In this talk, an objective discussion of the advantages and disadvantages of green energies is presented. A number of current issues will be addressed. To what extent may solar energy contribute to the global energy supply? Are large-scale solar power plants in the Sahara a realistic option? What is the potential of wind energy? How much power can be generated from more exotic energy sources such as wave power or osmotic power? Are biofuels a feasible and environmentally-responsible replacement for fossil fuels? Is heating with wood really carbon-neutral? Finally, an estimate on land use and on production costs will be given for different energy sources.
Prof. Gerd Ganteför studied physics at the University of Münster. After receiving his Ph.D. in nanosciene at the University of Bielefeld, he worked at EXXON in New Jersey (USA), as a postdoctoral associate.
Since 1997 he is Professor for Experimental Physics at the Department of Nanoscience at the University of Konstanz. In 2009, Gerd Ganteför was appointed research professor at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland (USA).
Moderation: Professor Dr. Bärbel Friedrich