The energy problem of mankind is becoming ever larger every year. This is due to the growing population of the planet and the intensive development of technology, which leads to an ever-increasing level of energy consumption. Despite the use of nuclear, alternative, and hydropower, people continue to extract the lion's share of fuel from the bowels of the Earth. Oil, natural gas and coal are non-renewable natural energy resources, so far their reserves have decreased to a critical level.
Beginning of the End
The globalization of the energy problem of mankind began in the 70s of the last century, when the era of cheap oil ended. The shortage and sharp rise in price of this type of fuel provoked a serious crisis in the global economy. And although its value has decreased over time, the volumes are steadily declining, so the energy and raw materials problem of mankind is becoming more acute.
For example, only in the period from the 60s to the 80s of the 20th century, the global volume of coal production amounted to 40%, oil - 75%, natural gas - 80% of the total volume of these resources used from the beginning of the century.
Despite the fact that in the 70s a shortage of fuel began and it was discovered that the energy problem is a global problem for mankind, forecasts did not provide for an increase in its consumption. It was planned that the volume of mining by 2000 will increase by 3 times. Subsequently, of course, these plans were reduced, but as a result of extremely wasteful exploitation of resources, which lasted for decades, to date, they are practically gone.
The main geographical aspects of the energy problem of mankind
One of the reasons for the growing fuel shortage is the worsening conditions for its production and, as a result, the cost of this process. If a few decades ago, natural wealth lay on the surface, today it is necessary to constantly increase the depth of mines, gas and oil wells. Mining and geological conditions for the occurrence of energy resources in the old industrial regions of North America, Western Europe, Russia and Ukraine have especially deteriorated.
Given the geographical aspects of the energy and raw materials problems of mankind, it must be said that their solution is to expand resource boundaries. It is necessary to develop new areas with lighter mining and geological conditions. Thus, it is possible to reduce the cost of fuel production. It should be borne in mind that the total capital intensity of energy production in new places, as a rule, is much higher.
Economic and geopolitical aspects of the energy and raw materials problems of mankind
The depletion of natural fuels has led to fierce competition in the economic, political and geopolitical spheres. Giant fuel corporations are engaged in the division of fuel and energy resources and redistribution of spheres of influence in this industry, which entails constant fluctuations in prices in the global gas, coal and oil market. The instability of the situation seriously aggravates the energy problem of mankind.
Global energy security
This concept came into use at the beginning of the 21st century. The principles of such a security strategy provide for a reliable, long-term and environmentally acceptable energy supply, the prices of which will be justified and suit the countries both exporting and importing fuel.
The implementation of this strategy is possible only if the causes of the energy problem of mankind are eliminated and practical measures aimed at further providing the world economy with both traditional fuels and energy from alternative sources. Moreover, the development of alternative energy should be given special attention.
Energy saving policy
During the time of cheap fuel, a very resource-intensive economy was formed in many countries of the world. First of all, such a phenomenon was observed in states rich in mineral resources. The Soviet Union, USA, Canada, China and Australia topped this list. At the same time, in the USSR the standard fuel consumption was several times greater than in America.
This state of affairs required the urgent introduction of an energy saving policy in the household, industrial, transport and other sectors of the economy. Taking into account all aspects of the energy and raw materials problems of mankind, technologies aimed at reducing the specific energy intensity of the GDP of these countries began to be developed and implemented, and the entire economic structure of the world economy was rebuilt.
Success and failure
The most notable successes in the field of energy conservation were achieved by economically developed countries of the West. Over the first 15 years, they were able to reduce the energy intensity of their GDP by 1/3, which resulted in a reduction in their share in world energy consumption from 60 to 48 percent. Today, this trend continues, and GDP growth in the West is ahead of growing fuel consumption.
Things are much worse in Central and Eastern Europe, China and the CIS countries. The energy intensity of their economy is declining very slowly. But the leaders of economic anti-rating are developing countries. For example, in most African and Asian countries, losses of associated fuel (natural gas and oil) range from 80 to 100 percent.
