Energy and the EnvironentEnergy and the Environent

OutlineOutline

1. Introduction1. Introduction

-- What is the challenge?-- What is the challenge?

2. Problems of energy2. Problems of energy

3. Impetus/context to renewable energy 3. Impetus/context to renewable energy regime/drive :regime/drive :

4. Energy resources4. Energy resources

5. Conclusion5. Conclusion

IntroductionIntroduction

What is the challengeWhat is the challenge- Dependence on fossil fuels. vs. desire low-carbon- Dependence on fossil fuels. vs. desire low-carbon- The problem of political will? - The problem of political will?

Energy Problems IEnergy Problems I

The The Environmental DimensionEnvironmental Dimension

Transport- oil spills eg. 1989, 10 million gallons of Transport- oil spills eg. 1989, 10 million gallons of crude oil leaked from Exxon Valdez tanker crude oil leaked from Exxon Valdez tanker

off Alaska.off Alaska.

use -Greenhouse gas effects, from carbon dioxide use -Greenhouse gas effects, from carbon dioxide produced in the burning of fuels has effect on produced in the burning of fuels has effect on

climate changeclimate change

Disposal- fuel rods used in nuclear plants disposed of Disposal- fuel rods used in nuclear plants disposed of as radioactive wastes [high exposure to as radioactive wastes [high exposure to

humans can cause birth defects, cancer, death]humans can cause birth defects, cancer, death]

Energy Problems IIEnergy Problems II

The Economic DimensionThe Economic Dimension

IIndustrial economy,

Social conveniences

The The National Security DimenionNational Security Dimenion

Rise of militant nationalism in world’s gas Rise of militant nationalism in world’s gas stationsstations

Vulnerability among world’s leading oil Vulnerability among world’s leading oil consumersconsumers

Impact 1973 OPEC embargo Impact 1973 OPEC embargo

Energy Problems III

Depletion/supply concernsDepletion/supply concerns- Oil-rich nations using more energy - Oil-rich nations using more energy

and cutting importsand cutting imports- Not shortage- Not shortage- Political sources: energy indep.- Political sources: energy indep.

Sources of EnergySources of Energy

CoalCoalUsesUses: electricity, heating, cooking, industry?: electricity, heating, cooking, industry?AdvantagesAdvantages: abundant, cheap.: abundant, cheap.Environmental impacts of CoalEnvironmental impacts of Coal [the high cost of cheap coal; i.e. the politics of costing: who counts][the high cost of cheap coal; i.e. the politics of costing: who counts]

Air pollutionAir pollutionSO2, NOx,SO2, NOx,CO2 emissionsCO2 emissions

Most carbon intensive fuelMost carbon intensive fuelHigh percentage of global CO2 emissionsHigh percentage of global CO2 emissions

Mining impactsMining impactsSafety.Safety.Health – water around the minesHealth – water around the minesDisposal of byproductsDisposal of byproducts

““Clean coal:” technology = Carbon sequestrationClean coal:” technology = Carbon sequestrationIssues: Cost; escape and safety, diverts resourcesIssues: Cost; escape and safety, diverts resources

Natural GasNatural GasCleanest burning of all fossil fuelsCleanest burning of all fossil fuels

Most efficientMost efficient

World production and reserves continue to riseWorld production and reserves continue to rise

Largest reservoirs: Russia [former Soviet] 31%, Mid. Largest reservoirs: Russia [former Soviet] 31%, Mid. East 31%.East 31%.

Known reserves – 60 year supply at current use ratesKnown reserves – 60 year supply at current use rates

Dependence on foreign countriesDependence on foreign countries

Environmental Impacts of Natural GasEnvironmental Impacts of Natural Gas

-Pipeline construction and leaks-Pipeline construction and leaks

-Emissions of greenhouse gas:-Emissions of greenhouse gas:

- Flares- Flares

Nuclear PowerNuclear PowerAbout 5% global energy consumption.About 5% global energy consumption.Problems in its developmentProblems in its development

- Decline in public acceptance- Decline in public acceptance- High cost [U.S., govt heavy subsidy, especially insurance - High cost [U.S., govt heavy subsidy, especially insurance liability]liability]

Env. impactsEnv. impacts of Nuclear Energy of Nuclear EnergyDoes not emit NOx, SO2, CO2Does not emit NOx, SO2, CO2

Accidents:Accidents:-Three Mile Island plant, PA (1979)-Three Mile Island plant, PA (1979)- Chernobyl (1989)- Chernobyl (1989)- Proponents: 19th C. Britain over 100,000 died in coal mines.- Proponents: 19th C. Britain over 100,000 died in coal mines.

