The Experts below are selected from a list of 360 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Benjamin K Sovacool - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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differing cultures of Energy Security an international comparison of public perceptions
Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2016Co-Authors: Benjamin K SovacoolAbstract:This study reviews how Energy-users perceive the importance of Energy Security dimensions. It asks: how does the sense of Energy Security vary with culture? Its primary source of data is a summary of survey distributed in eight languages to almost 2500 respondents in Brazil, China, Denmark, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United States. It utilizes an “Energy literacy test” in Denmark as a secondary data tool. The survey results are used to test nine hypotheses about national, economic, political, professional, and epistemic cultures. The study concludes by affirming the complexity of Energy Security as a cultural topic; by emphasizing how answers among respondents tended to converge more than diverge; and by calling for further research.
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prioritizing low carbon Energy sources to enhance china s Energy Security
Energy Conversion and Management, 2015Co-Authors: Jingzheng Ren, Benjamin K SovacoolAbstract:This paper explores how low-carbon systems compare to each other in terms of their net effect on Chinese Energy Security, and how they ought to be ranked and strategized into an optimal and integrated resource plan. The paper utilizes Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to first determine the relative performances of hydroelectricity, wind Energy, solar Energy, biomass Energy, and nuclear power with respect to the Energy Security dimensions of availability, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability. Both qualitative and quantitative metrics are considered. It relies on AHP to calculate the relative weights of the qualitative metrics attached to these dimensions of Energy Security for each of our five low carbon Energy sources. Then, Energy Security performance is determined by aggregating multiple, weighted metrics into a generic index based on the method of TOPSIS and then tweaked with a sensitivity analysis. Finally, an integrated method has been developed to rank the low-carbon Energy systems from most to least important, with major implications for Chinese decision-makers and stakeholders. We conclude that hydroelectricity and wind power are the two low-carbon Energy sources with the most potential to enhance China’s Energy Security. By contrast, nuclear and solar power have the least potential.
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enhancing china s Energy Security determining influential factors and effective strategic measures
Energy Conversion and Management, 2014Co-Authors: Benjamin K Sovacool, Jingzheng RenAbstract:This study investigates the most influential factors affecting China’s Energy Security. It also identifies the most effective strategic measures for enhancing it. Fuzzy AHP has been used to determine weights for ranking the importance of Chinese Energy Security factors, and it has also been used to determine the priorities of the strategic measures with respect to enhancing those same factors. The study argues that a low proportion of renewable Energy penetration is the most severe factor threatening China’s Energy Security, and that conducting research and development on Energy technologies and improving Energy efficiency is the most salient, positive, and necessary strategic measure.
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quantifying measuring and strategizing Energy Security determining the most meaningful dimensions and metrics
Energy, 2014Co-Authors: Benjamin K Sovacool, Jingzheng RenAbstract:Various metrics exist for Energy Security assessment along with a diffuse array of different strategies for improving national performance. These independent and interacted metrics overlap, however, and are rarely considered systematically. The objective of this study is to translate often subjective concepts of Energy Security into more objective criteria, to investigate the cause-effect relationships among these different metrics, and to provide some recommendations for the stakeholders to draft efficacious measures for enhancing Energy Security. To accomplish this feat, the study utilizes a DEMATEL (Fuzzy Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) methodology to analyze collected data, reveal cause-effect relationships, and prioritize Energy Security strategies. To apply our theoretical results in practice, we include a brief case study of China. We conclude that the availability and affordability dimensions of Energy Security are most impactful to a nation's overall Energy Security, and that the promotion of renewable Energy and diversification are compelling national Energy Security strategies, both for China and other countries.
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understanding attitudes toward Energy Security results of a cross national survey
Global Environmental Change-human and Policy Dimensions, 2013Co-Authors: Janelle Knoxhayes, Benjamin K Sovacool, Marilyn A Brown, Yu WangAbstract:Energy Security is embedded in a complex system encompassing factors that constitute the social environment in which individuals are immersed. Everything from education, to access to resources to policy and cultural values of particular places affects perceptions and experiences of Energy Security. This article examines the types of Energy Security challenges that nations face and characterizes the policy responses that are often used to address these challenges. Drawing from a survey of Energy consumers in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United States, we conduct a cross-national comparison of Energy Security attitudes as well as analyze each country's Energy resources, consumption characteristics and Energy policies. Through multivariate regression analysis and case studies we find that socio-demographic and regional characteristics affect attitudes towards Energy Security. Specifically, we find a strong relationship between level of reliance on oil imports and level of concern for a variety of Energy Security characteristics including availability, affordability and equity. Our results reaffirm the importance of gender and age in shaping perceptions of Security, but also extend existing literature by elucidating the impacts of country Energy portfolios and policies in shaping climate and Security perceptions. Level of development, reliance on oil, and strong Energy efficiency policies all affect individuals’ sense of Energy Security. In sum, we find that Energy Security is a highly context-dependent condition that is best understood from a nuanced and multi-dimensional perspective.
