Biofuels Sustainability Certification Schemes: Challenges, Feasibility and Possible Approaches

The focus of this research is to develop and apply an analytical framework for evaluating the effectiveness and practicability of sustainability certification schemes for biofuels, especially in a developing country’s perspective. The main question that drives the research analysis is “Which are the main elements of and how to develop sustainability certification schemes that would be effective and practicable in certifying the contribution of biofuels in meeting the goals Governments and other stakeholders have set up?”. Biofuels have been identified as a promising tool to reach a variety of goals: climate change protection, energy security, agriculture development, and, especially in developing countries, economic development. Once the goals have been identified, and ambitious mandatory targets for biofuels use agreed at national level, concerns have been raised by the scientific community on the negative externalities that biofuels production and use can have at environment, social and economic level. Therefore certification schemes have been recognized as necessary processes to measure these externalities, and examples of such schemes are in effect, or are in a negotiating phase, both at mandatory and voluntary levels. The research focus has emerged by the concern that the ongoing examples are very demanding in terms of compliance, both for those that are subject to certification and those that have to certify, on the quantity and quality of information to be reported. A certification system, for reasons linked to costs, lack of expertise, inadequate infrastructure, absence of an administrative and legislative support, can represent an intensive burden and can act as a serious impediment for the industrial and agriculture development of developing countries, going against the principle of equity and level playing field. While this research recognizes the importance of comprehensiveness and ambition in designing an important tool for the measurement of sustainability effects of biofuels production and use, it stresses the need to focus on the effectiveness and practicability of this tool in measuring the compliance with the goal. This research that falls under the rationale of the Sustainability Science Program housed at Harvard Kennedy School, has as main objective to close the gap between the research and policy makers worlds in the field of sustainability certification schemes for biofuels.

Environmental impact assessment of the School of Engineering and Architecture (Lazzaretto) - A pathway towards LEED certification

The current work has for object the improvement and the maintenance of the School of Engineering and Architecture in Via Terracini 28 (Bologna), with the prospective to maximize the operative efficiency reducing to the minimum the environmental impact and the costs. In order to realize this work the LEED certification has been used. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a certification system of the buildings. It was born in United States by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

Auditoria energética e da QAI no âmbito do SCE de um edifício de serviços

Este trabalho foi realizado no âmbito da disciplina de Dissertação/Estágio do ramo de Optimização Energética na Indústria Química, do Mestrado em Engenharia Química do Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto e foi desenvolvido na empresa GreenWatt. O principal objectivo é efectuar uma auditoria energética e uma auditoria QAI a uma clínica de fisiatria de forma a preparar as ferramentas necessárias para a Certificação Energética e da QAI no enquadramento do Sistema de Certificação Energética. Na auditoria QAI foram analisados parâmetros físicos - temperatura, humidade relativa e partículas respiráveis PM10, parâmetros químicos - CO2, CO, O3, COVs, HCOH e o radão, e ainda parâmetros microbiológicos - bactérias, fungos e legionella. Na auditoria energética foi feita a caracterização dos vectores de energia utilizados no edifício, nomeadamente, gás natural e electricidade. Para esta caracterização efectuou-se um levantamento de toda a informação disponível relativa aos combustíveis utilizados, iluminação instalada, outros equipamentos consumidores de energia e perfis de utilização. Com recurso a analisadores de energia foram ainda medidos os consumos eléctricos do edifício. Com suporte nos dados provenientes da auditoria energética e das facturas anuais efectuou-se a validação da simulação dinâmica do edifício. Esta simulação é a base do cálculo do IEEnominal do edifício. Os resultados da auditoria QAI, permitiram verificar que existem valores nãoregulamentares em relação aos compostos orgânicos voláteis, fungos e bactérias. Da auditoria energética concluiu-se que o principal consumo de energia é o gás natural utilizado pelas caldeiras existentes. Este valor representa cerca de 81% do consumo total de energia, reproduzindo os mesmos resultados obtidos pela desagregação das facturas energéticas. No que respeita à electricidade concluiu-se que as bombas de água e os equipamentos eléctricos são os maiores consumidores deste vector, com, respectivamente, 53% e 23% do consumo total de energia eléctrica. Após a realização da simulação dinâmica, com base nos levantamentos realizados no edifício e na auditoria energética efectuada, obteve-se uma fotografia do edifício no que respeita ao seu desempenho energético, e calculou-se um IEEnominal de 40,54 kgep/m2.ano o que qualifica o edifício com uma Classe Energética E. O valor de CO2 emitido por este edifício em termos nominais, anualmente, é de 76,39 toneladas.

Processo de transição do sistema de acreditação para o sistema de certificação de entidades formadoras, segundo o referencial normativo da DGERT: o caso da Iconefile, Formação & Consultoria Lda.

