Download Detailed description of the problem Energy Crisis

Detailed description of the problem
Energy Crisis-Science says that energy never ends, it only changes its forms. But the source of
energy can be well diminished. Now the time has arrived when energy crisis has became a cause
of concern for the entire mankind. It is like an activated bomb threatening to explode any time.
 Fossil fuels, coal, petroleum etc. are considered as prime sources of energy. They are used as
propellers in industries, automobiles, locomotives etc. For instance, coal is a conventional source
of energy. Once coal is burnt it is gone forever and can never be reused. Once the population
bag exploded, the ancient heritage made its way to extinction.
 Now it is advisable to use conventional energy sources, primary sources of energy in ancient
days. Till 1980s transportation was possible only through trains run by coal and diesel. But now,
even the automobiles use petrol (Mohanty,n.d.). The industries depend upon these sources of
energy. And on the other hand, the country's economy depends upon the productivity of these
industries. So basically, a country's economy is entirely dependent upon the availability of
sources of energy.
 The statistics show that coal takes 1000 years for its formation while in thousand years
population increases more than 1000 times of the coal produced. Energy crisis has engulfed most
of the countries. Even the mightiest country, the United States is fighting against the Middle East
for energy sources since decades and has also been in bitter terms with Iran, Iraq and other oil
producing countries. These countries have been exercising their monopoly over oil in the
international market. Within ten years oil prices has increased by about nine times or 900%.
-Nonliving and living factors that contribute to or are affected by the problem
Causes Although it is true that environmental regulations have caused some increased energy demand
and have restricted supply to some extent, it is important to recognize that other factors have
been considerably more significant. These include rapidly escalating demand for energy, energy
pricing policies, oil import quotas, lack of incentives to invest in domestic energy facilities, and
depletion of domestic oil and gas reserves.
 Demand for energy has surged in recent years at an average rate of 4.3 percent. Per capita
demand is growing at 3.5%. Both rates are significantly higher than historical averages. In 197172, 69% of the total increase in demand for energy was supplied by oil. Consumption of oil has
been increasing since 1970 at an annual rate of more than a million barrels per day each year. In
contxt with US, Domestic production of oil and production by our traditional suppliers - Canada
and Venezuela - has stabilized. The result is that not only has the incremental supply of oil come
from imports, but it has also come from new sources in the Eastern Hemisphere.
 Demand Problems -
• A shift in demand occurred toward electrical power because of convenience, despite the fact
that electricity is generally the least efficient form of energy.
• Use of energy by automobiles has increased rapidly (6.3% in 1972), yet automobiles and
aircraft are the least efficient
 Supply Problems-Although demand for energy has been growing rapidly during the recent
years, supply has not kept pace because of economics, facility siting difficulties, resource
depletion of oil and gas, and environmental constraints.As was true on the demand side,
economic factors have been at the root of the problems with supply. The energy industry has
been stalled in its development of new facilities for economic, social and environmental reasons.
Requirements for new energy facilities have been increasing exponentially and resistance to
them has been increasing as well.
OutcomeIt will certainly spread economic pain and hardship globally, especially to those who cannot
afford higher transportation and heating-fuel costs.
Some vectors, in particular, demand attention:
• A slowing in the growth of energy supplies at a time of accelerating worldwide demand;
• Rising political instability provoked by geopolitical competition for those supplies;
• Mounting environmental woes produced by our continuing addiction to oil, natural gas and
coal.
According to U.S. department of energy, Energy experts have long warned that global oil and
gas supplies are not likely to be sufficiently expandable to meet anticipated demand. As far back
as the mid-1990s, peak-oil theorists like Kenneth Deffeyes of Princeton University and Colin
Campbell of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil (ASPO) insisted that the world was
heading for a peak-oil moment and would soon face declining petroleum output
-Positive or negative human impacts
Most scientists believe that recent global warming is largely the result of human energy
consumption, which releases carbon dioxide, a powerful greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere.
Massive, almost inconceivable amounts of energy are used to do everything these days, from
building airplanes to running sewer systems and hospital equipment. Energy is the essence of
modern civilization, and as societies and economies grow, so does their energy consumption.
