Energy

Energy consumption is a complex and controversial topic that has transformed human civilization over the past centuries. The availability and quantity of energy sources, from fossil fuels to nuclear and renewable technologies, have shaped our societies. This introduction aims to provide an overview by addressing three key questions: How much energy do we consume? How do we produce this energy? And what do we do with it?

Global energy consumption has steadily increased since the 1950s, with only a few exceptions during economic downturns. Economically developed countries tend to have higher energy consumption per capita, showing a correlation between GDP and energy consumption. In the European Union, energy consumption also correlates with GDP, but other factors, such as regional differences, can influence the statistics.

Examining the EU's energy consumption in 2020, final energy consumption decreased by 5.6% compared to 2019, with a peak in 2006. The energy mix in the EU includes oil, natural gas, electricity, solid fossil fuels, and renewable energy sources. The share of solid fossil fuels has decreased over the years, while renewable energy sources have increased their contribution. In 2020, oil and petroleum products accounted for the largest share, followed by electricity and natural gas.

When considering what we do with energy, three dominant sectors  stand out: transport, households, and industry. Over the past two decades, the energy consumption in these sectors has shown significant trends. In transport, increased traffic contributed to higher energy consumption, but energy savings and limited modal shifts countered this effect. In industry, energy consumption decreased due to energy savings and structural changes, while changes in industrial activity had a relatively limited impact. Household energy consumption decreased due to energy savings outweighing the activity effect.

Energy intensity, which measures the energy efficiency of an economy, has improved in many countries due to factors such as a shift to a service-based economy, less energy-intensive activities, closure of inefficient units, and more energy-efficient appliances. Several economically developed countries, including Sweden, the UK, Germany, Denmark, and Switzerland, have decoupled economic growth from energy use, achieving flat or declining energy consumption while experiencing GDP growth.

To address the challenges posed by increasing energy demand and climate change, the EU aims to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050 through the European Green Deal. Energy efficiency is prioritized, and the Commission has proposed a directive to ensure a collective additional reduction of energy consumption by 9% by 2030 compared to the reference scenario projections.

Renewable energy will play a crucial role in decarbonizing energy systems. Europe's primary energy share from renewable sources varies across countries, with Iceland having the highest share at 87% and Belarus at 1%. Wind and solar power have experienced significant growth, and hydropower remains the leading renewable energy source in Europe. Other emerging technologies, such as renewable hydrogen, hydro power, fusion energy, and bioenergy, show promise but face challenges in scalability, cost-effectiveness, and development.

Overall, transitioning to clean and sustainable energy alternatives is essential to combat climate change. While some countries have made progress in energy efficiency and renewable energy adoption, global energy consumption continues to rise. Addressing this challenge requires a global effort to shift away from fossil fuels and invest in low-carbon energy sources to achieve a sustainable and prosperous future.