About IMES

OBJECTIVES

The proposed IMES Master Course undertakes to fullfil the following objectives:

1. Provide the know-how for studies connected with the various forms of
   production of biomass, its conversion and upgrading, through energy
   or other forms, in a sustainable manner that respects the
   environment and conservation of resources.

2. Provide the students with a solid theoratcial background and relevant
   practical applications by contributing to pragmatic resolution of
   problems related to shortcomings in the energy field within the EU,
   and at the same time by analysing and minimising negative impacts
   and controlling the evolution of the overall systems.

3. Train students on advanced methodologies in basic and applied
   sciences in bioenergy and environment, so that they will earn know-how and be informed on modern technologies currently available.

4. Develop awareness in the students of renewable energies,
   environmental technologies and management systems, facilitating their understanding of both social and economical consequences of energy choices, that have direct impact on the population and companies, and how these can interact with energy policies and measures aimin at encouraging the use of renewable energies.

5. Develop the students' ability to analyse the challenges of the global problems that may emerge. This will require the definition of potential solutions which have to be assessed in terms of cost, global
   implications and nay possible spin off problems that may arise.
   
   
6. Develop basic skills in environment, air quality and air pollution, as these represent today a very important issue at both the global and local level.
   
   
7. Offer a possibility of joining not only EU, but also USA in making renewable energies a viable alternative to meeting our energy needs. This will be a constructive way of exchanging knowledge between EU and USA.

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JUSTIFICATION

Renewable energy is the oldest form of energy that has been used by mankind on earth.

Within the EU, renewable energies could become an important contributor to the generation of new economic activities in areas related to energy, environment, totally new industrial activity and creation of new jobs.

Regarding the last point which is an issue that requires long-lasting solutions within the EU. It is estimated that over 400,000 new jobs could be created whilst simutaneously achieving a contribution by renewable resources to 12% of the primary energy needs by the year 2010.

It should be pointed out that - only in the EU - there are 26,000 people annually trained in teh area of renewable energies. It is a challenge for the EU Universities to provide the adequate means to further the progress to meet the challenge in order to reach the target set for 2010.

The partner universities in the IMES project are:

• University of Florence (Coordinator)
• Aston University
• Universidade Nove de Lisboa

These universities decided to start a new M.Sc. course (joint degree) in the area of Bioenergy and Environment, which represent a co-ordinated effort to harmonise the EU educational programs, promote student mobility and exchange knowledge among EU member countries.

In additon, as IMES addresses issues of global interest, the Course is developed in collaboration with the following US Universities:

• Baylor University (US coordinator)
• Arizona State University
• Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University

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IMES SUPPORT

The IMES course has the support of the:

• Directorate General for Education and Culture- DG EAC, European Union - for more information on this agency please click here
• Fund for the Imporvement of Post Secondary Education – FIPSE, US Department of Education - for more information about this agency please click here
• EC/USA Cooperation Programme on Higher Education and Vocational Training - for more information please click here

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INDUSTRY PARTNERS

United States industry and coordination partners:

AeroVironment, Inc. is a diversified company providing services, developments, and products in the fields of alternative energy, power electronics, and energy efficient vehicles for operation on land and in air and water. AeroVironment is known for product and technology innovation in clean energy and efficient vehicles. Dr. Paul MacCready, the "father of human-powered flight" is the Chairman of the Board of AeroVironment.

Sonoma Technologies Inc. (STI), founded 20 years ago by a handful of scientists, has matured into a firm of over 35 professionals performing air quality and meteorological research and services. In addition to traditional meteorological and air quality measurements, modeling, emissions, and data analysis work, the program includes geographical information systems services, custom instrumentation, training and education, specialized software development, air quality forecasting and policy analysis.

European Union industry and coordination partners:

EUBIA - the European Biomass Industry Association has been registered in 1996 as an international non-profit association in Brussels (Belgium). Given that biomass will have an important role to play in promoting sustainable development world wide and the deployment of clean energies, intends to contribute in strengthening European policies in this sector, protecting industrial interest, identifying new opportunities, promoting job creation and better environment conditions.

Agenzia Fiorentina per l'Energia - The Agency promotes and work-out initiatives to develop eco-friendly energy sources, on a local, European and global basis; training to a broad segment is a core activity and a more rationale use of energy awareness is pursued via information actions towards emissions reduction and an appropriate resources recovery.

• AGRICONSULTING - Italy
• BAFF BioAlcohol Fuel Foundation - Sweden
• Bioetanol Energetico - Spain
• C.A.R.M.E.N. - Germany
• CARTIF Centro de Automatización
• Robótica y Tecnologías de la Información y de la Fabricación - Spain
• CESI - Italy
• ECOTRE - Italy
• Energidalen -Sweden
• ENI - Italy
• ETA Energia Trasporti Agricoltura - Italy
• European Commission DG JRC Ispra
• FAL Federal Agricultural Research Centre - Germany
• Fortum Corporation - Finland
• ISET - Germany
• Istituto Sperimentale Colture Industriali
• Ministry of Agriculture - Italy
• Martezo - France
• Mont-Ele - Italy
• Saarbrücker Stadtwerke - Germany
• SIEMENS AG KWU1 - Germany
• Solid Fuel - Georgia, USA
• Studio Tavolini - Italy
• SydKraft -Sweden
• UNESCO - France
• WIP - Germany