Nuclear Nuclear Waste [Waste [big debate, but also, source of revenue to some]big debate, but also, source of revenue to some]On site storageOn site storageRussia’s Far EastRussia’s Far EastYucca Mountain site?Yucca Mountain site?Nuclear waste tradeNuclear waste trade

OilOil% Global world production% Global world production

e.g.- Saudi Arabi 25; Iraq 9; UAE 9;Iran 9 e.g.- Saudi Arabi 25; Iraq 9; UAE 9;Iran 9 Kuwait 10; Venezuela 7; US 2.8; Mexico 4.7Kuwait 10; Venezuela 7; US 2.8; Mexico 4.7

Environmental Impacts of oilEnvironmental Impacts of oilGas flaringGas flaringPipeline leaksPipeline leaksCO2 emissionsCO2 emissionsAir pollution: SO2, NOx, O3Air pollution: SO2, NOx, O3Oil spills: Exxon Valdez [1989]Oil spills: Exxon Valdez [1989]

- almost assured because of distributional - almost assured because of distributional conflicts – e.g. Niger Delta Oilconflicts – e.g. Niger Delta Oil

Alternative Energy Sources/PracticesAlternative Energy Sources/Practices

Demand Side: Logic of efficiencyDemand Side: Logic of efficiency-renewable energy + energy efficiency -renewable energy + energy efficiency

improvements, could provide up to 50 % of U.S. improvements, could provide up to 50 % of U.S. electricity needs by 2030.electricity needs by 2030.

- Energy efficiency would account for about 57 % of national - Energy efficiency would account for about 57 % of national emissions reductions required by 2030 (renewables would emissions reductions required by 2030 (renewables would provide the rest).provide the rest).

- 40 % of efficiency-related reductions be from - 40 % of efficiency-related reductions be from

buildings, buildings, -30 percent from both the industry and -30 percent from both the industry and

transportation sectors.transportation sectors.

Energy EfficiencyEnergy Efficiency

Constraints on Energy EfficiencyConstraints on Energy Efficiency

Policy FailuresPolicy Failures

- Subsidies and artificially low prices- Subsidies and artificially low prices

- Not regulating externalities: e.g. pollution- Not regulating externalities: e.g. pollution

- Electoral politics-special interests problem- Electoral politics-special interests problem

Limited access to ICT [Information, Communication, Limited access to ICT [Information, Communication, and Technology]and Technology]

- Income/markets, information flow- Income/markets, information flow

Collective action problemsCollective action problems

-hence policy failures persist-hence policy failures persist

Alternative Energy/practices cont.Alternative Energy/practices cont.

2. Supply side2. Supply side: : Renewable SourcesRenewable Sources

- Includes - Includes

- Hydropower, biomass, solar PV, Wind, Hydrogen, - Hydropower, biomass, solar PV, Wind, Hydrogen, Tidal, geothermal, wasteTidal, geothermal, waste

-Services-Services

- electricity, heat, motive power, and water pumping - electricity, heat, motive power, and water pumping for millions in dev. countries. for millions in dev. countries.

- Sectors - Sectors

-agriculture, small industry, homes, schools, -agriculture, small industry, homes, schools,

and other community needs.and other community needs.

Renewable Energy in Developing Renewable Energy in Developing CountriesCountries

40 % existing renewable power capacity, 40 % existing renewable power capacity,

- 70 % existing solar hot water capacity, - 70 % existing solar hot water capacity, - 45 % biofuels production.45 % biofuels production.

Policy Policy to promote renewable Energy growing.to promote renewable Energy growing.

- At least 60 countries- At least 60 countries

- 37 developed and transition countries - 37 developed and transition countries

-23 developing countries -23 developing countries

Polices to Promote Renewable EnergyPolices to Promote Renewable Energy

Most common policies: Most common policies: 1.Feed-in law [producers guaranteed sale to electric network].1.Feed-in law [producers guaranteed sale to electric network].

- By 2007, at least 37 countries and 9 - By 2007, at least 37 countries and 9 states/provinces, more than half enacted states/provinces, more than half enacted since 2002.since 2002.

2. Renewable portfolio standards (RPS)/ renewable obligations or 2. Renewable portfolio standards (RPS)/ renewable obligations or quota [a % of generation sold or capacity installed is quota [a % of generation sold or capacity installed is

provided by renewable energyprovided by renewable energy- United States, Canada, India, Australia, China, Italy, - United States, Canada, India, Australia, China, Italy, Japan, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. Japan, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

- U. S., five states enacted new RPS policies during 2006/2007 - U. S., five states enacted new RPS policies during 2006/2007 (Illinois, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, and (Illinois, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, and Washington State), total US = 25 + D.C (four states have policy Washington State), total US = 25 + D.C (four states have policy goals).goals).

- 9 U.S. states revised existing RPS targets, including California, - 9 U.S. states revised existing RPS targets, including California, which accelerated to 2010 an existing target of 20 % by 2017. which accelerated to 2010 an existing target of 20 % by 2017.

