Abstract

The University of Texas reported on a campaign to measure methane (CH4) emissions from United States natural gas (NG) production sites as part of an improved national inventory. Unfortunately, their study appears to have systematically underestimated emissions. They used the Bacharach Hi-Flow® Sampler (BHFS) which in previous studies has been shown to exhibit sensor failures leading to underreporting of NG emissions. The data reported by the University of Texas study suggest their measurements exhibit this sensor failure, as shown by the paucity of high-emitting observations when the wellhead gas composition was less than 91% CH4, where sensor failures are most likely, during follow-up testing, the BHFS used in that study indeed exhibited sensor failure consistent with under-reporting of these high emitters. Tracer ratio measurements made by the University of Texas at a subset of sites with low CH4 content further indicate that the BHFS measurements at these sites were too low by factors of three to five. Over 98% of the CH4 inventory calculated from their own data and 41% of their compiled national inventory may be affected by this measurement failure. Their data also indicate that this sensor failure could occur at NG compositions as high as 97% CH4, possibly affecting other BHFS measurement programs throughout the entire NG supply chain, including at transmission sites where the BHFS is used to report greenhouse gas emissions to the United States Environmental Protection Agency Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (USEPA GHGRP, U.S. 40 CFR Part 98, Subpart W). The presence of such an obvious problem in this high profile, landmark study highlights the need for increased quality assurance in all greenhouse gas measurement programs.

Abstract

Orientador: Sônia Regina da Cal Seixas Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Engenharia Mecânica Made available in DSpace on 2019-07-22T14:23:28Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 HoshinoNeta_CarolinaShizue_M.pdf: 1735861 bytes, checksum: 0a5ccf53088192b63d7df4d941d4fb5d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019 Resumo: A mobilidade urbana bem planejada, com sistemas integrados e sustentáveis, é um elemento facilitador ao desenvolvimento e fundamental à qualidade de vida nas cidades. O uso do BRT como alternativa de transporte público tem se expandido em vários países em função do seu custo-benefício atrativo para o Desenvolvimento Orientado ao Transporte Sustentável (DOTS). Ao longo deste trabalho, buscou-se analisar os impactos da implementação do Projeto BRT Belém nas emissões atmosféricas a partir da metodologia Emissions Evaluation Models for Projects (TEEMP). Para isso, foram avaliados critérios do Padrão de Qualidade BRT, incluindo aspectos das categorias BRT Básico, Planejamento dos Serviços, Infraestrutura, Estações, Comunicações, Acesso e Integração e Deduções de Operações. Também foram inseridos dados específicos do projeto na planilha de cálculo do modelo, para que os cenários de reduções de emissões fossem simulados, um com a implementação do BRT Belém e outro sem, considerando um horizonte de 20 anos. Os resultados demonstraram que o sistema terá potencial de evitar a emissão de 196.992,2 t de CO2e, 4,8 t de MP e 631,7 t de NOx. Além disso, contabilizaria uma economia de 79 milhões de litros de combustível em uma redução de 230,5 milhões de quilômetros percorridos. Embora os modelos de cenários tenham indicado resultados positivos a respeito da redução de emissões atmosféricas e co-benefícios, ao compararmos ao potencial de desempenho de outros BRTs do Brasil e do mundo, é possível perceber que o desempenho está aquém do potencial que esse tipo de equipamento poderia ter, havendo pontos de melhoria a serem atentados Abstract: Well-planned urban mobility, with integrated and sustainable systems, is a facilitating element for development and fundamental to the quality of life in cities. The use of BRT as an alternative public transport has expanded in several countries due to its attractive cost-benefit for Transit Oriented Development (TOD). Throughout this work, we sought to analyze the impacts of the implementation of the project BRT Belém in atmospheric emissions from the methodology Emissions Evaluation Models for Projects (TEEMP). For this, we evaluated the criteria of the BRT quality standard, including criteria of the basic BRT categories, services planning, infrastructure, stations, communications, access and integration and deductions of operations. Specific project data were also inserted in the Model calculation spreadsheet so that the scenarios of emission reductions were simulated, one with the implementation of the BRT Belém and the other without, considering a horizon of 20 years. The results show that the system will have the potential to avoid the emission of 196,992.2 ton of CO2e, 4.8 ton of MP and 631.7 ton of NOx. In addition, it would count a savings of 79 million liters of fuel in a reduction of 230.5 million kilometers traveled. Although the scenario models have indicated positive results regarding the reduction of atmospheric and co emissions, when comparing the performance potential of other BRTs in Brazil and the world, it is possible to realize that performance is short of Potential that this type of equipment could have, with improvement points being attempted by the operational administration of the system Mestrado Planejamento de Sistemas Energeticos Mestra em Planejamento de Sistemas Energéticos CAPES