Larry Hughes - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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the fukushima nuclear accident and its effect on global Energy Security
Energy Policy, 2013Co-Authors: Masatsugu Hayashi, Larry HughesAbstract:The March 2011 nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station affected both short- and long-term Energy-Security in Japan, resulting in crisis-driven, ad hoc Energy policy and, because of the decision to shutter all nuclear reactors, increased the country’s demand for fossil fuels, primarily natural gas. However, the effects of the accident on Energy Security were not restricted to Japan; for example, the worldwide availability and affordability of liquefied natural gas were affected by Japan’s increased demand; while the accident itself resulted in the loss of public acceptability of nuclear power and led countries, such as Germany and Italy, to immediately shut down some of the nuclear reactors or abandon plans to build new ones.
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the fukushima nuclear accident and its effect on global Energy Security
Energy Policy, 2013Co-Authors: Masatsugu Hayashi, Larry HughesAbstract:Abstract The March 2011 nuclear accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station affected both short- and long-term Energy-Security in Japan, resulting in crisis-driven, ad hoc Energy policy and, because of the decision to shutter all nuclear reactors, increased the country’s demand for fossil fuels, primarily natural gas. However, the effects of the accident on Energy Security were not restricted to Japan; for example, the worldwide availability and affordability of liquefied natural gas were affected by Japan’s increased demand; while the accident itself resulted in the loss of public acceptability of nuclear power and led countries, such as Germany and Italy, to immediately shut down some of the nuclear reactors or abandon plans to build new ones. This paper examines some of the short-term effects on global Energy Security following the accident at Fukushima, focusing on the main replacement fuel, liquefied natural gas. It shows, amongst other things, that the accident increased investment in liquefied natural gas projects around the world. The paper shows that despite Fukushima contributing to nuclear power’s loss of acceptability in most developed countries, it is still seen as an essential way of improving Energy Security in many countries and, despite what its critics may say, will probably continue to be used as a significant source of low-carbon electricity.
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a generic framework for the description and analysis of Energy Security in an Energy system
Energy Policy, 2012Co-Authors: Larry HughesAbstract:While many Energy Security indicators and models have been developed for specific jurisdictions or types of Energy, few can be considered sufficiently generic to be applicable to any Energy system. This paper presents a framework that attempts to meet this objective by combining the International Energy Agency's definition of Energy Security with structured systems analysis techniques to create three Energy Security indicators and a process-flow Energy systems model. The framework is applicable to those Energy systems which can be described in terms of processes converting or transporting flows of Energy to meet the Energy–demand flows from downstream processes. Each process affects the environment and is subject to jurisdictional policies.
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the four r s of Energy Security
Energy Policy, 2009Co-Authors: Larry HughesAbstract:Abstract Energy can be a confusing issue to the general public, policymakers, and politicians. Adding Energy Security to the lexicon has not provided any clarification. To assist in explaining some of the concepts associated with Energy Security and to show how an individual or organization can improve Energy Security, this paper introduces the “four ‘R's of Energy Security”: review (understanding the problem), reduce (using less Energy), replace (shifting to secure sources), and restrict (limiting new demand to secure sources).
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quantifying Energy Security an analytic hierarchy process approach
2009Co-Authors: Larry HughesAbstract:Energy Security, unlike climate change, the other major Energy-related challenge the world faces in the twenty-first century, cannot be easily measured. Greenhouse gases can be expressed in terms of their global warming potential, while the carbon intensities of carbonbased fuels associated with various anthropogenic activities are well known. The same cannot be said for Energy Security, as it exhibits qualitative rather than quantitative characteristics. Despite this, ranking a jurisdiction’s different Energy sources would give the public, policymakers, and politicians a clearer understanding of the jurisdiction’s Energy mix and the state of its Energy Security. This paper presents a methodology which employs the multi-criteria decision analysis tool, Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to produce an Energy Security index for each source making up a jurisdiction’s Energy mix. The index, when used in conjunction with the consumption associated with each Energy source, can also be displayed graphically, allowing the Energy Security state to be visualized.
