scholarly journals The Energy Transition and Shifts in Fossil Fuel Use: The Study of International Energy Trade and Energy Security Dynamics

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (17) ◽  
pp. 5396
Author(s):  
Sofia Berdysheva ◽  
Svetlana Ikonnikova

The global energy mix is undergoing an accelerating transformation driven by new resources, novel technologies, and climate change-related commitments. Changes in the use and availability of energy resources have affected fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas) trade patterns. Some economies enjoy increasing energy independence, whereas others become more dependent on imports to satisfy their energy needs. Using 2000–2018 United Nations Commodity trade and International Energy Agency energy- and monetary-flow data, we examine the evolution of the international network of energy flows to reveal new patterns and understand their energy security implications. Our work explores how the growth in the U.S. unconventional resources, European Union renewable energy, China’s natural gas consumption, and changes in other country energy flows affect economy positions and trade-network connectivity. Testing the small-world property helps us understand the diffusion of new technologies, including energy-demand electrification and renewable energy adoption. A modified energy-security index is introduced to highlight the interplay between fuel type and trade partner diversification and domestic supply and consumption balance. The results provide insights about the energy transition and its effect on the international network of energy flows and energy security.

2020 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
pp. 468
Author(s):  
David Low ◽  
Angus Rodger ◽  
Benjamin Gallagher ◽  
Prakash Sharma

Can hydrogen really be the next big energy disruptor? The technological challenges are significant and have suppressed its presence in the energy transition story thus far, but this is changing fast. The hydrogen market faces a chicken-and-egg conundrum. Demand growth remains limited, hindered by uncertainty over supply and cost. But investment in hydrogen supply is restricted by ambiguity over its role in the future energy mix. Nonetheless, government policy and funding in Japan, China and Korea is creating new demand centres. Will the breakthrough be in power generation, transportation or energy storage? The costs associated with hydrogen production and transportation are its biggest hurdles. But new technologies around liquid organic hydrogen carriers and ammonia are emerging. How is this hydrogen+ philosophy evolving, and could it be a future competitive advantage? Over the past decade, we have already seen how new technology has rapidly reduced other renewable energy costs. We outline our view on whether the same could happen with hydrogen. So, where does Australia fit into this picture, and what is its competitive advantage? Australia is well endowed with natural resources, many of which can reliably generate renewable energy. And with numerous ongoing hydrogen pilot programs, it is uniquely positioned to innovate and export green hydrogen know-how. Can Australia become the global laboratory for hydrogen supply-chain technology? Local upstream companies could be catalysts for change, given their existing producer–supplier relationships across north-eastern Asia. What role could hydrogen play in the future upstream portfolio?


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (24) ◽  
pp. 8382
Author(s):  
Alberto-Jesus Perea-Moreno ◽  
Quetzalcoatl Hernandez-Escobedo

According to United Nations data, half of the world’s population lives in cities and forecasts indicate that by the middle of the 21st century, this percentage will have increased to 65%. The increase in the urban population favors the creation of a network of interactions that entails a series of material and energy flows. These cause environmental impacts that affect the quality of life of citizens and the environment as a whole. According to data from the International Energy Agency, cities occupy 3% of the planet’s surface and are responsible for 67% of global energy consumption. The effects caused by this consumption, as well as its impact on the depletion of resources, make it necessary to carry out an exhaustive study of renewable energies and new energy saving systems. This Special Issue aims to present new advances and developments in renewable energy and energy saving systems that allow cities to evolve in a sustainable way.


2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 93-101
Author(s):  
T.A. Zheliezna ◽  
A.I. Bashtovyi

The aim of the work is to analyze possible ways of decarbonization of the EU heat supply sector. The task of the work is to identify the most promising areas and develop appropriate recommendations for Ukraine. The heat supply sector of the EU and Ukraine needs decarbonization, for which there is a big potential and different areas of implementation of relevant measures. In Europe, such a strategy is set out in the Roadmap for decarbonization of the EU heating sector until 2050, the main provisions of which are in line with objectives of the European Green Deal and the EU Strategy on Heating and Cooling. European experts have developed the concept of a smart energy system, which was taken into account when preparing the Roadmap for decarbonization of the EU heating sector until 2050. A number of carried out studies have shown that a smart energy system with 50% district heating integrated with other parts of the overall energy system is more efficient than a conventional energy system or the one based on decentralized heat supply, in terms of the possibility of using a high share of renewable energy. It is recommended for Ukraine to finalize the Concept of green energy transition until 2050, taking into account European approaches to the development of heating systems and the use of modern biofuels. It is also recommended to expand the current Concept of heat supply of Ukraine to the level of a strategy with an emphasis on the development of district heating systems, wide involvement of renewable energy sources and new technologies.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (7) ◽  
pp. 1181-1190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyo-Jin Kim ◽  
Seul-Ye Lim ◽  
Seung-Hoon Yoo

