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The great mountain ranges of the world possess very special characteristics: They develop in areas with climatic conditions that are different than those of the surrounding areas, principally, greater precipitations (snow), greater solar radiation, greater thermal oscillations between day and night, and stronger winds. The high mountain environment is very hostile for the development of life. Only some plant and animal species that are adapted to these conditions in a major way are capable of surviving. Most of these species populated much wider areas during the last glacial period and slowly withdrew toward the mountains as the temperature of the planet increased. For this reason, the high mountain ecoysystems could be the most affected by global warming. If the temperature increased notably, the plants and animals that populate the mountains would virtually have nowhere to go, nowhere to “keep going up,” which could cause the extinction of a good percentage of them.

The Montseny is a small mountainous massif located to the northeast of Barcelona that constitutes the area of transition between the warmer and dryer atmosphere of the Mediterranean and the colder and more human (Atlantic) of the north of Spain and the west of Europe. According to this research, from 1945, the altitudinal limit of the plant species of the representative Atlantic areas of this mountain range had increased by several dozens of meters (70 in the case of the Haya), while others had disappeared.

Last week a team of Austrian scientists published the results of a study that took place in several areas of the Dolomite Alps (Italy) and arrived at the same conclusion. In only five years, the richness of the species has increased in more in elevated areas than in the inferior sub-levels or in the areas bordering the tree line, an even lower level. The increase of the number of species found in the higher areas is due to the apparition of species that are more characteristic of the lower levels (species belonging to the higher areas have only arrived to the highest peak). In the tree line areas, while the number of species hasn’t increased, the abundance of trees and bushes has.

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Metro Buddy is Norwegian technology’s new revelation, an electric car for urban use, with the premise of not emitting hardly any contaminating elements. While it has reduced dimensions, it can reach between 80 and 120 kilometers of autonomy with just one charge of its nickel (NiMH) or lithium rechargeable battery, reaching a speed of 80 kilometers an hour. It’s a three-seater vehicle.

It’s projected for the market in December 2009, and, while it’s price is yet undecided, it’s predicted to be affordable.

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According to the Marine Climate Change Partnership’s recent report, ocean acidity, caused by an increase in the quantity of CO2 in the ocean, has increased 30 percent in the last 200 years. This carries serious consequences for the marine ecosystem and for the climate. The ocean absorbs the CO2 that’s in the atmosphere, but since the emissions have increased with time, the ocean has turned more acidic, which means that it will not only absorb less CO2 in the future but that the corals, plankton, shellfish and other essential links in the food chain will be threatened. In fact, climate change has already caused changes in the plankton, the distribution of fish, and the composition of the species in the oceans around the United Kingdom.

A British research program centered on the Northeast Atlantic, Antarctic, and Arctic will study the consequences of acidification on biodiversity, the habitats, the species and general socio-economic consequences. The five-year project costing 11 million GBP will be financed by Rural Affairs (DEFRA) together with the Natural Environment Research Council of the UK.

The shop will reduce their CO2 emissions by 2.76 tons, a highly improved change in their energy consumption. To do so, all of the lighting in the shop has been changed to led and low-consumption Downlight. Their consumption is 40 percent less than other stores, promising to motivate other shops to follow their example. Customers will also receive their goods in biodegradable bags.

Ecological care was the Lopez Villanueva’s motive for developing this new project, which has been expensive, but they affirm that it’s worth investing such a budget that will recuperated in time.

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Scientists examined the registered data from 1948 to 2004 of the flow of 925 rivers, which constitute approximately 73% of the world’s supply of running water. They discovered that climatic change has impacted approximately one third of the mightiest rivers. The ones that experienced a decrease in flow more than doubled the ones that had increased water levels.

Additionally, while fewer, there are also growing rivers, such as those in high latitudes close to the Arctic Ocean, which are making ice and snow melt quickly.

Other rivers in Asia, such as the Brahmaputra in India and the Yangtze in China, remain stable or have registered an increased flow, but this, in turn, is generating concern for the gradual disappearance of the Himalayan glaciers.

Also alarming is the fact that as the rivers’ fresh water flow decreases, the oceans grow saltier. For example, the Mississippi River’s flow decreased approximately 6%.

Drinking water could be affected by these great rivers that are drying up. Their decreased flow also reduces the water available for watering, which will affect crops, and thus an entire system.

Ángel Blázquez, computer sector promoter, and Pablo Machón, well-known member of the free software community, have led the development project of this 700-gram portable computer that combines free software, the use of renewable energy via solar panel, environmental friendliness thanks to its bioplastic construction, and mobility via GSM connectivity.

