ECOS2010 PROCEEDINGS PREFACE

Energy plays a major role in human societies. The supply of energy services is also a major contributor to the global and, too often, local environmental problems the World is facing. According to the International Energy Agency, actions to target future CO2 concentrations in atmosphere below either 550ppm, or even below 450ppm, will have to be primarily focused on efficiency. A broader use of renewable, nuclear power and perhaps carbon sequestration will also contribute. To maintain a viable economic development these actions will have to be cost effective while globally reducing all emissions and caring about energy and material resources. A systemic approach is therefore essential to get a holistic vision, design better systems and optimize money and resources utilization.

The ECOS conferences have a long tradition in fostering the key aspects and the scientific knowledge that are essential for the engineers. The organizers of this 23rd edition are proud to acknowledge one of the largest participation ever with many original and high quality papers. 

Our thanks go to the authors who accepted to travel from all continents and meet in Lausanne to present and share their scientific contributions. Many thanks also to all reviewers and members of the scientific committee who contributed to the quality of these proceedings. The conference chairmen are also grateful to the local organizing team including in particular, Nicolas Borboën, Stina Zufferey, Brigitte Gabioud, Yannick Bravo, Suzanne Zahnd and Irène Laroche. Many thanks also to the other members of the Industrial Energy Systems Laboratory of EPFL, the MEDIACOM EPFL team and the sponsors who greatly helped the organization of this fruitful event.

Daniel Favrat & François Maréchal