方政府行为是中国低碳治理的主要制约因素。这主要表现在地方政府鼓励不符合低碳发展的粗放式经济增长和城市开发及地方政府制定与执行低碳政策的积极性不高。而地方政府行为背后是各种制度环境因素。因此,改善中国低碳治理需要从制度改革入手。对制度改革提出3个建议：① 强化节能目标责任制;② 缓和地方政府过于强烈的发展意愿;③ 加强公民参与低碳治理。     

基于耦合模型的中国能源生产与消费预测及其环境响应(英文)

The paper presents the prediction of total energy production and consumption in all provinces and autonomous regions as well as determination of the variation of gravity center of the energy production, consumption and total discharge of industrial waste water, gas and residue of China via the energy and environmental quality data from 1978 to 2009 in China by use of GM(1,1) model and gravity center model, based on which the paper also analyzes the dynamic variation in regional difference in energy production, consumption and environmental quality and their relationship. The results are shown as follows. 1) The gravity center of energy production is gradually moving southwestward and the entire movement track approxi-mates to linear variation, indicating that the difference of energy production between the east and west, south and north is narrowing to a certain extent, with the difference between the east and the west narrowing faster than that between the south and the north. 2) The gravity center of energy consumption is moving southwestward with perceptible fluctuation, of which the gravity center position from 2000 to 2005 was relatively stable, with slight annual position variation, indicating that the growth rates of all provinces and autonomous regions are basically the same. 3) The gravity center of the total discharge of industrial waste water, gas and residue is characterized by fluctuation in longitude and latitude to a certain degree. But, it shows a southwestward trend on the whole. 4) There are common ground and discrepancy in the variation track of the gravity center of the energy production & consumption of China, and the comparative analysis of the gravity center of them and that of total discharge of industrial waste water, gas and residue shows that the environmental quality level is closely associated with the energy production and consumption (especially the energy consumption), indicating that the environment cost in economy of energy is higher in China.     

Energy production and consumption prediction and their response to environment based on coupling model in China

The paper presents the prediction of total energy production and consumption in all provinces and autonomous regions as well as determination of the variation of gravity center of the energy production, consumption and total discharge of industrial waste water, gas and residue of China via the energy and environmental quality data from 1978 to 2009 in China by use of GM(1,1) model and gravity center model, based on which the paper also analyzes the dynamic variation in regional difference in energy production, consumption and environmental quality and their relationship. The results are shown as follows. 1) The gravity center of energy production is gradually moving southwestward and the entire movement track approximates to linear variation, indicating that the difference of energy production between the east and west, south and north is narrowing to a certain extent, with the difference between the east and the west narrowing faster than that between the south and the north. 2) The gravity center of energy consumption is moving southwestward with perceptible fluctuation, of which the gravity center position from 2000 to 2005 was relatively stable, with slight annual position variation, indicating that the growth rates of all provinces and autonomous regions are basically the same. 3) The gravity center of the total discharge of industrial waste water, gas and residue is characterized by fluctuation in longitude and latitude to a certain degree. But, it shows a southwestward trend on the whole. 4) There are common ground and discrepancy in the variation track of the gravity center of the energy production & consumption of China, and the comparative analysis of the gravity center of them and that of total discharge of industrial waste water, gas and residue shows that the environmental quality level is closely associated with the energy production and consumption (especially the energy consumption), indicating that the environment cost in economy of energy is higher in China.     

Fossil fuels and other energy resources in the 21st century

We study the changing volumes and costs of the energy resources available in the coming century as a result of exploration, technical progress, and consumption. The most reliable and well-documented information involves fossil fuels, which account for nearly 80 percent of the energy mix today. Known and presumed resources are fairly well ranked by cost, and we can estimate future developments. We present two consumption scenarios: the more contrasted reference case and the ecologically driven case presented by the World Energy Council at its last congress (1992). Our scenarios take into account the twofold goal set forth at the Rio summit: to achieve sustainable development and to minimize the climatic effects of pollutant emissions.We show that the most cost-effective mineral resources, including uranium, will run out only gradually in the next century according to these hypotheses. As a result, marginal cost will grow relatively slowly. However, we presuppose a tough policy on curbing consumption and using renewable sources of energy.We point out the need for better cost ranking of energy saving and energy switch possibilities. Additionally, the ecological impact and cost of corrective measures will have to be evaluated. We believe that the medium- and long-term difficulties will stem chiefly from the contradiction between low energy prices and the commitments required. The danger of geopolitical tension will remain a serious concern.     

