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HK: Fachverband Hadronen und Kerne

HK 20: Energy for the future

HK 20.2: Invited Group Report

Monday, March 16, 2009, 17:00–17:45, H-ZO 50

European energy options — •Sven Kullander — Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Box 50005, S-10405 Stockholm, Sweden

Energy produced inside the EU27 provides 46% of gross inland consumption. Nearly half of the production comes from nuclear and renewable sources. The EU27 fossil-fuel share of the consumption is 80% since the import consists of fossil fuels. The main target for the EU energy policy is to reduce the CO2 emissions and secure the supply; the dependence on imported fossil fuels must decrease.

The most promising energy sources in a long-term perspective appear to be concentrating solar power, suitable for South Europe, and nuclear energy. Intermittent energy sources such as wind and waves require matching energy, for example hydropower. Bioenergy, particularly motor biofuel, is often considered to be a powerful alternative to fossil fuels. However, competition with food production, biodiversity considerations and greenhouse gas emissions are factors against extensive use of biomass for energy production.

Increased use of electricity for example in the transport sector can be foreseen. Since electricity converts energy to movement essentially without heat losses, important savings can be made when fossil-fuel combustion is replaced by electricity. Since Europe is a rather small continent, a European electric power grid should be a major option for securing electricity supply.