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DATA ARCHIV - IFEU "News"
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Modellstadt Mannheim
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 15.12.09 In the research project „Modellstadt Mannheim“, customers of the energy provider MVV-Energie AG in Mannheim have the opportunity to participate in a field test on smart metering, in 2010. With detailed information via internet on their own energy consumption, flexible tariffs and remote load control of electric devices, the customers can contribute to optimising their own energy cost as well as the future energy systems. The IFEU provides scientific support for the research project and evaluates the field test. You are welcome to participate in the field test and you will find more information on www.modellstadt-mannheim.de.
More information ... (in German) |
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Competition for the "Most Innovative Electricity Bills"
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 14.12.09 In 2009, the province of Baden-Württemberg arranged a competition for the “Most Innovative Electricity Bill”. All energy providers with customers in Baden-Württemberg were eligible to take part. The competition was organised by the Ministry of Economic Affairs within the “Baden-Württemberg Strategy for Sustainability”. The objective of it was to make the customers aware of their own energy consumption in order to improve the energy efficiency.
More information ... (in German)
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Green electricity |
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11.12.1009 There has been an increasing demand for green electricity in the last few years. With this growing market the question for the environmental benefit is being raised because the impact on the environment of the different kinds of green electricity varies greatly.
In cooperation with the Öko-Institut e.V. (Institute for Applied Ecology), the Wuppertal Institute and Ö-Quadrat, the IFEU-Institut composed a paper on how to include green electricity into the carbon-footprint of communities.
More information ...
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Renewable Energies - Innovations for a Sustainable Energy Future
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 15.09.09 The brochure "Renewable Energies" has been published by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Saftey(BMU), under coordination by IFEU, for then years now and was now updated.
During this time the the technologies, the social conditions, the promotion instruments, and the knowledge about the ecological aspects of energy supply have made great progress.
More information ...
Presserelease (website BMU) |
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Environtmental Impact of Sweet Sorghum
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 14.08.09 In light of increased discussions regarding the competition between bioenergy and food, Sweet Sorghum has emerged as a promising energy crop. Due to the fact that it can be used for the production of food, first and second generation biofuels as well as for fertilizer, its cultivation is to be encouraged. However, to date neither a consistent picture nor sufficiently reliable scientific documentation exists regarding the crop’s sustainability.
Consequently, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Rome, commissioned the IFEU to investigate the environmental impact of different Sweet Sorghum production systems. These production systems include the production of first and second generation bioethanol from different crop parts as well as a combined use for both biofuels and food.
More information ...
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New Executive Directors
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 01.07.09 Jürgen Giegrich (left) and Markus Duscha (right) are the new executive directors of IFEU. Both have been active at IFEU since two decades and as scientific directors. Ulrich Höpfner (63, middle) was on the board of directors of IFEU and has served for 18 years as the institute’s executive director. “I have had 31 years of responsibility for IFEU – now the younger ones should guide the institute. I leave the bridge but not the ship", Höpfner said in a ceremony with symbolic transfer of the keys to IFEU. The new executive directors expressed their heartfelt thanks to him combined with the hope that Ulrich Höpfner will remain available for the entire IFEU with help and advice in addition to the continuation of his work in the area of traffic and the environment.
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Transport and Air Pollution
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 24.06.09 09 “Agricultural tractors and construction machinery contribute significantly to particle and NOx emissions in Germany” said Hinrich Helms at the 2009 ‘Transport and Air Pollution Symposium’ in Toulouse. But EU emission legislation is already beginning to show some effect. Based on the calculation model TREMOD-MM, which has been developed for the German Federal Environment Agency, he also illustrated that emissions are expected to further decline in the future.
As in previous years, IFEU scientists presented recent research results at the international „Transport and Air Pollution Symposium” (together with the „Environment and Transport Symposium“). His colleague Frank Dünnebeil (right) presented results on the effectiveness of traffic measures for a reduction of NO2 concentrations in the Tyrolean Inn Valley. He also gave an overview on energy consumption and CO2 emissions of traffic in Shanghai.
Presentation on mobile machinery (pdf, 762 KB)
More information on NO2
More information on transport in China
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Sustainable Elements for Chinese Megacity
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 23.06.09 IFEU presents Sustainable Elements for the Development for the Dryland Megacity Urumqi in the Xinjiang Autonomous region of China as part of RECAST Urumqi, a project supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Bonn/Berlin, Germany. Culturebridge Architects, in collaboration with IFEU, developed innovative ideas for the realization of low energy buildings adapted to the desert region with cold winters. The realization of projects will be pursued together with our Chinese partners. The presentation is in German/Chinese, the English/Chinese version will follow.
