A Paradigm shift in Policy mechanisms for Energy Security from the G8 will produce more realistic outcomes then Kyoto. Part 2

As we previously suggested in our first report on the likely outcome of the G8 Gleneagles communiqué on Climate change, the communiqué has provided a consensus on additional strategic pathways for implementing the primary goal of stabilizing anthropogenic GHG emissions.

This multi faceted approach has brought consensus on outcomes, and will allow a global set of mechanisms that will introduce improvements to energy efficiency, renewable energy, cleaner energy systems, new technology and the transfer of technology to developing countries whilst maintaining global growth.

It also introduces a number of mechanisms for the low cost introduction of cleaner renewable energy systems for developing countries that will help to provide growth and allow them to bypass the use of carbon based energy systems.

The primary goals that were identified by the communiqué were

1 Transforming the way we uses energy
2 Powering a cleaner future
3 Promoting research and development
4 Financing the transition to cleaner energy
5 Managing the impact of climate change
6 Tackling illegal logging
7 Lower cost energy

These have signified a change from one of tariff based emission reduction to a broader role of technology and the delivery mechanisms of energy. This will create substantial opportunities in the areas of scientific research, engineering technology especially micro measurement, electrical efficiency and fuel technology.

To enable New Zealand to both meet its international requirements ( we have treaty obligations until 2012) and to partake in the opportunities that have been identified it will be necessary for the political parties and the development and delivery apparatus of both Government and business to recognize that there is a Paradigm shift in the future mechanisms of energy technology, efficiency, scientific research and development and the financial instruments for these mechanisms (technology development finance)

Since Russia took over the presidency of the G8 ,The agenda has been prescribed for this years meeting by a number of statements from Putin signaling the range of possible solutions and was reinforced by Bush in his SOTU address that of energy improvement and stability.

This statement by President Putin sets the theme for the outcomes of the G8 on energy.

“This will be the first time that Russia will chair this respected international forum. I hope that the experience we have accumulated since joining the G8 will ensure respect for tradition and consolidation of our efforts.

Russia, as the presiding country, regards it as its duty to give a fresh impetus to efforts to find solutions to key international problems in energy, education and healthcare.

This year, we plan to urge our partners to redouble efforts to ensure global energy security. We believe that today, it is crucial to find a solution to a problem which directly influences the social and economic development of all countries, without exception.

I am convinced that our efforts towards attaining this goal should be comprehensive and must stimulate stabilization of the global energy markets, development of innovation technologies, use of renewable energy sources and protection of the environment. We believe that today, we must think very seriously about ways to bridge the gap between energy-sufficient and energy-lacking countries.”

Bush in his state of the union speech also highlighted some interesting solutions,..

“Keeping America competitive requires affordable energy. Here we have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world.The best way to break this addiction is through technology. Since 2001, we have spent nearly 10 billion dollars to develop cleaner, cheaper, more reliable alternative energy sources - and we are on the threshold of incredible advances. So tonight, I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative - a 22-percent increase in clean-energy research at the Department of Energy, to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas. To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants; revolutionary solar and wind technologies; and clean, safe nuclear energy.”

Russia has been through a number of subtle statements been signaling the increased production and construction of both nuclear, and enhanced thermonuclear generation this from the 2 February …

Russia is preparing proposals for the St. Petersburg summit of the G8 club of rich nations on fast neutron reactors and international uranium enrichment centers, a senior nuclear energy official said Thursday.

Sergei Antipov, deputy head of the Russian Federal Agency for Nuclear Power, said the agency was working on targeted programs for nuclear energy development and nuclear and radioactive security that would be presented at the G8 summit in July.

"The main issues are the international fuel cycle and fast neutron reactors," Antipov said.

He said Russia had facilities that could serve as the basis for international centers for nuclear fuel cycle services, but added that the issue was under consideration and he could not name the facilities.

On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin told a Kremlin news conference that uranium enrichment centers could be set up in other "nuclear club" countries as well as in Russia, providing access on a non-discriminatory basis to nations looking for nuclear fuel for power production.

And this from the 9 February 11, 2006

Russia is ready to build nuclear power plants throughout the world with a total capacity of up to 60GW, the country's top nuclear power official said Wednesday.

"We must set ourselves a goal of taking 20% of the market [for nuclear energy], which would be around 60GW," Sergei Kiriyenko, the head of the Federal Agency for Nuclear Power, told members of the Kurchatov Institute for nuclear research.

Kiriyenko estimates the global market for nuclear energy at 600GW.

He noted that 50% to 70% of demand is located in closed markets, while about 300GW is in countries that are not in a position to build their own nuclear power plants.

Within the next 25 years, Russia should reach capacity of 40GW to 60GW, he said.

At the meeting, Kiriyenko also reiterated his view that Russia should restore the nuclear power infrastructure that existed during the Soviet period, uniting the elements of the complex situated in former Soviet countries into one system.

As we said earlier on the simultaneous conference on the ITER project whilst the Worlds press was at the Kyoto meeting in Montreal the acceleration of the thermonuclear fusion development will be a major area for discussion from the G8.

Seven participants in the unique project - Europe, Japan, Russia, the U.S., China, Korea, and India have agreed to invest five billion dollars into the construction of a thermonuclear experimental reactor (ITER - Russian acronym), and use for this purpose their intellectual resources, industrial capacities, and technologies. The site for it has already been chosen -- Cadarache in Provence, France. When will this project be implemented? If we start building it by a well-orchestrated effort this year, its construction will be completed in ten years. Another five years will be spent on designing an electric power station, and another 20 years on extensive research. The fast track suggested by Tony Blair's advisor Sir David King, is aimed at building the first thermonuclear electric station by 2030. If this experience succeeds, the world will receive very powerful sources of energy -- thermonuclear electric stations. This will be an effective cure for the headache caused by the energy problem for a long time to come.

We will expand on this issue in part 2