Black gold to green gold: regional energy policy and the rehabilitation of coal in response to climate change

Energy production has come under increasing scrutiny as concerns about energy security and climate change have risen. In the UK changes in government structure and privatisation of the electricity industry have led to the emergence of multi-level governance. This means that decisions on how to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity-generating sector should no longer be solely a national policy decision. Previous studies have sought to explore how renewable energy may develop under multi-level governance, but this paper pays attention to a traditional fossil fuel source, coal, which is still an important means of electricity generation. Coal is the most abundant fossil fuel and advocates argue that carbon capture and storage techniques could make coal 'clean', paving the way for a long-term, secure and low emission way to produce energy. This study focuses on the Yorkshire and Humber Region, which has had a long association with coal mining and looks at the implications of this as the region seeks to develop a climate change action plan and an energy strategy within the new regional governance structures. The paper argues that the regional networks developed to address climate change are influenced by existing social power structures and alliances. The region as a territorial structure becomes a useful device in promoting national priorities.     

Ethanol Production Using Corn,Switchgrass, and Wood; Biodiesel Production Using Soybean and Sunflower

Energy outputs from ethanol produced using corn, switchgrass, and wood biomass were each less than the respective fossil energy inputs. The same was true for producing biodiesel using soybeans and sunflower, however, the energy cost for producing soybean biodiesel was only slightly negative compared with ethanol production. Findings in terms of energy outputs compared with the energy inputs were: • Ethanol production using corn grain required 29% more fossil energy than the ethanol fuel produced. • Ethanol production using switchgrass required 50% more fossil energy than the ethanol fuel produced. • Ethanol production using wood biomass required 57% more fossil energy than the ethanol fuel produced. • Biodiesel production using soybean required 27% more fossil energy than the biodiesel fuel produced (Note, the energy yield from soy oil per hectare is far lower than the ethanol yield from corn). • Biodiesel production using sunflower required 118% more fossil energy than the biodiesel fuel produced.     

生物乙醇生产及纤维素酶的开发进展

随着石化燃料由短缺变成枯竭,能源危机是人类面临的共同问题。寻找新的能量来源关系到经济的可持续发展乃至人类的生存问题,生物乙醇作为一种可再生的、经济上可承受的,并且对环境安全的能源物质将逐渐成为石油的替代品。提高纤维素酶的产量,降低纤维素酶的成本成为提高纤维素生产生物乙醇的市场的竞争力的关键因素。该文从生物乙醇的产业发展和纤维素酶的开发进展进行综述,为今后生物乙醇生产产业的提升、纤维素酶工程菌的开发提供基础。     

甘肃省碳排放变化及影响因素分析

采用甘肃省人口、经济发展、能源消费等数据,通过相关方法对1997-2008年的碳排放总量、碳排放强度及其三大产业的碳排放进行了估算,并利用岭回归函数对STIRPAT扩展模型拟合,进一步分析影响甘肃省碳排放的因素。结果表明： （1）从1997-2008年甘肃省能源消费的碳排放量和人均碳排放量均呈逐年增长的趋势。碳排放量由1997年的1 767.14×104 t增加到2008年 4 341.64×104 t。人均碳排放量由1997年的0.7 t /人增长到2008年的1.65 t /人,且以煤炭消费的碳排放为主,占各能源碳排放的比例达到70%以上。（2）碳排放强度从1997-2001年呈波动变化,2001年以后则呈逐年下降趋势,总体上从1997年的2.214 t/104元下降到2008年的1.364 t / 104元。（3）三大产业的碳排放呈逐年上升趋势,且以第二产业的贡献为主。（4）人口增长、经济发展对碳排放影响较大,而生活水平的提高更加剧了碳排放的增长。     

Utilization effect of water-land resources under the evolution of Chinese dietary patterns

Exploring the utilization effect of water-land resources under the evolution of dietary patterns is of great significance in achieving sustainable global food consumption and the effective allocation of national resources. Our selected study area was China, a country with rapidly changing dietary consumption patterns, and the research period was between 1987 and 2020. Based on the material called Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2021, this study introduced the “virtual water” and the “virtual land” to...     

