Hydrogen: A Very Promising Energy Carrier for the Future

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xenophon K. Kakatsios
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Energy Carrier ◽  
Current Status ◽  
The Future

As we enter the new century, new fuels may be required for both stationary power and transportation to ameliorate the triple threats of local air pollution, global climate change and dependence on unstable nations for imported oil. Shifting away from fossil fuels may be essential within decades if citizens in the developing world achieve even a significant fraction of the per capita energy consumption enjoyed by the industrial nations. Business-as-usual or evolutionary shifts in energy consumption patterns may not be adequate. New paradigms and new energy initiatives may be required to protect the environment while providing the energy services we have come to expect. Hydrogen could play a significant role as a clean energy carrier in the future for both stationary and transportation markets. Produced from renewable energy or nuclear power, hydrogen could become the backbone of a truly sustainable energy future – an energy system that consumes no non-renewable resources and creates no pollution or greenhouse gases of any type during operation. However, to achieve this potential, hydrogen must overcome serious economic, technological and safety perception barriers before it can displace fossil fuels as the primary energy carrier throughout the world. In this paper we explore the current status of hydrogen and fuel cell systems compared to other fuel options for reducing pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and suggest the introduction of hydrogen into the energy economy.

Nuclear Power in the United Kingdom—the End of the Beginning?

1993 ◽  
Vol 207 (4) ◽  
pp. 223-232 ◽  
Author(s):  
J G Collier
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Pressurized Water ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
The Future ◽  
And Performance ◽  
United Kingdom Government ◽  
Clean Energy Source

Nuclear power is a young technology that has developed within a political environment of ever-changing priorities. In the United Kingdom, Government-led central planning of electricity supply has given way to market forces and the future of nuclear power depends on its ability to compete in this competitive environment as well as its wider public acceptance. In only three years, the disciplines of private sector competition have transformed the economics of United Kingdom nuclear operations and the new generation of pressurized water reactor (PWR) at Sizewell is set to lead the world in safety and performance. Taken together with the growing recognition of the need to protect the local and global environment from the products of the combustion of fossil fuels, the prospects for the future of nuclear power as the major clean energy source for the twenty-first century have never been better.

scholarly journals Clean-energy development in China

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 528-532
Author(s):  
Jane Qiu
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Associate Editor ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Energy Development ◽  
Primary Energy Consumption ◽  
Diverse Backgrounds ◽  
National Science

Abstract In June, China announced its 2030 target to cut its greenhouse-gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product by 60%–65% from 2005 levels. To achieve the goal, it would increase the share of non-fossil fuels as part of its primary energy consumption to 20% by 2030 and aim to peak emissions around the same time. As world's largest carbon emitter, the announcement is widely hailed not only as a strong impetus for the UN climate talks, which are convened in Paris this month, but a solution to the country's unprecedented choking pollution. In a forum chaired by National Science Review's executive associate editor Mu-ming Poo, four panelists from diverse backgrounds discuss how clean-energy development could help China to fight against air pollution and meet its 2030 target, what sorts of policies need to be in place, and what the main challenges are.

scholarly journals Nuclear desalination in Iran, current status and perspectives

2019 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 04001
Author(s):  
Seyed Hadi Ghazaie ◽  
Khashayar Sadeghi ◽  
Ekaterina Sokolova ◽  
Evgeniy Fedorovich ◽  
Amirsaeed Shirani
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Nuclear Power Plant ◽  
Fresh Water ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Suitable Alternative ◽  
Thermal Desalination

Nuclear power can be categorized as a clean energy source for producing electricity and supplying the required energy to a desalination plant, promising less atmospheric emission in comparison to fossil fuels. Considering the fact that fresh water-related issues are acute in many countries of the world, the utilization of desalination technologies seems to be the key solution to these problems. Desalination processes are known to be “energy-intensive”, emphasizing the potential advantages of its integration to a nuclear power plant in mediumto large-scale seawater desalination projects. The demand for electricity and fresh water in Iran compels the country to search for a feasible option. We suggest nuclear desalination as a suitable alternative, in which the recovered heat can be used in thermal desalination systems. In this article, the status of currently operating desalination plants and future developments are described. Several possible schemes for coupling nuclear power plant and fossil fuel-based plants with desalination technologies are suggested and some thermo-economic analysis (based on the specific characteristics of the country) are presented. Results of calculations reveal some advantages of nuclear desalination complex and its competitiveness with other options. It should be noted that the research has been conducted by cooperation of two SPbPU PhD students with Iranian citizenship.

