Energy demand & production

We have now ascertained that the current “energy transition effort” which aims to convert the current energy mix to a complete renewable (wind, sun, bio, geothermal) source fails far short, is behind targets and more importantly is not capable to provide a stable base load with peak demands needed for our economy and our standard ways of living (even if we would footprint much less).

On top of that, the worldwide projected annual demand in energy, especially in Asia, will increase from the current 13.000 MTOE (Million Ton Oil Equivalent) in 2020 to 15.000 MTOE in 2030, 17.000 MTOE in 2040 up to 20.000 MTOE in 2050. This demand cannot be generated by renewable energy sources only;

Given the above on the one hand and the urgency of the approaching ever speeding up climate change effects fueled by ever rising CO2 levels on the other hand, it is urgently needed to immediately start producing energy with a carbon production intensity less than 100 gr CO2 eq/kWh.

These apparently contradictory requirements (exploding energy demands combined with a CO2 production intensity < 100 gr CO2 eq/kWh) can only be bridged if we:

• Phase out on a global scale all energy production units based on carbon fuels (oil, gas, coal) by 2030;

• Phase out production of bio fuels (other than based on waste) because they mainly fuel deforestation. Land used for biofuel should be reconverted to forests;

• Research, develop & implement power plants that provide energy from weather related sources (wind & sun);

• Make patents registered in the databases of PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) and other similar organizations relating to the use of hydrogen as a source of energy public for further research and development by the R & D sector worldwide. It is a known fact that the carbon fuel sector is prone to buy-out innovative inventions/applications that use other sources than carbon fuels as a source of energy after which these inventions are “buried” in their vaults;

• Research, develop & implement power plants that provide energy from biowaste or geothermal related sources where possible;

• Research, develop & implement ways to use hydrogen as a source of energy for heating houses and modes of transportation;

• Create a base load energy, covering 50 to 75% of current and future energy demand:

  • Construct or replace (end-of life) small, medium, large nuclear modular power plant units with proven technology that are relatively easily built & operated such as the SMR (Small Modular Reactors)

  • They have the following advantages:

    • in case of an emergency shutdown, the remnant heat still produced (about 7%) can be cooled by a passive water circulating system not requiring the use of emergency generators,

    • the construction cost is significantly less than constructing large new type reactors,

    • it is a proven technology (PWR i.e. based on pressurized water)

    • they can replace the burning unit of current operating coal or gas power stations and generate electricity using the already existing boiler and generator unit thus reducing costs significantly.

  • Nuclear reactors types operating at high temperatures are capable of producing hydrogen apart from electricity and powering desalination drinking water plants.

• Due to their nature and to avoid proliferation, nuclear power plant units are considered international territory.  These installations are managed and exploited by the local engineers & communities but under supervision of and international to be established supervising body with jurisdiction over those energy production units. (permanent presence & site visits by specialists to these installations by international inspection teams on very frequent intervals). 

• 100% of the energy for the industry, hospitals and other medical services, (the public) transport networks, water services etc should be produced at all times (off-peak and peak periods). 

• Given that wind & sun energy sources are weather dependent, it might be possible that insufficient energy be produced due to changing weather conditions for households now and then.

• The concept of dams for hydroelectric power is to be withheld only in mountainous areas where the surface-to-volume ratio is small (“low” physical footprint of the water surface itself).  No communities should be displaced;

• The use of metals for storing electricity (batteries in cars) in not sustainable in the long run. It is but a temporary measure.

Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life-cycle_greenhouse_gas_emissions_of_energy_sources