In the United States and most other developed countries, 85 percent of this energy comes from
fossil fuels (mainly coal, oil, and natural gas). In developing countries, wood, charcoal, straw,
and cow dung still meet a large portion of heating and cooking needs, but the shift to fossil fuels
is happening fast. Global energy consumption is growing at roughly two percent per year and is
projected to double by 2035 and triple by 2055.
And global energy consumption is so great and rising so fast that humans are demonstrably
changing the climate.
Technologically advanced societies have become increasingly dependent on external energy
sources for transportation, the production of many manufactured goods, and the delivery of
energy services. This energy allows people, in general, to live under otherwise unfavorable
climatic conditions through the use of heating, ventilation, and/or air conditioning. Level of use
of external energy sources differs across societies, as do the climate, convenience, traffic
congestion, pollution, production, and greenhouse gas emissions of each society.
Increased levels of human comfort generally induce increased dependence on external energy
sources, although the application of energy efficiency and conservation approaches allows a
certain degree of mitigation of the dependence. Wise energy use therefore embodies the idea of
balancing human comfort with reasonable energy consumption levels by researching and
implementing effective and sustainable energy harvesting and utilization measures.
-Evaluation of current sustainability strategies and solutions
 For too long, the world has focused on increase in energy supply, including, in particular,
through electricity generation. However, there is now increasing realisation that most grid based
power supply, transmission, and distribution systems are wasteful, and by saving energy, more of
it can be delivered at lower cost to the user.
 Within the framework of energy laws, governments establish their policies, rules and
regulations concerning ownership, exploitation, development and use of energy resources within
the boundaries of their jurisdiction.
 Some countries have comprehensive energy laws which regulate resource exploration,
development, production, transport, purchase and distribution of energy for one or more than one
energy carrier. Other countries have issued separate laws for each type of fuel governing
resource ownership, exploration rights, and trade regulations as well as supply and pricing rules.
In most countries, energy supply systems, and electricity supply in particular, remain in the
domain of the public sector. Due to the strategic and economic importance of energy private
sector activity in this field also remains highly regulated. However, conventional energy laws
typically focus on the development and management of the energy resource and supply side, and
do not normally provide specific guidelines concerning energy use or demand management.
 All legislation concerning controls of human activity which cause emission of pollutants or
has other environmental impacts may be categorized as environmental laws.
 During the past ten years many of the developing countries in Asia also announced such laws.
Among the developing countries in Asia, national environmental protection laws were
established in China (Environmental Protection Law; 1989), India (Environment Protection Act;
1986), Indonesia (Environmental Management Act, 1997), Malaysia (Environmental Quality
Act, 1974, amended 1996), Sri Lanka (National Environmental Act; 1980 and 1988), Thailand
(Enhancement and Conservation of National Environmental Quality Act, B.E. 2535, 1992) and
Viet Nam (Law on Environment Protection; Presidential Order of 10 January 1994). National
environmental laws provide a legal basis for prohibiting specific (economic) activities in certain
geographical areas (for example, for purposes of preserving forest reserves, parks, wetlands,
grasslands, coastal zones or marine parks).
 Energy conservation laws were first introduced by some oil import dependent countries as
emergency measures in the mid 1970s and early 1980s when two subsequent global oil price
shocks caused sudden and dramatic trade imbalances and economic recession.
 Energy conservation laws provide mandates for market intervention, energy price regulation
(for purposes of energy price stabilization) and, in some countries, also include provisions for
emergency-type rationing of energy consumption.
 In reaction to the oil crisis, several industrialized countries as well as some energy import
dependent developing countries established (temporary) oil price stabilization funds. Related
regulations foresee the (temporary) subsidization of energy import costs during expected future
crisis periods. In most countries, regulations pertaining to oil price stabilization were repealed or
suspended during the late 1980s and early 1990s as part of overall moves towards greater market
and price liberalization.
 Laws and regulatory measures for energy efficiency promotion aim at achieving lower energy
intensities in specific economic sectors or the economy as a whole.
