Special Issue

New Development of the Energy and Environmental Technologies in 21st century

Review

Global warming problem and its countermeasure technologies

Abstract

Owing to the continuing expansion of human activities since the Industrial Revolution, environmental damage affects the entire globe. We must recognize that the Earth is finite， and make our activities subject to the various limitations imposed by the overall global system.

Among the global environmental problems, the global warming is very complex. Global warming is not a simple environmental problem: it is a political problem, because politicians need new paradigm after the cold war, it is also an energy problem, because the main reason for global warming is the burning fossil fuel, and it is a North-South problem, because in the future carbon emission will become a severe problem in developing countries. Other problem is that the scientific evidence of the mechanism of global warming is still unknown.

However, to prevent global warming problem, we need to develop the technologies. In this paper, some countermeasure teclmologies are introduced.

Key words: Global environment， Global warming， Countermeasure technology， Ecotechnology

(Language: Japanese)

Review

R&D Strategy for Energy Utilization Technologies

Abstract

Because of the reason why energies are essential for human beings to survive, taxations, regulations and infrastructures are important as well as energy related technologies to solve the energy problems.

That is, it is indispensable for the R&D for energy utilization technologies to prospect industrial structure in the 21 century. The basic idea of this paper is that the energy security coexists with environmental protection. For this purpose, total energy efficiency has to be increased by cogeneration of power and heat in the dispersed energy system. The main research topics in the 21 century will be as follows; cogeneration with fuelcell, micro-gasturbine and hydrogen engine, energy storage materials for power, hydrogen and methane, clean fuel production for hydrogen, DME and non-sulfur diesel fuel, high efficiency coal fired power generation, environmentally freindly conbustion, reneable energy utilization, heavy oil processing , plastic recycle technologies.

Key words: dispersed energy system, clean energy, energy security

(Language:Japanese)

Review

R&D strategy in Geo-resources Development Technology

Abstract

On 1 April, fifteen research laboratories and institutes belong to AIST will be reorganized and unified in an independent, government-owned Institute. About 70 researchers at National Institute of Resources and Environment and Geological Survey will form a Geo-Resources and Environment Laboratory among around 50 research units. To face such reorganization, it is very important to consider a strategy on research and development of natural resources in the Earth. Recent situation of the resources industry in Japan is briefed and then activities and main researches at 11 research groups in Geo-Resources and Environment Laboratory is introduced.

(Language:Japanese)

Review

Basic Strategy of Research and Development Responding to Preservation and Recreation of Environment

Abstract

There are many kinds of environmental issues such as recycling of resources and/or wastes, environmental problems of big cities, hazardous chemicals, global environmental issues such as global warming. Research and development to be conducted from now is reviewed here, from the standpoints of "Construction of sustainable recycling-economic/social systems where preservation of environment and economic/social activities are harmonized".

(Language:Japanese)

Review

Development of Chemical Risk Management

Review

Life Cycle Assessment

Review

New Industrialization of Japan

Abstract

At the entrance of 21-th century, future direction of industrial technology development in Japan is discussed with viewing the trend of the world and the problems that Japan faces. Rapid increase of human population in developing countries and also their economical development may cause much greater consumption of natural resources and energy. Japan will experience decrease in younger generation and increase in higher generation. The pressure from outside on supplying natural resources and energy and the pressure from inside originated in the fast change of generation structure of population should worsen Japanese society and economy. The only way to break down such a negative situation is to make breakthrough the industrial technology and change the system of human society of Japan to fit the sustainable development.

(Language:Japanese)