Nature protection and sustainable development

СМИТ comprehensively develops and supports “green” technologies using cyclopentane-based polyurethane foam systems.

CFC-based polyurethane foam is prohibited by law in Europe. Since the 1980s, cyclopentane technology has been used exclusively. The use of cyclopentane as a blowing agent allows for a reduction in overall CO emissions.

In table 1 below you can see the difference in the total amount of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.

ENERGY TRANSITION

Why is a change in energy supply necessary?

More than 80% of global energy supplies today are based on fossil fuels and nuclear energy sources. However, it is well known that following this energy supply path is associated with significant problems, which can be summarized in two groups:

  • Limitations of fossil fuel and nuclear energy sources: Both fossil fuels and nuclear energy require the exploitation of limited natural resources. However, fossil fuels are regenerated by biomass, but this process takes millions of years and is inappropriate from a human perspective. The exact time of exhaustion of fossil fuels and nuclear energy depends on how intensively they are consumed, the discovery of new mineral deposits, and the development of new material handling technology. However, it can be generally assumed, based on current consumption, that most fossil fuels and nuclear energy resources will be exhausted by the end of this century.
  • Negative impacts on the environment and living space:The use of fossil fuels and nuclear energy has significant negative impacts and hazards on the environment. One such effect is climate change as a consequence of the anthropogenic greenhouse effect, which can be largely attributed to the combustion of fossil fuels. The risk of nuclear disasters and the remaining unsolved problem of nuclear waste storage are two additional problems associated with this situation.

Basic energy terms

The following terms generally characterize different categories of energy:

Primary energy: Typically, energy in its “raw” form. It has not yet been transformed or processed in a way that makes it more useful (e.g. crude oil, sunlight, etc.)

Secondary energy: transformed and processed energy in a form that can be used by the end consumer (e.g. light petroleum products, electricity, etc.)

Useful energy: any form of energy that a user can use for desired purposes. It is created by converting secondary energy, such as space heating, movement, electric lighting, etc.

At each stage of the conversion process, energy is lost, and the energy lost in this way can no longer be used. The smaller the energy loss, the more efficient the conversion process. Accordingly, the resulting energy loss is the decisive factor in how much primary energy is required to produce a specific amount of useful energy.

Strategic Solutions to Overcome the Energy Crisis

From СМИТ perspective, we see three central strategic solutions to long-term energy supply challenges:

  • Behavior change: As a result of changes in consumer behavior, the demand for useful energy may be reduced. Accordingly, as a consequence, the consumption of primary energy will also be reduced. Consequently, as the demand for useful energy decreases, the demand for primary energy will also decrease. However, the ratio useful energy to primary energy will remain the same.
  • Improving energy efficiency:As a result of the reduction in unproductive energy losses, the demand for primary energy decreases, despite the same level of demand for useful energy. The demand for useful energy remains the same, but the ratio useful energy to primary energy increases, and as a result, the demand for primary energy decreases.
  • Transition to self-renewing energy sources:As a result, neither the demand for useful energy nor the demand for primary energy will change. However, by using self-renewing, clean energy sources, the negative impacts of energy consumption on the environment will be minimized.