Energy in Europe

Thèmes abordés

Energy , europ

Résumé du document

The European model of development after the Second World War was based on the use of cheap energy, with little environmental consideration. This model resulted in considerable economic development, that of the "Thirty Glorious Years". In 1973 and 1979, two oil shocks dented this previously successful model. The West became aware of its dependence on all oil. Economic growth slowed down sharply. Thirty years later, a new shock is emerging: the oil shock, with the price of a barrel of oil settled in the vicinity of $ 140; environmental impact as well, with the threat of global warming. In this context, what is the power situation in the EU?

Concerning safety, it is useful to analyze the situation in Europe to understand the risks faced. An important distinction must be made between short-term security and long term security. Public opinion often tends to swing towards the first, which is to guard against unplanned supply disruptions, whether their origin is natural(hurricanes in the Gulf of Mexico, drought affecting hydroelectric production, lack of wind in areas of high concentration of wind turbines), political (embargo, war, strike), accidental (a shipwreck blocking the Turkish Straits, for example), or terrorist (ad libitum). This security may only affect a given geographic area: Europe or a member state or an area even smaller. But we should not forget the long-term security, which addresses a different and wholly general concern: does the growth of energy production succeed in monitoring the growth of the desired application?

Extraits

[...] The West became aware of its dependence on all oil-. Economic growth slows sharply. Thirty years later a new shock is emerging: the oil shock, with a barrel of oil settled in the vicinity of $ 140; environmental impact as well, with the threat of global warming. In this context, what is the power situation in the EU? Energy security: what are the risks? Long term and short term Concerning safety, it is useful to analyze the situation in Europe to understand the risks faced. [...]

[...] The danger therefore exists that the world may know a very serious oil crisis during the next decade, with extremely high prices. Failure to obtain a sufficient increase in oil investments, which would also delay the onset of that problem, the world must urgently resolve to use oil with a considerably greater efficiency, particularly in the transport sector which concentrates most uses of this energy. More efficient vehicles, hybrid electric, alternative fuels, development of transport, urban planning are inventive tracks to borrow. [...]

[...] But we should not forget the long-term security, which addresses a different concern and generally overall: The growth of energy production does succeed to monitor the growth of the desired application? At this first challenge that we devote the next paragraph. In fact the prospects in this area are uncertain concerning oil and gas. The long-term security of world oil supply is not assured. It is now clear that the main producing countries, those with the most important geological reserves, do not wish to increase their production capacity to a level consistent with the trend of consumption, because they do not see their interest. [...]

[...] This is called the dependency ratio. Thus correct that these figures could be, they do not seem to describe the reality of the difficulties the Union faces. In a global and open economy, import energy is not a problem in itself, the so- called "energy independence" is not only impractical for most developed countries, but using the criterion of dependency ratio could lead to absurd decisions for growth and environmental protection, such as the development of very expensive first-generation biofuels produced in Europe. [...]

[...] This plan must be developed in accordance and in synergy with the "flagship" Europe effective use of resources and initiatives associated with it in accordance with the indicative target for the EU to energy efficiency that is 20% for 2020, while taking due account of differences regarding the initial situation, the national context and the potential of each Member State. Friends of the Earth, Europe, however regretted that no binding target has been set. The Council meanwhile appeared to count on more resources than a policy statement. [...]