Fuel or begging rod
The fifth in the series of meetings on energy management and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions was held by the South Region, evensal previous meeting at the Academic Society building in Eindhoven. The meeting was attended by 41 participants.
Kees de Groot, chairman of KIVI's Energy Steering Committee was moderator of the meeting. He opened the meeting with praise for the efforts of Region South to put the subject of energy on the agenda with so much attention and commitment, and pointed to the initiatives that are also being done nationally by KIVI, including the recently published publication of a booklet in which people with no prior knowledge of energy issues can get a good idea of the changes that await us.
Unlike previous meetings, the presentations before the break focused on an outline of energy use and CO2 emissions as an overall picture. Starting for the Netherlands, Cor van den Bosch outlined this picture with the presentation of Region South. It clearly shows that the reductions in fossil hydrocarbon use and CO2 emissions set with Europe have not been achieved so far, even that there are increases. The presentation of the Southern Region can be viewedhereto view or download.
Professor Kornelis Blok then explained the world picture using the figures for energy use and CO2 emissions from different fuels in recent decades. Using projections from the Energy report, the Shell Blueprints and Advanced (R)evolution '10, he demonstrated with insightful graphs that, if targeted policies are deployed, a reduction of fossil hydrocarbons and CO2 emissions to year 2000 levels by 2050 should be feasible. This presentation by Professor Blok can be accessedhereto view or download.
After the break, we zoomed in on industry. By Gijs Schoonewelle and Cor van den Bosch, the current energy use of industry in the Netherlands was briefly sketched and then, based on the estimates of Dutch experts, the feasible savings and reduction of fossil hydrocarbon use the CO2 emission - reduction. The results were just insufficient to meet the 2050 requirements. Gijs Schoonewelle then gave an exposé on the nature of energy use and the use of fossil hydrocarbons as raw materials in industry in the Netherlands. Emphasis was placed on the risks of transition for industry with the threat that industries will leave the country to do so putting the economic position and prosperity of the Netherlands under severe pressure. This South Region presentation on Industry in the Netherlands can be accessedhereto view or download.
In his second presentation, Professor Blok tested the picture painted for the Netherlands against the world picture. Developments in chemicals, petrochemicals, metal, non-ferrous, paper and other were compared per product group. With the ongoing efficiency improvements in energy and raw material use in production, the increasing recycling of raw materials, but especially the necessary global integration of production, a reduction of CO2 emissions is feasible. Professor Blok's second presentation can be viewedhereor download here.
Kees de Groot started the discussion with the consideration that the influence of CO2 is still under discussion and that if one reduces CO2 emissions now at great economic risk and at huge cost, perhaps nobody will follow our Dutch efforts. From the cost aspect and the issue of storage, he quickly managed to bring the attendees to a lively discussion that created input for the final meeting to be held on 30 April.
The programme we followed can of course be revisited on the activity page of 21 February 2014, you can find the pageheresee.
Description
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The Netherlands' manufacturing industry provides us with 25% of our gross national product. With agriculture and horticulture the cork on which the economy floats and on which we keep our society going. That industry consumes a third of the fossil hydrocarbons from national consumption to do so. If Europe's demands for reducing CO2 from fossil feedstock to 20% of consumption are pushed through, current industries would leave our country and we would fall into beggary.
In the use of oil, gas and coal, a distinction can be made between conversion into energy for production and raw material for products such as plastics, carbon in steel and fertilisers. Those products do not constitute direct greenhouse gas - emissions, can in many cases be kept in recycling cycles for a long time and are of great importance to the economy.
Europe's influence does not only show up in the emission reduction requirement. Following that requirement by our European hinterland reduces the demand for oil, gas and coal by 80% so that the transit function and petrochemical processing is minimised: Botlek disappears.
Based on the analysis of consequences of the reduction requirements, an introduction identifies the opportunities to be gained in energy management. This will list the risks for the industry due to disruption and failure of alternative energy sources and supply.
Prof Dr Kornelis Blok, scientific director of Ecofys will base his presentation on this and consider whether we can take an alternative path. How industry can best set course and how Dutch policy should enable this.
Maximum 100 participants
13.00 - 13.30 Reception
13.30 - 13.35 Opening
13.35 - 13.40 Introduction with principles and backgrounds
13.40 - 13.55 Energy use in the Netherlands with a focus on Industry
13.55 - 14.40 Development of energy management worldwide towards 2050
14.40 - 14.50 Opportunity for questions
14.50 - 15.15 Pause
15.15 - 16.00 Opportunities, risks and consequences Dutch industry
16.00 - 16.45 The position of Dutch industry in the world
16.45 - 17.15 Discussion
Location
Parklaan 93, 5613 BC Eindhoven
Organiser
Southern Region
Name and contact details for information
Ir. Gijs Schoonewelle. t: 0032 36667787 e: gijsschoonewelle@hotmail.com drs. ing. Cor van den Bosch. t: 06 50638128 e: jocobowi@onsbrabantnet.nl