| In this issue | Issue 3 - February 2009 |
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Overcoming climate change is the number one
engineering challenge of the 21st century. Emissions of greenhouse gases
have to be reduced to a sustainable level. In this respect, engineers
have a key role to play, as they are involved in every energy system and
hold valuable knowledge of new sustainable technologies. Or as Søren Skibstrup
Eriksen, Chairman of the Danish Society of Engineers’ Steering Group on
Climate and Energy, puts it: “Engineers have a unique position as those
who can push knowledge and facts into the discussions and decisions”.
The following article presents such knowledge and facts in three areas:
a recent technology conference; ASME’s commitment to climate change; and
an innovative engineering solution to capture solar energy.
…
Read more
ASME standards have become a practical guide
for quality compliance in our company, especially
regarding calculation and design of our mechanical systems. Over the years,
we have been looking for standards that get deep into details, not limited
to just abstract guidelines, but digging into the subject deep enough
to be applied on real models with minor interpretation requirements…Read
more
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Future Climate - Engineering Solutions Conference
Taking place in Copenhagen, 18-19 September 2009, this
conference was an initiative of the engineering societies of
Denmark, Germany, Sweden and Norway. Its aim was
to launch the development
of so-called national technology-based climate plans,
providing realistic technology scenarios to the UN Climate COP15 Conference
that will take place in Copenhagen in December 2009. Thirteen societies
from around the globe took part in the conference, including ASME.
In line with the ASME Global Summit on the Future of Mechanical Engineering, this conference underlined the crucial and immediate role of engineering in facing the energy and environmental challenges ahead of us. In fact, the challenges are no longer ahead; we are in the middle of them.
Various experts from industry and research institutes provided briefings and presented the latest facts and scientific forecasts on climate change. This included detailed information and feasibility updates on sustainable energy technologies. Apart from climate change, the rising demand for oil in India, China and elsewhere, peak oil and the geo-political situation were additional reasons underlining the urgency for shifting towards more sustainable, low carbon energy solutions. Representatives from the different engineering societies also discussed a variety of technology solutions in working groups.
ASME’s key role
In the USA, the energy debate is rapidly catching up
with the European countries, following the surge in oil prices. Although
climate studies are not unanimously endorsed, the volatile oil markets,
peak oil and dependence on energy imports provide sufficient stimulus
for accelerating the development and implementation of sustainable energy
technologies.
Developing technologies to meet the grand energy challenge, creating global sustainable engineering solutions and fostering global partnership are some of the key conclusions of the 2028 vision of the Global Summit of the Future on Mechanical Engineering. As a leading engineering society in Europe, ASME is intent on taking the lead in the grand energy challenge by participating in the Copenhagen process. This will involve helping to ensure that national technology climate plans are being seriously taken up by European engineering societies. A multidisciplinary project team will be set up across the various technical divisions with sufficient staff support. This team will define the scope and objectives of participation in the Copenhagen process.
The future of solar energy?
An excellent example of innovative engineering in the
field of sustainable energy is the Kimberlina solar thermal energy plant
in Bakersfield, California, which is showcasing Ausra’s “next
generation” concentrating solar thermal technology. At full output,
Kimberlina will be able to generate 5 MW of electricity, enough to power
3,500 homes in central California.
What is significant about this application is the phrase “next generation technology”. Until now, solar-generated power has been largely the product of high-tech, solid-state physics – the photovoltaic cell, which converts light directly into electricity. Ausra is doing things completely differently by using large fields of mirrors to concentrate and capture the sun's heat, converting it into useful forms of energy. In Ausra's technology, heat is focused on tubes of water to create steam that drives large power turbines, generating clean, reliable electricity and high-temperature process steam for industrial applications.
“The plant proves that our technology is real, it works, and it's ready to power businesses or provide process steam for industries – now,” said Ausra Chairman Bob Fishman.
“This next generation solar power plant is further evidence that reliable, sustainable and pollution-free technology is here to stay,” added California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. “This large-scale solar facility will generate power to help us meet our sustainable energy goals.”
Testimonial
from TPRO, Process Department
“ASME standards have become a practical guide for quality compliance in our company, especially regarding calculation and design of our mechanical systems. Over the years we have been looking for standards that get deep into details, not limited to just abstract guidelines, but digging into the subject deep enough to be applied on real models with minor interpretation requirements.
The standard we use the most is the BPE - 2007 Bioprocessing Equipment, that has been followed as a reference ever since its first release: BPE’97. It was a real discovery, basically because at that moment there was nothing in the market for hands-on designing and calculation, defining guidelines and providing a good number of charts, graphics and specially standardizing materials and components dimensions.