The South Korean government is pursuing an energy transition, which means a reduction in nuclear power and coal-fired power generation, and an expansion into renewable energy. This study seeks to evaluate the South Korean public’s preference for a mix of power generation sources. For this purpose, 1000 households throughout the country were randomly selected and a choice experiment survey of them was undertaken in March 2018. We considered four attributes: the ratio of nuclear power, the ratio of coal-fired generation, the ratio of natural gas-fired generation, and the ratio of renewable energy. An increase in the monthly electric bill was also considered as an attribute. The results of applying the choice experiment approach show that households were willing to accept an increase in their monthly electric bill by KRW 192 (USD 0.17) and KRW 165 (USD 0.15) for reducing the proportion of nuclear power and coal, respectively, by 1%p. They were willing to pay KRW 159 (USD 0.14) and KRW 409 (USD 0.38) for raising the ratio of natural gas and renewable energy, respectively, through an increase in the monthly electricity bill. The findings reveal that the government’s energy transition has overall support from the public.


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 512-525
Author(s):  
Warigia M. Bowman ◽  
Debbie Firestone

On the road to energy security, independence, and success, this past year Oklahoma has seen “construction” projects in the works. Renewable energy, however, hit a major roadblock in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic. Historically, Oklahoma produced most of its electricity through coal and natural gas. In the past decade, renewable sources like wind and solar energy represent a growing segment of electricity generation in the state. In 2019 and 2020, Oklahoma developed a stronger renewable energy policy by enacting legislation, passing administrative decisions, and passing local city ordinances.


2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 735
Author(s):  
Assem S. BAKTYMBET ◽  
Saule S. BAKTYMBET ◽  
Rakymzhan K. YELSHIBAYEV ◽  
Galiya S. UKUBASSOVA ◽  
Aisara S. BAKTYMBET

The relevance of the subject matter is conditioned upon the fact that currently the main direction of global energy development is already clearly visible: under the influence of changes in energy policy and the development of new technologies, the world is entering the stage of the fourth energy transition to the widespread use of renewable energy sources and displacement of fossil fuels. The development of Kazakhstan's economy requires the transition of energy towards clean and safe renewable sources, which will let the country build a new strong economy and break out of the long-running socio-economic decline, help the international community solve the problem of climate change and improve the safety and welfare of its citizens. The purpose of the study: The purpose of the paper is to develop recommendations for the development of Kazakhstan's energy industry at a new stage in the fundamental transformation of the global energy system. Leading approach to researching the problem. The leading methods of researching the problems of the paper include the analysis of theoretical sources, analysis of statistics, and comparison. Analysis of statistical indicators plays a crucial role in the study, since data on the development of Kazakhstan's energy industry can be directly obtained from statistical databases. The results of the study. The paper discusses the essence of the fourth energy transition, its main aspects, explores renewable energy sources, identifies the features and problems of Kazakhstan's energy industry, and develops ways to solve them. Prospects for further research. To implement the modern provisions of the fourth energy transition in Kazakhstan, it is necessary to use a systematic approach. The basic elements of such a transition are the introduction of renewable energy and energy efficiency (the intensification of reducing the energy intensity of goods and services). The materials of the paper are of practical value for the development of Kazakhstan’s energy during the period of fundamental structural transformations of the world energy sector.  


2021 ◽  
pp. 65-83
Author(s):  
Peter Drahos

States, motivated by military concerns, have mismanaged the geo-energy trilemma with the result that they face a much deeper climate emergency than they otherwise might. The geo-energy trilemma consists of climate mitigation, energy security, and economic/military development. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has been central to the creation of a data path that prioritizes fossil fuels over the development of renewable energy. The International Energy Agency sent states down the track of more coal development even though carbon capture storage was never a realistic prospect. The IEA failed to build trust among states on energy and climate change issues. The creation of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an important step forward globally for the renewable energy industries.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 424-436
Author(s):  
Vyatcheslav A. Kulagin ◽  
Dmitry A. Grushevenko ◽  
Nikita O. Kapustin

The global energy sector is undergoing a global transformation under the influence of technological breakthroughs in several sectors of production and consumption, as well as profound socioeconomic changes in approaches to energy use. This process became known as “energy transition.” In this paper, the authors investigate the long-term impact of the energy transition and related processes on the markets of key fossil fuels: oil, natural gas, and coal. Research shows that all fossil fuel sectors will face a significant increase in competition, both within traditional markets and from other energy sources, due to the development of inter-fuel competition. At the same time, energy policies and efforts to combat greenhouse gas emissions will mostly determine the energy balances of the largest countries, and will have an even greater impact on the market. Natural gas, as the most environmentally friendly of fossil fuels, with a large potential to supplement the generation of new renewable energy sources (NRES), will be the least impaired by the energy transition. In the next 20 years, its consumption and production are expected to grow significantly. Oil is under serious pressure from environmental legislation and growing inter-fuel competition in the transport sector. It is highly likely that consumption will peak before 2040, yet the depletion of traditional resources is supporting prices. The coal market is set for an almost inevitable reduction in consumption. New technologies for capturing emissions can only partially mitigate the rate of coal use decline.


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