Mediaspace scheduled maintenance: Aug 25, 2026 07:00 - 12:00 AM. During this time, videos will be temporarily unavailable. Check status updates.

Lecture

Fuel Strategy

In course

CIVIL-340: Study and analysis of energy systems

L'analyse critique de stratégies énergétiques nécessite de comprendre les différentes filières énergétiques impliquées dans l'approvisionnement en énergie et leurs impacts sur l'économie, l'environnement et la société. Le cours introduit à la formalisation ...

Description

This lecture covers general information on fuels, strategic issues, distribution between local production and import, main biofuel sectors, and the importance of fuels in final energy consumption. The instructor discusses the competitiveness of fuel supply strategies, bioethanol production, and the global production and trade of biofuels.

This video is available exclusively on Mediaspace for a restricted audience. Please log in to MediaSpace to access it if you have the necessary permissions.

Watch on Mediaspace

Instructor

Edgard Gnansounou

1983 Ing. Civil EPFL
1991 Dr ès Sciences techniques, EPFL
Directeur du Laboratoire de systèmes énergétiques (LASEN) de 2003 à 2008
Dès 2008, Responsable du groupe de Recherche en Bioénergie et Planification énergétique
Co-fondateur du bureau d'étude ENERS Energy Concept
Président de la Fondation SUD (Solidarités Universitaires pour le Développement)

Je suis membre de différentes associations professionnelles parmi lesquelles figuent le Conseil Mondial de l'énergie (CME) et l'Association internationale pour l'économie de l'énergie (AIEE). Comme membre du groupe d'étude du CME sur les vulnérabilités, j'ai développé les métriques utilisées pour évaluer la vulnérabilité énergétique des pays industrialisés. Depuis janvier 2008 : membre du Comité d'édition du journal international Bioresource Technology. Depuis 2009: membre du Comité de la "European Biofuels Technology Platform"

Official source

Related concepts (32)

Sustainable biofuel

Sustainable biofuel is biofuel produced in a sustainable manner. It is not based on petroleum or other fossil fuels. It includes not using plants that are used for food stuff to produce the fuel thus disrupting the world's food supply. Low-carbon fuel standard In 2008, the Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels released its proposed standards for sustainable biofuels. This includes 12 principles: "Biofuel production shall follow international treaties and national laws regarding such things as air quality, water resources, agricultural practices, labor conditions, and more.

Algae fuel

Algae fuel, algal biofuel, or algal oil is an alternative to liquid fossil fuels that uses algae as its source of energy-rich oils. Also, algae fuels are an alternative to commonly known biofuel sources, such as corn and sugarcane. When made from seaweed (macroalgae) it can be known as seaweed fuel or seaweed oil. In December 2022, ExxonMobil, the last large oil company to invest in algae biofuels, ended its research funding. In 1942 Harder and Von Witsch were the first to propose that microalgae be grown as a source of lipids for food or fuel.

Food vs. fuel

Food versus fuel is the dilemma regarding the risk of diverting farmland or crops for biofuels production to the detriment of the food supply. The biofuel and food price debate involves wide-ranging views, and is a long-standing, controversial one in the literature. There is disagreement about the significance of the issue, what is causing it, and what can or should be done to remedy the situation. This complexity and uncertainty is due to the large number of impacts and feedback loops that can positively or negatively affect the price system.

Biofuel in Sweden

Biofuels are renewable fuels that are produced by living organisms (biomass). Biofuels can be solid, gaseous or liquid, which comes in two forms: ethanol and biodiesel and often replace fossil fuels. Many countries now use biofuels as energy sources, including Sweden. Sweden has one of the highest usages of biofuel in all of Europe, at 32%, primarily due to the widespread commitment to E85, bioheating and bioelectricity.

Fuel cell

A fuel cell is an electrochemical cell that converts the chemical energy of a fuel (often hydrogen) and an oxidizing agent (often oxygen) into electricity through a pair of redox reactions. Fuel cells are different from most batteries in requiring a continuous source of fuel and oxygen (usually from air) to sustain the chemical reaction, whereas in a battery the chemical energy usually comes from substances that are already present in the battery. Fuel cells can produce electricity continuously for as long as fuel and oxygen are supplied.

Related lectures (30)

Modeling of Energy Value Chains

Explores energy systems modeling, biofuel production, fuel characteristics, and global markets.

Energy Demand of Transport

Explores energy demand modeling in the transport sector, covering energy use of cars and challenges in alternative fuels.

Biomass Energy Transition MOOC: SES Swiss-Energyscope

Explores biomass as a sustainable energy source and its potential in Switzerland, focusing on conversion methods and energy efficiency.

Energy Savings in Public Transport MOOC: SES Swiss-Energyscope

Explores energy savings in public transport, emphasizing the benefits of collective transportation over individual vehicles and the importance of transitioning to renewable fuels.

Engineering the Energy Transition