Chapter 297 - Critical Issues and Options for Sustainable Energy Future

Abstract

This chapter throws the attention on the critical issues and options for sustainable energy future. Clean fossil should play an important role in the energy supply for many decades to come. Clean fossil together with energy efficiency and renewable energy systems are crucial elements of sustainable energy future. Among the cleaner transportation fuels, within a near term horizon, natural gas appears to be the most likely and cost effective alternative to motor gasoline and diesel. Current practices of fossil fuel use seriously threaten the delicate radiative balance of the atmosphere and causes climate changes. Therefore the development and implementation of advanced fossil technologies characterized by near-zero pollutant emissions are required. Besides clean fossil there are two other important options concerning sustainable energy future; energy efficiency and renewable. Though in recent years the Ministry of Energy has implemented some important projects in both areas, further programs and projects to develop and implement energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies are needed. Regarding increasing concern about environmental impacts of petroleum combustion emissions some attention has given to fuel-cell technologies. In Iran however natural gas appears to be the most likely and cost effective alternative to motor gasoline and diesel. Finally the extension and interconnection of the energy transportation grid will facilitate the implementation of sustainable energy systems.