Modelling the spatial allocation of second-generation feedstock (lignocellulosic crops) in Europe

This paper presents a modelling approach for the spatial allocation of second-generation feedstock (lignocellulosic crops) under a reference policy scenario in European Union of 28 Member State (EU-28). The land-use modelling platform (LUMP) was used in order to simulate the land-use changes from 2010 to 2050. Within the LUMP, the land demand for these lignocellulosic energy crops was derived from the Common Agricultural Policy Regionalised Impact analysis model. Suitability maps were generated for two main energy crop groups: herbaceous and woody lignocellulosic crops, using multicriteria analysis techniques. Biophysical factors (climate, soil properties and topographical aspects), natural and artificial constraints and location-specific land categories were defined as relevant components within the platform. A sensitivity analysis determined the most influential factors to be temperature, precipitation, length of growing period and number of frost-free days. The results of the modelling exercise in the LUMP reflect the significant renewable energy contribution from energy crops in EU-28, which was estimated to be between 2.3 EJ/year (in 2020) and 6.3 EJ/year (in 2050), accounting for 2.3% and 9.6% of total energy consumption in the EU-28. The results of the allocation were aggregated at regional level to analyse trends. Regions with considerably high demand were identified in Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland.     

乌兹别克斯坦可再生能源现状及中乌合作建议

乌兹别克斯坦是位于中亚腹地的“双内陆国”,是古代丝绸之路沿线的重要国家之一。针对“一带一路”倡议实施框架内中国与乌兹别克斯坦在可再生能源领域合作的需要,利用文献、数据等分析法,从太阳能、水能、风能、地热能、沼气能等可再生能源的发展现状、国家发展规划、优惠激励措施和可再生能源领域的最新投资项目等角度,对乌兹别克斯坦可再生能源发展总体情况和需求进行了分析。结果表明：乌兹别克斯坦拥有良好的可再生资源条件,未来可再生能源利用比例也将逐渐提高。近年来,乌兹别克斯坦政府高度重视可再生能源发展,接连出台有关政策,大力推进可再生能源发电项目建设,以期实现能源多样化。中乌可再生能源利用领域合作前景广阔,双方在人才、技术、资金、设备等方面合作空间巨大,在提高可再生能源利用效率、发展绿色经济和开展低碳能源合作领域将大有作为。     

A Royalty Revenue Forecast Model for Louisiana

Louisiana receives royalty revenue when minerals are produced on state-owned lands and water bottoms, federal properties within the state, and offshore fields underlying federal and state jurisdiction within 3–6 nautical miles from the coastline. Royalty revenue on oil and gas production has averaged $465 million per year and has contributed 3–7% of the state general revenue over the past decade. The purpose of this article is to develop a royalty revenue forecast model to assist in state budgeting and planning purposes. Producing fields are evaluated within a probabilistic framework to capture the uncertainty associated with future capital outlays and operational changes, and a discovery model is used to generate production from fields expected to be discovered in the future. The forecasts are combined with commodity price scenarios and royalty rate assumptions to generate a royalty revenue outlook for the state. We estimate that cumulative royalty revenue during 2012–2017 will range from $704 million to $1,408 million for oil production and from $286 million to $1,145 million for gas production for commodity prices of 60–120 $/bbl and 2–8 $/Mcf. At $80/bbl and $4/Mcf, cumulative royalty receipts from 2012 to 2017 are estimated at $1,510 million.     

