W. Sassin

Energy options and strategies for Western europe.

Western Europe, now largely dependent on oil imports, has to prepare for strong competition for oil and energy imports in general before the year 2000. The more unlikely it is for Western Europe to secure from outside rich supplies of coal or uranium at readily acceptable economic and political conditions, the more serious this competition becomes. Even exceptionally low projections of economic growth and optimistic assumptions about energy conservation urgently call for vigorous and simultaneous development of indigenous coal and nuclear sources, including the breeder. Long-term contracts for the possession and deployment of foreign oil, gas, and coal deposits are mandatory and should be negotiated in view of the possible aggravation of north-south confrontation.

Accelerator-supported regionally distributed nuclear heat systems with nuclear-waste abatement capacity

Abstract An accelerator-supported decentralized system of small nuclear heat sources characterized by versatility and long-term sustainability is investigated. The distinctive features of this concept follow from the complementary use of neutrons produced by high energy proton-induced spallation reactions and used both for repeated in-situ rejuvenation of spent nuclear fuel and for the reduction of nuclear waste by fission product transmutation. The general technological and economic characteristics of this system are found to possess considerable appeal.

Urbanization and the Global Energy Problem

The long-term global energy problem is outlined in this paper. The world has appropriate substitutes for the limited resources of oil and natural gas. This process, however, requires a careful adaptation of the present energy infrastructure. The concept of consumption and supply densities is used to explore alternative strategies for such an adaptation. In particular, the possible role of renewable energy sources for rural and urban areas is discussed. The paper elaborates on the dependence of modern urban systems on an extension of centralized supply systems.

Energy and Future Economic Growth

The difficulties of energy supply are growing, and the outlook for the decades ahead is dim. There is little doubt that energy-related problems will have their bearing on future economic growth. We still have an economic recession, to which the oil embargo of 1973 and the sudden fourfold price increase of crude oil have been contributing factors. Medium-term economic and energy growth projections have continually been revised downward since 1974. Yet the expert community still expects a possible major energy supply shortage around 1985 that would further aggravate the economic situation [1, 2, 3]. So the question is not whether energy prospects will affect the economic situation but rather: For how long will the energy problem be a major problem for economic development? and more so, which strategies could lead away from the foreseeable dilemma?

High energy demand and supply scenario

An adequate energy supply system is a key issue in economic development and human welfare. The industrial development of the Northern part of the globe owes much to the abundant supply of cheap fossil fuels. It is the Southern countries aspirations for industrialization that will call for a significantly larger energy supply. Sustaining economic growth in the industrialized regions will add considerably to the world’s future energy consumption. Two scenarios labelled High and Low are described that indicate a plausible range of the long-term evolution of future economic and energy related activities in seven world regions. On this basis, the energy demand is calculated for each region. An aggregate view of the world’s energy resources is followed by a detailed presentation of energy supply strategies. Of particular interest are the implications of a High energy demand and supply scenario on the stock of world energy resources.

Fossil energy and its alternatives: a problem beyond costs and prices

By interpreting primary energy forms as commodities, competing worldwide, Marchetti (1977) has revealed a remarkably stable substitution process. Figure 3.1 identifies the historical shifts from wood and farm wastes via coal to crude oil and natural gas. It is important to note that the regularity of these structural changes was not really influenced by such exceptional events as the First World War, the Second World War or the economic crisis of the 1920s and early 1930s. The 35 years following 1914 limited the growth of total energy consumption (Figure 3.2) but they were not able to interrupt the striving for ever cheaper and easier forms of energy.

Sustainable Minireactors: A Framework for Decentralized Nuclear Energy Systems

The concept of a nuclear energy system consisting of numerous small, specialized nuclear reactors providing heat or electricity for localized/regional purposes is considered. It is envisaged that a “parent” nuclear facility would sustain the fuel needs of many small nuclear energy “satellites” and possibly provide other fuel-management services. The choice of fuel cycle and the operational features of these satellites may be determined by the form of energy required, public and social preferences, and institutional factors. Three distinct classes of distributed systems, each based on extensions of existing nuclear technology, are identified and discussed.