Scott Victor Valentine - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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exploring propositions about perceptions of Energy Security an international survey
Environmental Science & Policy, 2012Co-Authors: Benjamin K Sovacool, Marilyn A Brown, Scott Victor Valentine, Malavika Jain Bambawale, Terezinha F Cardoso, Sayasat Nurbek, Gulimzhan Suleimenova, Jinke Li, Yang XuAbstract:This study investigates how Energy users from government, industry, civil society, and academia perceive of Energy Security challenges. It also analyzes how demographic characteristics influence such perceptions, and how geography, economic structure, modes of domestic Energy production, and culture shape Energy Security priorities. Its primary source of data is a four-part survey distributed in seven languages (English, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, German, and Japanese) to 2167 respondents in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and the United States. These countries were selected because they represent a mix of urban and rural populations, developed and developing economies, import- and export-oriented Energy trading flows, communist and capitalist societies, liberalized and state-owned Energy markets, and small and large geographic sizes. The survey results are used to test four propositions about Energy Security related to the education, age, occupation, and gender of respondents, as well five propositions about national Energy priorities and the interconnected attributes of Security of supply, Energy efficiency, Energy research and development, Energy trade, diversification and decentralization, affordability, environmental quality, climate change, and Energy governance.
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Emerging symbiosis: Renewable Energy and Energy Security
Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2011Co-Authors: Scott Victor ValentineAbstract:Abstract This article reviews the evolution of “Energy Security” as a concept guiding strategic Energy planning and demonstrates how fossil fuel technologies which once enjoyed a symbiotic relationship with Energy Security no longer contribute to the goals of enhanced Energy Security. Conversely, renewable Energy technologies now fulfill many of the objectives that modern Energy Security enhancement initiatives aim to achieve. The article concludes that the existing fragmented structure of the renewable Energy technology sector places the sector at a financial disadvantage when trying to break the technological lock that fossil fuel technologies have on Energy provision and argues for a unified effort aimed at fostering improved public understanding of alternative technology capabilities and mustering political support for a transition away from fossil fuel technologies. Failure to unify may lead to nuclear power or fossil fuel combustion and carbon capture and sequestration becoming entrenched as the preferred near-term approach to CO 2 abatement.
Vlado Vivoda - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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japan s Energy Security predicament post fukushima
Energy Policy, 2012Co-Authors: Vlado VivodaAbstract:If Energy Security is defined as the availability of Energy at all times in various forms, in sufficient quantities and at affordable prices, without unacceptable or irreversible impact on the economy and the environment, Japan is facing an Energy Security predicament. For a country that was already uneasy about Energy Security, the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami, which caused a nuclear catastrophe in TEPCO’s Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, turned this unease into outright anxiety. With the temporary and/or permanent closure of many nuclear reactors Japan has had to replace lost power. Tokyo has had no choice but to secure additional fossil fuels, a strategy that has negatively affected Japan’s economy due to rising fuel costs. The increase in Japan’s fossil fuel consumption has also caused a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions, and affected Tokyo’s commitment to Kyoto targets. This paper analyzes the consequences of the 2011 nuclear disaster for Japan’s Energy Security. Recognizing that Japan’s future Energy policy choices are constrained and path dependent, the paper outlines Energy policy recommendations for Japan’s government.
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evaluating Energy Security in the asia pacific region a novel methodological approach
Energy Policy, 2010Co-Authors: Vlado VivodaAbstract:This paper establishes an 'Energy Security assessment instrument' based on a new and expanded conceptualisation of Energy Security. The instrument is a systematic interrogative tool for evaluating Energy Security of individual states or regions. It consists of eleven broad Energy Security dimensions associated with the current global Energy system. These Energy Security dimensions take into account numerous quantitative and qualitative attributes of each country's Energy Security and policy, and include both traditional Energy Security concerns and many new factors, such as environmental, socio-cultural and technological. Another dimension, largely absent from previous analyses, is the existence of, and the issues addressed in, Energy Security policy in each country. This instrument serves as an assessment system with which to evaluate Energy Security in the Asia-Pacific region. The existing studies on Energy Security in the Asia-Pacific region suffer from serious limitations. No study to date examines regional Energy Security policies by adopting a more comprehensive Energy Security definition as a starting point. Most studies also focus on a single country or issue. Even if they examine Energy Security in major regional economies, they lack critical comparative analysis. The instrument is valuable as it may be utilised to draw a comprehensive map of regional Energy Security situation, which can also include comparative analysis of Energy Security characteristics across the Asia-Pacific region. Ultimately, it may be utilised to set up a framework for improved regional Energy cooperation with the aim of providing regional leaders with a blueprint for improving regional Energy Security and policy.
