I WHAT IS CARBON?
I WHAT IS CARBON?
II THE CARBON DILEMMA
III WE NEED A CARBON TRANSITION!
IV OUR INSTITUTE
V CARBON TRANSITION TECHNOLOGIES
VI INNOVATIONS FOR SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTS
Facts
Carbon Resources
Types
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Structures
Common Features of Carbon Resources:
- Main elements carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O)
- Carriers of chemically-bounded energy
What contains carbon?
Did you know that …
... carbon and its compounds are the basis of life on Earth? All living beings are made of organic carbon compounds. Together with hydrogen and oxygen, carbon can form complex molecules.
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No plastics | No liquid transportation fuels | Power outages | Unheated houses | No cement | No steel |
What would life be like without carbon?
Without Plastics
…nothing will work. Our life is unimaginable without daily articles, interior decorations, electrical appliances, clothing, toys and vehicles made from plastics. We can reduce, but we can never do without.
Without Liquid Transportation Fuels
…flying and shipping would be impossible.6,7 Similarly for trucks and cars, liquid transportation fuels will
continue to play a big role in the future. Currently, electric and fuel cell vehicles account for less than 1 % of the passenger car fleet.8
Without Energy from Fossil Fuels
… we would have power outages and cold houses.
If we want to continue increasing the share of renewable energies in electricity generation, we must solve the following questions:9
- How can we store fluctuating renewable electricity?
- How can we achieve an energy transition for the sectors of heat supply, transport and industry?
- How can we achieve acceptance for the further expansion of renewable energies?
Primary energy consumption according to energy source, Germany, 201810
Carbon is present in every aspect of our lives and the economy.
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References
- WISSEN-digital Home Page: Kohlenstoff (accessed February 20, 2020); iportale GmbH
- Allègre, C.; Manhès, G.; Lewin, É.: Chemical composition of the Earth and the volatility control on planetary genetics. Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 2001, 185, pp. 49–69
- Geophysics, Astronomy, and Acoustics (Section 14). In: CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics; Haynes, W. M., Ed.; 97th edition; CRC Press LLC (Taylor & Francis Group): Boca Raton, 2017; p. 14–17
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Home Page, Earth System Research Laboratory, Global Monitoring Division: Trends in Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide (accessed February 20, 2020)
- Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Bund für Umwelt und Naturschutz Deutschland (BUND): PLASTIKATLAS 2019; 2nd edition; Möller Druck und Verlag GmbH: Ahrensfelde, 2019; p. 15
- Traa, Y.; Behrendt, F.; Rieck, J.; Krzack, S.; Hannes, J.: Faktensammlung Kohlenstoff Teil 5/8 –Substitutionsmöglichkeiten fossiler kohlenstoffhaltiger Energieträger durch Erneuerbare Energien. In: ERDÖL ERDGAS KOHLE 2019, Heft 3, pp. 110–113
- Concawe (Environmental Science for the European Refinery Industry): Marine Fuel Facts; Brussels, published September 19, 2016 (accessed February 20, 2020)
- Kraftfahrtbundesamt: Bestand an Pkw am 1. Januar 2019 (accessed February 27, 2022)
- Henning, H.-M.; Palzer, A.: 100 % Erneuerbare Energien für Strom und Wärme in Deutschland, Studie Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE; Freiburg, 2012
- Umweltbundesamt Home Page: Primärenergieverbrauch (accessed February 20, 2020)