乌鲁木齐市建设生态城市现状的比较分析及发展对策研究

乌鲁木齐是绿洲城市,自然环境比较脆弱,由于城市建设缺乏生态环境规划,能源消费结构不合理以及特殊的自然地理等原因,致使城市的生态环境问题十分突出,建设生态城市是乌鲁木齐市未来发展的必然选择。从城市生态系统的结构、功能和协调度三个方面构建了生态城市的评价指标体系,采用层次分析法对乌鲁木齐市生态城市建设现状进行了定量分析,同时选择北京、上海、成都、西安、兰州等5个城市的生态化程度进行对比,结果表明:乌鲁木齐市的结构指数为0.241,低于对比的5个城市;功能指数乌鲁木齐为0.271,远低于上海(0.615)、北京(0.466)和兰州(0.343),与西安(0.272)接近,略高于成都(0.222);从城市协调度来看,乌鲁木齐市的指数值为0.306,为6个城市的最小值,生态综合指数由高到低分别为北京(0.580)>上海(0.579)>成都(0.382)>西安(0.380)>兰州(0.360)>乌鲁木齐(0.270),乌鲁木齐市生态化程度为第Ⅳ级,即生态化程度较低,为6个城市中的最低值。总体上为较发达地区城市的生态化程度较高,中西部地区城市的生态化程度较低。乌鲁木齐市建设生态城市应采取的关键对策包括以下几个方面:1、编制城市综合生态区划,做好城市生态规划;2、优化能源结构,大力发展清洁能源;3、建立排污权交易制度,控制大气污染;4、采用边际成本定价方法、制定科学的水价、优化配置水资源;5、合理布局城市景观生态,搞好城市绿化及荒山绿化。     

The Influence of Religious Affiliation on Community Views about Environment,Climate Change,and Renewable Energy in and around the Mormon Culture Region

While political ideology is a consistent predictor of public environmental views in the United States, religious affiliation may also be an important correlate of environmental attitudes, especially in regions with a majority denomination. Using data from a 2014 survey in five communities across Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming (n = 906) experiencing renewable energy development, we investigate the influence of religious affiliation on environmental beliefs, views about climate change, and support for renewable energy. We are particularly interested in the influence of Mormonism, an understudied area of research. We find Mormonism, Protestantism, and Catholicism all significantly and negatively related to general pro-environment beliefs. However, this relationship doesn’t hold as consistently for views about global warming or renewable energy development. We also find income, gender, length of residence, and political orientation to be important predictors of environmental attitudes, and that general environmental beliefs are only weakly related to views about renewable energy.     

中国能源安全研究进展

作为世界最大的发展中能源消费和生产大国,能源安全成了21世纪中国资源持续开发的核心问题,能源安全主要由能源供应的稳定性和能源使用的安全性两个部分组成。过去中国在影响能源安全的生产、运输、消费各环节及能源安全的法律保障等方面研究取得了一定进展,但是由于我国大规模工业化时间还很短,对能源安全这一复杂的系统研究不够,导致了对国家能源形势判断屡屡出现失误。中国能源安全正在经历从供应保障的稳定性为主向使用的安全性为主过程的转变,迫切需要重新思考中国能源安全问题,重点对国家能源安全的阶段性及特征、能源消费变化和环境破坏代价、能源保障空间组织、能源管理体制、能源价格、能源对外依存及代价、替代能源开发及风险等问题作全面系统研究。     

长江产业带能源资源合理开发与能源供需解决途径*

本文从长江产业带持续发展建设的要求出发,针对能源生产、消费和供需平衡存在的主要矛盾与问题,提出并论证了产业带未来能源资源的合理开发方向及规模、缓解能源运输矛盾的途径和上中下游能源开发方向与重点。     

中国城镇化影响能源消耗的效应分解及机制探析

依据2000~2012年的省级面板数据,以空间杜宾模型为基础对全国及东部、中部、西部三大地区城镇化影响能耗强度的实际效应进行分析,利用求偏微分法将影响效应分解为直接效应与间接效应,解析城镇化影响能源消耗的内在机制。分析发现,当前城镇化对能耗强度具有正向促进作用,不同地区的城镇化进程对能耗强度的影响存在显著差异;全国范围内城镇化影响能源强度的总效应中间接效应显著为正,直接效应不明显,而东部、中部及西部三大地区呈现出不同的模式;中国城镇化对能源消耗的影响是规模效应、技术效应、结构效应、阶段性效应及空间效应综合作用的结果。