 All energy conservation legislation issued after 1990 focuses on measures for energy
efficiency promotion.
 EPA has been taking positive steps to deal with energy problems during the last year and is
now taking emergency action to reduce the severity of the shortage caused by the Arab oil
embargo. The environmental movement shares some of the responsibility for the recent surge in
energy demand.
 A number of EPA programs would reduce energy consumption. Obviously, reduction of
energy use not only reduces the energy problem, but also limits environmental damages. Hence,
there is agreement between environmental and energy interests on the need for conservation.
Although environmental regulations are but a small factor in the current energy situation, EPA
has acted recently to reduce the adverse impacts on energy of its programs. These actions are
consistent with a long-run approach of balancing energy considerations against the need for
environmental protection.
 A number of EPA decisions, some made explicitly in response to energy problems and some
made for other reasons, have reduced or will reduce the impact of environmental regulations on
energy. Examples of these actions include:
• The "Clean Fuels Policy" on coal combustion- In the fall of 1972 EPA determined that
imposition of State sulfur regulations under the Clean Air Act would jeopardize the production
of more than 100 million tons of U.S. coal. By delaying or modifying regulations more stringent
than those needed to meet primary (health-related) standards, this coal could be utilized.
Accordingly, for the past year EPA has been encouraging the States to change those regulations
to the level needed to meet health standards. This action would save domestic coal production
and limit demand for imported low sulfur oil resulting from coal-to-oil switching.
• The variance policy on oil combustion- EPA has enunciated a policy of granting temporary
variances from sulfur regulations on oil combustion where low sulfur oil cannot be obtained.
This ensures that adequate fuel is available, even though emissions standards and air quality
standards may be violated.
• Emergency switching from oil to coal- EPA has supported the emergency energy legislation
proposed in the Congress this year which would allow the President to order power plants to
switch from oil to coal combustion, even though it would result in increased sulfur emissions
from those plants. Since coal production can only be increased by limited amounts in a short
time, EPA has sought to insure that the limited amount of switching that can be done occurs
where environmental damages are minimal.
• Recommended change of the Nitrogen Oxides (Nox) auto emission standard- Using the revised
technique to assess ambient concentrations of Nox and analyzing the impact of auto emissions on
urban concentrations of Nox , EPA determined that the Congressionally mandated 90%
reduction of Nox auto emissions was not needed to protect health. EPA requested that Congress
increase the 1977 Nox auto emissions standard five-fold until 1982. This change has the added
benefit of significantly improving fuel economy of cars meeting the standard.
According to PSU (n.d.),National Energy Conservation Program- In late 1972, EPA prepared a
major study on energy conservation. The most promising measures include:
• Increase the population of small autos
• Increase aircraft passenger load factor
• Apply improved insulation and glass standards to new commercial buildings
The EPA study estimates that about 20% of the predicted 1990 demand for energy could be
saved if economic conservation policies are implemented as soon as practicable.
The Agency is now actively supporting the Office of Energy Conservation (which will be part of
the new Federal Energy Administration) in developing a program based on measures such as
these.
EPA is also participating in several efforts to determine whether alternative energy sources can
be utilized in an environmentally acceptable manner.
-Your plan to reach sustainability
Opportunities for energy conservation are increasingly available in almost every application in
any setting. Home, school, office, and industrial environments have all benefited from costsaving and energy-saving innovations. The advantages of energy conservation have been
quantified on the local level as tons of air-pollutants avoided and dollars saved. Reduction in
global green house gas emissions are also quantified with the benefit of reduced warming affect.
• Development of an energy conservation program• Transportation control plans Transportation control plans for certain urban areas have been
necessary to reduce pollution to levels needed to protect public health. Some of these plans
require reductions in vehicle miles traveled, which also imply reductions in gasoline
consumption. Additional fuel savings will be achieved through the inspection and maintenance
programs and gasoline vapor recovery measures which are also required by the plans.
• Mass transit- I would support construction of mass transit systems because they provide a lowpollution, energy-efficient alternative to automobile travel. Measures such as increased bus
fleets, bus/carpool lanes, and commuter-carpool programs will immediately reduce energy
consumption and will encourage development of total transportation systems for the future. By
reducing our reliance on low-occupancy automobile use the transportation control program will
result in significant long-run energy savings.
