TEACHING ”RENEWABLES” TO FUTURE DECISION MAKERS Arne A.Grimnes

1. FORNYBAR ENERGI - UNDERVISNING FOR FREMTIDENS BESLUTTNINGSTAKERE TEACHING ”RENEWABLES” TO FUTURE DECISION MAKERS Arne A.Grimnes Agricultural University of Norway - NLH

2. Why don’t we see a more massive utilization of passive and active new renewables and energy efficiency in our countries than we actually do ? • - even in cases where renewables would be environmentally AND economically preferable ??? • Insufficient research ?? • Insufficient technology ?? • Insufficient profits ?? • Insufficient public interest ?? • Insufficient political interest ?? • Insufficient information to contractors ?? • Insufficient information/education ??

3. What are the causes of this lack of effort in utilizing solar energy - • where reasons of technology or cost are not involved? • Strong economic interests want to avoid the competition which renewables would create on the energy market. • Economic and/or political interests are reluctant to give up the political power which is inherent in traditional, centralised forms of energy supply. • Lack of knowledge among decision makers and contractors. Solar energy is a “new” idea for many engineers, architects, builders, politicians and bureaucrats (aged 40-65). Apart from superficial coverage, it has not formed a meaningful part of their education at any level, other than perhaps during short post-education courses.

4. Lack of knowledge among decision makers and contractors • The current generation which holds political and economical power learnt at school that energy means: • fossil energy • atomic energy • and possibly some hydroelectric energy • The engineers and architects who build our society have learnt the same during their university studies. • They have all undoubtedly heard something about the new renewable energy sources, but have not acquired a solid foundation of knowledge which an early and basic introduction would have given them.

5. Decision makers • Local plumber • Local architect • Local building contractor • Local councillor • Local civil servant • Town planner • MP • Civil cervant • Minister of energy, Minister of education, Minister of finance, Minister of environment • Environmental activist

6. Case study: Norway Power consumption: 220 TWh (50% hydro) New renewable: 6% (bio) Population: 4 mill. (55000 kWh pp) College education: 40% today SUN: 1000 W/sqrm 1000 kWh/sqrm/year

7. Dagsavisen (National newspaper) Feb.10. 1999 BELLONA WANTS 20 GASS POWERPLANTS …Bellona leader Frederic Hauge rejoices as Aker Maritim presents plans to build CO2 and NOx-free gas powerplants ... Bellona is one of Norways politically most important environmental organisations

8. Chairman of Hordaland Countys Social democratic party, Ranveig Frøyland, March 99: … Frøyland reacts negativly towards Governmental plans to use 5000 million kroner (650 mill. $) to develop new renewable energy sources. ………. “They want to build 3TWh of wind energy. This is equivalent to 1000 wind turbines”. ... Frøyland fears both the noice from the vindturbines and the fact that they will spoil the landscape. Ranveig Frøyland, 53 Minister of energy 96-97 Elementary school 7y Lower secondary school 2y

9. The Oslo School of Acitecture Length of study: 5 years Curriculum: Daylight in buildings none Natural ventilation none Solar energy - passive none Solar energy - active none Energy efficiency none

10. Norwegian wind resources are three times as rich as the Danish: (Our coastline is 4000 - 60000 km and we have more wind) Apr.17. 1998: NVE warns against wind energy in Norway “The development of wind power in Norway can become a costly experience, with economic failure for the companies, waste of governmental subsidies and a ruined environment along our coast” This is the content of the advicory report that Minister of Energy, Marit Arnstad in a few days will receive from Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate (NVE). ... director general Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate NVE

11. It is not easy to change the way people think, and it is too late to try to change the minds of people aged in their (30’s?) 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. Norwegian decision-makers anno 1999

12. The government orders energy efficiency initiatives … The governmental decision implies that all new official buildings must be prepared for heating from new renewable energy resources, such as wind energy, bioenergy, heatpumps and solar energy … Marit Arnstad, 37 Minister of energy 97-99 Elementary school 9y Upper secondary school 3y University (law) 6y

13. This project is one of many environmental projects initiated by the Ministry of Education, Research and Church Affairs. This project shows a way of introducing solar energy in to the physics curriculum in the upper secondary school. Our main goal has been to measure the global solar radiation continuously and to use the results as a starting point for a discussion about the potential of solar energy. The project started in 1991. In the school year of 1996/97 55 schools participate. In 1998 there were about 35 active schools. During the year of 1997 Finland introduced SOLIS in ten Finnish schools as part of their new school physics project named SCHOOL PHYSICS. In addition Latvia started in the fall 97. In Denmark SOLIS initiated a daughter project called FotoSOL. See: http://www.hordaland.vgs.no/fysikk/solis.htm SOLIS 1991-99 800 students x 8years

14. MEIS Energy efficiency in schools E.g.: Bergen 104 schools Pupils register the total energy consumption each week together with the caretaker. Curves are plotted. E/T-curves are produced.

15. M E I S S O L I S Solar energy in Norwegian schools

16. Demonstra-tion and Education project for Renewable Energy as part of university physics teaching: 1. Solar heat 2. Solar electric 3. Wind 4. Biomass 5. Solar stirling 6. Solar food

17. Solar Stirling engine with music box playing “The International” Thermo-dynamics: Stirling engine collection (solar and non-solar) Heat pump modell Stirling engines used in physics laboratory exercises Energy supply: Hot coffe

18. SUNBIKE Electric bicycle with student constructed solar power system. Used in university promotion leaflets

19. Near future decision makers Gjermund Mamen, 24 Physicist. M.Sc July. 99. Thesis: Solar energy Physics teacher in upper secondary school Aug. 99. Anne Gerd Imenes, 25 Physicist. M.Sc. Aug 99. Thesis: Solar energy Wants to work in Ministry of Energy Roar Fjeld, 27 Chartered engineer May 98. Thesis: Bioenergy Chief engineer in Energy Efficiency department in Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate.

20. DECISION MAKERS of TOMORROW

21. With the limited resources available to people who are active in the solar energy environment, efforts have to be directed to where they will have maximum effect. Let us direct these efforts in particular towards the secondary schools and tertiary education colleges. It is by tea-ching the new genera-tion about solar energy and the other renew-able energy sources, that our work will have the greatest impact. This strategy is a long term one, but an effective one. Every prime minister, energy minister, politician, engineer, architect and town planner has been a school pupil once. All carry with them knowledge and attitudes which were formed during their childhood and youth.