Energy Diversification

Meanwhile, in the short- to mid-term, the only major low-carbon energy source available (apart from renewables) is nuclear power. Many energy strategists now regard nuclear power as a partial answer to diversifying a nation s electricity supply and to mitigating carbon dioxide emissions, despite 

Traditionally, most countries have produced their electricity in centralized power stations coupled to a common grid. In some nations, generation and transmission are undertaken by a single state-owned industry. In others, a number of independent companies either operate as regional monopolies or compete in an open market to sell their product. Many generators and governments now have to face up to a number of difficult decisions concerning the sustainability of future electricity supplies. Some of the important questions to be addressed are as follows. 

Is it better to remain with centralized plants or should a move towards distributed units be implemented  

If the latter, then what technology should be used and what percentage of local generation should be targeted and over what period  

If more large power utilities are to be built, should these be gas-fired, coal-fired, nuclear, or some combination of all three  

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The benefits of alcohol fuels include increased energy diversification in the transportation sector, accompanied by some energy security and balance of payments benefits, and potential air quaUty improvements as a result of the reduced emissions of photochemically reactive products (see Air POLLUTION). The Clean Air Act of 1990 and emission standards set out by the State of California may serve to encourage the substantial use of alcohol fuels, unless gasoline and diesel technologies can be developed that offer comparable advantages. 

Alcohol Production. Studies to assess the costs of alcohol fuels and to compare the costs to those of conventional fuels contain significant uncertainties. In general, the low cost estimates iadicate that methanol produced on a large scale from low cost natural gas could compete with gasoline when oil prices are around 140/L ( 27/bbl). This comparison does not give methanol any credits for environmental or energy diversification benefits. Ethanol does not become competitive until petroleum prices are much higher. 

This work was carried out with the strategic guidance and financial support of Penn West Energy Trust, AERI (Alberta Energy Research Institute), Western Economic Diversification Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the Alberta Government. 

The plant concept for co-production of hydrogen and electricity is applicable to a very broad range of fossil fuels and also biomass without paying tributes to climate change. At the same time energy supply security is improved, as a result of the diversification of (fossil) feedstock options. 

Using hydrogen to produce electrical energy from fossil fuels in large centralised plants will contribute positively to achieving important reductions of C02 emissions, if this is combined with C02 capture and sequestration processes. Such plants will also help to increase the diversification of resources, since a variety of fossil feedstocks can be used, including resources such as coal and waste that otherwise cause major impacts on the environment, as well as biomass. 

The use of solar energy is complementary not alternative, to the use of biomass for energy production. In fact, reliance on a few limited sources of energy is detrimental not only to the environment but also to future economic stability. The future lies in diversification of energy sources, tailored to the requirements and resources of each country. 

This article addresses the above listed problems and related issues, offers recommendations for their rational solution. Namely, it has been defined that the main priorities of transit countries in the South Caucasus region in a foreseeable future are diversification of imported fuel supply, enhanced use of local energy sources, improved self-sufficiency by rehabilitation/renovation of existing electricity and gas supply chains, and the planning of strategic reserves combining water, liquid fuel and gas. 

Key words Natural gas, Diversification of supply, Energy security, Transit country... 

Diversification of energy supply and actions to be taken towards the implementation of modem gas technologies. This may include strategic gas storage and energy management within the framework of technical and economic viability. 

On a short-to-medium term basis the main priorities of Georgia pertaining to the energy security strategies are a) diversification of imported natural gas supply and b) rehabilitation and renovation of the hydropower sector ... 

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