Scramble for Energy: Global Resources, Nuclear Power, and Sustainable Alternatives

Major Energy Resources and Global Usage Patterns

Energy resources are categorized into several types based on their source and production method. These include solar power, nuclear power, wind power, coal, hydroelectric power (HEP) involving dams, oil, natural gas, tidal power, and biofuels. Hydroelectric power is specifically produced by falling water. Oil and natural gas are fossil fuels produced from plant and animal remains buried millions of years ago. Tidal power is generated by changing levels of tides, while nuclear power is produced from radioactive elements. Wind power is generated by winds, and solar power is converted directly from sunlight. Biofuels are produced from plant products or organic waste.

In terms of global consumption as of 2019, the three most widely used energy resources are oil, coal, and natural gas, collectively known as fossil fuels. Oil accounts for the largest share at $33\%$, followed by coal at $27\%$, and natural gas at $24\%$. Other sources include hydroelectric power at $7\%$, nuclear power at $4\%$, and various other sources making up the remaining $5\%$. These fossil fuels are dominant because they are relatively cheap to mine or extract, the technologies for drilling are mature, they produce high amounts of energy, and they are convenient to use and transport through pipelines or shipping.

Distribution and Characteristics of Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels are formed underground from the remains of dead plants and animals over millions of years. Their distribution across the globe is highly uneven. Coal reserves are primarily concentrated in the Asia Pacific region. Oil and natural gas reserves are heavily concentrated in the Middle East and Russia. This geographical imbalance creates a significant mismatch between energy-producing countries and energy-consuming countries, leading to a global scramble for resources.

Countries are classified by their production-consumption balance. A 'surplus' indicates production is greater than consumption, while a 'deficit' means production is less than consumption. In 2019, Russia showed a surplus in coal, oil, and natural gas. Saudi Arabia maintained a surplus in oil while remaining balanced in coal and natural gas. Conversely, China and India faced deficits across coal, oil, and natural gas. The USA had a surplus in coal and natural gas but a deficit in oil, while Australia had a surplus in coal and natural gas but a deficit in oil.

The Scramble for Energy Resources

Countries that do not produce enough fossil fuels must secure reliable supplies through several strategic actions. These include maintaining good diplomatic relationships with energy-exporting countries, investing directly in the energy industries of exporting nations, and building infrastructure like pipelines and shipping facilities to ensure smooth transport. Additionally, developing alternative energy resources such as solar power is a key strategy for energy security.

Several factors drive the increasing demand for energy. Less developed countries (LDCs) experience rapid industrialization, economic development, and population growth, leading to a rise in living standards and higher energy needs. More developed countries (MDCs) maintain high levels of economic and industrial development, resulting in high living standards and a large demand for energy. Because fossil fuels are finite and increasingly difficult to extract, this high demand leads to shortages. Economic problems arise from these shortages, such as rising oil prices which increase transport and industrial production costs, potentially leading to lower economic growth or a global economic recession. Furthermore, the desire to secure reliable oil supplies for economic development can result in international conflicts and wars.

Case Study: China's Energy Crisis and Nuclear Security

In 2021, China experienced a severe energy crisis characterized by power outages across 20 provinces. The causes included rising fuel prices, high energy demand from global orders, and coal shortages exacerbated by environmental restrictions and an unofficial ban on Australian coal. Despite low coal reserves—sufficient for only $15$ days in late September 2021—the government was reluctant to raise domestic energy prices to avoid inflation. While coal-fired electricity dropped from $80\%$ in 2017 to $56\%$ currently, renewable sources have not yet fully bridged the gap.

China has also focused on national nuclear security. Since the establishment of the National Nuclear Safety Administration (NNSA) in 1984, the country has developed 57 operational nuclear power units as of September 2024, with 30 more under construction. The total capacity is projected to reach $113.13 \times 10^6\,kW$. Technological innovations like the HPR-1000 reactor and global cooperation through the IAEA and the Belt and Road initiative are central to China's strategy of balancing security with development.

Environmental Impact of Fossil Fuel Consumption

The consumption of fossil fuels leads to significant environmental degradation. Global warming is intensified by the burning of fossil fuels for transport, industry, and electricity generation, which emits greenhouse gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide ($CO_2$) and nitrous oxide ($N_2O$). These gases absorb long-wave heat radiation, trapping more heat in the atmosphere and causing a rise in global average temperatures.

Air pollution is another consequence, as burning fossil fuels releases pollutants like sulphur dioxide ($SO_2$), nitrogen oxides ($NO_x$), and respirable suspended particulates (RSP). These contribute to respiratory diseases, damage stone structures, and form acid rain which kills plants and fish. Water pollution occurs through oil spills during transport, the discharge of hot water from power plants, or toxic coal cinders washing into rivers. Mining also causes land destruction: opencast mining removes vegetation and topsoil, creating barren land, while underground mining can lead to land subsidence.

