The energy issue

Conclusions

Fossil energy resources are large but all fossil energy will be used up in a few hundred years. The time of cheap oil is over and we are close to peak oil and peak gas, which may lead to an unprecedented energy crisis if alternative energy sources are not fully developed. Peak oil will preferentially lead to more poverty in underdeveloped countries that are the least responsible for the shortage.

Fossil energy use entailed global warming and climate change due to CO2 emissions. It has been predicted that global mean temperature will have risen with 5.3 °C by the end of the century (IEA 2013) but dramatic climate changes will already occur by 2030, particularly as a consequence of sea level rise and extreme weather conditions. It is mandatory to phase out fossil energy use as soon as possible. Natural gas may be a back-up during phase out and should be preferred over coal and oil.

Wind, solar, geothermal and hydroelectric energy resources are theoretically able to provide full power to the World without CO2 emissions, even when energy consumption increases several fold over today’s level. The use of biofuels for transportation is controversial.

Conclusions (1)

Conclusions (2)

Thermal nuclear reactors help to mitigate global warming due to their low CO2 emissions over life cycle. However, the nuclear waste problem is too large and U235 proved reserves too small to keep these reactors operational in a further future. Both these issues can be resolved by developing U238 fast breeder reactors or thorium reactors.. However, these reactors are very expensive and risks for accidents remain.

Hydrogen energy may become a renewable energy carrier without CO2 emission in the future, which could be of great profit for car and truck transportation.

To optimize energy safety, a mix of all non-CO2 emitting energy types is probably the most realistic option.

Even if we can generate enough energy forever, we cannot limitless consume energy to exploit other resources of planet Earth, such as food, water and materials, above what the Earth can regenerate or above what we can recycle, neither can we continue to live at the present high consumption rates, as people in developing countries have the right to use those resources in equity.

The final message of Planet Earth to each of us is: Reduce energy consumption Renewable energy is the main alternative

and to industry:Conserve and recover energyReuse, Recycle and Recover materials

An example: In Kalundborg, Denmark, a coal-fired power station, an oil refinery, a plasterboard factory, a pharmaceutical plant and the municipality have created an 'industrial symbiosis' by exploiting each other's waste streams (click here to read more).

We have to realize that 60 % of CO2 emissions is through electricity, heating and transportation, sectors where each individual can contribute in order to reduce CO2 emissions. Yes we can!

Conclusions (3)