• Resource recovery programs- For many materials, the energy required to mine the ore, refine it,
and produce a finished product is much larger than that needed to reclaim the materials from
wastes. In one case, recycling aluminum rather than extracting it from raw ore saved about 97%
of the energy involved. The energy savings of recycling steel and paper are about 52% and 70%
respectively. The potential savings from recycling steel, aluminum, and paper is equivalent to
about 190,000 barrels of oil per day.
Beside reducing energy demand for manufacturing, resource recovery also provides a benefit for
energy supply, since residential and commercial refuse can be used as fuels. The total potential
of resource recovery programs equals the equivalent of about 550 thousand barrels of oil per day,
or about 1 percent of forecasted national demand for energy in 1980.
• Fuel economy labeling progra- We should educate consumers as to the importance of fuel
economy differences in lifetime costs of cars and to provide them with data with which to make
fuel-saving decisions. Knowledge of this information is expected to have an immediate effect in
accelerating the current trend to smaller, more efficient cars.
• Land use programs- Land use can effect substantial transportation fuel savings through design
of systems where less automotive transport is necessary and where mass transit is convenient.
Energy savings in transportation of up to 30% can be accomplished with comprehensive
planning.
Another energy benefit of land use planning is the ability to reuse waste heat from various
sources if communities are designed appropriately. Use of central heating for apartment
structures and siting of construction according to meteorological conditions and solar exposure
can also provide substantial savings.
• Development of more efficient auto propulsion systems- Through the Advanced Automotive
Power Systems program, direct financial support should be given to development of new
propulsion systems through research funding. Development of alternative technologies by
industry could be stimulated by the mobile source standards. These requirements have certainly
hastened development of the stratified-charge engine for U.S. cars.
 National campaigns for energy efficiency promotion can include mandatory energy auditing
for large-scale energy consuming industries or other establishments.
 Regulatory measures for energy efficiency promotion can also include the setting of minimum
energy efficiency standards for automobiles or electrical appliances, and the introduction of
voluntary or mandatory energy labelling schemes for consumer information.
-Benefits and challenges of your plan
Benefits- Energy has always been a vital resource in the development of any nation. The
prosperity of a nation is measured in terms of per capita energy consumption besides GDP, GNP,
etc. While the world has seen hectic industrial activity in the past century it has also come face to
face with serious problems arising out of haphazard utilization of the energy resources.
It can promise an immediate, long term and multi-faced solution to the problems immerging
from increased energy demands against short supplies.
Efficiency of energy utilization needs to be a continuous activity as there is lots unproductive
energy utilization.
Energy conservation can:
Save money- Besides saving money on monthly energy bills, energy conservation will reduce the
uncollected costs due to environmental damages due to acquisition, transportation and
conversion of the fossil fuels, as well as, the future costs of replacing an irreplaceable
commodity.
Make for a more comfortable home- Proper energy usage will make ones home more
comfortable. Proper insulation will reduce or eliminate drafts that suck the heat/coolness out of
the house. It reduces the amount of time required for hot water or hot air to reach where we want
it. Proper moisture management will provide for less static electricity, fewer allergies,
nosebleeds, colds, etc. during the winter, and less condensation, mold and mildew in the summer.
Protect the environment -The earth's non-renewable resources are being consumed without being
replaced. By the middle of this century, petroleum sources may be significantly
depleted. Negative environmental impacts due to energy creation include air pollution, and the
release of heavy metals and other contaminants into the air, water, or on the land. Power lines
require land and generate electromagnetic fields that are suspected to have a negative impact on
human health. Other problems include the generation of spent radioactive wastes from nuclear
plants. Any reduction in the demand for energy, particularly electricity and vehicle fuels, will
reduce the impacts on the environment.
Reduce smog- When coal, wood and petroleum products are burned, pollutants rise into the
sky. These chemicals combine with other materials in the atmosphere and physically cook and
react among themselves, particularly during the heat of the summer. Weather and geography
play a pivotal role in whether and how much of the smog is formed and where it moves.