Nuclear Power: Mechanism and Policy

Nuclear power is generated by refining uranium into fuel rods placed in a nuclear reactor. Nuclear fission (splitting uranium atoms) produces massive heat energy, which boils water to create steam. This steam turns a turbine in a generator to produce electricity. It is considered clean (no greenhouse gases during generation) and highly efficient, as a small amount of uranium produces massive power. However, uranium is a finite resource. Risks include radioactive leakage, which can make areas uninhabitable and contaminate land and water, affecting tourism, farming, and fishing. Disposing of nuclear waste is difficult as it remains radioactive for hundreds of years. Thermal pollution from hot water discharge can also cause coral bleaching.

Following the 2011 Fukushima accident (triggered by a magnitude $9.0$ earthquake and tsunami), global perspectives on nuclear power shifted. Japan initially stopped nuclear use in 2014 but resumed in 2015 due to high import reliance (over $80\%$ of fossil fuels are imported) and emission targets. Germany, however, decided to phase out nuclear power gradually by 2022 following large-scale protests. Future developments focus on nuclear fusion—colliding atoms at high temperatures—which promises infinite fuel supply from water and less radioactive waste.

Potential of Renewable Energy Resources

Renewable energy resources like solar, wind, HEP, and biofuels will not run out and are generally cleaner than fossil fuels. Solar power is most effective in low-latitude desert regions with clear skies and extensive land. While its running costs are low, it is unreliable due to weather conditions and requires large land areas. Wind power is growing rapidly, particularly offshore where winds are stronger and more stable. The UK is a leader in wind energy due to its windy coastlines and government subsidies. However, turbines can kill birds and bats and cause noise pollution.

Hydroelectric power (HEP) requires large water volumes and deep river valleys. While it provides stable electricity, building dams leads to flooding of homes and wildlife habitats, reduces soil fertility downstream by trapping sediment, and affects fish migration. China is the world's largest producer of HEP. Biofuels, including ethanol, biodiesel, and biogas, offer a renewable alternative but compete with food crops for land, potentially increasing food prices and driving deforestation. Brazil is a major producer of ethanol using its extensive land and tropical climate for sugar cane cultivation.

Sustainable Energy Use and Hong Kong Strategies

Sustainable energy use involves improving living quality and the economy without harming the environment or future generations. Principles include ensuring energy is stable, safe, adequate, affordable, and clean. In Hong Kong, the government aims for a cleaner fuel mix by shifting from coal to natural gas and zero-carbon energy like nuclear and hydrogen. Transport measures include tax reductions for electric cars and a ban on new oil-based private car registrations by 2035.

Building designs in Hong Kong are being optimized for energy efficiency. This includes rooftop greening to lower temperatures, using natural lighting and ventilation to save electricity, and employing better building materials for insulation. The public transport system, particularly the railway, forms the backbone of the city's strategy to reduce private car demand. Education schemes, like the mandatory Energy Efficiency Labelling Scheme, inform consumers about appliance efficiency to promote a green lifestyle and energy conservation.

Questions & Discussion

Q: What are the main causes of the energy crisis in China according to the document? A: The main causes include rising fuel prices, high energy demand driven by global orders for Chinese goods, coal shortages worsened by environmental restrictions and an unofficial ban on Australian coal imports, and strict enforcement of new emissions targets.

Q: Compare the impacts of the Fukushima accident on Japan and Germany. A: In Japan, about $150,000$ residents were evacuated, and radiation levels remained high, causing agricultural and economic losses. Internally, Japan initially stopped nuclear power in 2014 but resumed in 2015 to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels. In Germany, the accident led to large-scale anti-nuclear protests, prompting the government to abandon seven old plants and plan a phase-out of all nuclear production by 2022.

Q: How does Hong Kong currently participate in nuclear energy use? A: Hong Kong imports nuclear power from the Daya Bay Nuclear Power Plant. This power meets approximately $25\%$ of local demand. The Hong Kong government maintains the Daya Bay Contingency Plan and conducts regular drills to ensure emergency preparedness.

Q: What are the specific disadvantages of wind power mentioned? A: Wind power is unreliable as it depends on weather conditions. Environmental impacts include the rotating blades killing birds and bats, noise pollution, and high building costs for offshore facilities including undersea power lines.

Q: Discuss the trend of oil consumption in China and the USA from 1995 to 2019. A: According to Table 1, China's oil consumption rose significantly from $3.5 \times 10^6\,barrels/day$ in 1995 to $14.5 \times 10^6\,barrels/day$ in 2019. In the same period, the USA's consumption fluctuated, starting at $17.5 \times 10^6\,barrels/day$, peaking at $20.5\,million$ in 2005, and settling at $19.5 \times 10^6\,barrels/day$ in 2019. China's increase is linked to its population growth ($1.21 \times 10^9$ to $1.40 \times 10^9$) and a massive increase in private car ownership ($2.5 \times 10^6$ to $207 \times 10^6$).