Type Of Energy Supply Research Articles

Re-examining the nature of the ECE energy problem

Examination of the tasks for which energy is used and the best way for carrying out these tasks gives new insights into what types of energy supply are appropriate. This approach leads to an argument, in terms of classical economic criteria, for emphasizing the use, at least at the margin, of certain classes of already-proven renewable sources in preference to more conventional systems. This article presents preliminary results of studies, in support of this argument, for ten countries in the ECE (Economic Commission for Europe) region, which includes Eastern and Western Europe, USSR, and North America. The results suggest that careful analysis and matching of energy supply to the thermodynamic and scale structure of end-use needs is an important principle deserving close attention.

The recognition of bioenergetic processes

The basis of bioenergetics on Earth is briefly analysed. There are four types of energy supply (1) heterotrophy, (2) chemi-autotrophy, (3) bacterial photosynthesis and (4) plant photosynthesis. The main energy carrier is ATP. There are in addition many other classes of high-energy compounds such as amidine-, acyl-, carbamyl-, and enol-phosphates, acylthioesters, acyl-imidazoles, and onium compounds. Still other compounds can be envisaged. Taking these processes as a starting point, several possible modifications are suggested. Bioenergetics now centres around radiant and chemical bond energy. In other conditions other forms of energy for life processes are possible (electrical, mechanical, thermal, etc.). Guanine is a serious alternative to adenine, and, perhaps less likely but not negligible, other stable purine-derivatives. Several other compounds, such as porphin, isoalloxazines, etc., are very stable and are excellent candidates as alternate energy carriers. Free pyrophosphate and metaphosphate are alternatives to ATP.