Energy Choices and Security Notes

Diverse Energy Sources: Societies have access to a variety of energy sources which differ in:
- Sustainability
- Availability
- Cost
- Socio-political implications
Controversial Energy Choices: The selection of energy sources is complex and often leads to debates.
Energy Security: A critical consideration when making energy choices; it encompasses the reliability of energy supply.

Projected Increase: By 2050, global energy demand is expected to rise by 80% due to:
- Development in Less Economically Developed Countries (LEDCs)
- Population growth
- Technological advancements
MEDCs vs. LEDCs:
- In More Economically Developed Countries (MEDCs), there is a decoupling of economic growth from energy consumption.
- China and India are anticipated to see substantial increases in energy needs.
- Shift in energy requirements towards electricity, promoting renewable energy usage.
Efficiency Improvements: Increased efficiency in manufacturing and energy consumption in homes is reducing overall energy demand.

Post-Paris Agreement Landscape: Following the December 2015 Paris Agreement:
- Falling oil prices are making new oil developments economically unviable.
- Investments are shifting towards cheaper Middle Eastern oil, despite geopolitical risks.
- Low oil prices hinder efficiency improvements in the energy sector.
Renewable Energy: Bloomberg projects that future energy demand growth will primarily arise from renewables, particularly solar energy.
- Fossil fuels have historically dominated energy supply, with their impacts varying widely, but the reliance on fossil fuels is now being questioned.
CO2 Emissions Decoupling: As per the International Energy Agency (March 2016):
- Economic growth is becoming decoupled from CO2 emissions.
- 90% of new electricity generation in 2015 stemmed from renewables.
Decline of Coal Power: 2016 saw the closure of the last major coal power station in Scotland.

Evolving Perceptions of Renewables:
- Historical view: Renewables were seen as expensive, inefficient, and suitable only for MEDCs.
- Recent development indicates that renewables are competively priced, outperforming fossil fuels.
- Significant investment in renewables is now coming from LEDCs, reflecting a shift in the energy landscape.

Reliability of Supply: A society must have a dependable self-produced source of energy.
- Example: European countries' energy security is threatened by reliance on Russian gas supplies.
Safety of Supply: Guarantees surrounding the protection of energy facilities are critical.
- Example: The 2013 terrorist attack on a gas power plant in Algeria underscores this issue.
Access to Energy: The percentage of households with electricity is crucial for societal energy security.
- Case Study: India’s push for solar energy to increase electricity access.

Current Energy Trends: Fossil fuels provide the majority of energy but come with varying production impacts and emissions. Their use is predicted to continue as global energy demand grows.
Alternative Energy Sources: Renewable energy options (like solar, biomass, wind, etc.) are gaining traction due to their lower carbon emissions and are expected to see increased utilization.
Nuclear Power: Regarded as a low-emission non-renewable resource, it remains controversial due to waste and potential accidents.
Energy Security: This entails a reliable and affordable energy supply that ensures a degree of independence; imbalances in energy availability can lead to conflict.
Influencing Factors: Several factors such as availability, sustainability, technological advancements, and cultural attitudes influence a society's energy choices, impacting energy security and independence.
Efficiency: Enhancements in energy efficiency and conservation efforts are critical in limiting demand and improving energy security.