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- Mineração nos Fundos Marinhos e Protecção Ambiental: ComentárioPublication . Barriga, Fernando J A S
- The transition: why we need battery swapping for the future energy and transport systemsPublication . Vallêra, AntónioDecarbonization of road transport will have a large impact on the electric power system. We compare the outcomes of the simultaneous decarbonization of the two coupled sectors with road mobility powered by (1) hydrogen, (2) battery plug-in, and (3) battery swapping, against the incumbent model (internal combustion engines that burn diesel oil or gasoline). Battery swapping, which decouples battery charging from vehicle use, outperforms all alternatives. It offers (a) Solution to the problem of decarbonization of heavy long-range transport, (b) Vehicle use and refuelling as simple as today, and (c) Lowest costs for transport: beats Plug-in and is cheaper than diesel and gasoline, while hydrogen powered road transport leads to an annual overcost of the order of 3% of GNP. On the electric power system, grid-connected batteries in swapping stations (a) Turn mobility demand into a flexible load, with the capacity to absorb all renewable generation peaks: incorporation of 90% solar and wind generation in the electric system is not a problem; (b) Provide fast-response firm back-up power to the grid; (c) Contribute very significantly to electric system balance: together with longer-term hydro-storage (in the concrete case of Portugal, our model system), grid stability is achieved with no need for further storage nor high-capacity powerlines for import/export (Investment plans in international connections and in additional storage should be reviewed); (d) Lead to the lowest consumption of electric energy for road transport (The hydrogen option would require at least twice as much); and (e) Lead to a stable electric system with the lowest costs of electricity for the general consumer, because all these benefits come almost for free to the electric system: they are mostly paid for by transport. And low-cost electric energy from a stable electric system will encourage faster decarbonization of many other human activities, from buildings to industry. The battery swapping model for road mobility outperforms so outstandingly all others that we were surprised to find that our study of its consequences in a national electric system was the very first one to be published. We hope other researchers and decision makers will deepen and extend this study, and include the battery swapping model as an alternative for the future transport and power systems.
- Mineração sustentável e responsável em ambiente marinho profundoPublication . Barriga, Fernando J A SVerifica-se presentemente um aumento acelerado da procura e consumo de recursos metálicos, muitos deles críticos, incluindo terras raras, cobalto, níquel, tungsténio, molibdénio, cobre, titânio, nióbio, platinídeos, índio, gálio, telúrio e muitos outros. A sociedade em geral mal se apercebe deste facto, alimentado pelo crescimento da população e sobretudo pelo aumento generalizado do poder de compra, e o concomitante crescimento do consumo de bens de alta tecnologia. A chamada economia circular terá de continuar a ser alimentada por mineração. A situação é particularmente grave para a UE, pois nela produzem-se apenas 5% dos recursos minerais utilizados pela indústria dessa mesma UE. Por este motivo, aumentou muito a procura de novas fontes de matérias-primas minerais, nomeadamente alvos a grande profundidade nos continentes, o Árctico, e os fundos marinhos, destacando-se estes últimos, onde são já conhecidas vastas quantidades de recursos. Mais que partir apressadamente para mineração sub-oceânia profunda em larga escala, precisamos de prontidão, o que implica, entre outras condicionantes, conhecer melhor o ecossistema. À ciência compete indicar o caminho, à indústria adoptar as descobertas científicas, à governança criar o quadro legal, e fazê-lo cumprir. A primeira regra terá de ser sempre “as operações ilegais ou não reguladas têm de ser encerradas”. Urge criar “mineração azul”, que respeite o ecossistema, da mesma forma que necessitamos de pescas e agricultura sustentáveis. Há bons exemplos a seguir, com relevo para o da Noruega. Sem prejuízo da necessária mudança de mentalidades (com menos consumismo), não queremos escolher entre indústria e ambiente, queremos ambos.
- Deep-Sea Mining: a Manageable Necessity or a Curse?Publication . Barriga, Fernando J A SThe dependence of modern societies upon critical raw materials (nearly all metals) is overwhelming. Some believe that demand is growing faster than offer, not only because of geological availability but also for political and economic reasons. For these reasons it is imperative to consider new sources for raw materials.The seafloor stands as a likely candidate. We must create readiness now to be prepared when the need comes. One of the greatest fears is the environmental cost involved in mining the deep seafloor. However, the mining industry no longer deserves its partially not favorable reputation. We need both the resources and the environment. And nIMBY (not In My Back Yard) will not help.