Other Forms of Policy SupportOther Forms of Policy Support

Capital investment subsidies or rebates, Capital investment subsidies or rebates, Tax incentives and credits, Tax incentives and credits, Sales tax and value-added tax exemptions, Sales tax and value-added tax exemptions, Energy production payments or tax credits, Energy production payments or tax credits, Public investment or financing.Public investment or financing.Mandates for incorporating solar hot water into new construction. Mandates for incorporating solar hot water into new construction. Germany: Germany:

AAll new residential buildings (2009), 14 % of household ll new residential buildings (2009), 14 % of household heating and hot water energy from renewablesheating and hot water energy from renewables

Existing German buildings be retrofitted to meet 10 % of Existing German buildings be retrofitted to meet 10 % of their heating energy from renewables. their heating energy from renewables.

AAllocation of $490 million in 2008 for capital grants to llocation of $490 million in 2008 for capital grants to homeowners.homeowners.

Cape TownCape Town, South Africa, , South Africa, - Draft 2007 bylaw undergoing review: solar hot water in new - Draft 2007 bylaw undergoing review: solar hot water in new

houses for middle- and high-income groups.houses for middle- and high-income groups.

WindWind

- Fastest growing world’s renewable energy resourceFastest growing world’s renewable energy resource- 28 % worldwide in 2007.- 28 % worldwide in 2007.- Annual capacity additions increased: 40 % higher - Annual capacity additions increased: 40 % higher

in in 2007 2007 cf to 2006.cf to 2006.- Europe leads world in installed capacity- Europe leads world in installed capacity

- 1991 - 1991 USUS DOE – three states: N. Dakota, Kansas, DOE – three states: N. Dakota, Kansas, and and Texas had enough to satisfy national electricity Texas had enough to satisfy national electricity needs. needs. Advance in turbine tech. suggests more [not Advance in turbine tech. suggests more [not just just electricity]electricity]

Issues and ImpactsIssues and Impacts in Wind power in Wind power- No air emissions- No air emissions- Impact on birds: mountain ridges- Impact on birds: mountain ridges- Cost competitive- Cost competitive

Biofuels: Ethanol and BiodieselBiofuels: Ethanol and Biodiesel

Developing countries, small-scale power and heat production from agricultural waste is common, for example from rice or coconut husks.

- The use of bagasse (sugar cane after juice extraction) in countries with large sugar industry,

[Australia, Brazil, China,Colombia, Cuba, India, the Philippines, and Thailand].- Corn

Power and heatingPower and heating - expanding in Austria, Denmark, Finland, - expanding in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Sweden, and the Baltic countries, and the Baltic countries, and provides substantial and provides substantial shares (5–50 shares (5–50 percent) of district heating fuel. percent) of district heating fuel.

The United StatesThe United States

By 2007, gasoline blended with some share By 2007, gasoline blended with some share of ethanol. of ethanol.

Production of ethanol less than demand Production of ethanol less than demand (2006). (2006).

-- U.S. U.S. Energy Bill. Energy Bill.

- Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), set - Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), set goals for the U.S. biofuels industry.goals for the U.S. biofuels industry.

- production of 36 million gallons of - production of 36 million gallons of biofuels—biofuels— mainly ethanol and biodiesel—mainly ethanol and biodiesel—annually by annually by 2022. 2022.

Criticism/Fears of BiofuelsCriticism/Fears of Biofuels

AndAnd the the environmentenvironment- process of producing biofuels — - process of producing biofuels — cultivation, fertilisation, harvesting, cultivation, fertilisation, harvesting, transportation — could introduce transportation — could introduce parallel parallel carbon emissions.carbon emissions.

What could a price war with fossil fuel mean?What could a price war with fossil fuel mean?

Long-term effects onLong-term effects on agricultureagriculture. .

Promising trendsPromising trends

Provisions in US Energy Bill.Provisions in US Energy Bill.- meet certain greenhouse gas emissions requirements.- meet certain greenhouse gas emissions requirements. -emission reductions have to be based on lifecycle studies -emission reductions have to be based on lifecycle studies - administrator should “re-evaluate” conditions annually and - administrator should “re-evaluate” conditions annually and adjust the fuel mandate andadjust the fuel mandate andemissions requirements emissions requirements

Similar views elsewhere mirror U.S. viewSimilar views elsewhere mirror U.S. vieweg. Brazil eg. Brazil Forum consensusForum consensus

Other ExampleOther Example- Jatropha - Jatropha

ConclusionsConclusions

Question of Political will and the right policies [who Question of Political will and the right policies [who is the problem?].is the problem?].

- Promising examples- Promising examples- - Tanzanial Tanzanial Fuel briquettes.Fuel briquettes.- China’s cow-dung- China’s cow-dung methane power plantmethane power plant

What policies are needed to What policies are needed to advance renewable energy?advance renewable energy?

- reduce subsidies for - reduce subsidies for conventional energy and conventional energy and incorporate external costsincorporate external costs

(leveling the playing field)(leveling the playing field)