Trabalho de Projeto

Análise de sensibilidade na simulação dinâmica de um grande edifício escolar existente

Dado o panorama de conservação de energia a nível nacional e mundial, torna-se hoje em dia muito importante, que seja possível controlar e estimar o consumo energético nos edifícios. Assim, atendendo à actual problemática energética e ao crescente consumo energético nos edifícios, é importante parametrizar, avaliar e comparar este consumo. Neste sentido, nas últimas décadas, têm sido efectuados desenvolvimentos técnicos, quer ao nível do equipamento de campo para efectuar monitorização e medição, quer ao nível da simulação dinâmica de edifícios. Com esta dissertação de mestrado, pretendeu-se efectuar a simulação dinâmica de um edifício escolar existente a funcionar em pleno, e efectuar uma análise de sensibilidade relativamente ao grau de variação dos resultados obtidos através da aplicação de dois programas de cálculo térmico e energético. Foram utilizados, o programa VE-Pro da IES (Integrated Environmental Solutions) e o programa Trace 700 da TRANE. Ambos os programas foram parametrizados com os mesmos dados de entrada, tendo em atenção as opções de simulação disponibilizadas por ambos. Posteriormente, utilizaram-se os dados retirados da simulação para calcular a classificação energética no âmbito do sistema de certificação energética (SCE), através de uma folha de cálculo desenvolvida para o efeito. Foram ainda consideradas várias soluções de eficiência energética para o edifício, com vista a poupanças reais de energia, tendo sempre atenção ao conforto térmico dos ocupantes. Dessas medidas fazem parte, medidas relacionadas com a iluminação, como a substituição da iluminação existente por luminárias do tipo LED (Light Emitting Diode), soluções de energias renováveis, como a instalação de colectores solares para aquecimento das águas quentes sanitárias, e painéis fotovoltaicos para produção de energia, bem como medidas ligadas aos equipamentos de climatização. Posteriormente, recalculou-se a classificação energética afectada das melhorias. Os resultados obtidos nas duas simulações foram analisados sob o ponto de vista do aquecimento, arrefecimento, ventilação, iluminação e equipamentos eléctricos. A comparação das duas simulações para cada parâmetro acima referido, apresentaram variações inferiores a 5%. O desvio maior verificou-se na ventilação, com o valor de aproximadamente 4,9%. Transpondo estes resultados para o cálculo do IEE (Índice de Eficiência Energética), verificou-se um desvio inferior a 2%.

Sustainable urban planning: parameters to the operational process

In modern society, energy consumption and respect for the environment have become essential aspects of urban planning. The rising demand for alternative sources of energy, coupled with the decline in the construction sector and material usage, gives the idea that the thinking on modern cities, where attention is given to reduced energy consumption, savings, waste recycling and respect for the surrounding environment, is being put into practice. If we examine development of the city over recent centuries, by means of the theories of the most famous and influential urban planners, it is possible to identify the major problems caused by this type of planning. For this reason, in recent urban planning the use of systems of indicators that evaluate and certify land environmentally and energetically guides the master plan toward a more efficient city model. In addition the indicators are targeted on key factors determined by the commissioner or the opportunities the territory itself provides. Due the complexity of the environmental mechanics, the process of design and urban planning has become a challenging issue. The introduction of the indicators system has made it possible to register the life of the process, with a spiral route that allows the design itself to be refined. The aim of this study, built around the creation of a system of urban sustainability indicators that will evaluate highly eco-friendly cities, is to develop a certification system for cities or portions of them. The system will be upgradeable and objective, will employ real data and will be concerned with energy production and consumption.

The European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine : the past, the present and the future [Europejska Rada Medycyny Fizykalnej i Rehabilitacji: przeszłość, teraźniejszość i perspektywy]

Right from the beginning of the development of the medical specialty of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (PRM) the harmonization of the fields of competence and the specialist training across Europe was always an important issue. The initially informal European collaboration was formalized in 1963 under the umbrella of the European Federation of PRM. The European Academy of PRM and the UEMS section of PRM started to contribute in 1969 and 1974 respectively. In 1991 the European Board of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (EBPRM) was founded with the specific task of harmonizing education and training in PRM in Europe. The EBPRM has progressively defined curricula for the teaching of medical students and for the postgraduate education and training of PRM specialists. It also created a harmonized European certification system for medical PRM specialists, PRM trainers and PRM training sites. European teaching initiatives for PRM trainees (European PRM Schools) were promoted and learning material for PRM trainees and PRM specialists (e-learning, books and e-books, etc.) was created. For the future the Board will have to ensure that a minimal specific undergraduate curriculum on PRM based on a detailed European catalogue of learning objectives will be taught in all medical schools in Europe as a basis for the general medical practice. To stimulate the harmonization of national curricula, the existing postgraduate curriculum will be expanded by a syllabus of competencies related to PRM and a catalogue of learning objectives to be reached by all European PRM trainees. The integration of the certifying examination of the PRM Board into the national assessment procedures for PRM specialists will also have to be promoted.

