Since coal had been discovered in the 19th century, creativity of human being, alone with the great change in the utilization of energy resources, was strengthened. Represented by the British Industrial Revolution, modern industrialization started its splendid history. The stream engine, which was the typical energy product, accelerated the invention of the train. In this way, the distance from place to place was greatly shortened.
Petroleum was discovered in the middle of the 20th century. This important discovery made profound influences on aspects of people鈥檚 life. Not only did the layout of international energy resources provision change, but the economic pattern was also greatly altered. Represented product鈥攊nternal combustion engine made the popularization of modern transportation means come true. In this way, the development of modern industry also speeded up.
From the broke out of 鈥楶etroleum Crisis 鈥渋n the 1970s to the 21st century, the human beings had been enjoying the modern life pattern. However, at the same time, people faced the unparalleled energy resources crisis, environmental crisis and development crisis.
Indicated by the energy research in 2004 of WEC, oil can be exploited for only 40 years, natural gas can be extracted for 60 years and coal can be extracted for 200 years. As the status of IPCC in 1955 displayed, atmospheric nitrogen oxides content was 15% higher than that of the Industrial Revolution in the middle of the 18th century, firedamp content was 100% higher, and the content of carbon dioxide was 30% higher , had reached at 360 ppm. It was predicted that the number will reach to 425ppm in 2015 and to 500ppm at the end of the 21st century. The amount is about twice to 280ppm before the Industrial Revolution. At that time, the temperature will be raised by 1~3.5鈩僢ecause of the green house effect. All of these climatic changes have raised the environment problem to a strategic question in the sustainable development of human Being. The human being is facing an unprecedented development crisis.
Nowadays, all of the influential current events in the world relate some more or less with energy resources. The energy problem which is both economic and social problem even plays an important role in the long-term development of human being. Therefore, we attach great importance to this problem.
Before discovery of the nuclear energy, products of coal, petroleum and natural gas account for more than 99% in the energy structure. Coal is mainly used to generate electricity and heating. Petroleum products are used to drive vehicles. Exploit and utilization of new resources has not been put on the agenda yet. However, all countries make every effort to develop new resources and improve the ecological environment. Nowadays, we have made substantial achievements.
As of 2004 energy research from WEC indicated, thermal power was still the dominant method of energy gerneration for the national electricity network. However, the percentage of nuclear energy and regenerative energy has already reached 29% and 17% respetively
2003. Energy composition of national electricity network of some developed countries |
Thermal power | Nuclear energy | Water power | Renewable energy | |
USA | 71 | 20 | 7 | 2 |
Germany | 61 | 29 | 4 | 5 |
Denmark | 83 | 17 | ||
Holland | 88 | 4 | <1 | 8 |
Japan | 71 | 21 | 6 | 2 |
P.S:1 This chart is extracted from Development Reports of non- hydraulic renewable energy, February2005, EIA. 2 The focuses differ because of the regional limit of water power and renewable energy. |
The resource trend is developed towards green energy resources in order to develop without damage to the environment. In this way, harmony and symbiosis of human and nature can be reached.