Book 09 2008

Abstract

Energy is an important factor in the three areas relating to sustainability: 1. Economic: many countries import energy representing up to 50% of their trade balance. The price of energy defines an important part of a country’s economic development. 2. Social: approximately 2bn people, mainly from sub-Saharan Africa and Southern Asia, do not have access to modern energy sources for cooking, heating, lighting, cooling, transport, communication, etc. Energy consumption per capita in developing countries is about 15% of the level in Europe and 20% of the US level. 3. Environmental: A large proportion of toxic emissions are related to energy systems. The rate of energy consumption is higher than the rate of energy production. The problems related to energy use and production are becoming increasingly widespread, involving not only scientific institutions, energy companies and governments, but also industries and consumers. Therefore, institutions, governments, companies and citizens must collaborate to find solutions through: • International, national and local planning, • Legal and financial instruments , • Actions, i.e. sustainable methods of production, new technologies, uses and processes. Resolving the world’s energy problem is a challenge that involves the sustainable development of renewable energy and a revised model of industrial and social development, i.e. a sustainable energy system requires change and adaptation to the entire energy chain, from energy supply to technologies to end users. There are several possible solutions but the issues related to sustainability of renewable energy are complex and the problem is urgent. The promotion and implementation of methods, technologies and processes for sustainable economic, social and environmental development of energy production and use is crucial.