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| The International Exhibition of Electrical and Electronic Equipment The International Exhibition of Electrical and Electronic Equipment will take place at Feria de Madrid, between 28th October and 1st November 2008. Spain leads the most advanced nations with regard to the development of alternative sources of energy. The use of renewable energies is expected to account for 12% of primary energy consumption and 30% of electricity consumption by the year 2010. Almost 80% of the energy needs of the world´s population depends on fossil fuels. This figure entails some significant problems when it comes to energy supply and environmental management. Energy production and consumption accounts for around 82% of greenhouse gas emissions in the European Union, in addition to 77% of the emission of substances that help to form the pollutant, tropospheric ozone. In view of this situation, renewable energies have become increasingly popular, tending to lessen the impact of excessive dependence on hydrocarbons in the medium and the long term. MATELEC, the International Exhibition of Electrical and Electronic Equipment, will reflect this trend by presenting a series of interesting ideas and solutions from the fair´s exhibiting companies at Feria de Madrid between 28th October and 1st November next. These solutions all aim to boost energy efficiency and sustainable development. In addition to presenting a range of new ´eco-friendly´ solutions from sectors as diverse as electricity, electronics, telecommunications and lighting, MATELEC, the fair organised by IFEMA, will also host the staging of an Energy Efficiency Conference, an event organised by the Spanish Domotics Association, CEDOM, and the Association of Electrical Material Manufacturers, AFME (on 31st October 2008). The excessive use of traditional energies and the need to battle against atmospheric pollution and climate change have led the European Union to set the following goals: renewable energies must account for 12% of primary energy consumption and 30% of electricity consumption, whilst bio-fuels (bio-diesel and bio-ethanol) must cover 5.6% of gas-oil and gasoline consumption. In this respect, Spain leads the most advanced European nations with regard to the development of alternative sources of energy and Spain´s companies within the energy industry play the leading role on the international energy markets. However, without the appropriate energy-saving efforts on the part of society, renewable energies are unlikely to ever play a very important role within the energy structure. What can Spaniards do to save energy? . How can we save energy? We can use fluorescent lights, which consume one quarter of the amount required by incandescent lights. Cogeneration: this technique, which makes use of residual heat in order to generate energy, has become increasingly popular within industry and at hospitals and hotels. Insulation: a considerable amount of energy can be saved by installing proper insulation in housing, offices and buildings. It has been demonstrated that planting trees to provide shade in the summer and to break the impact of the wind in the winter around houses entails energy savings of between 15% and 40%. Fuel: In Spain, the transport sector accounts for nearly 50% of the petroleum consumed in the country, with vehicles being the main cause of the increase in CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. The key is not only to achieve more aerodynamic vehicle designs or to use energies such as electricity, but for drivers to use their vehicles in a more efficient manner or opt for public transport in large cities. Recycling: Industry uses between one quarter and one third of the energy consumed throughout the country. In this respect, recycling raw materials is one of the most effective means of saving energy. Thus, for example, recycled steel requires only 14% of the energy that would be needed in order to mine this raw material. write your comments about the article :: © 2008 Exhibition News :: home page |