Encyclopedia of Environmental Science and Engineering, Volume I and II

322 ENERGY SOURCES—ALTERNATIVES

The implementation of a national or regional energy

study yields the following results:

1) A long-range development plan for the energy

system in terms of exploitation and extraction capac-

ities, energy conversion and production capacities,

total demand in relation to capital investment and

population growth.

2) Annual consumption of primary energy and its

structure.

3) An energy flow diagram.

4) Annual costs for each operation in the energy

system.

5) Equipment requirements for each process and the

additional capacity investment.

6) Ratio of indigenous to imported energy.

7) Sites for new plants.

8) Effects of new technologies on the energy system.

CONCLUSION

The role of energy in the well being and progress of a

nation is obviously quite complex, involving many con-

flicting social, economic, and environmental factors. It is

generally recognized that a national energy policy in many

countries is urgently needed. The governments of especially

the industrial countries have understood the dependence of

their economy from a healthy energy economy and initi-

ated steps to secure the basis for a reorganization of gov-

ernmental and semi-governmental institutions engaged with

energy and to be able to give reliable recommendations to

the industry. The endeavours of governments and industries

become more difficult because of the lack of healthy bases

and the uncertainty how the numerous energy technologies

will be developed and which availabilities and costs in the

long-term future can be expected for the different primary

energy agents. The energy program of the USA includes a

broad program to accelerate the development of fast breeder

reactors, SO 2 control techniques, coal gasification and liq-

uefaction, and several other energy conversion techniques

up to the bio-energy. Furthermore the program includes the

development of leasing provisions for geothermal fields and

shale oil resources and the acceleration of gas lease sales

on the Outer Continental Shelf, steps that are intended to

increase the availability of fuels which are or will be in

short supply. The balance for the program outlined in the

energy messages of the Government includes programs to

utilize energy more wisely and specifies increased insulation

requirements in Federal Housing Administration standards

for federally insured homes. Increasing attention is being

directed toward individual energy utilizing activities, such as

space heating and cooling, to determine how more efficient

systems and practices can serve to reduce per capita energy

demands. However, the crucial revelation of the past decades

is that, put simply, there is a relationship between energy

and the environment fundamental to the survival of man-

kind—energy demand cannot be met by employing techno-

logical and economic means if over the long term the finite

resources of the environment are consumed in the process.

The solution of this problem in which energy, ecology and

economy are, as it were, represented as being at the apexes

of a triangle requires that human and artificial intelligence

be deployed which are available but needs governments to

channel their endeavours before it is too late, and to hinder

vested interest from deflecting them from their course. In

this respect, the USA has assumed a leading role. Subsequent

efforts are being undertaken by other governments in indus-

trialized or semi-industrialized countries and it may be of

advantage to interchange any experience and know-how in

the problematical fields of energy and environment.

A tremendous increase has been seen in renewable energy

sources such as wind and solar power throughout the world.^61

The reduction in air pollution by these renewables results

directly from the reduction in fossil fuel combustion (see

http://www.refocus.net ). Renewables are approaching 2% of the util-

ity mix in some states of the United States. Wind parks, both

on- and offshore can generate many megawatts with large wind

turbines producing power on the order of one MW each.^62

REFERENCES

1. United Nations 1969 Statistical Yearbook, Statistical Office of the
   U.N., Department of Economic and Social Affairs, New York 1970.


2. Ayres, R.U. and A.V. Kneese, Production, Consumption and Externali-
   ties, American Economic Review, June 1969.


3. Minerals Year-Book, 1968, Vol. Vol. I–II, Metals, Minerals, and Fuels,
   USGPO, Washington, D.C., 1969.


4. Morrison, W.E. and C.L. Reading, An Energy Model for the United
   States, Featuring Energy Balances for the Years 1947 to 1965 and Projec-
   tions and Forecasts to the Year 1980 and 2000, U.S. Dept. of the Interior,
   Bureau of Mines Information Circular 8384, USGPO, Washington, D.C.,
   1968.

INVENTORY OF ENERGY RESOURCES

OWN RESOURCES, TRADE AND SOURCES PROVIDED BY

TRANS-BORDER ENERGY TRANSFER

DEMAND FOR PRIMARY ENERGY SOURCES

SURPLUSES/DEFICITS

SECONDARY ENERGY SOURCES

EFFECTIVE

ENERGIES

ENERGY

STUDY

ASSISTED BY

LARGE COMPUTER

SYSTEM

ENERGY STRATEGY

ENERGY POLICY

LONG-RANGE CONCEPTUAL

PLANNING

CONVERSION PROCESSES

INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGIES

INCL.ENERGY USE

FIGURE 9 Energy pyramid analysis and strategy.

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