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So what is sustainable energy? To me it is a two-prong
solution and the definition that I like the most is from the British Renewable Energy and Efficiency Partnership:
“Effectively,
the provision of energy such that it meets the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
...Sustainable Energy has two key components: renewable energy and energy
efficiency”
Current Trends in
Energy Consumption
Global energy consumption is on the increase with both the
developing world demanding more energy has there industrialisation gets into
full swing and their populations have more money to spend on consumer goods,
which more often than not require energy for them to operate. Of course they
are not the only player in these game, the developed world is consuming more.
According to the International Energy Association (IEA) global energy
consumption between 1990 and 2008 increased by an average 10% per person and
with a 27% increase in global population this equates to an eye popping 39%
increase in global energy consumption over this period. The Middle East saw the biggest increase in
consumption at 170%, with China second with an increase of 146%. The USA
increased consumption by 20% and the EU (27 blocks by 7%.
The table below shows
the different types of energy consumed and how they have increased in the
period 1990- 2008.
Energy use
(TWh)[6]
|
||||
Fossil
|
Nuclear
|
Renewable
|
Total
|
|
1990
|
83,374
|
6,113
|
13,082
|
102,569
|
2000
|
94,493
|
7,857
|
15,337
|
117,687
|
2008
|
117,076
|
8,283
|
18,492
|
143,851
|
Change 2000-2008
|
22,583
|
426
|
3,155
|
26,164
|
Source: IEA/OECD
It should be noted that since this data was taken energy
consumption in the developing world has decline, this is obviously due to the
global economic slow down though, and china et al in the developing world have
increased more. This still means that global energy consumption as a whole is
still increasing.
What is revelling about the data above is firstly more
energy is being consumed not only because of population growth but also due to
high consumption per capita. Lastly, the
majority of the increase in capacity is in fossil fuels with coal accounting
for half of the increase. While renewable energy has increased at a much slower
rate, but since 2008 has picked up pace and currently accounts for 19% of
energy consumed globally. But not nearly has fast as increase in fossil fuel
dependence, which still dominates the global energy mix.
The effects that this has on the environment are huge and
costly, and as every years passes, it becomes more expensive to cut emissions
and limit global warming to 2 degrees and by 2017 the allowable CO2 emissions
would already be locked in with the current energy infrastructure.
So, the question emerging from this is…. How do we (globally)
cut our energy emissions while not having a dragging effect on global
development, both economically and in human terms?
To me there are two parts to the answer of this question,
and this is where energy sustainability comes to the fore. A two-prong attack is required; firstly, a
move away from fossil fuels towards renewable energy and secondly a greater
emphasis on energy efficiency through education and improving products that
consume it.
To increase the use of renewable energy it is important to
note at this point that fossil fuel industry receives 30 more times the amount
of subsidies than the renewable energy sector. In 2011 these subsidies were
worth a staggering $523 billion, an increase of 30% since 2010. This puts
renewable energy on the back foot from the start, and to encourage more
renewable this playing field would need to be leveled. To me, the answer is to
move some of the subsidies on fossil fuels and apply them to renewable energy,
making them more attractive to investors. The subsidies would need to be targeted and thought through as mistakes have been made in the past. just look at the subsides that were applied to P.V. installation with feed in tariffs, they were wholly unsustainable and many countries have now cut them, but still offering a decent return on investment. Biomass is another example of this, with high subsides, and now questions over its carbon neutrality, but that is a question for another day. These subsidies if targeted correctly could spire on more R&D
making renewable energy more efficient and not so land intensive and encourage more investment in the construction of plant and farms.
The subsides in the renewable energy sector should be
targeted in the start up costs, R&D and construction as it is at the
beginning of renewable energy where the highest cost are, over time these cost
decrease, making the renewable market a good investment opportunity. It should
be noted that fossil fuel energy production gets more expensive, and energy
costs increase the investment opportunities look even more attractive.
The renewable energy mix, should not only include, Hydro,
Wind, Biomass, Biofuels, geothermal, Solar and Photo Voltaic, but also nuclear, which with
the advancements made in safety and storage over the recent years should also
play apart, as this is not as land use intensive and is a more efficient way of producing energy.
The second part to the answer is efficiency, the globe must
become more energy efficient, it must educate the population in saving energy
and change their behavioural patterns towards energy, for example such
elementary things as turning off a lights when not in the room and only boil
the amount of water required, not a full kettle. Other measures include insulating the house, and energy efficient lighting and heating systems. This can be achieved by either explaining the
monetary savings or saving of CO2. An area which is of interest to myself is micro- generation, where by the energy consumed in a building is generated by that building, through the use of wind, solar, P.V and geothermal, depending on where the building is located. The excess energy can then be sold back to the energy grid, this not only decreases energy cost, but can also generate revenue as well.
Companies can be given incentives, in the form of tax breaks
to produce good, which consume less energy and as a stick consumers made aware
of which products consume less, although to some degree this is already being
done.
This is just a brief outline of a sustainable energy
strategy and one which I think will need to adopted to ensure not only the
energy needs of the future, but also to sustain the planet for future
generations and provide . Government have a major role to play in this both on the national
level and municipal level. National Government can implement energy policy and
work with foreign government to agree on global targets, all of which takes
time.
At the municipal level city government can implement
programmes faster IN areas of energy efficiency and co2 reduction. This can be
achieved through tax breaks and incentives and by looking at what they can do
with building and infrastructure they control. Photovoltaic can be utilised to
not only save money but also generate income, led lighting can be used,
building can be retrofitted and CHP (combined heat and power) can be implemented.
All of which are part of sustainable energy.
Some Interesting Reading:
