Reduction of fossil fuel use and adoption of alternative energy sources

Abstract

Reduction of carbon dioxide emissions means a much more radical change in the energy supply structure than any possibly successful strategy to replace scarce petroleum could ever be. Moreover, the vulnerability of oil supplies leads to problem solutions, which even aggravate the carbon dioxide problem. Therefore, any improvements must heavily rely on forced energy saving and enhanced use of renewable and nuclear energy. Although the theoretical potential to substitute carbon - and hydrocarbon - fuels has the rather high value of about 2/3 of final energy demand, the technical and economical feasibility of alternative fuels must be judged much more pessimistically. Some recent results of an analysis sponsored by the lEA show, that nuclear and renewable energy supplies may only be able to sustain about 50% of the growth or primary energy demand of the lEA-countries. Thus, if we want to be sure of having enough energy to sustain our lifestyle, we must not expect reductions of carbon dioxide emissions. This can only be achieved by huge efforts in energy saving, connected with a full utilization of the nuclear and renewable resources.