KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Martin Schiemann | Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany
Dr. Schiemann started his career at Ruhr-University Bochum in the department of physics. After having achieved his diploma, he moved to the faculty of mechanical engineering to join the Department of Energy Plant Technology, where he finished his PhD on spray roasting processes. Since 2012, his work group investigates different thermal processes with a focus on reacting particles. The reduction of carbon emissions is one of the leading aspects in his research. Experiments from the laboratory scale up to semi-industrial devices are the methods of choice, accompanied by computational fluid dynamics simulations of laboratory and full-scale industrial plants. Pulverized biomass combustion in conventional and oxy-fuel atmospheres is one of the core topics of his work, but alternative fuels like different waste materials and metal fuels are also part of the portfolio. Spray roasting of metal chlorides, a class of waste materials from processes like steel pickling or battery recovery, is not just a disposition process, but recovers valuable metal oxides with different functionalities. Radiative heat transfer plays a decisive role in many processes involving reacting particles. Experimental investigations and numerical consideration of micrometric to macroscopic particle systems provides information on and tools for radiative heat transfer consideration in high-temperature systems. Prof. Schiemann teaches different subjects related to carbon capture and utilization, supply streams and disposal of materials from energy plants and material conversion in high-temperature processes.
Speech title "Metal Fuels for Decarbonization and Carbon Utilization"
The challenging transition to a carbon-free
society causes increasing interest in alternative fuels. One option, which
is under discussion is the utilization of metal fuels. Pure metals can be
produced on the basis of renewable energy from metal oxides or metal ores.
They become an energy storage material, with combustion being the discharge
process.
Metals may be used in processes directly related to heat and power
production, but some metals may also act as reactants in production
processes of valuable chemicals. In particular, this becomes very
interesting, as metals can burn in oxygen or air, water vapour and carbon
dioxide, some even react exothermically with nitrogen. This leads to
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, but may influence the economic
balance of the process positively as well, as many chemical production
processes could benefit from the replacement of fossils by metals.
The current presentation provides an overview over metal combustion
principles, advantages and challenges. Examples from current research are
given to illustrate specific ideas about metal fuel based energy and
chemistry cycles.
Dimitrios Karamanis | University of Patras, Greece
Professor of Alternative Energy Sources at the Department of Environmental Engineering of the University of Patras. He studied Physics at the University of Ioannina (1986-1990) where he submitted his doctoral thesis (1990-1997). With Postdoctoral Fellowships at CEN Bordeaux (Marie Curie 1999-2001) and at the University of Ioannina (Marie Curie 2001-2002 and until 2008), Prof. Karamanis has thirty years of research experience in the fields of alternative energy sources with special emphasis on wind and solar energy utilization technologies in the last decade. Participating in competitive National and International research programs as scientific coordinator and researcher, he has published over 110 scientific papers in scientific journals, patents and chapters in books with >3000 citations and h-index 35 (Scopus). Prof. Karamanis teaches courses on renewable energy sources, energy efficiency and RES applications in Departments of the Universities of Ioannina and Patras since 2006.
speech title "Transitioning to urban climate neutrality and climate positive cities with the synergy of nature-based solutions, solar energy technologies and city microgrids"
To facilitate urban transformation and transition away from fossil fuels, climate responsive urban strategies should be urgently applied on a global scale. The accurate knowledge of the effectiveness of sustainable and resilient urban solutions is needed while a convergence solutions framework of implementation should be introduced and optimized across the cities diverse climate conditions. In this work, a novel framework of urban transformation is proposed based on four pillars: green inclusive (reduce), inspirational & recreational (avoid), decisional (replace) and sufficiency, sharing and caring (transition). Moreover, the ten approaches drawn on global best-practice and case studies from cities across the C40 network are advanced with greenery and solar energy technologies. The synergistic effects of these solutions are revealed in a customized approach of these solutions’ implementation through the calculation of energy balance and CO2 emissions for a typical Mediterranean city with poor air quality during winter. As positive climate urban transformation is complex and difficult, the integration of incentives on energy sharing and collective self-consumption increase is emphasized. Coupling of innovative, yet fragmented solutions available on the market for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) and energy sharing mechanisms is a major step forward in the clean energy transition. Case studies on energy sharing initiatives in city microgrids and the commercial viability of these technologies will be presented.
Liu Xin | Chongqing University, China
Liu Xin, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, currently serving as the Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Business Administration at Chongqing University, a high-level talent of the "Chongqing Ying Cai Plan". He has been committed to exploring the fields of environmental policy evaluation, energy and environmental economics, and green finance. He is skilled at combining economic methods with environmental issues, studying empirical problems such as environmental policies, air pollution, and climate change, serving the needs of green and low-carbon development in China and Chongqing. In recent years, my main interests have focused on formal environmental regulations by the government and informal environmental regulations based on modern environmental governance, striving to achieve the new vision of obtaining both green mountains and golden mountains. In the past 5 years, I have published more than 10 papers as the first or corresponding author in journals such as Energy Policy, Journal of Environmental Management, Industrial Economics Research, and Financial Research. I have authored 2 academic monographs and hosted projects funded by the National Social Science Foundation and provincial/ministerial scientific research funds.
Speech title "Does energy poverty hinder the reduction of carbon emissions? the case from China"
China has made great efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. However, the uneven distribution of energy causes great differences in the availability of energy in different regions. Energy options in energy-poor regions are often limited and inefficient, impeding the green energy transition and leading to increased carbon emissions per capita. To investigate the relationship between energy poverty and carbon emissions, we estimate the city-level energy poverty in China and employ a panel empirical model to explore the impact of energy poverty on carbon emission reduction. Results show that energy poverty increases per capita CO2 emissions, which varies due to regional heterogeneity. In western China, the carbon emission effect of energy poverty is more significant. Economic growth, increasing financial deficit, and financial leverage of residents also lead to increased carbon emissions. The findings suggest that governments should maintain stable expenditures and investments in energy infrastructure and stabilize the domestic energy consumption prices. Governments should also promote the balanced development of the regional energy market to alleviate the carbon emissions effect of energy poverty.