The smog can affect humans, plants and animals, buildings, etc. Physical effects include eye
irritation, asthma, stuffy noses, lung aging, reduced lung function, breathing problems, and
reduced resistance to colds, etc. Rubber, fabric, and vehicle exteriors can also be negatively
impacted.
Prevent Global Warming- Inefficient energy use releases atmospheric compounds that may raise
the temperature of the Earth over time. These contaminants include carbon dioxide, sulfur
dioxide and nitrous oxides, and are released from the combustion of fossil fuels. The result
could be reduction of forests, increasing water levels near the ocean and reduced water levels in
the rivers, changes in crop productivity, weather changes, and many other unanticipated changes.
Challenges- The process of energy generation, transport and utilization leads to environmental
pollution. In-efficient use of energy has stretched the global environment to its limits as can be
seen from the unprecedented and unpleasant responses of the nature in the past few years. Green
house effect, global warming, acid rain, smog, deforestation, shift in climatic conditions, etc., are
some of the indications.
Access to cheap energy has become essential to the functioning of modern economies. However,
the uneven distribution of energy supplies among countries, and the critical need to widely
access energy resources, has lead to significant vulnerabilities. Threats to global energy security
include political instability of energy producing countries, manipulation of energy supplies,
competition over energy sources, attacks on supply infrastructure, as well as accidents and
natural disasters.
One of the leading threats to energy security is significant increases in energy prices, either on
the world markets - as has occurred in a number of energy crises over the years - or by the
imposition of price increases by an oligopoly or monopoly supplier, cartel or country. In some
cases the threat might come from a single energy superpower - those states able to significantly
influence world markets by their action alone (Klare,n.d.). Rather than just manipulating prices,
such suppliers might go beyond this by suspending or terminating supplies. This has been done
to apply pressure during economic negotiations - such as during the Russia-Belarus energy
dispute - or to apply political pressure, for example by OPEC in response to Western support for
Israel in the Yom Kippur War. Suspension of supplies may also come about as a result of worldwide international sanctions against a country.
Increased competition over energy resources may also lead to the formation of security compacts
to enable an equitable distribution of oil and gas between major powers. However, this may
happen at the expense of less developed economies.
-Required government, societal, and global support
Energy conservation is achieved when growth of energy consumption is reduced, measured in
physical terms. Energy conservation can, therefore, be the result of several processes or
developments, such as productivity increases or technological progress (Britannica,n.d.). Another
way to conserve energy is to consume less, possibly sacrificing output, consumption or comfort.
Energy efficiency is achieved when energy intensity in a specific product, process or area of
production or consumption is reduced. By definition, energy efficiency does not involve
sacrifices or reduction of output, consumption or comfort. Promotion of energy efficiency will
contribute to energy conservation and is therefore regularly an integral part of energy
conservation promotion policies.
Moving towards energy sustainability will require changes not only in the way energy is
supplied, but in the way it is used, and reducing the amount of energy required to deliver various
goods or services is essential. Opportunities for improvement on the demand side of the energy
equation are as rich and diverse as those on the supply side, and often offer significant economic
benefits
At the same time, concerns over the negative environmental impacts of inefficient uses of energy
are growing, both globally and regionally. Such concerns require greater national efforts and
greater international cooperation to promote energy efficiency and energy conservation.
-Include at least four outside sources.
ReferencesPSU. (n.d.)Why conserve energy? Retrieved from http://energy.opp.psu.edu/awarenessconservation/why-conserve-energy
Mohanty, Swaraj, n.d., Energy crisis, Retrieved from http://www.bolokids.com/2006/0177.htm
U.S. Environmental protection agency, n.d., Retrieved from
http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/energy/01.htm
Klare, Michael T., n.d., Permanent Energy Crisis, Retrieved from
http://www.alternet.org/story/32077/
http://www.britannica.com/eb/topic-1262847/energy-crisis
U.S. Department of Energy. (2010). U.S. Department of Energy. Retrieved from
http://www.energy.gov/