Civilization For The Future

What is currently happening in modern society, since the industrial revolution at the turn of the 20th Century, has been the unimaginable advancement in technology, science, and civil infrastructure. Along with the production of revolutionary mechanics came an increased demand for fuel, and so the energy and commercial fuel industry grew exponentially. Before the Industrial Revolution, and the successful production of fossil fuels, it took man lifetimes to develop small townships, today cities such as Dubai have been built from the ground up in less than half a generation.

Fossil fuels are the backbone of modern society; from the computer I write this on, to the paper it will be printed on, and the truck on which it will be delivered; society is a series of networks. The world economy continually evolves through the development of communication, transportation, and innovation. To date it is the utilization of hydrocarbon matter that is fueling our economic development.

It is now, as we approach another turning point in civilization, scientists and entrepreneurs alike, are beginning to discover alternative, sustainable, and innovative fuel sources to power our industry.

We are living in exciting times, with infinite possibilities for corporate development and innovation. It is time to re-define the word ‘civilized!’

The Venus Project

The Venus Project, designed by futurist Mr. Jacque Fresco, is one of many social re-formation projects currently developing around the world based on human concern and environmental reclamation. “The Venus Project presents a bold, new direction for humanity that entails nothing less than the total redesign of our culture. There are many people today who are concerned with the serious problems that face our modern society: unemployment, violent crime, replacement of humans by technology, over-population and a decline in the Earth’s ecosystems.” (www. thevenusproject.com)

In his proposals, Jacque Fresco presents a number of energy solutions:

Geothermal Energy

As refinements in conversion technologies increase its feasibility, geothermal energy will come to take on a more prominent role. Readily available in various geographical regions throughout the world, both on land and under the sea, this energy source alone could provide enough clean energy for the next thousand years.

Underwater Turbines

These underwater structures are designed to convert a portion of the flow of the Gulf Stream through turbines to generate clean electric power. These slow rotating turbines would have a centrifugal separator and deflectors to prevent harm to marine life.

Bering Strait Dam

A land bridge or tunnel might be constructed across the Bering Strait. The primary function of this span would be to generate electrical power and house facilities for collecting and processing marine products. Beneath and above the ocean surface would be tunnels for the transport of both passengers and freight. Not only could this structure provide a physical link between Asia and North America, it could also serve as an avenue for social and cultural exchange. This land bridge would perhaps serve as a base for the development of clean fusion power. Pipelines to conduct fresh water from melting icebergs to other parts of the world may also be incorporated.

Solar Power

Solar power has tremendous potential from photovoltaic panels that store energy in batteries for private use to large-scale solar plants on land and in the sea. The radiation that strikes the Earth’s surface each year is more than 10,000 times the world’s energy use. New technologies are constantly merging to harness this potential.
Please visit the Venus Project website for a complete overview of the projects plans and proposals: www.thevenusproject.com

Auroville

Aurovile, currently a small international township in south India supported by UNESCO, has been built in complete accordance with natural laws and sustainable fuel solutions; comprising more than 15% of the total photovoltaic capacity in India. Auroville has more than 150 houses fully powered by photovoltaic panels and about 50 houses that use solar power in conjunction with a state grid connection.

Some communities run solely on solar and wind energy. In the nineties, engineers working in Auroville developed and installed 200 solar home systems and 140 solar water pumps. Solar streetlights were set up along roads, and a central kitchen, which till today serves 1000 meals twice a day, was set up and called the ‘Solar Kitchen,’ after the 15-metre solar collector on the roof, which produces enough steam required to cook the food.

Biogas technology has also been developed in the town. The outcome of the research and development has been a modular prefabricated ferrocement biogas system, suitable for small-scale farm operations, producing biogas in the range of 2 to 4 m3 per day. The township is providing innovation and inspiration for future social models. For more information visit: www.auroville.org

Masdar City

Masdar City is the first non-carbon civil development in the United Arab Emirates, which aims to become a global hub for renewable and clean energy solutions – a place for people to come together and resolve one of man’s greatest challenges. Inspired by the vision of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, to preserve the environment, taking from it only that on which we need to live, Masdar City is currently being developed by Masdar and their investing partners since the beginning of 2008.

“Masdar, established in 2006 in Abu Dhabi is a multi-faceted company advancing the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable energy solutions and clean technologies. Masdar integrates the full renewable and clean technology lifecycle – from research to commercial deployment – with the aim of creating scalable clean energy solutions. Masdar works with global partners and institutions to integrate new research with proven technologies to produce efficient systems and processes that can be replicated globally.” www.masdar.ae

Masdar City houses the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology, first opened to students in September 2009, the institute is the nucleus of R&D activities in the city. Already functioning, it will play a major role in the city’s development.

Some of the technology already developing in the city includes:

• Photovoltaic Technology, which is to provide the base power load, both during the construction and operation phases, and will be integrated into the city at ground and roof level. A variety of panel types will be used, including monocrystaline, polycrystalline and thin film. Photovoltaic power will meet the vast majority of total energy demand.
• Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) technology will be used to provide electricity, as well as heat to provide air conditioning through absorption chiller technology. The high temperatures produced during the day can be stored for overnight use using molten salt storage technology.
• Products that cannot be recycled can be converted to energy by incineration using a number of technologies including pyrolysis and plasma arc gasification.
• Geothermal technology is being evaluated for use in the city. This could provide a constant source of high temperature water or steam for the production of 24-hour cooling.
• A number of technologies are being considered that require less energy than conventional desalination, to provide safe drinking water. Masdar City will change a number of perceptions in relation to water. Homes and offices will have three streams: drinking water, greywater and sewage or blackwater. Wastewater from cooking and bathing will be lightly filtered before being reused for irrigation of indigenous plants.

Masdar City also boasts leading innovation in transport: the city layout is designed to enable most destinations to be within walking distance, as street level will be reserved for pedestrians alone, and other transport will be either underground or by monorail overhead. Currently developing transport technologies include the electric powered Personal Rapid Transport (PRT) system, which provides the privacy and luxury of a taxi, but the sustainability and reliability of a public transport system. The system will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week – making traffic congestion, parking, getting lost or car accidents a thing of the past. www.masdarcity.ae

Fuel For The Future

These new social models are the bringers of hope and inspiration for tomorrow’s world. With many more projects developing across the globe, a new world order is arising.
The fuel sector at the leading edge of social infrastructure carries us forward. With huge investments being made in new energy and social reformation projects, it is an industry with endless possibilities.