In our specific field (Pharma & Biotech) and at that moment in time, the picture was quite messy, having quite a number of different market-based non-official standards. BPE came to offer a good frame for a well defined standard, made for real-world. Another standard we have used indirectly is the BPVC - 2007 Boiler and Pressure Vessel which we commonly request our pressure equipment suppliers to follow.”
ASME DISCLAIMER:
The testimonials provided herein are the voluntary perspectives of
individuals and their experiences or opinions and are intended for informational
purposes only. They do not necessarily reflect statements, views and/or
positions of ASME and have not been verified for accuracy. ASME makes no
warranties or representations as to the accuracy of these statements, and
they are supplied without any expressed or implied warranties.
CONTRIBUTE!
This section of the ASME EMEA eUpdate is open for your comments,
news and issues on the use and implementation of the ASME Codes and Standards
in the EMEA region. Write a short one to two paragraphs of a maximum of
200 words answering the question: "How have you been implementing
the ASME Codes and Standards, and which ones? How has it made a difference?"
You can train your staff at your choice of location, preferred dates, and with a corporate programme that will be tailored to your company requirements.
Save time and costs of having staff off-site by hosting a course at your company building or at another venue of your choice. Encourage on-going learning with Continuing Education Units and a complimentary one year ASME membership for participants.
For more information please contact: Geraldine Damar, ASME Manager Educational Programmes and Corporate Solutions, damarg@asme.org, Tel: +32 2 743 1543
- Section IX Welding and Brazing Qualifications
- Section VIII, Division 1 - Design and Fabrication of Pressure Vessels*
- Inspection Repairs and Alterations of Pressure Vessels*
- The Gas Turbine - Principles and Application
* Take these two courses as a “combo” for additional saving.
To register visit: http://www.asme.org/Education/Europe/
ASME
Continuing Education Institute courses in Europe are
certified with the Engineering Management Certification International (EMCI).
For more information on EMCI, please visit www.engineeringcertification.org
In Partnership with ALITUR (Associazione dei Laureati in Ingegneria di Tor Vergata, Università di Roma); BSMEE (Belgian Society of Mechanical and Environmental Engineering); Coordinamento Mecanica; DMS (Danish Society of Mechanical Engineers); FABI (La Maison de l'Ingénieur); SNE (Spanish Nuclear Society).
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Upcoming
Courses
Don’t miss the upcoming educational opportunities in Europe to gain
the necessary know-how and expertise to advance in your career!
Other Educational Activities
ASME organises a variety of educational activities worldwide. Check the upcoming
dates and locations and further your knowledge and ensure the next steps in
your professional future.
For the Online Educational opportunities please click here
Technical Seminars & Industry Exhibition
By attending the technical seminars and industry exhibition you will benefit from:
- Presentations of real case studies from key industry players
- Interactive workshops on BPE standard
- Panel discussions
- Attendance by industry experts, top companies
- Valuable networking
For more information and to register please visit: http://www.asmeconferences.org/bioprocesseurope09/
30 March 2009, Copenhagen, Denmark
This 6-hour course is presented by ASME-IPTI, in conjunction with
the MCEDD
2009 Conference.
The course provides a high level technical introduction to deepwater field development. Course content will focus on the front-end planning process, as well as outline floating and subsea system options.
Course Audience:
Anyone with limited to no experience in deepwater development
basics.
Course Topics:
- Field development planning process
- Deepwater project development
- Introduction to floating production systems
- Overview of subsea systems and architecture
See all the events in EMEA and select the event you want to attend.
ASME EMEA Upcoming Events: WINVR Conference
This February don’t miss the opportunity to attend the first World Conference on Innovative Virtual Reality 2009 - WINVR 09.
Programme
- Debate and update on Trends of Virtual Reality
- Advanced Visualisation and Motion Simulation
- Conceptual Design and Augmented Reality
Panel Discussion
Discuss the common elements that characterise problems best
suited to address virtual reality, and describe specific successful implementations
in small, medium and large organisations in areas as diverse as product
development, manufacturing, and training.
Panel speakers: Jerry Duncan (Deere and Company), Holger Schmidt (EADS Innovation
Work), Professor Bruno Burbaum (Hochschule Mannheim), Michael Russo (Tridelity
Display Solutions)
Technical Visit
Participants will have the opportunity to visit the Virtual
Reality facilities at the Image Institute - Arts & Métiers ParisTech.
Live demos will provide opportunities to highlight the emergent ideas of
VR research. Innovative applications of immersive and Multi-Sensory Interaction
will be presented during the visit of the technical site.
To see the full Conference programme, sponsorship and exhibition
opportunities and to register visit:
http://www.asmeconferences.org/WINVR09/ .
Don’t miss the special fees for Members of ASME, AFM, AFVR and BSMEE.
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