Energy security as a part of ecological security

Abstract

This article concludes by giving separate consideration to the energy security / ecological security implications that may arise in pursuit of new energy policies. This article investigates the benefits, challenge, and opportunity of introducing renewable energy into the North-West region of Russia. Renewable energy is regarded globally as the primary means to withstand climate change. Objective evidence on the effects of climate change - and also - observations from different groups of society (such as Scientists, Governmental and Non Governmental Organisations, Ecological Societies, Businessmen, Farmers, Reindeer Herders, Home Owners) are considered. Leading scientists from the Kola Science Center, provide analysis on the potential for renewable energy (from wind, hydro, tidal, solar, biomass, and low potential thermal energy) to contribute to the current energy balance. Cooperation between scientists, Ecologists, Governmental State Economical Authorities, and Businesses was initiated by Non-Governmental Organizations within the Murmansk region in 2006. The governor has committed to a research program that will, by 2020, see 20% of the current energy balance being sourced from wind energy. This declaration has seen the formation of the Regional Program “Development of non-conventional and renewable sources of energy in Murmansk region for 2009-2015” for the further exploration of Renewable Energy opportunities in North West Russia.

Expression of ecological security (EcS) and energy security (EnS) is commonly used today by many different specialists (for example scientists, power engineering specialists, businessmen, economists, officials). With these specializations however, EcS and EnS often convey different meanings. This part of the paper considers how the concept of EcS and EnS is changing (both regionally and internationally) in accordance with dynamic shifts in wider worldwide energy policy. This paper emphasizes the close interrelationship between EnS and EcS.

The Murmansk region is looked at more closely to highlight the threats that exist within existing regional and federal policies as things stand today. The outcome of these examinations make it possible to set out the main premise for introducing a coherent system of measures (prognosis, planning, preprogramming and preventive arrangements) that will help address the threats to delivering successful EnS and EcS and so deliver a healthier balance between the health and quality of people’s life and the need to develop industry, communications and agricultural complex of the region.

The Doctrine of Energy Security in the Russian Federation seeks to assure continued successful and uninterrupted supply of energy/fuel to the country (region). It is apparent that “energy security” is a term that conveys different meanings to different countries (regions) depending on whether they are energy producers or energy consumers (importers).

Different interests offer different determinations of Ecological security (EcS), although it can be agreed that for all, there is a common desire to assure the better quality of life and activity for the people inhabiting these territories. It is suggested that a contemporary system of EcS will provide the means to reduce threats to the:

- protection of soil and landscapes from industrial waste;

- protection of the urban-industrial atmosphere/environment;

- protection of water supplies;

- protection from electromagnetic pollution;

- protection from noise pollution;

- development of ecological risk management policy;

- education of the population to maintain ecological standards.

It can be concluded that the systems of EnS and EcS share a common desire to preserve and better protect the natural living conditions for the territory. EnS focuses upon the more technical aspects of energy production and consumption while EcS carries a wider, broader agenda. In so far as the energy sector is an element of the economy, we can assert that EnS is a subset of EcS.

Scientist within the Kola science centre (KSC) assessed the Murmansk region’s EnS capability by assessing five broad categories as follow (parenthesis indicate the assessment for each category):

The scale of EnS assessment used is based upon a numerical range of design score indices carrying the following severity weightings:

Qualitative assessment was carried out against the following energy categories:

Taking an “average” overall assessment across all energy categories would indicate an overall assessment for the region as “dangerous”.

The predominant EnS threat in the Murmansk region exists because there is an absence of any natural fuel base (and so no inherent territorial boiler-furnace fuel or petrol fuel capability); There is an over dependency upon (mazut) fuel; there is an excessive centralization of energy supply systems; central energy facilities are old and worn out; there is a lack of investment into reproduction of energy objects.

A forward looking approach towards achieving energy security will require a programme of activity across three major fronts:

1)    modernization of existing energy infrastructures

2)    introduction and regulation of new consumer technology

3)    adoption of energy saving and efficiency codes of practice

Modernization of energy infrastructures: This requires a timely and proper upgrading of existing energy technical components and facilities to assure a sustainable provision of reliable energy supplies (including emergency reserve supplies) delivering high-quality electricity and heat supply networks; reducing dependency on fossil fuel through adoption and investment in of renewable and non-conventional sources of energy;

Introduction and regulation of new consumer technology: Ensuring energy consumers have appropriate energy-saving devices in place and increased understanding of energy conservation strategies to manage energy consumption efficiently.

Adoption of energy efficiency codes of practice. – to provide authoritative regulatory control/audit of energy usage. To implement energy management strategies to deliver industrial scale efficiencies and wider cost benefit.

In summary of energy security, it can be concluded that there are no contemporary measures in place within the Murmansk region to provide sustainable energy security in terms of the modern economic need to address necessary technical and policy complexities in energy delivery.

In summary of ecological security, it can be concluded that city and urban development in the Murmansk region occurred at a time when ecological risks were not taken into account and as a result industrial facilities were often constructed near to dwellings and in areas most vulnerable to ecological threat. The absence of control and regulation protecting the environment from human impact has led and still leads today to ever higher levels of pollution (solid waste, chemical and radioactive contaminations, uncontrolled electromagnetic fields and noises).

Modern policy on ecological security must take into account and seek to protect those areas that at risk to human and socio-ecological impact. The list of environments with high anthropogenic pollution in the Murmansk region is in common with other similar regions in the world:

Atmosphere - motor transport, combined heat power plants, boiler-houses, emissions from industry;

WATER – raw sewage and industrial chemical pollution

LAND –dumps and land-fill sites, unstructured and undisciplined and uncontrolled and unorganized disposal of industrial waste sites

RADIATION – heightened natural geological levels of radiation beneath the Baltic Shield; nuclear contaminations from underground and surface nuclear tests, nuclear contaminations from Kola NPP and atomic navy;

ACOUSTIC noise pollution from increasing growth in transport usage;

ELECTROMAGNETIC pollution from high-voltage lines, systems of cell and mobile communication devices, satellite connection stations, traffic speed radars, television and radio stations, microwave and infrared radiation, computers etc.

POPULATION – lack of public education and participation in the management of the environment (for instance low absence of city green zones and poor adoption of horticultural practices).

Unfortunately the size, extent and impact of these complex interrelationships is extremely hard to quantify. Meaningful progress in estimating the extent and real size of the problem is slow and unstructured. There is no determined will on behalf of the government to manage these issues. Perhaps this is as a consequence of earlier ingrained bias towards sponsoring and supporting the greater immediate needs of state industry.

As far as there is no creditable modern estimation of EcS and EnS in the Murmansk region, so regional policy for EcS and EnS is not aligned towards taking react properly to “today’s” new challenges. On a positive note, small-scale business are deriving benefit by adopting modern (eg bio-gas) practices to better manage increases in prices for energy carriers and this does provide positive ecological benefit. Larger scale businesses see a need to project a positive ecological image and this also leads to progress in favor of environment protection.

In summary of energy security and ecological security, it can be can concluded that there are no modern policy and contemporary measures in place within the Murmansk region to provide sustainable energy and ecological securities in terms of both the modern economic need to address necessary technical and policy complexities in energy delivery and protection those areas that at risk to human and socio-ecological impact.

In recent years scientists and ecologists from non-governmental organizations (NGO) around the world have concentrated their attention on finding new energy sources to cut levels of fossil fuel consumption. The dependency between climate change and fuel consumption has been proven by many scientific works. It is evident that the development of new energy sources will lead to not only better energy efficiency but also to improved ecological conditions.