The well-being and prosperity of human civilization depends on the availability of sufficient energy resources. The search for alternative fuels seems to be the most logical way of development. However, taking into account the vague prospects of unconventional energy sources, the issue of rational consumption of available natural resources is of particular importance. Each country is faced with the need to solve this problem.
General concept
The fuel and energy balance is one of the most acute problems of the modern world. The growth of the planet's population and the development of industrial technologies are causing a rapid increase in mineral consumption. The non-renewability of natural resources and their limited reserves give cause for concern. The energy balance is the ratio of production and consumption of fuels such as oil, coal, gas, peat, oil shale and firewood.
During the 20th century, the consumption of these resources increased by about 15 times. According to researchers, the total consumption of thermal energy over the past few decades exceeded its volume used by mankind for the entire previous period of history. The development of science and technology has changed the balance sheet structure. Progress in industry has led to a sharp increase in the development of new mineral deposits, as well as the emergence of unconventional fuels.
Structure
Currently, the share of oil in the total consumption of thermal energy in the world is 40%. Coal plays a less important role, which provides 27% of the human civilization's fuel needs. The share of natural gas does not exceed 23%. The smallest elements of the energy balance are solar, wind, and atomic energy. Their share is only 10% of the total fuel consumption in the world.
The structure of the energy balance varies in different countries. The reason for the heterogeneity of the global picture is the peculiarities of the geographical position and the level of industrial development of states. In the second half of the 20th century, the share of oil in the energy balance grew rapidly. At the end of the century, in countries with highly developed industries, the ratio has changed in favor of natural gas and coal.
Non-traditional sources
The uneven distribution of hydrocarbon deposits on the globe has forced many states to look for alternative ways to meet their energy needs. This task is fraught with certain difficulties. The ability to use solar energy is largely dependent on geographic location. Nuclear power plants pose a serious danger to the public and the environment. Accidents at such facilities lead to disastrous consequences.
Energy balance in Russia
In Russia, due to climatic features, there is a need for high fuel consumption to provide heat in the winter. Natural gas prevails in the energy balance structure. Its share is 55%. Oil is in second place. Despite the fact that Russia is one of the world's largest suppliers of "black gold", the share of this type of fuel in the country's energy balance is only 21%. Coal is in third place, providing 1 7% of the total heat production. Hydroelectric power stations and nuclear energy are not of strategic importance for the country's economy. They make a minimum contribution of not more than a few percent.
Efficiency
It is worth noting the gradual change in the energy balance in the process of economic transformation. In the second half of the 20th century, the dominant role was played by coal and oil. At the beginning of the new millennium, the leading place went to natural gas. According to researchers, its consumption in Russia is not effective enough. The efficiency in the generation of electricity by natural gas turbines is about 30%. The reason for this low rate is obsolete equipment in need of modernization.
In other countries
The global energy balance is characterized by extreme unevenness in fuel consumption in different parts of the globe. The leaders in fuel consumption are countries such as the United States, China and Russia. They use about 40% of the energy generated worldwide. A high level of fuel consumption falls on the share of countries located in the northern latitudes.
Over the past century, the number of available energy sources has increased from two to six. An interesting pattern is that at present, none of them has lost its strategic importance in the global economy. Long-known energy sources have moved into the category of traditional ones, but continue to occupy an important place in the structure of the fuel balance. Analytical forecasts do not consider the possibility of their complete exclusion from the number of resources that serve as the basis of the economy. Predictions concern only future changes in the share of traditional energy sources in the consumption structure. Many analysts are of the opinion that in the coming decades the leading positions will remain with natural resources such as coal and gas.
Nuclear power plants
Some countries have decided to give priority to the development of nuclear energy. Examples include France and Japan. They have achieved a significant change in the structure of the energy balance of their states. France and Japan managed to significantly reduce the role of oil. The replacement of hydrocarbons with nuclear energy had a beneficial effect on the environmental situation. However, the presence of nuclear power plants created a potential danger, the reality of which the population of Japan became convinced after the disaster in Fukushima.
Prospects
The alleged depletion of global energy reserves is often the subject of fierce debate. Pessimistic forecasts about the imminent onset of a global shortage of combustible minerals are based on an indisputable fact - the non-renewability of natural resources. According to experts, while maintaining the current volume of oil production, the reserves of "black gold" on the planet can be exhausted over the next 30-50 years. The situation is aggravated by the fact that hydrocarbon companies prefer to invest their profits in projects with quick paybacks, rather than spend it on financing exploration.
Information on world reserves of natural gas gives some reason for optimism. According to experts, the explored deposits of this energy source should be enough for the next 50-70 years. Russia stands out among other countries by the presence of huge reserves of natural gas. Experts estimate its deposits on the Yamal Peninsula at 100 trillion m 3 .
Coal reserves are concentrated in China, the USA and Russia. Its global reserves are 15 trillion tons. However, for industrial purposes, only certain grades of coke coal are used, which are mined in limited quantities.
The reserves of fossil fuels on the globe are great, but not infinite. Future generations have to find a final solution to the energy problem.