Research on Effect of Introducing Clean Energy in Compact City

2011 ◽  
Vol 361-363 ◽  
pp. 870-874
Author(s):  
Ling Jing ◽  
Jing Bo Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Power Systems ◽  
Carbon Dioxide Emissions ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Combined Heat And Power ◽  
Compact City ◽  
System A

This paper focuses on the effect of introducing clean energy in compact city. As is well known, carbon-dioxide emissions from burning gas are about half the level from coal. It is cleaner to generate electricity with natural gas than coal. When it is used for combined heat and power (CHP) system, utilization ratio and utilize benefit could be advanced considerably. This paper chooses a case in Changchun to research the effect. Three energy supply systems are set up, namely boiler system (system A) and two combined heat and power systems (system B and system C). The intensity of energy consumption of Changchun could be reckoned according to the intensity of energy consumption of Tokyo and the ratio of Degree-day of the two cities. Likewise, equipment efficiency, equipment price, energy price, CO2 emission intensity and depreciation rate are postulated. According to calculated and given data to calculate primary energy consumption, CO2emission, initial cost, annual operation costs and payback periods. The results are as follows: CHP systems (system B and system C) energy saving rates are respectively 22.9% and 8.0%, CO2 reduction rates are respectively 24.6% and 10.0%, payback periods are respectively 7.8 and 4.3 years relative to the boiler system (system A). Comparing the results of three systems, it could conclude that CHP systems (system B and system C) using natural gas would be attractive options when introducing energy system in compact cities.

scholarly journals Analysis of Energy System in Norway with Focus on Energy Consumption Prediction

2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maryam Hamlehdar ◽  
Alireza Aslani
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
Electricity Consumption ◽  
Energy System ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Regression Result ◽  
Industry Growth ◽  
The Status

Abstract Today, the fossil fuels have dominant share of energy supply in order to respond to the high energy demand in the world. Norway is one of the countries with rich sources of fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. The current work is to investigate on the status of energy demand in Norway. First, energy and electricity consumption in various sectors, including industrial, residential are calculated. Then, energy demand in Norway is forecasted by using available tools. After that, the relationship between energy consumption in Norway with Basic economics parameters such as GDP, population and industry growth rate has determined by using linear regression model. Finally, the regression result shows a low correlation between variables.

scholarly journals Sustainable energy path

2005 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 7-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromi Yamamoto ◽  
Kenji Yamaji
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Co2 Emissions ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Cost Minimization ◽  
Sustainable Energy ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Primary Energy Consumption ◽  
Photo Voltaic ◽  
Global Energy Supply

The uses of fossil fuels cause not only the resources exhaustion but also the environmental problems such as global warming. The purposes of this study are to evaluate paths to ward sustainable energy systems and roles of each renewable. In order to realize the purposes, the authors developed the global land use and energy model that figured the global energy supply systems in the future considering the cost minimization. Using the model the authors conducted a simulation in C30R scenario, which is a kind of strict CO2 emission limit scenarios and reduced CO2 emissions by 30% compared with Kyoto protocol forever scenario, and obtained the following results. In C30R scenario bio energy will supply 33% of all the primary energy consumption. How ever, wind and photo voltaic will supply 1.8% and 1.4% of all the primary energy consumption, respectively, because of the limits of power grid stability. The results imply that the strict limits of CO2 emissions are not sufficient to achieve the complete renewable energy systems. In order to use wind and photo voltaic as major energy resources we need not only to reduce the plant costs but also to develop unconventional renewable technologies. .

scholarly journals Demographic determinants of energy consumption in the European Union: Econometric analysis results

Stanovnistvo ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Predrag Petrovic ◽  
Goran Nikolic ◽  
Ivana Ostojic
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Global Climate Change ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Senior Citizens ◽  
Global Climate ◽  
Transport Infrastructure ◽  
Energy Sources ◽  
Human Society

Over the past several decades there has been a strong intensifying trend of human society impact on ecosystems, consumption of natural resources and global change. The environmental impact of the society is fully apparent and dominantly implemented through various greenhouse gases emissions (GHG), leading towards global climate change with considerably spread harmful effects. Global climate change includes the earth and ocean surface and atmospheric warming, but also melting of snow and ice, increase of sea levels and ocean acidity, as well as ever more common natural phenomena extremes (winds, various forms of rainfall/precipitation, extremely low or high temperatures, etc.). Scientists are well-familiarized with the fact that use of fossil fuels, such as oil derivatives and coal, is the main generator of harmful gases. In addition, possible substitutions for fossil fuels in the form of other energy sources are very limited, and it should be remembered that other energy sources also have certain adverse environmental effects. Bearing in mind climate change caused by products of fossil fuels combustion, as well as inevitable depletion of natural crude oil resources, management of growing global energy demand becomes one of the key goals and challenges of 21st century. If these reasons are coupled with obligations emanating from Kyoto Protocol, it is clear that attention of researches should be more than reasonably focused on the main determinants of energy consumption. This study is focused on illumination of key demographic and economic determinants of energy consumption in 28 EU member states in the period 1960- 2014. The results obtained demonstrate that population positively and quite strongly influence total energy consumption. An increase of population of 1% will result in an increase of energy consumption of 1.59% to 1.76%. Such relation most probably can be explained by the fact that demographic growth of the society aggravates and complicates planning processes of efficient energy consumption, diminishing the ability of society to be energy efficient. The population effect of persons aged 65 and above to energy consumption is also positive. An increase in share of this age group of 1% will result in an increase in energy consumption of approximately 0.43%. Positive elasticity coefficient should be understood as a proof that European societies with higher share of senior citizens consume more energy that societies with higher share of younger population, not necessarily as an argument that senior citizens use more energy than younger population. The explanation for such nature of a cause-andeffect relation could be that high share of senior citizens influences the structure of production and consumption, spatial distribution of population, transport infrastructure and social services provided. A significant influence on energy consumption in the EU is made by the level of economic development of countries, which is in accordance with the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC), suggesting a relation of inverted letter ?U?. The amount of income per capita needed to have the EKC expressed ranges between 54,183 and 81,552 dollars.

