Solar Energy R&D in the Ec Series E: – serie

This book is the first volume of a new ser ies on solar energy researeh and developnent whieh is earried out in the European Communi ty. The Commission of the European Cammunity's Directorate General (XII) for Researeh, Scienee and Edueation is eurrently implementing, on a eost-sharing hasis, a solar energy R+D programme through eontraets wi th European industry, researeh institutions and universities. This programme eovers the following sectors : Project A Solar Energy Applieations to Dwellings project B Thermo-mech. Solar Power Plants project C Photovoltaie Power Generation project D Photochemieal, Photoelectrochemical and Photobiological Processes project E Energy fram Biamass project F Solar Radiation Data project G Wind Energy project H Solar Energy in Agricul ture and Industry In the course of the programme the Commission organises each year several coordination meetings to which the contractors within each sector are invited to present details of their work.As the information presented at these meetings is recent and of high interest for other researchers working in these particular sectors, the Commission has decided to start this new ser ies of publieations in cooperation with D. Reidel Publishing Campany in order that this new infor- mation ean be quickly and widely circulated for the benefit of advancement and progress in the whole field of solar energy.

This l:::ook comes as part of a new series on Solar Energy R+D, includlng Biomass which is carried out by the Euro:pean Community.. The commission of the European Comrmmities' Directorate General (XII) for Science, Research and Developnent is currently implementing, on a cost-sharing basis, a solar energy R+D pro;Jranune through contracts with European industry, research institutions and uni versi ties. This prcgrarrrrne includes a very strong acti vi ty on Biomass. Besides general R+D work on all aspects of Biomass growth and utilization which is reported elsewhere in this series, the Canmission is currently starting a new activity on Pilot Plants based on the use of Biomass for energy purp:Jses, and in particular on methanol prcx:luction from wood. The commission considers that the subject of methanol prcxiuction from wood offers llnp:Jrtant prospects for application wi thin the European Canmilllity and in other parts of the world, in particular some of the developing countries & The state of art in Europe In this field is still considered to be very high as a result of related work which was performed in Europe during ~vorld War II and the time before.

Proceedings of the EC Contractors' Meeting held in Brussels, 5-7 May 1982

Proceedings of the Workshop and EC Contractors' Meeting held in Capri, June 7-8, 1983

We are happy to introduce the Handbook of Charcoal-Making, a comprehensive survey written by a competent expert with international experience. The book was prepared by the Commission of the European Communities in the frame of its R + D programme on biomass. In the European Community today the biomass option is only little developed: a huge resource is waiting for use. Actually, there is ample scope for biomass utilisation as it bears promise in some of the vital sectors of modern society. Development of indigenous and renewable energy sources, creation of new employment, recycling of wastes and improvement of the environment, restructuring of European agriculture, development of the Third World, they are all concerned. It is important to note that the exploitation of the biomass resource is largely related to its conversion into a marketable product. However, as many of the conversion technologies are not yet well established or need improvement, R + D is more than ever the critical pathway to get access to the benefits of biomass utilisation. In the European Communities I R + D programme, thermal conversion of biomass is developed with priority. Gasification as well as pyrolysis development projects are being supported by the Commission in European industry and universities. Pyrolysis is particularly attractive because the conversion products charcoal and pyrolytic oil are very convenient in use, technologies are relatively simple and projected pay-back times favourable. -v- Charcoal making is just the simplest and oldest form of pyrolysis.

This l:::ook comes as part of a new series on Solar Energy R+D, includlng Biomass which is carried out by the Euro:pean Community.. The commission of the European Comrmmities' Directorate General (XII) for Science, Research and Developnent is currently implementing, on a cost-sharing basis, a solar energy R+D pro;Jranune through contracts with European industry, research institutions and uni versi ties. This prcgrarrrrne includes a very strong acti vi ty on Biomass. Besides general R+D work on all aspects of Biomass growth and utilization which is reported elsewhere in this series, the Canmission is currently starting a new activity on Pilot Plants based on the use of Biomass for energy purp:Jses, and in particular on methanol prcx:luction from wood. The commission considers that the subject of methanol prcxiuction from wood offers llnp:Jrtant prospects for application wi thin the European Canmilllity and in other parts of the world, in particular some of the developing countries & The state of art in Europe In this field is still considered to be very high as a result of related work which was performed in Europe during ~vorld War II and the time before.