Energy Security In Europe Research Articles

Methodological Framework to Assess the Significance of External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) on-site Activities

European climate strategy foresees measures to increase energy efficiency, competitiveness and the energy security of Europe by decreasing energy consumption. As buildings are responsible for 40% of the total energy consumption in the European Union, the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive sets energy consumption reduction targets for the member states. The rapidly increasing market for energy efficient buildings favours External Thermal Insulation Composite System (ETICS) usage in Europe. From the consumers’ perspective the use of this façade system provides high thermal resistance and can be applied externally relatively fast with simple work methods.The façade system and each component of it need to meet specific technical performance criteria. The on-site construction process has the ability to modify technical performances with minor actions like mixing time, kneading water, insulation fixation, weather conditions, material moisture level and curing time. Minor deviations during construction can cause a variety of adverse consequences which lead to deterioration and reduced energy efficiency. The current paper proposes a methodology to rank the on-site degradation factors and provide a risk priority number. Based on the technical requirements set for building products, the significance of the collected degradation factors can be ranked by experts and the results ranked using a modified form of Failure Mode Effects Analysis (FMEA). The methodology provides a significance assessment tool to identify degradation factors in the construction phase.

Changing conceptions of climate and energy security in Europe

The ways in which energy and security have been framed in Brussels since the early days of the European Coal and Steel Community through to recent developments in climate policy are considered, with a main focus upon the European Commission, which prepares policy for decision by the Council and Parliament. Both in terms of institutions and ideas, energy, security, and environmental policy have evolved separately. However, since 2005, there has been a growing convergence as the Commission attempts to develop the internal and external dimensions of EU climate policy. The reasons for this and the potential implications of such a ‘synergistic’ approach are briefly explored.

Smart Grids in the Process of Building a Competitive Economy and Energy Security in Europe

Abstract Article aims to present the technological innovation - Smart Grids in the process of maintaining Europ’s energy security, competitiveness of economy and environmental protection. Innovative intelligent networks are the solution to accelerate the liberalization process of the energy sector, and also to grow energy efficiency and savings in the consumption of electricity. Management of energy production and efficient planning of consumption will bring benefits for the economic development. Technology of smart grids will change in the future the structure of the supply of energy towards a decentralization system. This article consist of three main parts, the first concerns the analysis of energy policy in Europe with the most significant factors that shape this policy, the seconde part concerns the presentation of the smart grids solutions essence for electricity and the benefits generated by the process of implementing in the energy system. The third part is devoted to European and Polish projects in the subject of smart meters.

The Future of Energy Security for Europe: Turkey's Role as an Energy Corridor

The question of energy security is one of the main concerns for the future of Europe because of the growing dependency of the European countries on third parties, namely Russia, for natural gas. The future of European energy security will be shaped by the EU's dependence on Russia and its ability to find alternative sources of energy as well as multiple routes of transport. Turkey's location between the major energy producers in the Caspian and the major energy consumers in Europe has increased Turkey's potential role as the transit country. The article addresses the Turkish role in the transport of resources from the Caspian region to the European territory. As the Caspian region's resources provide a viable alternative for the EU to diversify its energy suppliers, Turkey emerges as a major hub for energy transport and assumes a greater role in the future of energy security. This article investigates the future challenges to the transport of natural gas into Europe and the role that Turkey will acquire as a transit country, largely replacing Ukraine. The article addresses the following questions: (i) what is Turkey's potential role for energy security in Europe? (ii) what kind of challenges emerge with the increased role for Turkey in European energy routes? (iii) what are the main sources of tension over energy security? The main proposition of the article is that Turkey plays a critical role for the EU's energy security, decreasing its reliance on Russia specifically for the transport of natural gas.

International Regulatory Governance of the Caspian Pipeline Policy Game

Oil and gas exploration and energy transport are intimately intertwined with Azerbaijan’s history. Exploiting natural energy resources and achieving success in the regional pipeline strategy are key parts of Azerbaijan’s foreign policy. This will be even more visible in the near future as Azerbaijan has become pivotal to the energy security of Europe and a crucial hub in the ‘great pipeline policy game’. ‘Energy security’ is inseparable from open access to networks and functioning markets and comprises both security of supply (energy imports) and security of sales to consumers (energy exports). Two simultaneous lines of action are proposed in the present contribution: first, in a balanced approach the European Union (EU) should recalibrate its policy towards the Southern Caucasus and in particular help solve the Nagorno-Karabach conflict, which is the main obstacle to regional cooperation and growth. Secondly, an effective international regulatory governance of the pipeline policy game is needed, ie, the international rule of law as the necessary companion of functioning markets should prevail; in this respect an enhancement of the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT) and a renewed launch of the ‘Baku Initiative’ would be helpful.

Under the Kremlin's Thumb: Does Increased State Control in the Russian Gas Sector Endanger European Energy Security?

This article examines the effect of increased state control over the Russian gas sector and its ultimate impact on energy security in Europe. The various mechanisms by which the state has acquired ownership (or quasi-ownership) over several independent gas producers as well as the potential dangers this poses for European energy supplies are scrutinised. Due to the demonstrated inefficiency of Russian state-controlled companies, negative consequences, such as slowed production growth, are likely to result. The few remaining independent gas producers are still hampered in their development due to the government's reluctance to implement structural reforms in the Russian gas sector.