Peak Oil and Energy Security Essay

verve protection nitty-gritty having access to the requisite volumes of expertness at affordable impairments in association with issue tri unless(prenominal)e and the avail office of natural resources for null consumption. From the perspective of a government implicated and the management of strategic interests, pushing protection implies button policies and standby measures that fanny be apply in the howevert of a emerge disruptionand at a constitute that its citizens consider reasonable. Such measures complicate susceptibility provide variegation and a certain volume of life force stock. Definitions of Energy SecurityThe International Energy sureness (IEA) definitions of muscularity protective cover pull in cogitate on the adequate supply of push button at a reasonable cost, and have referred to pushing guarantor to be just a nonher way of avoiding food foodstuff distortions (IEA, 1995). The underlying belief of these definitions is that smoothly proc edure international aught markets will shift a secure adequate, affordable and received supply of get-up-and-go (IEA, 2002). IEA has claimed that verve surety always consists of both a carnal unavailability comp 1nt and a price comp binglent, although their relative importance depends on the market structure (IEA, 2007). The European Commissions third estate Paper (EC 2000) states that nada surety department overly entails respecting environmental fearfulnesss and working towards sustainable development. They clarify that the shelter of supply does non seek to maximize postal code self-sufficiency or to minimize dependance, but aims to expurgate the adventure of exposures linked to such dependency.Energy plays an definitive role in the national credential of some(prenominal) given region as a dismiss to provide the economicalal engine. Access to cheap brawn has expire prerequisite to the functioning of unexampled economies. The modern existenc e relies on a huge qualification supply to fuel everything from conveyancing to communication, to protective cover and health delivery agreements. virtually sectors rely on energy to a greater extent(prenominal) heavily than another(prenominal)(a)s for example, the Department of Defense relies on petroleum for approximately 77% of its energy conducts. The growing uncertainties about constancy and security that exist in the world(prenominal) energy market have fuelled the need for nations to have a comprehensive energy security strategy. Energy security is also immanent for the economic fruit and development of countries as energy in-security bunghole hamper the copious activities in the deliverance as soundly as undermine consumer welf are.speedy urbanization and rising middle-class in sires approximately the world have led to explosive growth in galvanisingal energy involve. Thus, to the growing urban communities, energy security simply elbow room keepin g the lights on. Chester (2010) lists five fundamental aspects that measure up energy security. Firstly, energy security is about the management of risk the risk of uninterrupted, unavailable energy supplies the risk of meagerly capacity to worthy take the risk of unaffordable energy prices the risk of reliance on unsustainable sources of energy. These risks may be conveyd cod to energy market instabilities, technical failures or material security threats. Secondly, the definition of energy security may be framed to shine a countrys energy mix, the abundance of local resources and import dependence.Thirdly, the bourne energy security reflects a invention of strategic intent, implying that energy security is not a policy in itself, but that specific policies have to be adopt by governments to achieve the objectives of energy security. Fourthly, energy security has temporal dimensions the risks and threats to physical supply differ across wretched, medium and long hori zons. Short-term risks let in terrorism attacks and technical failures. Long-term risks, on the other hand, concern the adequacy of supply to meet demand and adequacy of infrastructure to deliver supply to markets. Fifthly, the term energy security has to be applied keeping in consciousness the measurable differences between the oil, hit man, nuclear and other energy markets and infrastructure.As energy is essential for the economic growth and development of a country, it has come to be recognized as a strategic commodity. This is beca work any(prenominal) uncertainty in its supply can threaten the effective functioning of an economy (Sahir and Qureshi, 2007). It whence becomes an imperative for a country to ensure secure energy supplies at affordable rates. This crudely defines the idea of energy security. Threats to energy security include 1. The political instability (tensions in Union Iraq, Southern Sudan, the Niger Delta and the East Mediterranean as examples of how com petition for energy resources can cause instability) of several energy producing countries. Energy should be a motor for development and cooperation, not a source of conflict, verbalise Mr. Terje Roed-Larsen.2. The treatment of energy supplies,3. The competition over energy sources,4. Attacks on supply infrastructure and,5. ascendent countries reliance to the foreign oil supply.6. add-on world competition for energy resources due to the increased pace of industrialization.Renewable energyRenewable energy resources and significant opportunities for energy efficiency exist over wide geographical areas, in contrast to other energy sources, which are con centimerated in a limited number of countries. Rapid deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and technical diversification of energy sources, would result in significant energy security and economic benefits. The deployment of renewable technologies usually increases the diversity of electrical energy sources and, thro ugh local generation, contributes to the flexibility of the system and its resistance to central shocks.For those countries where growing dependence on trade gas is a significant energy security issue, renewable technologies can provide alternative sources of electric power as salutary as displacing electrical energy demand through result awaken production. Renewable bio-fuels for transport face a secernate source of diversification from petroleum products. Long term measures to increase energy security center on cut down dependence on any one source of imported energy, change magnitude the number of suppliers, exploiting native fossil fuel or renewable energy resources, and reducing overall demand through energy conservation measures.Facts and Figures1. Oil expert mike Ruppert has claimed that for every calorie of food produced in the industrial world, ten calories of oil and gas energy are invested in the forms of fertilizer, pesticide, packaging, transportation, and co urse farm equipment. 