DEPARTMENT FOR
ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (135/07) issued by
The Government News Network on 17 May 2007
The results of a
study which explored some of the ways in which nanotechnologies
could cut the use of non-renewable energy sources and reduce
greenhouse gas emissions are published today.
This study investigated the opportunities and potential obstacles
to adoption of a number of environmentally beneficial
nanotechnologies. The resulting report explores the application of
nanoscience in the areas of insulation, photovoltaics, electricity
storage, engine efficiency and the hydrogen economy.
Speaking at the Royal Society Defra's Chief Scientific
Adviser, Howard Dalton, said:
"It is hard to conceive of
a greater challenge than that of combating climate change.
Today's report indicates the key areas where nanoscience may
help lessen its effects and contribute to achieving society's
ambitions for a sustainable future. However, the report draws
particular attention to the need for government, industry and
scientific communities to work together in answering some of the
fundamental questions regarding the behaviour and toxicity of nanomaterials".
Defra Minister Lord Rooker said:
"The "Environmentally Beneficial Nanotechnologies:
Barriers and Opportunities" report gives a useful account of
the current state of innovation in this important area. Government
is considering the report's recommendations for further
research and action to foster progress and bring about the
adoption of some exciting new technologies."
Commissioned by Defra, the study was carried out by leading
sustainability consultants, Oakdene Hollins.
Notes to editors
Nanotechnology refers to the application of materials at atomic,
molecular and macromolecular scale where properties differ from
those found in the same material in gross form. A human hair is
80,000 nanometres (nm) wide, a red blood cell 7,000 nm wide, and a
water molecule 0.3 nm wide.
More information about all of Defra's activities on
nanotechnologies can be found at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/ENVIRONMENT/nanotech/index.htm
Under this study, five nanotechnological applications were
subject to detailed investigation: fuel additives, photovoltaics
(solar cells), the hydrogen economy, electricity storage and
insulation. In these areas nanotechnology could contribute to
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 2 % in the near term
and up to 20 % by 2050 with similar reductions in air pollution
being realised.
The "Environmentally Beneficial Nanotechnologies: Barriers
and Opportunities" report can be viewed at http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/nanotech/index.htm
Overview of the report's investigations into the
nanotechnology focus areas
Fuel additives: Nanoparticle additives have been shown to
increase the fuel efficiency of diesel engines by approximately 5%
which could result in a saving of 2-3 million tonnes of CO2 in the
UK. This could be implemented immediately across the UK diesel
powered fleet. However, this must be tempered by concerns about
the health impact of free nanoparticles in diesel exhaust gases.
Recommendations include: Comprehensive toxicological testing and
subsidised independent performance tests to validate environmental benefit.
Solar cells: The high prices of solar cells are inhibiting their
installation into distributed power generation, reducing energy
generation from renewables. Nanotechnology may deliver more
benefits in significantly decreasing the cost of production of
solar cells. Conservatively, if a distributed solar generation
grid met 1% of our electricity demand, approximately 1.5 million
tonnes of CO2 per annum could be saved. The major barrier to this
technology is the incorporation of the nanotechnology into the
solar cell, not the nanotechnology itself. The UK is one of the
world leaders in understanding the fundamental physics of solar
cells, but we lack the skills that allow us to transfer our
science base into workable prototypes. Recommendations include:
Develop programs and facilities for taking fundamental research
through to early stage prototypes where established mechanisms can
be employed to commercialise new technologies. Set up a centre of
excellence in photovoltaics which allows cross fertilisation of
ideas from different scientific disciplines.
The hydrogen economy: Hydrogen powered vehicles could eliminate
all noxious emissions from road transport, which would improve
public health. If the hydrogen is generated via renewable means
or using carbon capture and storage, all CO2 emissions from
transport could be eliminated (132 million tonnes). Using current
methods of hydrogen generation, significant savings in carbon
dioxide (79 Mte) can be made. The technology is estimated to be 40
years away from universal deployment. The UK is becoming one of
the front runners in this area. Although we do not have a
substantial automotive R&D base, the international nature of
these companies will allow ready integration of UK innovation into
transport. Recommendations include: The use of public procurement
to fund hydrogen powered buses in major cities to create a market
and infrastructure for hydrogen powered transport. Continue to
fund large demonstration projects and continue R&D support.
Batteries and supercapacitors: Recent advances in battery
technology have made the range and power of electric vehicles more
practical. Issues still surround the charge time. Nanotechnology
may provide a remedy to this problem allowing electric vehicles to
be recharged in less than ten minutes, which is comparable to the
refuelling time of current cars. If low carbon electricity
generation techniques are used, CO2 from private transport could
be eliminated (64 Mte) or, using the current energy mix, savings
of 42 Mte of carbon dioxide could be made. Without nanotechnology,
electric vehicles are likely to remain niche due to the issues of
charge time. Significant infrastructural investment will be
required to develop recharging stations throughout the UK.
Recommendations include: Fast track schemes for commercialisation
and cultivate links with automotive multinationals.
Insulation. Cavity and loft insulation are cheap and effective,
however, there are no easy methods for insulating solid walled
buildings, which currently make up approximately one third of the
UK's housing stock. Nanotechnology may provide a solution
which, if an effective insulation could be found with similar
properties to standard cavity insulation, could result in emission
reductions equivalent to 3 Mte per year. Ultra thin films on
windows to reduce heat loss already exist on the market.
Recommendations include: Fund a DTI technology program call on
novel insulation material for solid walled buildings and retrofit
government offices with highly insulating nanotechnology based windows.
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