Energy Options Impact on Regional Security. This item is unavailable.Energy Options Impact on Regional Security

Energy appears to be a fundamental driving force of economic and political strategies as well as planetary stability. Energy-related issues such as (1) the availability of new energy sources and viable technologies, (2) the disparity in access to energy sources, (3) the role of energy in our societies (energy societal metabolism), (4) the energy support to the life of our cities (where about half of world population is going to live very soon), and (5) the energy demand for food security all over the world, are “hot” problems that humans will have to face within the framework of sustainability (ecologically sound production and consumption patterns associated with socially acce- able life styles), in terms of policies, technological development and economic processes. A coherent energy strategy is required, addressing both energy supply and demand, security of access, development problems, equity, market dynamics, by also taking into account the whole energy lifecycle including fuel production, transmission and distribution, energy conversion, and the impact on energy equipment manufacturers and the end-users of energy systems. Issues of energy efficiency and rebound effect must also be taken into proper account. In the short term, the aim should be to achieve higher energy efficiencies and increased supply from local energy sources, in particular renewable energy sources.

This book addresses energy-related issues in light of the options available to the European and Mediterranean countries. The articles attempt to identify and analyse the economic, environmental, societal and regional security issues that may emerge from those options. It is clear that a coherent energy strategy is required, addressing energy supply and demand, security of access, financial issues, market dynamics, and also taking into account the whole energy lifecycle including fuel production, transmission and distribution. In the short term, the aim should be to achieve higher energy efficiencies and increased supply from local energy sources, in particular renewable energy sources. In the long term, redesign of life styles, further increase of alternative energy sources and shift to new energy technologies and carriers is expected to contribute to solve or alleviate the problems generated by declining availability of fossil fuels. In this volume, energy experts provide background information and a detailed discussion of all these issues and strategies.