2. The impact of the 1973 oil crisis and the offset of the OPEC cartel was a particular milepost that prompted some countries to increase their energy security. 3. Japan, approximately intactly dependent on imported oil, steadily introduced the use of natural gas, nuclear power, high-speed mass transit systems, and implemented energy conservation measures. It has become one of the world leaders in the use of renewable energy. 4. India is carrying out a study hunt for domestic oil to reducing its dependency on OPEC, while Iceland is well advanced in its plans to become energy-independent by 2050 through deploying 100% renewable energy. 5. marrow of sun that hits the world in an moment is enough to power the world for one grade. With the addition of solar panels all just about the world a little less pressure is taken off the need to produce more oil.6. Geothermal can potentially lead to other sources of fuel, if heat would be taken from the inner ma gnetic core of the earth to heat up pissing sources, we could essentially use the steam creating from the change water to power machines, this option is one of the cleanest and efficient options. 7. Hydro-electric which has been incorporated into many of the dams around the world produces a lot of energy, as the dams control the water that is allowed through seams which power turbines located inside of the dam. 8. Bio-fuels have been researched victimization many different sources including ethanol and algae, these options are substantially cleaner than the consumption of petroleum. close LCA results for perennial and ligno-cellulosic crops conclude that bio-fuels can paraphernalia anthropogenic energy demands and mitigate Green House Gas emissions to the atmosphere. 9. Juliet Alohan writes on the pivotal need for its prioritization in Nigeria.It is estimated that by the year 2022, about two million pink-slipped Nigerians would be gainfully employed if renewable energy is intr oduced to complement regular electrical energy supply. 10. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE special envoy for energy and climate change, and CEO of Masdar, said With energy demand predicted to grow or so 50% over the nigh 20 years, competition for resources will increase. Energy is therefore becoming a key tack on of the global security puzzle. Any significant move to solve the energy crisis is also a step toward creating peace and stability among the nations of the world. 11. The Renewable Energy Global lieu report showed that by the end of 2011, total renewable power capacity global exceeded 1,360 Giga Watt (GW), up to 8 per cent over what it was in 2010. The report added that renewable energy supply constituted more than 25 per cent of total global power-generating capacity, which is estimated at 5,360GW in 2011.Case reflect Energy Security Context in IndiaSudarshan and Noronha (2009) lay out five important factors that have contributed to increasing energy demand in India. First, the real income of India has grown at a rate of 6-7% per annum over the knightly two decades, and the Planning Commission of India has a future targeted growth rate of 8-10% per annum for the next decade. TERI (2006) estimates that India will require 2023 MTOE (Million Tonnes of Oil Equivalent) of energy by the year 2031 to feed such economic growth rates. Second, a morphologic shift has been taking place in India, which has accelerated since the 1991 economic reforms. This shift is from gardening towards the services sector, which is relatively energy intensive. Next, an yearly population increase of about 1.9% p.a. has been ascertained over the past two decades. Importantly, the urban population in India was 25.5% in 1990 and is evaluate to rise to 40% by 2030. condition per capita energy demand in countryfied areas is low, this will further feed into Indias gross energy demand. Fourth, there is a growing transport sector. Fifth, an energy rendering is taking place, w ith a shift from biomass to electricity in rural India. Further, as of 2005, whole 55% of rural Indian households had electricity access.Electricity demand is expected to rise, even as the government has significant plans to meet the demand (Planning Commission, 2008). Increasing import dependence of India on fossil fuel-rich countries has hence coerce the government to rethink the way India engages with these countries. precondition the factors influencing the demand and consumption of energy in India, the Planning Commission of India defined energy security by modifying the definition of energy security given by The terra firma Energy Assessment (UNDP 1999) to suit the Indian context better. This definition is accepted by the Indian government, and it is as follows We are energy secure when we can supply lifeline energy to all our citizens irrespective of their ability to pay for it as well as meet their effective demand for gumshoe and convenient energy to satisfy their va rious postulate at competitive prices at all times and with a convinced(p) confidence level considering shocks and disruptions that can be reasonably expected (Planning Commission, 2006) This definition includes the key aspects of energy security, including those related to poverty and economic growth.The idea that the provision of energy ought to be irrespective of their ability to pay is a slight departure from the definitions of energy security accepted by several nations, which tend to be market oriented. By work out in poverty and the inability of Indias citizens to pay for energy, it only stops short of according energy the status of a right. The income distribution angle is hence incorporated in the definition. Additionally, this definition accounts for Indias import dependency of energy and the guess of disruptions in the supply. There is also a veiled reference to what would be considered an distinguish level of risk, although this has not been quantified due to t he uncertainties involved. In the context of Indias energy security needs, Verma (2007) lays out a two principles to remark energy security.He states that firstly, India moldiness widen the supply of energy, both by placement and source. Secondly, he states that the resilience of energy systems must be maintained, which is a reference to security margins that act as buffers against shocks and provide facilities for retrieval after disruptions. Resilience can come through spare capacity, strategic reserves, stand-in supplies of equipment, adequate storage capacity along supply change and the stocking of critical components of electricity generation. Any policy measures taken by the government need to thus needs to incorporate these conceptual frameworks. Understanding these concepts is infallible in order to pursue acute policy making in the energy domain. Of course, policy implementation would ultimately circumvolve around day-to-day governance issues, and fiscal, administrat ive and political bottlenecks.