Análisis de la Garantía de Origen como mecanismo de cambio hacia un sector eléctrico más sostenible

La Garantía de Origen, como sistema de certificación de electricidad en función de su origen, fue introducida en España en 2007 y abrió la posibilidad de comercializar y consumir electricidad procedente únicamente de fuentes renovables. Resulta interesante abordar la evolución y el estado actual de este instrumento desde distintas aproximaciones para entender que potencial tiene para provocar cambios en los mecanismos de producción, comercialización y consumo de la electricidad encaminados a hacer el sector más sostenible. Este proyecto muestra como la Garantía incide sobre los patrones de la comercialización y el consumo de la electricidad y, a partir de ahí, es capaz de inducir cambios importantes en la estructura del sector eléctrico haciendo depender más de las fuentes renovables y menos de los combustibles fósiles.

Ympäristöluokitusjärjestelmät talotekniikan suunnitteluprosessissa

Vihreä rakentaminen on voimakkaasti kasvava rakennusliiketoiminnan osa-alue, johon useat toimijat ovat alkaneet herätä. Suomessakin on otettu käyttöön erilaisia ympäristösuorituskyvyn mittarointijärjestelmiä, joilla pyritään varmentamaan laadukas lopputulos vihreille rakennuksille. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on selvittää vihreän rakentamisen kannattavuutta. Työn teoriaosassa käydään läpi ympäristöluokitusjärjestelmien ominaisuuksia ja eroavaisuuksia sekä LEED-ympäristöluokitusjärjestelmän sisältö ja suhde Suomen rakentamismääräyksiin. Työn empiirisessä osassa tutkitaan LEED:n talotekniselle suunnittelulle aiheuttamia vaikutuksia sekä niihin liittyvien valintojen elinkaarikustannuksia. Vaikutuksia tutkitaan suunnitteluohjeiden ja -vaatimusten tasolta, suunnittelijoiden ja haastattelujen pohjalta sekä tutkimalla case-kohdetta, jossa tavoitteena on korkeimman LEED-luokituksen saavuttaminen.

Caracterização dos diamantes da província kimberlítica de Juína (MT), e distritos diamantíferos de Espigão D'Oeste (RO), Cacoal (RO) e Diamantina (MG)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Qualificação de produtores rurais em boas práticas agrícolas visando adesão a sistemas de certificação socioambiental

Pós-graduação em Ciência Florestal - FCA

EDiferentes tipologias de edificação e o ser sustentável mediante o LEED e o CBCS

The principles and dimensions of sustainability concept is increasingly gaining ground within the building industry. Over the past decades, its applicability within the different environments and for different buildings typologies have been study to attend better the present populations and future generations. It is within this scenario that international certifications started to appear. The most famous and developed one being LEED certification system. In Brazil, as a support to the certification and also sustainability practices and conducts, was founded the Brazilian Council for Sustainable Construction (CBCS). The council and the certifications have the objective to disseminate and generate awareness to reduce energy and water consumption, aiming for life quality. Many constructions around de country have already the international certification, which also boost the rise of national certifications with specific criteria for the national context. However, such certificates are mainly destiny for medium and high standard buildings, often as a commercial advantage to explain the high costs. The purpose of this work is to be able to define what is being sustainable in the construction industry, taking for basis, LEED and CBCS. In addition, since there is a significant increase in the production of Housing Social Interest, the other angles will be to analyze how to apply the practices and sustainable technologies for low-cost projects with the objective to balance the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social and economics.

EDiferentes tipologias de edificação e o ser sustentável mediante o LEED e o CBCS

The principles and dimensions of sustainability concept is increasingly gaining ground within the building industry. Over the past decades, its applicability within the different environments and for different buildings typologies have been study to attend better the present populations and future generations. It is within this scenario that international certifications started to appear. The most famous and developed one being LEED certification system. In Brazil, as a support to the certification and also sustainability practices and conducts, was founded the Brazilian Council for Sustainable Construction (CBCS). The council and the certifications have the objective to disseminate and generate awareness to reduce energy and water consumption, aiming for life quality. Many constructions around de country have already the international certification, which also boost the rise of national certifications with specific criteria for the national context. However, such certificates are mainly destiny for medium and high standard buildings, often as a commercial advantage to explain the high costs. The purpose of this work is to be able to define what is being sustainable in the construction industry, taking for basis, LEED and CBCS. In addition, since there is a significant increase in the production of Housing Social Interest, the other angles will be to analyze how to apply the practices and sustainable technologies for low-cost projects with the objective to balance the three dimensions of sustainability: environmental, social and economics.

