Abstract
This work aims to present an analysis of electricity and natural gas supply security in the four European Union countries with the highest level of consumption, namely Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. The goal of the study is to use and adapt a set of 22 indicators for estimating the level of energy security. The evaluation of an index called “Energy Security Level”, measuring the overall energy security, is performed for the period 2006–2018 in order to compare its evolution in each of the analyzed countries. The application of the proposed indicator system demonstrates which measures weakened or strengthened energy security in the past. The analysis of the energy security level demonstrates that Germany and France perform better than Italy and Spain in terms of energy security assurance. The main factors for these differences are the rich energy mix for Germany and the massive presence of nuclear power in France. These two elements make German and French energy systems more resilient than the Italian and Spanish ones. The results of sensitivity and uncertainty analysis demonstrate that the initial values of indicator weights have low impact on the uncertainty of energy security level estimations.
Highlights
Academic Editor: Ali Mehrizi-SaniEnergy security is often referred to as a reliable and adequate energy supply at reasonable prices [1]
Energy security was analyzed only from the energy dependence point of view and one of the first persons to highlight the importance of energy supply diversification was Winston Churchill [2]
Discussion of an indicator system consisting of 22 indicators, the methodology outlined in Section 4 is used
Summary
Energy security is often referred to as a reliable and adequate energy supply at reasonable prices [1]. ‘Reliable and adequate’ means that the supply should be uninterrupted and capable of satisfying the demand of the corresponding region/country. From the economic point of view, a reasonable price is the result of the clearing between demand and supply. The concept of energy security is overlapped with that of energy independence, i.e., the ability of a country to be self-sufficient in addressing its energy needs without any imports. Energy security was analyzed only from the energy dependence point of view and one of the first persons to highlight the importance of energy supply diversification was Winston Churchill [2]
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