Energy independence
Energy independence is independence or autarky regarding energy resources, energy supply and/or energy generation by the energy industry.
Energy dependence in general refers to either mankind's general dependence on primary or secondary energy for energy consumption (fuel, transport, automation, etc.). In a narrower sense, it may describe the dependence of one country on energy resources from another country.
Energy dependency shows the extent to which an economy relies upon imports in order to meet its energy needs. The indicator is calculated as net imports divided by the sum of gross inland energy consumption plus bunkers.
Energy independence, while being attempted by large or resource-rich and economically strong countries like USA, Russia, China and the Near East, is an idealized status that at present can only be approximated through non-sustainable exploitation of a country's (non-renewable) natural resources. Another factor in reducing dependence is of course the addition of renewable energy sources to the energy mix. Usually, a country will rely on local and global energy renewable and non-renewable resources, a mixed-model solution that presumes various energy sources and modes of energy transfer between countries like electric power transmission, oil transport (oil and gas pipelines and tankers), etc.. The European dependence on Russian energy is a case in point.
Planning and coordination in the strive for energy independence is the business of energy policy and energy management
Related concepts
Energy resilience
Energy security
Generally, a higher level of dependence is associated with a higher energy security risk, because of the possible interference of trade regulations, international armed conflicts, etc..
Energy development
Efficient energy use
A crucial contribution on the road to energy independence is energy efficiency because efficient use of energy can build on individual efforts in power saving instead of having to rely on costly large-scale infrastructure.
National efforts
- Making Sweden an Oil-Free Society
- United States energy independence
- Energy efficiency in British housing
- Energy policy of Turkey
See also
- energy independence – Wikipedia search | Google search | Bing search | DuckDuckGo search | Yahoo search
- energy dependence – Wikipedia search | Google search | Bing search | DuckDuckGo search | Yahoo search
- All pages with titles containing Energy in
- All pages with titles containing Energy policy of
- Energy consumption
- Cogeneration
- Micro combined heat and power or micro-CHP