Energy independence

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Energy Atlas 2018 "Who supplies Europe? The global concerns of EU energy imports"

Energy independence is

energy generation by the energy industry
.

Energy dependence, in general, refers to mankind's general dependence on either

energy resources
from another country.

Energy dependency shows the extent to which an

bunkers.

— Eurostat[1]

Energy dependence has been identified as one of several factors (energy sources diversification, energy suppliers diversification, energy sources fungibility,

GDP) negatively contributing to energy security.[2]
Generally, a higher level of energy dependence is associated with higher risk, because of the possible interference of
terrorist attacks, etc.[3][4][5]

Techniques for energy independence

Renewable energy

A study found that

hydrogen energy could be used for such purposes alongside storage-options like batteries.[8]

Nuclear power

Several countries are conducting extensive research and development programs around renewable energy sources like solar, wind, water, and nuclear energy in hopes to achieve energy independence. However, because solar, wind, and water cannot always be derived as an energy source, nuclear energy is seen as a near-universal alternative that is efficient, safe, and combats the climate crisis.

Under the conceived notion that the expansion of and investment in nuclear energy power plants is a key step in the goal of achieving energy independence many countries, and companies, are supporting nuclear power research efforts.

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), located in France, is an experimental tokamak nuclear fusion reactor that is a collaboration between 35 different countries. This project was launched in 2007 and still under construction today.

In 2020, the U.S. Department of Energy awarded $160 million in initial funding to TerraPower and X-energy to build advanced nuclear reactors that will be affordable to construct and operate. Both companies are expected to produce their product within 7 years.[9]

In that same tone, there are several other companies and institutions across the globe that are gaining attention from their nuclear power innovations and research efforts. Commonwealth Fusion Systems, founded in 2018, is focusing on the development of nuclear fusion.[10] In 2020, The Energy Impact Center launched its OPEN100 project, the world's first open-source blueprint for the design, construction, and financing of nuclear power plants.[11] General Fusion is a Canadian company currently developing a fusion power device, based on magnetized target fusion.[10] Flibe Energy aims to tackle the future of nuclear energy by researching and developing the liquid fluoride thorium reactor (LFTR).[10]

In addition, safe and cost-effective storage of nuclear waste in the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant and full version of this underground storage in New Mexico is important for the nuclear fuel cycle.

Global examples

Energy independence is being attempted by large or resource-rich and economically-strong countries like the United States,

gas pipelines and tankers), etc. The European dependence on Russian energy is a good example because Russia is Europe's main supplier of hard coal, crude oil, and natural gas.[24]
Oil wars in and between the Middle East, Russia, and the United States that have made markets unpredictable and volatile are also a great example as to why energy advocates and experts suggest countries invest in energy independence. The international dependence of energy resources exposes countries to vulnerability in every aspect of life — countries rely on energy for food, infrastructure, security, transportation, and more.

In the Scottish Independence debate, energy independence is a key argument in favour of Scottish exit. Since the discovery of large oil fields, pro-independence proponents have used the tagline "It's Scotland's Oil" in campaigns. Scottish oil and gas production constitutes 82% of the UK's oil and gas.[25] Accordingly, economic and political independence would be followed by high-stakes energy agreements, wherein some argue the fiscal power would lie with Scotland.[26] Political independence would supposedly return decisions about the future of energy to the Scottish people, who are more likely to vote in favour of renewable energy on Scottish soil.[27] Therefore, less reliance on international gas supplies, and a focus on low-emission local energy is a key tenet of the "Building a New Scotland" prospectus promoting Scottish Independence.[28]

See also

Related concepts

National efforts

References

  1. ^ "Error". ec.europa.eu.
  2. ^ "Energy security indices in Europe / Economic Challenges for Energy Workshop February 7-8th 2011, Madrid" (PDF). eforenergy.org/. 2011.
  3. S2CID 158310322
    .
  4. PMID 28725090
    .
  5. OCLC 174112731
    .
  6. S2CID 244187364
    .
  7. S2CID 195820056
    .
  8. ISSN 2296-598X
    .
  9. ^ "U.S. Department of Energy Announces $160 Million in First Awards under Advanced Reactor Demonstration Program". Energy.gov. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  10. ^ a b c Earley, Kelly (27 February 2020). "6 start-ups innovating in the field of nuclear energy". Silicon Republic. Retrieved 10 December 2020.
  11. ^ Proctor, Darrell (25 February 2020). "Tech Guru's Plan—Fight Climate Change with Nuclear Power". Power Magazine. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  12. ^ Homans, Charles (3 January 2012). "Energy Independence: A Short History". Foreign Policy. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  13. ^ Lack, Simon (28 January 2019). "American Energy Independence Is Imminent". Forbes. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  14. ^ "International - Analysis - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) - Russia". 9 July 2019. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  15. ISBN 978-0-12-815153-2
    . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  16. ISBN 978-0-12-813964-6
    .
  17. ISBN 9781907555909. Retrieved 10 July 2019. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help
    )
  18. ^ "A Bright Future For Solar Power In The Middle East". Global Economic Intersection. 23 April 2016. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  19. ISSN 1364-0321
    .
  20. ^ "When will fossil fuels run out?". Ecotricity. Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  21. ISBN 978-0-7425-4909-8
    . Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  22. ^ RenewEconomy, Giles Parkinson (9 April 2014). "Arvizu: Why the Current Energy System Is Unsustainable". Greentech Media. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  23. ^ "Unsustainable Energy". CELDF. 4 August 2015. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
  24. ^ "Russia has maintained though throughout the whole period 2007-2017 its position as the leading supplier to the EU of the main primary energy commodities – hard coal, crude oil and natural gas" https://web.archive.org/web/20191019113648/https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statistics-explained/index.php/Energy_production_and_imports
  25. ^ "Oil and gas production statistics: 2019". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Higher North Sea revenues: what impact on Scotland's independence debate?". Economics Observatory. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  27. ^ "Do Scots want green energy in Scotland? | YouGov". yougov.co.uk. Retrieved 24 February 2023.
  28. ^ "Energy and climate change". www.gov.scot. Retrieved 24 February 2023.

External links

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