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Diversification of Oil Import Sources and Energy Security: A Key Strategy or an Elusive Objective?
Energy Policy, 2009Co-Authors: Vlado VivodaAbstract:This paper explores the relationship between the diversification of sources of imported oil and Energy Security of oil-importing countries. It examines the importance of diversification policy for oil importers, explains why oil importers implement oil diversification policy, and contextualizes the oil import diversification strategy in the overall Energy Security policy of oil importers. The paper analyzes the factors and the contexts that affect the level of importance assigned to oil import diversification policy in oil-importing countries, and the limitations that may affect the successful implication of oil import diversification policy. The examples are drawn from the world's top three oil importers, the United States, Japan, and China. The policymakers in these and other oil-importing countries place much importance on Energy Security. The diversification of oil import sources is used as one of the strategies to enhance Energy Security in oil-importing countries. This paper is important for policymakers in oil-importing countries as it provides them with a qualitative conceptual framework with which to evaluate the need to diversify their countries' sources of imported oil, and with which to identify the likely limitations to the successful implementation of oil import diversification policy.
Jingzheng Ren - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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prioritizing low carbon Energy sources to enhance china s Energy Security
Energy Conversion and Management, 2015Co-Authors: Jingzheng Ren, Benjamin K SovacoolAbstract:This paper explores how low-carbon systems compare to each other in terms of their net effect on Chinese Energy Security, and how they ought to be ranked and strategized into an optimal and integrated resource plan. The paper utilizes Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to first determine the relative performances of hydroelectricity, wind Energy, solar Energy, biomass Energy, and nuclear power with respect to the Energy Security dimensions of availability, affordability, accessibility, and acceptability. Both qualitative and quantitative metrics are considered. It relies on AHP to calculate the relative weights of the qualitative metrics attached to these dimensions of Energy Security for each of our five low carbon Energy sources. Then, Energy Security performance is determined by aggregating multiple, weighted metrics into a generic index based on the method of TOPSIS and then tweaked with a sensitivity analysis. Finally, an integrated method has been developed to rank the low-carbon Energy systems from most to least important, with major implications for Chinese decision-makers and stakeholders. We conclude that hydroelectricity and wind power are the two low-carbon Energy sources with the most potential to enhance China’s Energy Security. By contrast, nuclear and solar power have the least potential.
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enhancing china s Energy Security determining influential factors and effective strategic measures
Energy Conversion and Management, 2014Co-Authors: Benjamin K Sovacool, Jingzheng RenAbstract:This study investigates the most influential factors affecting China’s Energy Security. It also identifies the most effective strategic measures for enhancing it. Fuzzy AHP has been used to determine weights for ranking the importance of Chinese Energy Security factors, and it has also been used to determine the priorities of the strategic measures with respect to enhancing those same factors. The study argues that a low proportion of renewable Energy penetration is the most severe factor threatening China’s Energy Security, and that conducting research and development on Energy technologies and improving Energy efficiency is the most salient, positive, and necessary strategic measure.
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quantifying measuring and strategizing Energy Security determining the most meaningful dimensions and metrics
Energy, 2014Co-Authors: Benjamin K Sovacool, Jingzheng RenAbstract:Various metrics exist for Energy Security assessment along with a diffuse array of different strategies for improving national performance. These independent and interacted metrics overlap, however, and are rarely considered systematically. The objective of this study is to translate often subjective concepts of Energy Security into more objective criteria, to investigate the cause-effect relationships among these different metrics, and to provide some recommendations for the stakeholders to draft efficacious measures for enhancing Energy Security. To accomplish this feat, the study utilizes a DEMATEL (Fuzzy Decision-making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) methodology to analyze collected data, reveal cause-effect relationships, and prioritize Energy Security strategies. To apply our theoretical results in practice, we include a brief case study of China. We conclude that the availability and affordability dimensions of Energy Security are most impactful to a nation's overall Energy Security, and that the promotion of renewable Energy and diversification are compelling national Energy Security strategies, both for China and other countries.