Analysis of Energy System in South Africa Using Exponential Smoothing Approach and Regression Technique

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 51-67
Author(s):  
Mohammad Mehdi Ghiasi ◽  
Alireza Aslani ◽  
Younes Noorollahi
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Energy Demand ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Energy System ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Exponential Smoothing ◽  
Industrial Growth ◽  
Simple Exponential Smoothing

The energy demand has increased dramatically in the recent decades. Due to the limitations and environmental effects of fossil fuels, secure level of energy supply is vital for economic and social development. This work is to review the energy sector in South Africa. After that, the consumptions of coal, oil, natural gas, and nuclear energy are estimated by employing simple exponential smoothing methodology. Finding shows that the primary energy consumption in the South Africa is correlated as a function of population growth rate, industrial growth rate, and GDP.

scholarly journals Gini and Entropy-Based Spread Indexes for Primary Energy Consumption Efficiency and CO2 Emission

Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (18) ◽  
pp. 4938
Author(s):  
Hellinton H. Takada ◽  
Celma O. Ribeiro ◽  
Oswaldo L. V. Costa ◽  
Julio M. Stern
Keyword(s):  
Energy Consumption ◽  
Co2 Emission ◽  
Fossil Fuels ◽  
Fossil Fuel ◽  
Primary Energy ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Primary Energy Consumption ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Responsible Investment ◽  
Global Spread

Primary energy consumption is one of the key drivers of global CO2 emissions that, in turn, heavily depends on the efficiency of involved technologies. Either improvement in technology efficiency or the expansion of non-fossil fuel consumption requires large investments. The planning and financing of such investments by global policy makers or global energy firms require, in turn, reliable measures of associated global spread and their evolution in time, at least from the point of view of the principles for responsible investment (PRI). In this paper, our main contribution is the introduction of index measures for accessing global spread (that is, measures of inequality or inhomogeneity in the statistical distribution of a related quantity of interest) of technology efficiency and CO2 emission in primary energy consumption. These indexes are based on the Gini index, as used in economical sciences, and generalized entropy measures. Regarding primary energy sources, we consider petroleum, coal, natural gas, and non-fossil fuels. Between our findings, we attest some stable relations in the evolution of global spreads of technology efficiency and CO2 emission and a positive relation between changes in global spread of technology efficiency and use of non-fossil fuel.

Evaluation of Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robin J. McDaniel
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Dioxide ◽  
Hybrid Systems ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Alternative Energy ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Nuclear Energy ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Energy System ◽  
System Component

Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technologies have been recently deemed by the DOE as clean energy, a low carbon-dioxide emitting “alternative energy” source. Recent UN Sustainability Goals and Global Climate Talks to reduce the anthropomorphic Carbon-Dioxide atmospheric concentrations signal a renewed interest and need for nuclear power. The objective of this paper is to present an improved approach to the evaluation of “Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems”. A hybrid energy system is defined as an energy system that utilizes two or more sources of energy to be used in single or multiple applications. Traditional single sourced energy or power systems require the amount of energy creation and the production of usable power to be carefully balanced. With the introduction of multiple energy sources, loads, and energy capacitors, the design, simulation, and operation of such hybrid systems requires a new approach to analysis and control. This paper introduces three examples of “Hybrid Nuclear Energy Systems”, for large scale power, industrial heat, and electricity generation. The system component independence, reliability, availability, and dynamic control aspects, coupled with component operational decisions presents a new way to optimize energy production and availability. Additional novel hybrid hydro-nuclear systems, concentrated solar-nuclear power desalination systems, and nuclear-insitu petroleum extraction systems are compared. The design aspects of such hybrid systems suitable for process heat, electricity generation, and/or desalination applications are discussed. After a multiple-year research study of past hybrid reactor designs and recent system proposals, the following design evaluation approach is the result of analysis of the best concepts discovered. This review of existing literature has summerized that postulated benefits of Hybrid Nuclear Sytems are; reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased energy conversion efficiency, high reliability of electricity supply and consistent power quality, reduced fossil fuel dependence, less fresh water consumption, conversion of local coal or shale into higher value fuels, while lowering the risks and costs. As these proposed hybrid systems are interdisciplinary in nature, they will require a new multidisciplinary approach to systems evaluation.

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