Silicones are key to renewable energy deployment, new documentary shows
Brussels, 25 February 2016. “Energy Landscape” is the first of an exciting four-part minidocumentary series that profiles silicones as key technology enablers that will help to meet the world’s energy needs.
According to the latest report from the International Energy Agency, renewables accounted for half of all new power generation capacity installed globally last year. And considering the COP21 commitment to stick to a 2 degree scenario, wind energy is high on the agenda as a key strategy that will help countries meet their climate change targets.
Northern Power Systems (NPS), a company that designs, manufactures and installs wind turbines gave us a tour of their operations in Stranraer (Scotland) and explained why they use silicones. In the words of Iain Hardie, Senior Sales Manager for NPS, silicones help “maximise energy efficiency, increase operational lifetimes, reduce unit costs and accelerate wind energy deployment”.
Silicone chemistry products allow for net CO2 reductions of about 52 million tonnes per year in the EU, North America and Japan. Silicones are used for their unique properties in solar panels and wind turbines to generate clean energy. Silicone help ball bearings run efficiently and enable insulation products, coatings and sealants to save energy – and lots of it.
Surprised?
Silicone producers across Europe have come together to launch a new campaign that aims to raise the awareness of the little known and impressive benefits of silicones.
“When people think about silicones, window sealants or baking moulds often come to mind,” said Dr. Pierre Germain, Secretary General of CES – Silicones Europe. “But silicone producers also help engineers, scientists, inventors and companies create thousands of other consumer and industrial applications”.
Our year-round campaign will focus on four sectors where silicones’ enabling properties make their most smart and surprising contributions – renewable energy and energy-efficiency, construction, healthcare and transport.
About CES – Silicones Europe: We are a non-profit trade organisation representing all major producers of silicones, silanes and siloxanes in Europe. CES is a sector group of the European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC), which is both the forum and voice of the European chemicals industry. We provide health, safety and environmental information on and are dedicated to the principles of Responsible Care. Visit silicones.eu or follow us @siliconesEU.
Media contact: CES Manager, Evelyne Frauman // Email: efr@cefic.be // www.silicones.eu // @SiliconesEU
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