Nanotechnology is not the key to clean alternative energy, according to an international report released today by environmental group Friends of the Earth.
“Despite claims that nanotechnolgy can limit climate change and promote energy efficiency … the use of nanotechnolgy actually comes at a large environment cost,” said Georgia Miller, FOE Australia nanotechnology spokesperson and co-author of the report, “Nanotechnology, climate and energy: over-heated promises and hot air?”
The technology involves the manipulation of matter at the molecular scale. Australia’s National Nanotechnology Strategy states that, along with a range of novel products, it promises “cleaner and more efficient energy generation”.
A spokesperson for Innovation Minister Kim Carr said important technology included new-generation solar cells, fuel cells and battery storage, as well as efficient building materials and lighting and water purification.
But Ms Miller and her colleagues said that’s largely “greenwashing”, due to the highly specialised production environments and high energy and water demands of processing nano-products and materials. Processing may also involve the use toxic chemicals and solvents, and the release greenhouse gases such as methane.
Recent scientific reports have revealed: the energy conversion efficiency of nano solar panels was 10 per cent less than conventional silicon panels; the manufacture of carbon nanofibres takes up to 50 times the energy needed to manufacture smelting aluminium and 95 - 360 times the energy to make steel of an equal mass.
Ms Miller said the Federal Government should not fund nano-based research on the assumption that it offers to reduce greehouse gas emissions.
Senator Carr’s spokesperson said the government disagreed: “We think the technology offers great potential as an enabling technology with applications for the environment. However, any application of new discoveries and technologies must be done with regard to potential risks and costs”.
