Energy Security - Research Paper Example

Energy Security Introduction The three main problems facing the present world energy supply include climate change because of carbon dioxide emission, insecurity by nuclear weapon competence and radioactive materials, and limitation of fossil fuel resources. Consequently, the transition to unlimited resources, zero-emission fuels and no options for abuse remain a significant goal (Knies, 1). Presently, the world’s energy supply comes from fossil and nuclear sources. These sources remain to be vital in provision of energy globally for the next few generations despite the humankind facing the issues of resource limitation and environmental pollution. However, there should be development of alternative ‘clean’ energy sources, which do not rely on fossil fuels and which have a tolerable environmental effect in order to meet the raising global demands for energy and to allow for the depletion of fossil fuel supplies in the future (332). For effectively use of renewable sources, there is a need of consistent ways of storing energy for example, rechargeable batteries and high-temperature superconductivity as well as developments in hydrogen storage (Dresselhaus and Thomas, 333). Due to high demands, the strained global energy systems has caused high prices hence increasing global anxiety over the world’s ability to meet energy needs. It is evident that there is a challenge trying to administer the growing complexity of an energy-interdependent world while on the other hand trying to meet environmental, security, and economic goals. This necessitates a more advanced energy policymaking approach one that fully values the complex nature of energy security, the need to manage the trade-offs inherent in energy policy decision-making, and the interdependencies of global markets (Verrastro and Ladislaw, 95). On the other hand, each energy source has some adverse effects. Fossil fuels processes emit carbon dioxide, and perhaps other contaminants, such as nitrogen oxides, sulphur oxides and ash. There is production of radioactive fission products in the nuclear plants. While dams and large lakes are needed for hydroelectric plants, large areas are necessary for solar and wind energy although they are limited geographically. Then again, geothermal sources are restricted to very few locations and those methods using small temperature gradients need very large heat-exchanger areas because of the low thermal efficiencies in the earth or oceans (Dresselhaus and Thomas, 332). Alternative Energy Sources One of the alternative energy supplies that the globe can rely on is solar energy. One of its advantage is that is inexhaustible because it comes to earth at day as light, and leaves to outer space as heat radiation at day and night whether in use or not. In addition, solar energy cannot cause any pollution since it is non-material and the biotope earth is in natural balance with it. Deserts are the most efficient places to harvest solar energy in huge quantities (Knies, 1). Although sunshine cannot be stored, conversion into high temperature heat is possible and it can stay in thermal storage devices for hours or even for days with little losses. The technology of solar thermal power plants comes in here whereby, equipped with simple and cheap thermal storage tanks, they can generate solar power by demand even at night (Knies, 2). For instance, the total amount of solar energy that fall in the continental 48 states of the United States is about 4.672104 quads per year. In addition, there are other uses of sunlight including lighting, electricity generation, heating and even supplying steam to run turbines. In the United States, the availability of solar energy peaks when the demand for electricity peaks, that is in the summer. However, there are several disadvantages of solar energy including the low efficiency in conversion of sunlight to electric power and the sunlight variation with time of day, weather conditions and season (Dresselhaus and Thomas, 334). Field and co-authors indicate that the most promising, the most publicized and subsidized renewable energy sources is biomass energy sources. Its advantages include rising supplies of liquid transportation fuels, increasing energy security in regions without abundant fossil fuel reserves and lowering net emissions of carbon into the atmosphere per unit of energy delivered (65). People in the developing world use biomass energy mostly in cooking and heating. In addition, another common use of biomass energy is to provide industrial heat to paper and forestry industries (66). In reference to the global terrestrial annual plant growth, it is clear that it is more than five times the 8 billion tons of carbon released to the atmosphere in the incineration of fossil fuel. Using this principle, distracting a small fraction of total plant growth into biomass energy could fulfill most of the global energy needs (70). On the other hand, there are adverse outcomes of increased exploitation of biomass energy including contaminating waterways with agricultural pollutants and threatening food supplies or farm lifestyles through competition for land. Other outcomes include sacrificing natural areas to managed monocultures and increasing net emissions of carbon to the atmosphere because of increased deforestation or energy-demanding manufacturing technologies (65). Other alternative energy source are Biofuels, which are transportation fuels produced from biological sources for instance oil crops, cellulosic substances, grains, sugar crops, organic waste and starch. Biodiesel and bioethanol are the two major forms of Biofuels. In 2006, there was a projected 32 billion liters of bioethanol generated from wheat, sugarcane, sorghum and corn beets. Brazil and the United States are the major producers of bioethanol producing 70% of the worldwide supply. In this production, the United States mainly uses corn and some soya while on the other hand Brazil majorly uses Sugarcane. In Europe, Italy France and Germany account for almost 90% of the worldwide supply mainly using rapeseed (68). Biofuels are an excellent alternative energy source, which helps to reduce shortage and diversify energy supply. Generating Biofuels for replacement of oil imports helps lessen the oil bill in poor oil importing nations, which spend a huge part of their foreign currency reserve to purchase oil. Another benefit of using Biofuels as an alternative source of energy is that they create a new demand and a market for agricultural products (De Fraiture, et al., 69). Strategies put in place to increase Energy Security In general, a combination of policy inducements to decrease consumption and better fuel effectiveness might be very effective in lessening demand for oil. To achieve this, there have been rising of vehicle fuel-efficiency standards. However, better enhancement is possible without compromising effectiveness or safety. Rising inducements for the manufacture of alternative oil resources, for