Renewable Energy News » Geoengineering

Harvard Professor Builds Carbon-Sucking Machine

Green Energy News — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 12:00:47 +0000

Harvard applied physics professor David Keith is building a machine that can suck carbon dioxide from the air. Keith has started a company called Carbon Engineering that has attracted venture capitalists that see a future for this technology.

The machine uses a three-step process to filter the air and separate and sequester the carbon dioxide. First, a fan sucks air into the machine where it enters a 31-foot-long chamber filled with wavy plastic material. A sodium hydroxide solution runs down that plastic and reacts with the CO2 to pull it out of the air and turn it into carbonate solids. Those solids then go into a 900 degree Celsius kiln where they’re broken down and become a stream of pure CO2. That pure CO2 is then capture where it can go on to be stored underground or used for other purposes.

The machine reuses ash left behind in the kiln to regenerate the sodium hydroxide solution and the process continues.

Of course the removal of the CO2 from the air is never the tricky part of these projects, rather it’s what is done with the captured CO2 that leaves people feeling unsure. The permanence of underground storage is still untested.

But the potential for the technology has generated some interest. Bill Gates and other billionaire investors have given money to Keith’s project and Keith himself hopes that it can be scaled up to a size that could actually make a positive impact on the environment.

via EcoGeek

Geoengineering and Dramatic Climate Change

Green Energy News — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 12:00:40 +0000

In October, a team of British researches will initiate the preliminary phase of a geoengineering project that they hope will help in the development of planet-scale techniques to bring the earth’s climate under control. But will such plans succeed? And should experiments meddling with our atmosphere even be allowed? In recent years, geoengineering – the large-scale and intentional manipulation of the earth’s climate in order to stop global warming – has migrated from the whacko fringes of the scientific world to establish itself as the respectable discipline of reputable scientists and research institutions.

Some of the suggestions that have been proposed to affect global cooling include:

• Painting large areas of “unused” land with reflective paint to increase the planet’s albedo;

• “Planting” hundreds of thousands of artificial trees capable of scrubbing CO2 out of the air;

• Installing orbiting mirrors in space – either a few gigantic ones or millions of tiny ones; and

• Deploying a fleet of ocean-going cloud-making machines.

The British scientists plan to suspend a kilometre-long hose in the air using a balloon. They will then attempt to pump water up the pipe and spray it into the atmosphere. In future, this sort of technology could be used to disperse fine droplets of liquid sulphur compounds in order to create a reflective blanket that would mimic the effects of a volcanic eruption in blocking sunlight from reaching the earth’s surface.

Sometimes results are unexpected

There have been field trials of several other geoengineering schemes. In 2009 Russian scientists sprayed a small amount of sulphate aerosols into the atmosphere reporting a 1 to 10% reduction in solar radiation. In the same year, an Indian-German expedition “fertilised” 300 square kilometres of the Southern Atlantic with tonnes of dissolved iron. A bloom of phytoplankton resulted, but instead of sinking and trapping absorbed CO2 on the seafloor as expected, the plankton was eaten by a voracious swarm of tiny crustaceans, keeping the carbon in circulation through the food chain rather than removing it from the system.

Proponents of geoengineering experiments argue that they may turn out to be our only emergency fall-back options if and when climate change starts running out of control. Personally, I’m sceptical, particularly since there are a number of questions regarding the long-term efficiency and cost-effectiveness of geoengineering.

But more worryingly, there are several potentially detrimental and unpredictable side-effects. Sulphate particles injected into the upper atmosphere, for instance, could deplete the vital ozone layer and cause pollution, and while some geo-engineered clouds may help to cool the planet, others may actually trap more heat in the atmosphere.

Ultimately, all geoengineering interventions address the symptoms instead of the causes of climate change. Solving the problem is increasingly a political issue: we have the technological capacity to very drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and halt climate change by curing ourselves of our fossil fuel addiction. But do the powers that be have the political will to make it a reality?

What do you think: is geoengineering our last resort in the battle against global warming? Or is it a set of dangerous technologies that will waste money and do more damage than good by meddling with an exceedingly complex and unpredictable natural system?

About the Author: Andreas is a book shop manager and freelance writer in Cape Town, South Africa. Follow him on Twitter: @Andreas_Spath. Article originally posted on Care2.

Artificial Clouds May be Used to Block Sun at 2022 World Cup

Green Energy News — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 17:07:50 +0000

Geoengineers Develop Faux Clouds to Cover the Scorching Sun in Qatar-

The 2022 World Cup will be held in Qatar, a country that averages 106°F during June and July when the competition is taking place. Such intense heat will more than likely put a damper on the festivities and possibly result in fatalities, so organizers have been working to formulate a plan that will effectively shade both tournament attendees and players from the sun’s scorching rays. Engineering scientists from Qatar University have created the perfect way to accomplish this — reportedly developing some sort of artificial cloud which they “designed to float above the World Cup venues and provide fans and players with relief from the blazing sun” (Gizmag). Head of the mechanical and industrial engineering department at Qatar University, Saud Abdul Ghani, told Gulf News that the faux clouds “are made from a lightweight carbon structure carrying a giant envelope of material containing helium gas” (DailyMail UK). In order to position the structure for most effective shading throughout the day, engineers have also created four solar powered engines that will move the “cloud”. If approval is granted and plans move forward to use the artificial cloud, the cost is estimated to reach roughly $500,000 USD.

An artist’s impression of the Al-Rayyan stadium which will play host to World Cup matches

Concern Over Coal Gas Processing Plant in Australia

Green Energy News — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 13:30:02 +0000

Environmental Approval for World’s Largest Coal Gas Processing Plant-

The Australian Government has signed off on what promises to be the biggest coal gasification and storage facility around the globe. The $3.5 billion urea plant – owned by Perdaman Chemicals and Fertilisers – will process between two and four million tonnes of coal annually, which will then be converted into fertilizer for sale in Asia. The venture is anticipated to create 1,500 jobs during the construction phase and 200 permanent workers once the plant is in commission. To boot, it’s expected to yield roughly $850 million in export revenue annually. Matt Granger, CEO of the Bunbury Wellington Economic Alliance, has commended the Federal Government’s environmental approval, stating that it’s an important move toward bringing the project to life. Peter Murphy from the Preston Environment Group, however, expresses concern over the environmental impact of the project. “All up all the industries in the area will emit up to 12 million tonnes of carbon into the atmosphere every year including what Perdaman is contributing. Really, when we’re talking about the total emission, it’s unacceptable.”

San Diego World Trade Center Joins EngEx 2010 to Provide Export Opportunities

Green Energy News — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:12:04 +0000

**UPDATE: COMPANY SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN FRAUDULENT & CONFERENCE HAS BEEN CANCELED W/OUT REFUNDS. IF YOU HAVE LOST MONEY VIA ENGEX, CONTACT THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE.**
Expo Supports Presidential Policy to Double Exports in Five Years-

EngEx 2010, the first comprehensive engineering conference dedicated to environmental and economic sustainability, has announced a strategic initiative with the WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego to create new export opportunities for attendees. “The benefit for our members is that they can identify opportunities in developing countries and markets, and learn how to access government resources to find international buyers,” said Bella Heule, President and Chief Executive Officer of the WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego. EngEx will offer the unique opportunity to collaborate with researchers, businesses, non-profits and governmental agencies to share ideas concerning energy, water, transportation, infrastructure and environmental efficiency and development. “The partnership with the WORLD TRADE CENTER San Diego provides our attendees with a new opportunity to include foreign trade and exporting in their business development plans,” said Kausain Shaikh, Founder of EngEx 2010. “We are very excited to be supporting President Obama’s initiative to drive more foreign exports in the next five years, especially from green businesses.”

Interview with EngEx Founder (Part 1)

Green Energy News — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 17:26:36 +0000

**UPDATE: COMPANY SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN FRAUDULENT & CONFERENCE HAS BEEN CANCELED W/OUT REFUNDS. IF YOU HAVE LOST MONEY VIA ENGEX, CONTACT THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE.**

Interview with EngEx Founder/President, Kausain Shaikh, Part 1-

Green Energy News recently sat down with EngEx founder/president, Kausain Shaikh, to discuss the unique opportunities available at the 2010 EngEx conference and exhibition in San Diego, CA. EngEx is an innovative engineering conference and exhibition, and will feature the nation’s leading experts in energy, transportation, water, and environment to collaborate, and exhibit ideas that will help to transform and revitalize the U.S. economy. The engineering exhibition will showcase various topics and educational discussions in renewable energy, fuel infrastructure, carbon capture & reuse technologies, wastewater treatment, sustainable planning, cloud seeding, desalination, and much more. EngEx will offer networking opportunities with hundreds of utility and municipality decision makers, and will also offer in-depth information into government contracts with the Small Business Administration (SBA), Department of Transportation (DOT) funding, federal land procurement with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), export consulting and engineering services with the World Bank, small business loans with top U.S. banks, obtaining a SBA Small Business Innovation Research Grant, as well as SBA, SBIR & STTR proposal writing.

Venture Capital for Cleantech on the Rise

Green Energy News — Fri, 07 May 2010 21:37:52 +0000

Investments in Clean Technologies Significantly Increase in the U.S-

According to a recently published report, venture capitalists have invested significantly more money in renewable energy compared to the same time last year. The majority of funds were dedicated toward clean technologies intended to make energy use more efficient, from green buildings to electric vehicles. Many market analysts agree that investments in clean energy technologies will only increase as more consumers and government officials support renewable sources of energy to combat rising greenhouse gas levels and replace expensive fossil fuels. In the first quarter, venture capital investments in clean technology totaled $733.3 million – an increase of 68 percent from $435.8 million in the year-prior quarter, according to a report from Ernst & Young LLP. The total stalled the first quarter of 2008 when investments reached $844.7 million. “It is just part of the overall recovery of the economy,” said Gil Forer, Ernst & Young’s global cleantech leader. Renewables comprise just a small portion of all energy consumed in the United States, although solar and wind are among the fastest growing sources of energy in the country.