More information ... |
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German-Chinese School Exchange
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 05.06.09 IFEU provides scientific support for a German-Chinese school exchange focusing on energy efficiency and climate protection. A student group from Middle School No. 8 in Urumqi/Xinjiang visited the Internationale Gesamtschule (IGH) in Heidelberg. The Chinese and German students and teachers particpated in a climate protection campaign by the City of Heidelberg. The exchange was supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung in Stuttgart and resulted from RECAST Urumqi, a project supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Bonn/Berlin, Germany.
More information ...
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GBEP Meeting in Heidelberg
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 23.03.09 The Global Bioenergy Partnership (GBEP) is a forum launched by G8 for the mutual exchange and coordination to promote the global sustainability of bioenergy use. Work is coordinated in Task Forces on greenhouse gas balances and sustainability indicators. The meetings were held in Washington D.C., Rio de Janeiro, Rome, Sao Paulo. On 18 to 20 March 2009, the meeting was held in Heidelberg and arranged by IFEU. Participants from Brazil, China and different UN institutions as well as the G8 countries agreed on a global framework on sustainability standards for GHG, biodiversity and social issues.
Germany and the UNEP will be in the chair for the working group to refine the envi-ronmental criteria including the effects of indirect land use. The first meeting took place in New York in May 2009. The next meeting will be in Paris on 7 July 2009.
More information ...
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Biofuels from Tanzania?
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 20.03.09 IFEU is evaluating the environmental impacts for selected bioenergy projects in Tanzaina under contract with FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) . This includes the assessment of the greenhouse gas balance as well as changes in biodiversity, water resources and soil quality. In many areas of Tanzania forest resources are deplete for charcoal production: are sugar cane plantations for bioethanol production (see photo) a sustainable alternative?
First Elements of the BIAS Analytical Framework, Presentation
(pdf 6 MB)
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Passive house workshop at IFEU with experts from Urumqi/China
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18.03.09 Together with chinese cooperation partners, IFEU experts evaluate the the potential to increase energy efficiency in the future megacity Urumqi in China's Xinjiang province. The project RECAST Urumqi is supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Bonn/Berlin, Germany. During a workshop organized by IFEU, experts from the Urumqi Construction Committee, investors and architects visited low energy building projects in the vicinity of Heidelberg. Together with IFEU, the Chinese partners intend to realize comparable projects in Urumqi, adapted to the climatic, economic and cultural conditions.
More information ... |
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30 Jahre IFEU
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 29.09.08 We celebrated our 30th anniversary!
More information... |
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Bioenergy Use on a Global Scale
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22.08.08 IFEU was commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency to work out criteria for sustainable bioenergy use.
More information...
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Bioenergy from Cereals and Sugar Beet: Energy and Greenhouse Gas Balances
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13.08.08 IFEU was commissioned by the German Biofuel Association (LAB) to evaluate the life-cycle energy balances and greenhouse gas emissions of selected bioenergy paths from cereals and sugar beet including various combinations of biofuel and bioenergy production. The results show that bioenergy paths comprising such co-products with land-use impacts can – given certain boundary conditions – lead to significantly higher savings of fossil energy carriers and mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions than calculated up to now.
More information...
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SUGRE - Sustainable Green Fleets: New Newsletter available
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 17.07.2008 The EU Project SUGRE (Sustainable Green Fleets) promotes alternative propulsion concepts for vehicle fleets. IFEU has made a contribution to the latest edition of the project newsletter: an article on European and German strategies for biofuel certification.
More information... |
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Eco-Inventory of Transport Options with Internet Tools
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02.07.2008 The international association for railways (UIC) and the European Environment Agency (EEA) launch the EcoPassenger and EcoTransIT (new version) internet tools to calculate and compare the energy consumption and emissions of different transport modes in Europe. The scientific methodology, the calculations bases on, were developed in cooperation with IFEU.
More information on EcoPassenger
More information on EcoTransIT |
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Actual Presscommentaries on Biofuel for Transportation
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14.04.2008
More Information (in German)... |
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Biodiesel from Jatropha: are the high expectations justified?
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01.04.2008 IFEU publishes results of life cycle analysis for Jatropha biodiesel.