example oil shale and augmenting access to local sources of oil can bring about greater production. In addition, it is possible to increase multiplicity in fuel preference through several measures. These include technical developments making plug-in hybrids a possible choice, the generation of coal-to-liquids and improved production of Biofuels (Verrastro and Ladislaw, 101). In the United States, the major means of reducing energy insecurity is by lessening the petroleum use of U.S. economic activity. In the shorter term, the United States should comprehend how to utilize more efficiently its approximately 550 million barrel Strategic Petroleum Reserve. In the longer term, raising both the sensitivity of energy utilization to price changes and the multiplicity of energy sources will increase energy security (7). However, augmented use of highly efficient and non-fossil based energy structures like hydrogen fuel cells might be a more efficient alternative in the long-term (Toman, 8). In India, the government undertakes various strategies and policies to promote sustainable energy development both in terms of enhanced effectiveness of use and in terms of its ecological effects. Various policies and strategies center on encouraging cleaner and less carbon concentrated fuels for transport, improving renewable and clean energy types, enhancing energy effectiveness, addressing ecological quality, encouraging clean coal technologies and generation of power sector reforms. These measures ensure that there is sustainable energy supply, which meets the demands and protect the environment (Srivastava and Mathur, 6). In densely populated areas, electric cars can be very effective in lessening adverse discharges from conservative internal combustion engines. Electric cars eventually use generally fossil fuels since, roughly two-thirds of the global electric power is from fossil fuels. However, it is possible to generate electricity through other sources that are environmental friendly such as hydroelectric and nuclear energy. The major drawback with electric cars is the storage of electric power. In this regard, there has not been the development of a battery with the energy solidity of petrol. In addition, battery recharge is much slower than filling a petrol tank. Furthermore, there is need for the improvement of the life span of batteries and development of much lighter and harmless battery materials to substitute heavy metals like lead (Dresselhaus and Thomas, 333). It is very important to make enhancements in energy storage and energy transmission in order to utilize adequately any alternative energy technology. For superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES), the storage of electric energy is by flowing a current in a superconducting coil. Consequently, the current continues for an indefinite period since there are no resistive losses. Moreover, since there is no energy transfer involved the effectiveness of charging and discharging is very high. Although, superconducting transmission lines might lessen resistive losses, they need energy for cryogenic cooling of the cables. By improving the storage and transmission of energy, it is possible to utilize alternative energy sources effectively and sustainably (Dresselhaus and Thomas, 336). Challenges and Recommendations There are various challenges that come about while developing strategies for production of clean and adequate energy. For instance, local generation of alternative oil and natural gas sources might be resource exhaustive, ecologically harmful and more costly than the oil and natural gas attained in global markets. In addition, although coal is a good alternative in terms of its security and economics there are various consequences associated with its utilization. These include greenhouse gas releases and air quality reduction, which are exceedingly detrimental given climate concerns (Verrastro and Ladislaw, 98). In the case of Biofuels, they require extra land and water reserves, which might be very difficult to obtain. Moreover, with mounting population and growing income, there will be intensified strains on natural resources causing further loss of natural environment. Furthermore, Biofuels crops for instance sugar are water exhaustive and frequently grown under monoculture, causing increased water shortage and water pollution (De Fraiture, et al., 69). Verrastro and Ladislaw assert that energy policymaking is multifaceted and needs momentous investment as well as long-term planning. Moreover, it does not require attractive catchphrases or policy plans that are not sustainable when public interest settles. In order for the world to satisfy its energy demands with consistent, reasonable and ecologically friendly energy supplies, there is need for a more open evaluation and conversation concerning energy challenges, mainly considering climate change concerns (104). Conclusion There has been a continuous high demand of energy in the global market for several years. This is due to the increasing urbanization and industrialization, which require high-energy input. In addition, high production of some energy sources has caused rampant environmental pollution. Due to these concerns, governments and policy makers have embarked on a mission of ensuring sustainable energy production. This means that the energy produced will be adequate and cause less harm to the environment. Lately, there has been increased use of alternative energy sources such as solar energy, biomass and Biofuels. In addition, there are recent developments, which endeavor to reduce toxic energy use and reduce environmental pollution. These include making enhancements in energy storage and energy transmission, increased production of energy from Biofuels and the invention of electric cars. However, challenges accrue in terms of increased cost of generation and problems with storage of electric power. The greatest challenge however, lies in ensuring the production of clean and adequate energy. There is need for developing strategies that will ensure production of energy that will cater for the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to have their own energy sources. Works Cited De Fraiture, Charlotte, et al. “Biofuels and implications for agricultural water use: Blue impacts of green energy.” Water Policy 10 Supplement 1 (2008): 67-81. Print. Dresselhaus, M. S & Thomas, I. L. “Alternative energy technologies.” Nature 414 (2001): 332-337. Print. Field, Christopher, et al. “Biomass energy: the scale of the potential resource.” Trends in Ecology and Evolution 23.2 (2007): 65-71. Print. Knies, Gerhard. Global energy and climate security through solar power from deserts. 2006. Web. Srivastava, Leena & Mathur, Ritu. India’s Energy Security. 2007. Web. Toman, Michael. International Oil Security: Problems and Policies. 2002. Web. Verrastro, Frank & Ladislaw, Sarah. “Providing Energy Security in an Interdependent World.” The Washington Quarterly 30.4 (2007): 95-104. Print. Read More