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Environmental friendliness affects everything from the design of buildings to cars and now includes technology. With this mini PC the use of renewable energies and biodegradable materials is guaranteed. The computer charges via solar panels, which prolong the life of the battery and allow an autonomous operation. Its casing is made of bioplastic, a material that doesn’t increase the level of CO2 in the atmosphere.

Characteristics of the iUnika mini PC
Because of its characteristics, it’s a unique piece of equipment on the market: it’s eco-efficient, 100% free, of reduced dimensions and, despite its low cost, it’s even aesthetically attractive.

The iUnika mini PC chassis is made of bioplastic, an environmentally friendly material that’s obtained from renewable resources of natural origin such as starch, cellulose or corn flour and, therefore, totally biodegradable.

The iUnika solar mini netbooks have a bigger ecological component than other models because they incorporate solar panels in their chassis that allow the batteries to be recharged, giving the netbook an autonomy of more than four hours.

The iUnika GSM model answers to the demand of a growing profile of users – those who give vital importance to both mobility and connectivity. The snug size (23×16 cm) and the reduced weight (700 grams) turn iUnika into a very comfortable netbook.

See iUnika technical description

Mission Seedbomb would use a bomber aircraft to launch seed capsules over arid areas that, in their natural state, would have vegetation but instead have been deforested by human action. The capsules are made of biodegradable plastic and contain artificial soil that moisturizes and nurtures the seed until the plant grows sufficiently to survive on its own. I68I I69I I70I

According to Yankodesign.com, Hwang was inspired by the story of the American pilot Gail Halvorsen, who after World War II dropped candy from a bomber aircraft to the children of Berlin in the name of hope.

What’s important here is to understand that this wide definition includes the means of high technology and control, but also explicitly favors a progressive, preventive focus, such as the prevention of contamination and cleaner production technologies. This principle is oriented, therefore, toward a cleaner technology whose function is to facilitate a benefit or human service, instead of centering on products and benefits.

For example, environmentally sound technologies proceed from the climatic change area and collaboration with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climatic Change (IPCC). Here the goal is to encourage the use of technologies that can result in reduced gas emissions that produce the greenhouse effect, in particular carbon dioxide CO2.

This is the second INNOVATION GALLERY to be organised in the scope of the Trade Fair. It has already proven to be an ideal platform for communicating the results of research conducted in both the public and private areas. This year´s INNOVATION GALLERY has been opened up to allow all companies and institutions to present their proposals, free of charge, regardless of whether or not they are linked to the trade fair. The only requirement was that the project should have a real application and be market orientated.

I49I The purpose of this exclusive, successful initiative, organised by IFEMA as part of GENERA, is to promote the development of renewable energies in the Spanish market based on practical examples.

Selected companies and projects
The photovoltaic energy technology is the most widely represented sector in the INNOVATION GALLERY, with six projects. Preventing overheating and increasing the performance and durability of installations are among the problems that have been solved by the companies exhibiting in this area. These include the INTEGRABUS system developed by BP Solar, which makes it unnecessary to assemble electrical connections separately. SWIVEL SUN, an innovative solar tracker designed by Efener Enginyeria, is based on a mechanical design and control system that improves photovoltaic plant output by between 20% and 30% when compared to conventional static fixing structures, lengthening the useful life in outdoor conditions by up to 25 years. In the meantime, Greenpower is presenting a new AC continuous current modular inverter for large photovoltaic installations which, thanks to its master/slave technology, means repose conversion units are always available, leading to an increased power output of more than 0.5%.

To improve the efficiency of thermal or photovoltaic installations, the company Procesos Y Soluciones Solares has invented a protective system for capturers called KUBERTOR, which is activated or deactivated by temperature sensors, as required. Not only does it safeguard the system from overheating, the structure also protects against storm damage. The company Eurener is presenting an autonomous wireless solar system at this year’s INNOVATION GALLERY, specifically designed for locations where there is difficulty accessing the electricity network, such as urban, rural or naval environments.

This state-of-the-art photovoltaic technology project links this method of power generation with architecture. Vidursolar combines the traditional functions of the walls of buildings with design, making it possible to choose colours or silkscreen panels. This technology gives architects a wide range of options for creating modern, ecological, sustainable designs.

Energy efficiency
Another of the energy efficiency ideas focuses on the construction sector. EDIFICIO ALEXANDRA, presented by engineering company Abac Enginyers, is a complex of 168 subsidised houses in Sabadell, which has obtained the “A” energy classification, the highest possible for a building, granted to those with minimum CO2 emissions. This classification was made possible by the incorporation of innovative construction techniques in both the passive architectural elements (orientation, natural ventilation…) and the types of installations used for lighting, heating, cooling and the production of sanitary hot water based on a geothermal heat pump. One of the most highly-valued aspects of this project was the fact
that it can be reproduced.

