Modern civilization consumes enormous amounts of energy, but fossil fuels have limited reserves and place a heavy burden on the environment. Let us consider the challenges and possibilities of creating a sustainable energy society.
Basic Knowledge
The world's energy currently depends heavily on fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas. Fossil fuels have three problems: ① their reserves are limited, making them exhaustible resources; ② they emit CO₂ when burned and accelerate global warming; and ③ production is concentrated in certain countries, causing price fluctuations and concerns about supply stability.
To reduce dependence on fossil fuels, the use of renewable energy, including solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biomass energy, is expanding. Renewable energy does not run out and has the advantage of producing little CO₂, but it also faces challenges: the amount of power generated depends on the weather (variability), its energy density per unit area is low, and its initial costs are high.
Nuclear power produces little CO₂ and can generate large amounts of electricity, but it carries risks related to the treatment of radioactive waste and core-meltdown accidents, such as the 2011 Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. Countries face the challenge of creating an energy mix that balances stable supply, environmental impact, and cost. The ability to secure energy resources reliably is called energy security.
Fossil Fuels (Oil, coal, and natural gas; exhaustible resources and sources of CO₂ emissions)
Renewable Energy (Energy from inexhaustible natural sources such as sunlight, wind, water, and geothermal heat)
Energy Mix (Combining multiple energy sources to create an optimal electricity-generation mix)
Energy Security (The ability to secure energy resources reliably and at reasonable prices)
FIT (Feed-in Tariff) (A system requiring electricity generated from renewable energy to be purchased at a fixed price)
3E+S (The basis of Japan's energy policy: energy security, economic efficiency, and environmental suitability + safety)
Further Study (Background and Significance)
The First Oil Crisis of 1973 was an event in which an OAPEC oil embargo severely damaged the economies of Western developed countries. In response, Japan promoted energy-saving technologies and independence from oil. After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and the Fukushima nuclear accident, Japan stopped operating its nuclear power plants and shifted toward a major expansion of renewable energy, centered on solar power, through the introduction of the FIT system.
Today, the world is in an era of "energy transition." According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the cost of generating solar and wind power has fallen sharply, making it cheaper than fossil fuels in many countries. At the same time, technological innovation in energy storage, smart grids, and hydrogen energy is essential for a stable electricity supply. Energy security is an especially important issue for Japan, a resource-poor country.
- The three problems of fossil fuels: limited reserves, CO₂ emissions, and supply concerns caused by the concentration of production areas.
- Disadvantages of renewable energy: variability, low energy density, and high initial costs.
- The basic principle of Japan's energy policy: 3E+S (energy security, economic efficiency, environmental suitability + safety).
- The FIT system was introduced in Japan in 2012 and became a catalyst for the spread of solar power.
- The 1973 oil crisis contributed to Japan's development as an energy-saving nation.
- Nuclear power is low-carbon, but risk management and waste disposal remain challenges.
Points to Note (Easily Confused)
① Renewable energy and new energy: New energy is a uniquely Japanese concept referring to some renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, and often does not include hydropower. ② Energy conservation (reducing the amount used) and renewable energy (making supply low-carbon) are different approaches. ③ Nuclear power produces little CO₂ but is not renewable energy because uranium is an exhaustible resource. ④ Energy security is different from military security and concerns the stable acquisition of resources.
Practice
- List and explain the three problems associated with fossil fuels.
- State two advantages and two challenges of renewable energy.
- What is energy security? Explain why it is an important issue for Japan.