Energy systems:

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Energy systems Fossil fuels, nuclear power and
risk
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Quiz 6 Friday, March 5, 2008 Q. What was the
principal reason that the energy use efficiency
of automobiles and refrigerators rose markedly
during the energy crisis of the 1970s-80s?
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Energy Policy Questions Should the government int
rude on the market mechanism in the energy sector
of the economy? Should the government actively pr
omote the substitution of renewable for
non-renewable sources? Should the government legi
slate conservation and energy efficiency in the
economy?
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How should the government influence the energy
economy to assure sufficient supplies while
minimizing risks?
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Energy Policy Questions Should the government int
rude on the market mechanism in the energy sector
of the economy? Should the government actively pr
omote the substitution of renewable for
non-renewable sources? Should the government legi
slate conservation and energy efficiency in the
economy?
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risk n., 1. a popular board game of global domina
tion. 2. the change of injury, damage or loss
hazard. 3. the degree of probability of loss.
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trans-science problems that are amenable to sci
entific analysis in principle but not in
practice.
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Global Electricity Sources (38 of total C
emissions) Coal 38 Hydro plus
20 Nuclear 17 Gas 16
Oil 9
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Global Electricity Sources (38 of total C
emissions) Coal 38 Hydro plus
20 Nuclear 17 Gas 16
Oil 9
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Unresolved Problems for Nuclear Power
Costs lifecycle costs higher than fossil fuel
s (but effect of 40 per ton carbon cost)
Safety public perception of hazards Wast
e long-term management of radioactive waste
4. Proliferation security risks in the age of
terrorism
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If current information does not indicate that the
Yucca Mountain site is unsuitable, then the
consensus position is that at least a lower-level
suitability finding can be supported.
-Younker et al. 1992. US DOE Report
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No scientist or engineer can given an absolute
guarantee that radioactive waste will not someday
leak in dangerous quantities from even the best
repositories. Krauskopf
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Huber, P.W. and Mills, M.P. 2005.
The Bottomless Well The Virtue of Waste and Why
We Will Never Run Out of Energy. Basic Books,
NY.
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Principal Issues Driving Energy Policy
Global climate change Energy resource supplie
s, costs 3. Geographic distribution of energy r
esources Pollution health threats to humans, v
egetation 5. Safety mining, nuclear
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How Government Influences the Energy Economy
Taxes and tax exemptions Subsidies Laws an
d regulations
Energy research and development
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Three Reasons Why Markets May Fail in the Energy
Sector Incorrect price signals and especially t
he problem of risk Problems of consumer behavio
r, including transaction costs
Disproportionate capital markets
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