More information... |
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Environmental and Socio-Economic Assessment of Palm Oil
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04.03.2008 The study analyses the characteristics of palm oil, possibilities of using it for energy as well as the environmental, economic and social consequences thereof. It provides answers to questions regarding impacts on climate change as well as other environmental impacts and gives recommendations for environmental optimisations. Ultimately, the legal framework of the EU and WTO which apply to the regulation of the use of imported palm oil for energy are evaluated.
More information... |
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High NO2-Concentrations in Urban Streets |
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04.02.2008 The ambient air quality limit value for NO2 for the year 2010 is currently exceeded in many busy streets in Europe. Results of current IFEU research give a clearer picture of the reasons of high NO2 concentrations in streets and the effectiveness of reduction measures.
More information... |
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Energy Consulting in Peru |
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 11.12.2007 Peru is planning a Renewable Energy Law to extend its energy portfolio by non-conventional renewable energies. Within a consultation process, IFEU informed governmental decision makers about support mechanisms, ecological and economical consequences of renewable energies.
More information... (in German)
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Hard Coal-Fired Power Plant at Hamburg-Moorburg |
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26.11.2007 In Hamburg-Moorburg a hard coal-fired power plant is planned. Generating an electric power of 1600 megawattts it would be one of the biggest plants in Germany. A study, carried out on behalf of Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz e.V. (BUND), published today shows: the Moorburg plant is far more climate-damaging than many other power plants.
More information... |
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LCA of thermal waste management for combustible waste |
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 05.11.2007 Under support of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety of North Rhine-Westphalia IFEU carried out a study to find out the contribution of the actual waste treatment plants to an environmentally sound waste mangement since any organic waste has to be thermally treated by law (2005).
More information.... (in German) |
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BMU-Brochure
Transport and Environment - Challenges
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 25.10.2007 A brochure, edited by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Saftey (BMU) deals on the challenge how to react on the necessary mobility of the society. In 10 topics problems, results and measures of the Transport and Environmental policy in Germany are presented.
More information (in German) ...
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Alternatives in Treatment of climate-relevant material-flows
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08.10.2007 Under support of the Federal Agency of Environment (UBA) IFEU carried out a study comparing the alternatives in waste treatment with municipal solid waste incineration plants.
More information...(in German) |
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Pilot Study: Acceptance of Vertical Wind Energy Plants
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Oct 08,.2007 In cooperation with the University Halle-Wittenberg, Burg Giebichenstein Highschool for Art and Design Halle, the Technical University Clausthal, PSE GmbH Freiburg and the technical partner TASSA GmbH the potentials of vertical wind energy plants with small capacities are investigated. The study analyses the technical potential of wind energy plants, the economic performance for different categories of operators as well as the social acceptance, the environmental impacts and the operation and export potential.
More information...(in German). |
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Renewable Energies compact
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July 7, 2007 Under support of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety IFEU carried out a study titled "Renewable Energies compact” which gives a survey of essential developments and presents results of relevant system analysis studies. The Fact Sheets are tailored to meet the information requirements of decision makers.
More information... (in German) |
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Local Governments Climate Partnership |
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June 25, 2007 Announced by the German Environment Agency, the project scheme highlights the reactivation of German-American and German-Japanese city partnerships focusing on climate protection. Together with the European association of communities Climate Alliance, ifeu thoroughly investigates the status quo of local climate protection activities in Germany, Japan and the U.S. In order to reveal successful and efficient measures, a benchmark system helps to classify local climate protection strategies under different national framework conditions. The systematic comparison serves as input to involve partner cities in a continuous exchange of ideas and to set up Local Governments Climate Partnerships
More information... |
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Energy Balance
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 June 19,.2007 Which technologies are available for energy-efficient buildings (i.e. zero emission housing) generating heat from renewable sources? Does a regenerative heat ordinance comply with the requirements of the German energy saving ordinance? What are minimum efficiency standards for renewable energies promoted by public subsidies?
The project "Energy Balance" deals with these kind of questions. IFEU is working on strategies that dovetail renewable energies and energy efficiency concerning technical and economical aspects as well as social and instrumental policy. Funds are provided by the Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU).
