European science institutes to participate more actively in public energy debate
Quicknote bioenergy science
The past few years have seen the development of a large number of alternative energy technologies. Given high fossil fuel prices, rapidly rising global energy demand and the threat of climate change, new (renewable) energy projects and investments are being initiated on a daily basis. However, this feverish activity has resulted in sharp public debates over which energy options are most favorable for the long term. Often, both the media and the public at large are left behind confused or fail to put the issues in a broader context. Scientific insights aren't easily understood or translated to broader audiences.
The Technical University of Delft has decided [*Dutch] do something about this. It has formed a knowledge platform with major energy research institutes with the explicit aim of actively participating in the public debate. The launch of NODE ('Nederlandse Onderzoeksplatform voor Duurzame Energievoorziening', 'Dutch Research Platform for Sustainable Energy') will first assess all the possible energy options at hand, then share the scientific knowledge with both the business community and the public at large. Educational outreach to schools is planned as well.
Meanwhile, in Birmingham, the SUPERGEN Bioenergy Consortium has created the Bioenergy Research Forum [*French], which also aims to share its research results with both industry and the public at large. Its main focus is on the use of biomass and organic waste streams as sources of clean energy. Experts in the field will regularly write for broader audiences and publish on a dedicated website [entry ends here].
bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: public debate :: policies :: information :: energy debate :: renewables ::
The past few years have seen the development of a large number of alternative energy technologies. Given high fossil fuel prices, rapidly rising global energy demand and the threat of climate change, new (renewable) energy projects and investments are being initiated on a daily basis. However, this feverish activity has resulted in sharp public debates over which energy options are most favorable for the long term. Often, both the media and the public at large are left behind confused or fail to put the issues in a broader context. Scientific insights aren't easily understood or translated to broader audiences.
The Technical University of Delft has decided [*Dutch] do something about this. It has formed a knowledge platform with major energy research institutes with the explicit aim of actively participating in the public debate. The launch of NODE ('Nederlandse Onderzoeksplatform voor Duurzame Energievoorziening', 'Dutch Research Platform for Sustainable Energy') will first assess all the possible energy options at hand, then share the scientific knowledge with both the business community and the public at large. Educational outreach to schools is planned as well.
"Energy choices are made for the long term. However, political and public debates are driven by the news of the day, by faits divers. The science behind energy technologies is often twisted or left out of the discussion alltogehter. This is why we want to stimulate scientists to share their expertise with politicians, the media and the public at large. 'Pro and contra' arguments have to be based on science and have to be available to all those who want to take a position in the matter. This is the only way we can have a debate that's worthwile, instead of discussions where parties merely throw mud at each other." -- Tim van der Hagen, professor of reactor-physics at the TU Delft.NODE unites three technical universities, the Energieonderzoek Centrum Nederland, and FOM-Rijnhuizen, who all have top-expertise on technologies ranging from hydrogen and nuclear physics to wind and bioenergy.
Meanwhile, in Birmingham, the SUPERGEN Bioenergy Consortium has created the Bioenergy Research Forum [*French], which also aims to share its research results with both industry and the public at large. Its main focus is on the use of biomass and organic waste streams as sources of clean energy. Experts in the field will regularly write for broader audiences and publish on a dedicated website [entry ends here].
bioenergy :: biofuels :: energy :: sustainability :: public debate :: policies :: information :: energy debate :: renewables ::
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