International Environmental Policy Class 14: Energy Issues - Notes

Announcement

  • No filming or recording of class content is allowed.
  • A deduction of up to 20% will be applied for any violation of the TIU Student Code of Conduct.

Assessment

  • Policy Paper: 30% of the final grade.
    • Due on May 23rd, submit via Moodle.
    • Must be 2000 words, excluding citations.
  • Model COP: 30% of the final grade.
    • Practices: May 29th, June 2nd, June 5th.
    • Graded sessions: June 19th, June 23rd, June 26th, June 30th, July 3rd, July 7th.
  • In-Class Test: 40% of the final grade.
    • Scheduled for June 16th, lasting 90 minutes.
    • Includes both short and long essays.
    • Students are responsible for ensuring their handwriting is readable.

Make-Up Class

  • The class on June 26th is canceled.
  • A make-up class will be held on July 10th, which is an Open Day.
  • The course outline has been updated on Moodle.

Renewable Energy

  • Unlimited supply
  • Environmentally friendly
  • No greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during extraction and conversion processes.

Renewable energy sources include:

  • Dam
  • Wave
  • Wind
  • Solar
  • Biomass
  • Geothermal

Solar and Wind Energy:

  • Cost
  • Durability
  • Reliability
  • Impact on the natural landscape
  • Infinite supply
  • Singularity

Pros and Cons of Renewable Energy

  • Dam
    • Pros: Infinite supply, prevention of flooding.
    • Cons: Very costly, dependent on geographical locations, potential war target, impact on wildlife and ecosystems.
  • Biomass
    • Pros: Cheap.
    • Cons: Questions about whether it truly produces no GHG.
  • Geothermal
    • Pros: Infinite supply.
    • Cons: Expensive setup, dangerous materials involved.

Limitations of Renewable Energy

  • Geographical landscape constraints
  • Ensuring a stable supply
  • Costs, investment requirements, and job implications
  • Technological limitations
  • Government determination
  • Acceptance by local people

Challenges

  • Is wind farm beautiful?
  • Who owns the technology?

Wind Energy in Northern Ireland

  • Self-interests
    • Destruction of natural landscapes.
    • The "NIMBY" (Not In My Backyard) concept.
    • Locals bearing the cost for the "common interests".
  • Economic Efficiency and Democracy
    • Questions about effectiveness.
    • Doubts about the scientific accuracy of climate change.
    • Locals complaining about insufficient consultation from the government.

National Interests vs. Environmental Concerns

  • National interests often outweigh environmental concerns.
  • Considerations of cost and benefit, national security, and relative gains among states.
  • States hindering the global agenda of renewable energy usage.
  • A gap between local community, state, and the global society.

Nuclear Energy

  • The Fukushima incident in Japan.
  • Japan considering policy shift from nuclear energy to other sources.
  • Japan’s Export of Nuclear Technology: Shinzo Abe, on March 11, 2016, stated that resource-poor Japan cannot do without nuclear power to secure a stable energy supply while considering economic sense and climate change.

North Atlantic Wind Farm

  • Relates to world’s energy consumption.
  • Potential to supply all EU countries during summer.
  • Requires investment, cooperation, and determination.

Who Offers Public Goods?

  • The International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA) has limited power beyond encouragement.
  • The war of solar panels between China and the EU.
  • Will nuclear fusion technology be open and free to the South?

Conclusion

  • States' capacity vs. IGOs (Intergovernmental Organizations) and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations).
  • Technological breakthrough determines economic development.
  • Is the environment still the primary concern?