More Information...(in German) |
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Personal Carbon Footprint |
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June 13, 2007 IFEU developed the first city-specific calculator to determine the personal carbon footprint. This enables, for example, residents in the City of Freiburg to identify their annual carbon emissions. The tool was built on the existing tool by the Bavarian Environment Agency (Landesamt für Umwelt Bayern) which scored the best among eight different CO2-calculators. The German Environment Agency provided research funds; our partner avantTime GmbH was responsible for the programme design.
More information...(in German)
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First Atlas of Climate Protection Projectsl |
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 May 10, 2007 IFEU developed the first atlas of climate protection projects in Germany. For the Metropolitan Region Rhine-Neckar (Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar) the 7th largest region in Germany with a population of 2.4 million, innovative projects are presented. The atlas and the accompanying website provide background information, technical data and photos that appeal to experts and lay persons alike. The project was prepared under commission of MVV Energie AG.
More Information...(in German) |
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Rain Forest for Biodiesel? The Ecological Effects of using Palm Oil as a Source of Energy.
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May 11, 2007 A report of WWF Germany (with major contribution from IFEU) identified the ecological potential and risks when using palm oil as a source of energy. The conclusion: sustainability is currently not ensured and globally applicable standards for the production are needed.
More Information... |
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REACH: The New Chemicals Policy in Europe. What Will Change for Consumers? |
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 April 2, 2007 IFEU-Institut prepared a brochure for the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) in Berlin about the new European chemicals policy REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) that will enter into force on June 1, 2007. What will change for consumers? The BfR brochure „REACH: The new chemicals policy in Europe“ (in German) provides answers.
More Information...
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LCA for Biomass-to-Liquid-fuels |
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February 08, 2007 Funded by the German Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (BMELV), IFEU examined the environmental impacts of BTL (= Biomass-to-Liquid-fuels). BTL fuels are produced from residues such as waste wood and residual straw. Although the production techniques are under development, the life cycle assessment (LCA) identified the considerable ecological potential of BTL; it is competetive when compared to other ecologically attractive alternatives for bioenergy production and use.
More Information...
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Analysis of NExBTL, a Novel Biofuel |
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February 08,2007 IFEU prepared an energy and greenhouse gas balance of a novel biofuel (NExBTL) that is being developed by Neste Oil Company, Finnland. The biofuel is produced in a proprietary conversion process for vegetable oils and animal fats and leads to significant reduction in vehicle emissions when blended with conventional diesel fuel. The life cycle assessment (LCA) for NExBTL shows advantages over conventional diesel fuel, depending primarily on the origin of the used vegetable oil.
More Information... |
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Price of Energy Rising, Social Consequences and Climate Protection |
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December 18, 2006 Together with ISOE, IFEU is investigating the consequences of the increasing cost of energy for recipients of unemployment benefits (Arbeitslosengeld II) and welfare. The legal regulations are analysed. Possible means of action as well as stumbling blocks for an efficient use of heating power and household electricity in the affected households were identified in relation to climate protection aspects. The initial phase of the project is supported by the Hans-Böckler-Stiftung.
More Information...
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Implementing the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV) in Baden-Württemberg |
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December 17, 2006 In collaboration with ECONSULT Rottenburg, IFEU is examining the implementation of the Energy Saving Ordinance (EnEV 2002) in the German state of Baden-Württemberg. With the introduction of EnEV 2002, the requirements for architects and builders have increased. The integrated approach stipulated by law now requires that all those involved in the building process work together. At the same time, the government is no longer the controlling authority within the framework of deregulation, hence the implementation of the EnEV for new buildings and restoration of older buildings must mainly be taken care of by private enterprises. The need arose to critically monitor this regulation and its success as far as achieving the climate protection goals is concerned.
More Information...
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Guideline for Sustainable Mobility Education at Schools |
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December 17, 2006 Commissioned by the Federal Environment Agency, a guideline for teaching sustainable mobility at schools has been developed by IFEU in collaboration with the VCD (German Transportation Club) and the Pädagogische Hochschule (Teacher’s College) Schwäbisch-Gemünd. The objective of sustainable mobility is to make the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation – a bicycle, scooter, your feet or the bus and train – “socially acceptable” at school. Pupils should discover the fun of an independent, environmentally friendly type of mobility and learn how to recognise their own responsibility when choosing a type of transportation.
More Information... |
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Renewable Energies in Nigeria – IFEU Consults |
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October 31, 2006 Nigeria, a country rich in oil, natural gas and coal reserves, develops a "Renewable Energy Master Plan". Renewable energies should help to improve the rural population’s access to modern energy, reduce the amount of firewood needed and reduce the release of greenhouse gases in the country. Within the framework of a cooperation with the Goethe Institute, IFEU staff members were available to provide consultation to Nigerian energy experts in defining goals, using political instruments and setting up structures for capacity building.
