Student Abstracts: Environmental Science at NREL

Air Pollution Impacts and Prevention. STACI GARCIA (Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford, OK 73096) ROYA STANLEY (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 89401) .
The quality of our air is of utmost concern. Increasing uses of fossil fuels has caused increased levels of air pollutant emissions. The notion that consumers share responsibility for this pollution has been widely accepted. Fossil fuel emissions are responsible for adverse health effects common in children, the elderly and athletes. Studies were collected that have detailed the relationship between harmful air pollutants and negative health effects. The results of the studies, presented in this paper, have provided conclusive evidence of the link between air pollution and adverse health. Energy efficiency strategies and renewable energy technologies provide possible solutions to lowering pollutant emissions. Studies presented here show that wind and solar technologies are cost competitive with traditional energy sources and will have a positive impact on the future of humans and the environment. These renewable energy sources are continually replenished and are free to consumers after an initial investment. Further work is required to implement more stringent emission standards. Added research in renewable technologies is also warranted. These efforts will benefit the well-being of humans, the environment and our natural resources.

Analysis of Technology Cooperation Agreement Pilot Project Impacts. WYATT WILCOX (Washington State University, Pullman, Wa 99163) JEANNIE RENNE (National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, CO 89401) .
The Technology Cooperation Agreement Pilot Project (TCAPP), initiated as a result of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Article 4.5, has been working to create sustainable markets for clean energy technologies in developing countries. Recent work by TCAPP staff at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has yielded quantifiable evidence towards the progress of the program. Most outstanding achievements include 20 actions to remove market barriers, facilitation of 13 clean energy business projects, engagement of 400 international business donors as well as10 bilateral and multilateral donors, business investment of $117 million, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions equivalent to 670,000 tons of carbon per year. Anticipated achievements by the year 2004 include leveraging over $40 million dollars of donor support, $135 million of investment by partners in clean energy technologies and carbon equivalent reductions of up to 774,000 tons of carbon per year. The support for current initiatives suggest that TCAPP will remain a leading model for international clean energy technology transfer.