EngEx 2010 Offers Business & Educational Opportunities in Global Sustainability

Green Energy News — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 17:56:09 +0000

**UPDATE: COMPANY SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN FRAUDULENT & CONFERENCE HAS BEEN CANCELED W/OUT REFUNDS. IF YOU HAVE LOST MONEY VIA ENGEX, CONTACT THE CALIFORNIA ATTORNEY GENERAL’S OFFICE.**

EngEx Conference & Exposition Presents Inimitable Business, Funding, Educational and Governmental Opportunities-

The upcoming EngEx Engineering Conference in San Diego, California will offer unrivaled opportunities for researchers, government agencies, non-profits, and businesses of any size to revolutionize global sustainability, with focus in key industries such as energy, water, transportation and environment. “We are bringing together the government agencies to create opportunities through domestic and international export, procurement, and access to government land and water resources,” said Kausain Shaikh, Founder of EngEx 2010. “These opportunities will be focused on the energy, water, infrastructure and environmental sectors.” Along with a comprehensive career fair, the three day event will showcase keynote addresses by national green technology leaders, venture capitalists, governmental agencies, and large corporations looking to provide vital information concerning funding opportunities. “The government sector will be well represented because of the critical impact EngEx 2010 will create towards global recovery and growth,” Shaikh said. “The energy and water sectors will be vital over the next decade, especially in the developing countries.” Furthermore, EngEx 2010 will spotlight many diverse topics and educational discussions to aid industry professionals in expanding personal and business relationships. Among the noteworthy topics and discussions are renewable energy, the electric grid, cloud seeding, desalination, wastewater treatment, fuel infrastructure, sustainable planning, carbon storage, carbon reuse technologies, as well as:

Learning to get government contracts with the Small Business Administration

Acquiring information about Department of Transportation infrastructure project funding

Securing rights to federal lands with the Bureau of Land Management

Leveraging export consulting and engineering services with the World Bank

Meeting with top U.S. banks on hand to discuss small business loans

Networking with hundreds of utility and municipality decision makers

Strategizing on how to properly write a SBA, SBIR & STTR proposal

Obtaining a SBA Small Business Innovation Research Grant

Is Geoengineering the Best Solution to Stop Climate Change?

Green Energy News — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 17:52:04 +0000

British Scientists Claim Global Warming Devastation Unavoidable without Geoengineering-

Britain’s deep-rooted academy of science, The Royal Society of London, has released a report which claims that current attempts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will not offer an appropriate environmental counterbalance in time to prevent major climatic catastrophe. The academy asserts that, in order to sustain ecological stability and avoid possible devastation from climatic reaction, calculated engineering of the earth’s atmosphere may be essential. Geoengineering, defined by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences as “options that would involve large-scale engineering of our environment in order to combat or counteract the effects of changes in atmospheric chemistry”, is split into two groups within the report; projects which remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, and projects which would alleviate the amount of solar radiation permitted to enter the atmosphere. The more popular of the two methods are carbon sequestration – or capture, which involves storage devices or absorption methods like plankton and other plant matter that utilize CO2 during photosynthesis. Researchers have discovered that seeding the ocean with iron dust would encourage the development of zooplankton, which trap and store carbon dioxide in their bodies throughout life before passing away to remain on the ocean floor or be eaten by predators; however, the ecological impact this may cause is not yet known. Other plans involve artificial trees to trap carbon and pump it underground into caverns where natural gas and oil reserves once were, which is considered the most environmentally-sound route. However despite the contrary, if the underground storage areas were to rupture for any reason the aftermath could be potentially destructive.

The second geoengineering process is solar radiation management, which would direct the amount of heat allowed to infiltrate the earth’s atmosphere. This may be accomplished by inserting solar shields in space, enhancing clouds with chemicals which would boost reflectivity, seeding the atmosphere with aerosols that reflect sunlight, as well as layering buildings, streets and deserts with reflective materials. Solar radiation management, being moderately inexpensive, would work to tackle the devastating effects of climate change and offer an overall reduction in global temperatures in about two years time. The management of solar radiation does not place any focus on rapidly rising levels of CO2 in the atmosphere, however, leaving plaguing issues such as ocean acidification untouched. To add, the process does not deal with global warming and other deadly atmospheric gases at their source; consequently, methodical supervision would be required as severe atmospheric changes are imminent when taking such an active role in global weatherization. Due to these details, the Royal Society endorses solar radiation management as a practical means in conjunction with carbon dioxide removal and emissions reduction. Nonetheless, the report cites that the legal issues behind geoengineering currently create more difficulty than the technical challenges that may lie ahead. Whereas technologies such as artificial trees may be managed under existing laws, applications like permeating aerosols into the atmosphere cover incredibly diverse political ground which may take many decades to reach mutual understanding. According to the report, very few legally binding agreements are in place to support trans-boundary geoengineering, and it is not clear where liability would fall in the event of an unintended disaster.