Detection and molecular characterization of viruses infecting Actinidia spp.

Kiwifruit (genus Actinidia) is an important horticultural crop grown in the temperate regions. The four world’s largest producers are China, Italy, New Zealand and Chile. More than 50 species are recognized in the genus but the principal species in cultivation are A. deliciosa and A. chinensis. In Italy, as well as in many other countries, the kiwifruit crop has been considered to be relatively disease free and then no certification system for this species has been developed to regulate importation of propagation plant material in the European Union. During the last years a number of fungal and bacterial diseases have been recorded such as Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae. Since 2003, several viruses and virus-like diseases have been identified and more recent studies demonstrated that Actinidia spp can be infected by a wide range of viral agents. In collaboration with the University of Auckland we have been detected thirteen different viral species on kiwifruit plants. During the three years of my PhD I worked on the characterization of Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) and Pelargonium zonate spot virus (PZSV). The determination of causal agents has been based on host range, symptom expression in the test plant species and morphological properties of the virus particles using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and using specific oligonucleotide primers in reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Both viruses induced several symptoms on kiwifruit plants. Moreover with new technologies such as high-throughput sequencing we detected additional viruses, a new member of the family Closteroviridae and a new member of the family Totiviridae. Taking together all results of my studies it is clear that, in order to minimize the risk of serious viral disease in kiwifruit, it is vital to use virus-free propagation material in order to prevent the spread of these viruses.

Sustainable development in Darjeeling Hills, India : ecological and socio-economic aspects for small-scale farmers with supportive observations from Kanagawa, Japan

Organic farming means a holistic application of agricultural land-use, hence, this study aimed to assess ecological and socio-economic aspects that show benefits of the strategy and achievements of organic farming in comparison to conventional farming in Darjeeling District, State of West Bengal, India and Kanagawa Prefecture/Kanto in Central Japan. The objective of this study has been empirically analysed on aspects of crop diversity, yield, income and sales prices in the two study regions, where 50 households each, i.e. in total 100 households were interviewed at farm-level. Therefore, the small sample size does not necessarily reflect the broad-scale of the use and benefit of organic farming in both regions. The problems faced in mountainous regions in terms of agriculture and livelihoods for small-scale farmers, which are most affected and dependant on their immediate environment, such as low yields, income and illegal felling leading to soil erosion and landslides, are analyzed. Furthermore, factors such as climate, soils, vegetation and relief equally play an important role for these farmers, in terms of land-use. To supplement and improve the income of farmers, local NGOs have introduced organic farming and high value organic cash crops such as ginger, tea, orange and cardamom and small income generating means (floriculture, apiary etc.). For non-certified and certified organic products the volume is given for India, while for Japan only certified organic production figures are given, as there are several definitions for organic in Japan. Hence, prior to the implementation of organic laws and standards, even reduced chemical input was sold as non-certified organic. Furthermore, the distribution and certification system of both countries are explained in detail, including interviews with distribution companies and cooperatives. Supportive observations from Kanagawa Prefecture and the Kanto region are helpful and practical suggestions for organic farmers in Darjeeling District. Most of these are simple and applicable soil management measures, natural insect repelling applications and describe the direct marketing system practiced in Japan. The former two include compost, intercropping, Effective Microorganisms (EM), clover, rice husk charcoal and wood vinegar. More supportive observations have been made at organic and biodynamic tea estates in Darjeeling District, which use citronella, neem, marigold, leguminous and soil binding plants for soil management and natural insect control. Due to the close ties between farmers and consumers in Japan, certification is often neither necessary nor wanted by the producers. They have built a confidence relationship with their customers; thus, such measures are simply not required. Another option is group certification, instead of the expensive individual certification. The former aims at lower costs for farmers who have formed a cooperative or a farmers' group. Consumer awareness for organic goods is another crucial aspect to help improve the situation of organic farmers. Awareness is slightly more advanced in Kanto than in Darjeeling District, as it is improved due to the close (sales) ties between farmers and consumers in Kanto. Interviews conducted with several such cooperatives and companies underline the positive system of TEIKEI. The introduction of organic farming in the study regions has shown positive effects for those involved, even though it still in its beginning stages in Darjeeling District. This study was only partly able to assess the benefits of organic agriculture at its present level for Darjeeling District, while more positively for the organic farmers of Kanto. The organic farming practice needs further improvement, encouragement and monitoring for the Darjeeling District farmers by locals, consumers, NGOs and politicians. The supportive observations from Kanagawa Prefecture and the Kanto region are a small step in this direction, showing how, simple soil improvements and thus, yield and income increases, as well as direct sales options can enhance the livelihood of organic farmers without destroying their environment and natural resources.