Realities and perspectives
The energy problem of mankind and the ways to solve it concern the whole world today. To improve the existing situation, various technical and technological innovations are introduced. In order to save energy, industrial and municipal equipment will be improved, more economical cars will be produced, etc.
Among the primary macroeconomic measures is a phased change in the structure of gas, coal and oil consumption with the prospect of increasing the share of non-traditional and renewable energy resources.
To successfully solve the energy problem of mankind, special attention must be paid to the development and implementation of fundamentally new technologies available at the present stage of the scientific and technological revolution.
Nuclear power
One of the most promising areas in the field of energy supply is nuclear energy. In some developed countries, a new generation of nuclear reactors has already been commissioned. Today, nuclear scientists are again actively discussing the topic of reactors powered by fast neurons, which, as it was once supposed, will become a new and much more efficient wave of nuclear energy. However, their development was discontinued, but now this issue has again become relevant.
The use of MHD generators
Direct conversion of heat to electricity without steam boilers and turbines allows magnetohydrodynamic generators. The development of this promising area began in the early 70s of the last century. In 1971, the first experimental industrial MHD with a capacity of 25,000 kW was launched in Moscow.
The main advantages of magnetohydrodynamic generators are:
- high efficiency;
- environmental friendliness (no harmful emissions into the atmosphere);
- instant start.
Cryogenic turbogenerator
The principle of operation of the cryogenic generator is that the rotor is cooled by liquid helium, due to which the effect of superconductivity is obtained. The indisputable advantages of this unit include high efficiency, low weight and dimensions.
A pilot industrial model of a cryogenic turbogenerator was created in the Soviet era, and now similar developments are being carried out in Japan, the USA and other developed countries.
Hydrogen
The use of hydrogen as a fuel has great prospects. According to many experts, this technology will help solve the most important global problems of mankind - the energy and raw materials problem. First of all, hydrogen fuel will become an alternative to natural energy resources in mechanical engineering. The first hydrogen-powered car was created by the Japanese company Mazda back in the early 90s, and a new engine was developed for it. The experiment turned out to be quite successful, which confirms the promise of this direction.
Electrochemical generators
These are fuel cells that also run on hydrogen. Fuel is passed through polymer membranes with a special substance - a catalyst. As a result of a chemical reaction with oxygen, hydrogen itself is converted into water, releasing chemical energy during combustion, which turns into electrical energy.
Engines with fuel cells are characterized by the highest possible efficiency (over 70%), which is twice as much as conventional power plants. Plus, they are convenient to use, silent during operation and undemanding to repair.
Until recently, fuel cells had a narrow scope, for example in space research. But now the work on the introduction of electrochemical generators is actively carried out in most economically developed countries, the first place among which is Japan. The total power of these units in the world is measured in millions of kW. For example, in New York and Tokyo, power plants already operate on such elements, and the German automaker Daimler-Benz was the first to create a working prototype of a car with an engine operating on this principle.
Controlled fusion
For several decades, research has been conducted in the field of thermonuclear energy. Atomic energy is based on the nuclear fission reaction, and thermonuclear is based on the reverse process - the nuclei of hydrogen isotopes (deuterium, tritium) merge. In the process of nuclear combustion of 1 kg of deuterium, the amount of energy released exceeds 10 million times that of coal. The result is truly impressive! That is why thermonuclear energy is considered one of the most promising areas in solving the problems of global energy shortages.
Forecasts
Today, there are various scenarios for the development of the situation in the global energy sector in the future. According to some of them, by 2060, global energy consumption in oil equivalent will increase to 20 billion tons. Moreover, in terms of consumption, now developing countries will overtake developed ones.
By the middle of the 21st century, the volume of fossil energy sources should decrease significantly, but the share of renewable, in particular wind, solar, geothermal and tidal energy sources will increase.