More Information ...
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Innovative Electricity Bills |
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October 10, 2006 The DIW Berlin has commissioned IFEU to investigate which role innovative and more comprehensible types of electricity bills play a role in helping private households keep their electricity consumption under control. The scheme is part of the project “TIPS – Transformation and Innovation in Power Systems” within the framework of the BMBF research programme Social Ecological Research.
More Information…. |
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Sustainable Waste Management |
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September 1, 2006 An IFEU study (April 2005) on the contribution of waste management to sustainable development in Germany proved that legal regulations and voluntary agreements have helped to reform national waste management according to sustainable development. Commissioners were the Environmental Ministry together with the Federal Environment Agency. Data forming the basis of the subject has been updated and can be found within the new BMU brochure:
Weitere Informationen …. |
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Our Ecological Recommendation: Regional Beer from Reusable Bottles!
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July 18, 2006 - A recent LCA done by IFEU compares 500 ml aluminum cans with reusable glass bottles under specific and case-dependent conditions.
More information.... |
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IFEU Article on Energy Savings from Lightweight Constructions
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July 17, 2006 - Transport vehicles, reduced in weight, can achieve significant energy savings. You find main sources of savings for different vehicles and their global reduction potential within the article published by IFEU in the International Journal of LCA.
More information... |
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Effective Consulting Modules to Reduce Power Consumption in Private Households
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July 10, 2006 - Power consumption of private households in Germany is raising constantly. A project, funded by BW-Plus Baden-Wuerttemberg, examined which offers motivate households to use power more efficiently. Read the preliminary report.
More Information... |
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Concept of energy efficiency for the city of Aachen
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June 26, 2006 - For the first time, IFEU has published a local concept of energy efficiency, including requirements of the EU directive on energy end-use efficiency and energy services into the local action plan. The directive demands total annual energy reductions of 1%.
More information ... |
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What is the Contribution of the Energy Saving Regulation (EnEV) and the Energy Saving Incentive Programm "KfW-CO2-Gebäude- Sanierungsprogramm" to the National Climate Protection Programme?
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May 29, 2006 - IFEU Heidelberg investigated the issue in coooperation with the Institute for Housing and Environment (IWU) on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency. Other than CO2 reduction potentials, the study also identified optimisation potentials. Regarding EnEV, we analysed the implementation procedure, determined by specific implementation rules of the federal states. The final report is now available.
More information... |
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Sludge Disposal :
An Inventory
published as part 3 of the series "Siedlungswasser- und Siedlungsabfallwirtschaft Nordrhein-Westfalen" |
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 May 2, 2006 - Contents range from the state-of-the-art sludge disposal up to possible threshold values for an agricultural reuse of sludge. The studyparticularly treats subjects of sludge contaminants and a new ecological evaluation of sludge disposal in North Rhine-Westphalia, also considering possibilities how to recover phosphorus.
The Institute for Urban Water Management at RWTH Aachen collected and updated research on the difficulties of sludge treatment in cooperation with IFEU on behalf of the Ministry for the Enivonment, Nature, Agriculture and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia.
More information...
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Brochure"Renewable Energies - Innovations for the Future " completed and updated |
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 May 2, 2006 - The debate on future options of the German energy system emphasizes the important role of renewable energy technologies - 20 years after the terrible catastrophy in Tschernobyl and enhanced by an active discussion on rising prices for oil and gas. IFEU co-ordinated the complete revision of the brochure "Renewable Energies - Innovations for the Future" on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU). Our partners were the German Aerospace Center and the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research. The comprehensive and demonstrative brochure illustrates technologies of renewable energies, but also markets and costs, environmental consequences, political instruments and scenarios of the future energy supply.
More information... |
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Evaluation of Stationary Energy Consulting Services from Consumer Organisations |
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April 25, 2006 - Successful Energy Consulting?
Commissioned by the German Consumers Organization (vzbv) IFEU examined energy savings and the amount of CO2 reductions due to free energy consulting.
More information... |
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Sustainable Biomass Potentials in Baden-Wuerttemberg |
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April 20, 2006 - This report was funded by BUND, Baden-Wuerttemberg (Friends of the Earth Germany).
More information... |
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