Abstract
Recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have disrupted the supply-demand balance and triggered a new energy crisis, impacting the world economy. The rapid increase in the world's population, coupled with industrialization and urbanization, has exacerbated energy demand issues, affecting countries worldwide, especially the EU. As a result of these developments, countries have been prompted to take new energy measures and formulate policies to address the energy crisis. This study examines historical perspectives and conducts a comparative analysis of energy crises from the past to the present, focusing on the current energy crisis and the measures taken by various countries, including the EU member states. The study aims to explore how crises shape energy policies, how countries evaluate “opportunity windows” for new/alternative energy sources and technologies in response to crises, and how they present potential alternative energy sources for the future through the discussion of adopted energy policies.
TopIntroduction
Today, it is realized again that the peoples of the world, who are more connected to each other with the effect of globalization and experience a “time-space compression,” actually form a “risk society.” In this context, Ulrick Beck's conceptualization of the 'risk society,' which connects the idea that global dangers impact large populations with the random, unconscious, and uncontrolled experiences of modernization, appears to be a valid concept. This concept reminds us that the world's societies now have more invisible boundaries and exemplifies how any regional crisis can quickly create a global impact. Because risks are uncertain and unpredictable, it is difficult to take precautions against risks. As seen during the pandemic, these risks emerge within a specific geography, yet they can easily disseminate worldwide and affect everyone. When the effects of these crisis examples are examined, it also facilitates the understanding of globalization’s roles in the military, political, economic and sociological dimensions of nation-states. With the 2022 Russia-Ukraine war, the world has faced a new crisis that will likely start a new era after the Cold War, or even be called the post-Cold War era. In addition, this war started while the effects of the COVID-19 epidemic on the world economies and the period of struggle continued. With the effect of the China-USA trade war that occupied the global economy before and after the pandemic, this new crisis disrupted the balance of supply and demand, climate crises and the existing balances in all countries trying to repair their disrupted supply chains.
The continuous increase in the world population, the acceleration of industrialization and urbanization have a parallel impact on the need for energy, resulting in a continuous increase in energy demand and consumption. On the other hand, when we examine the world in general, it is observed that the most energy consumption is in the EU countries. At the same time, the fact that the EU member states lack sufficient resources to meet the increasing energy needs leaves it with a difficult struggle in the energy field. Another reason for this problem is that the EU countries, find themselves in an externally dependent position concerning energy resources. As a consequence of all these developments, the “new great energy crisis”, which corresponds to various dimensions of globalization, especially the economy, has rapidly affected the whole world, especially Europe. This situation has also necessitated the formulation of new policies and the implementation of new measures. European countries, relying on Russia for energy supply, initially imposed sanctions on Russia with a united approach during this process. In return, they faced energy shortages and hiked prices. While the Russia-Ukraine war continues, the fears regarding the rapidly rising gas and oil prices as well as supply security, also affect the global energy markets to a great extent. The new energy crisis has deepened due to the rapid increase in the prices of all energy sources, ranging from natural gas to coal.
Key Terms in this Chapter
Energy Policy: It is the set of rules and strategies that determine the energy resources, production, consumption, distribution and pricing of a country or a region.
Energy Supply Security: It means the continuous, sufficient, and affordable supply of energy resources necessary for the economic and social development of a country.
Energy Efficiency: It means reducing the amount of energy needed to provide a product or service to better use energy resources, lower energy costs, protect the environment, and increase energy supply security.
Non-Renewable Sources: Non-renewable energy is a source of energy that will eventually run out. Most sources of non-renewable energy are fossil fuels, such as coal, gas, and oil. Non-renewable energy sources are used in many countries around the world, especially for doing work. They also have a lot of disadvantages due to their negative impact on the environment and their limited supply which is constantly depleted.
Fossil Resources: Fossil resources are natural energy resources such as coal, oil and natural gas, which are formed by the dissolution of living organisms that died millions of years ago in an oxygen-free environment.
Alternative Energy Sources: They are renewable, environmentally friendly and economical energy sources that can be used instead of fossil fuels. Alternative energy sources include various types such as solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, geothermal energy and biomass energy.
Energy Crisis: This term refers to a shortage or interruption in the provision of energy resources. Growth in demand, difficulties in energy supply, security of energy supply and environmental effects of energy use are among the causes of the most important energy crisis.
Energy Measures: These are the measures taken to use energy effectively and efficiently, to prevent energy waste, to reduce energy costs and to protect the environment.
Energy: It is defined as the “ability to do work” or “ability to useful work”.
Renewable Energy Sources: It is a type of energy that is obtained from inexhaustible sources in nature, offers unlimited use because it constantly renews itself, does not harm the environment, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, increases energy supply security and provides economic benefits. Solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy, geothermal energy, wave energy and tidal energy are among the renewable energy sources.