Abstract

This paper analyses what post 2020 targets may be necessary for the European CO2 legislation for passenger cars in order to reach the overall sectoral goal of 60% reduction of transport's greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 relative to 1990, as defined in the European Commission's White Paper. The required target levels are found to depend strongly on the contribution that passenger cars need to make to reaching the overall target, on the assumed growth of passenger car mobility, and on the extent to which biofuels could be available for fuelling passenger cars. To what extent electric vehicles and other low emission vehicles such as plug-in hybrids and fuel cell electric vehicles are needed to meet the post-2020 targets depends on the target level and on the minimum CO2 emissions that can be reached in conventional vehicles. Almost all assessed scenarios, require significant amounts of low emission vehicles to be sold from 2030 or 2035 onwards. Electric and plug-in vehicles are in the early stage of market introduction now, but developments are fragile could end up in a 'valley of death'. Defining a sufficiently low passenger car CO2 target for 2025 may be an effective instrument to motivate manufacturers to continue their efforts in the marketing and further development of these vehicles. This is important for maintaining the momentum of the transition towards large-scale application of low CO2 emitting vehicles. Document type: Article

Abstract

In the near future large quantities of CO2 will be transported over a large distance from Carbon dioxide Capture plants to onshore and off-shore underground Storage (CCS) sites. The risk assessments for the existing CO2 pipelines show distances to harmful threshold concentrations from 1 to 7.2 km. Such large differences in safety distances are not acceptable. For the design, construction and operation of new high pressure CO2 pipelines through populated areas it will be necessary to have a validated risk assessment model. This paper describes the applied models for the outflow and dispersion and the causes of the uncertainties in the outflow and dispersion of CO2 after an accidental release from a high pressure pipeline. © 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.

Abstract

This document provides the AEOLIX impact assessment of living labs at the operational level. It is based on three main impacts namely business, environment, and socio-economic impacts. The three impacts are sub-divided further into sub-categories. The report collects data from twelve living labs involved in with AEOLIX. One of the main goals of AEOLIX was to reduce the costs for various logistics activities as implemented in twelve living labs. The expected benefits in the business area are from reducing the consumption of different resources, reducing the time used for various activities, and from increasing the productivity in certain areas. The economic or business benefits came along two dimensions: (i) in terms of time and (ii) in terms of money. In terms of time, AEOLIX facilitated reducing the time spent on various activities at the companies. In terms of money, AEOLIX helped to save the costs of specific logistics activities within the living lab. For the environmental aspect an overall value of 20% was set as target value for reduction in CO2 emission using AEOLIX. Only one of all living labs reached this target value, but there was anyhow a reduction found in all living labs. AEOLIX and its functions have also helped in reducing noise pollution at some of the living labs. In some cases, there was quite a considerable reduction. For the socio-economic aspects the job creation, SME empowerment, and the improved quality of life are addressed. This study has explored the impact of AEOLIX on job creation in terms of drivers’ and operators’ jobs. Since the AEOLIX implementation is still in its initial phases, respondents were unable to estimate how many jobs (drivers and/or operators) were created in the long run. SME Empowerment was measured as the increase in SMEs’ market share and the increase in direct collaboration between SMEs and large organizations. The results were meager both with regard to the market share and the extent of collaboration. The improved quality of life is measured in the way AEOLIX puts more focus on work, the less stress at work and a positive attitude towards people using it. The results reflect that AEOLIX has greatly helped employees to put more focus on work and to reduce stress levels. Managers consider this as a positive side of the return on investment (ROI) as the business processes are improved. AEOLIX impact on various socio-economic aspects is in principle positive but as this process is very slow to emerge it takes time to observe any changes in social aspects. Acceptance and trust on AEOLIX can be captured as a majority of the evaluation managers of the living labs found the AEOLIX functions (dashboard, connectivity engine and toolkit) useful to a great extent. The willingness to continue using AEOLIX functions and their usefulness are directly related to each other. This means that the more useful a function is, the more users are willing to continue using it. The AEOLIX platform, through various services and functions, has a positive impact on society in general and on workers in particular. Although this impact cannot be evaluated financially for the first year of the AEOLIX implementation, numerous studies show that a more satisfying and less stressful job, together with a more welcoming and stimulating environment, have an important economic impact in the long-term period. Therefore, the fact that AEOLIX has a positive impact on society will also prove to be an economic benefit for the different companies.

Abstract

This paper gives information about Renewable Energy Generation and its impacts on E-Mobility. By 2050, the two pillars of modern transformation are E-Mobility and Renewable Energy. This transformation requires adaptation to meet demographic and economic growth without increasing pollution and congestion. The modern world needs affordable, secure and inclusive, sustainable and integrated with customer-centric infrastructure and services. There is a great fundamental change needed in road transportation sector, which is to achieve its objective of a long term transition to a low-carbon economy. Electric Vehicles when charged with the electricity generated from Renewable Energy Sources can reduce future emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants from road transport. Electric Vehicles combined with renewable energy paint a different picture from the oversimplification of gas miles versus electric miles.Smart Mobility and Smart Grid technologies make people live more sustainable and efficiently.