The search for energy efficiency was also the objective of the company Eco-Raec with its ELECTRO KINETIC ROAD RAMP project. This device is designed for areas with heavy traffic, transmitting the energy produced by vehicles circulating on the roads to generators without emitting any type of contaminating waste. The energy generated could be used for public street lighting, illuminated traffic signs and all types of electronic devices on the roads.

Biomass
Two biomass electricity generating projects have also been chosen for the GENERA 09 INNOVATION GALLERY. The firm Enreco 2000 has developed the PROCESO GRAU for reducing emission volumes, multiplying biomass energy power and removing a stage from the conversion process. A two-step process is used to turn raw materials into energy: Dry distillation of the wood is followed by gasification of the vegetable carbon obtained. Eratic will be presenting its ELECTROTERM plants, a pioneering trigeneration system that produces a combination of heat, cold and electricity using biomass fuel. This technology is already in use in a hospital to the south of Paris where 625 kW of electrical energy and 3,160 kW of thermal energy have been produced to supply the hospital with hot water, heating and air-conditioning. This has cut CO2 emissions by 4,500 tonnes.

Wind power
The wind power sector will also be represented by three projects at this cutting-edge presentation; two of them involving mini wind energy technology.

The company Esdras Automática is using a sub-blade structure to reduce the volume of a conventional turbine blade by 41.7%. This means significant cost savings in terms of wind turbine components without sacrificing energy output. Simulations carried out over a full year showed increased production of 2.9% over the conventional model. In the same area, Teican Medioambiental will be showing the advantages of the WINDSPOT. A tool consisting of small wind turbines with passive orientation, it enables the power of the mini wind farm to be regulated, while increasing production. The company Mariah Power will also be presenting an innovative project using this technology: the WINDSPIRE, a 1.2 KW vertical axis blade-free wind turbine, manufactured using 95% recycled materials, which will harness low altitude wind power.

Cogeneration
The cogeneration sector is represented by two projects at the INNOVATION GALLERY. Firstly, the Fundación Cidaut, which has developed a compact cogeneration plant from lignocellulosic biomass capable of producing 100 kW of electrical energy and up to 200 kW of thermal energy. A process uses ‘poor gas’ which fuels four engines, each fitted to a generator. The second project selected is by the company Turbomach, which has presented two cogeneration turbines: TITAN 250 and MERCURY 50. These devices increase energy efficiency in the plants and improve performance by 40%, they also reduce fuel consumption thanks to their ability to recover heat. This technology can also reduce NOx emissions by up to 90% and CO2 emissions by 30%.

Wave power generation
The WEDGE PROJECT, specialising in wave power generation, is the proposal of Wedge Global for this edition of the INNOVATION GALLERY. The generator designed by this firm is based on a multi-translator concept –the mobile part of the generator- which eliminates the problem of scalability and permits the development of high-powered machines, with ranges of around 1,500 V. The main advantage over lineal generators is its reliability, based on mechanical simplicity because no magnets are used in the structure.

The Universidad De León E Isolux Corsán presented a Project for purifying waste water using biocatalytic electrolysis to obtain hydrogen, a fuel with no c ontaminating emissions. This centre is also researching production and purification of the
hydrogen obtained from biowaste fermentation.

The final project showcased at the GENERA INNOVATION GALLERY is by the company Grammer Solar, which has designed a solar air collection system known as JUMBOSOLAR. It consists of a device for heating rooms, either simply heating areas or for industrial processes. Using solar radiation, it heats the air and directs it into the living area. This model can also be used for room ventilation, because the air always comes from outside. The system cuts CO2 emissions by 3,400 kg per annum.

Thomas W. Swetnam, director of UA’s Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research and co-author of the article published in the magazine Science, said that human-induced forest fires make up around 20 percent of the greenhouse effect and added that this percentage could increase in the future. Swetnam said, “It’s very clear that fire is a primary catalyst of global climate change” and that the published article is a “call to arms to earth scientists to investigate and better evaluate the role of fire in the Earth system.”

Until now scientists’ and biologists’ main concern has been deforestation. However, this recent conclusion is eye-opening because it’s one fifth of global warming. Forest fires affect the Earth’s system through ecosystems, biodiversities, carbon reserves and climate. David Bowman, Swetnam’s research colleague, said that one of his main concerns is that “We’re most concerned that fire has not been rigorously and adequately incorporated in the climate models. It’s remarkable that such an integral part of the landscape has been so sidelined.” These scientists also point out that the capacity for controlling fire could diminish in the future as climate change alters is patterns.