Title: The impact of energy-intensive systems on the environment: A need for technology assessment by industry

Authors: Dieter G. Altenpohl

Addresses: Professor for Technology, Saint Gall Business School, Switzerland; Visiting Professor for Materials Science, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA

Abstract: In this paper Professor Altenpohl discusses the impact of energy-intensive systems on the environment. He identifies three stages of technology in the development of energy intensive systems: technology that is now abandoned or obsolete; transition-technology that is dominant in all present-day energy-intensive systems; and future technology that consists of a completely redesigned optimized system that is characterized by the lowest possible energy consumption and near-zero pollution. Professor Altenpohl argues that industry, rather than governments or universities, is in the best position to carry out a technology assessment.

Keywords: energy-intensive systems; environment; energy consumption; pollution; transition technology; technology assessment; optimisation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.1987.026138

International Journal of Technology Management, 1987 Vol.2 No.3/4, pp.417-421

Published online: 27 May 2009 *

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