314 Energy andtransport for thefuture
were recognised as a dominant reason for its rapid development, a solar-
hydrogen economy could take off more rapidly than most energy analysts
are currently predicting.
Iceland is a country that is in the forefront of the development
of a hydrogen economy and aspires to be largely free of the use of
fossil fuels by 2030–2040. Much of its electricity already comes from
hydroelectric or geothermal sources. The first hydrogen fuel station in
Iceland was opened in April 2003 and several buses powered by fuel
cells are its first customers.
Finally, in this section looking at the longer term, there is the pos-
sibility of power from nuclear fusion, the energy that powers the Sun
(see box). If this can be harnessed, virtually limitless supplies of energy
could be provided. The result of the next phase in this programme of
work will be watched with great interest.Summary
This chapter has outlined the ways in which energy for human life and
industry is currently provided. Growth in conventional energy sources
at the rate required to meet the world’s future energyneeds will gen-
erate greatly increased emissions of greenhouse gases that will lead to
unacceptable climate change. Such would not be consistent with the
agreements reached at the United Nations Conference on Environment
and Development at Rio de Janeiro in June 1992 when the countries of
the world committed themselves to the action necessary to address the
problems of energy and the environment. During the twenty-first cen-
tury, emissions of carbon dioxide must be substantially reduced (e.g. as
in WEC scenario C) as required by the Objective of the Climate Con-
vention so that the concentration in the atmosphere of carbon dioxide is
stabilised by the end of the century. In order to achieve the large changes
required, four areas of action are essential:
Many studies have shown that in most developed countries improve-
ments in energy efficiency of thirty per cent or more can be achieved
at little or no net cost or even at some overall saving. But industry and
individuals will require not just encouragement, but modest incentives
if the savings are to be realised.
Much of the necessary technology is available for renewable energy
sources (especially ‘modern’ biomass, wind and solar energy) that
can go a long way towards replacing energy from fossil fuels to be
developed and implemented. For this to be done on an adequate scale,
an economic framework with appropriate incentives will need to be set
up. Policy options available include the removal of subsidies, carbon or