Energy System

From Open Risk Manual

Definition

Energy Systems are defined as the physical and societal elements that ensure that society has at its disposal a range of different energy forms that facilitate its functioning. [1]

Physical Infrastructure

Human societies use energy to transport themselves and the goods that they use and consume, to heat, cool, and light their homes, to cook their food, and to produce goods and services. Energy systems are therefore intimately tied to the systems involved in the provision of these various goods and services.

The physical infrastructure of the energy system includes all the infrastructure and equipment used to

  • extract
  • transform
  • transport
  • transmit, and
  • convert energy to provide energy services.

Social Dimension

In addition to the physical system, a broad range of societal systems and dynamics are relevant to the energy system.

  • All aspects of energy systems are governed by laws, regulations, and actual institutions that reside within businesses and governments at all levels.
  • Firms and governments invest in equipment to produce, transform, and transport energy such as power plants, refineries, electric transmission lines, and oil tankers.
  • Many people are employed in the energy sector, and energy system mitigation will eliminate some jobs while creating others.
  • All energy users engage in the operation of energy systems by demanding energy at particular times and in particular forms.
  • Consumers invest in equipment that increases or reduces their energy needs, and they can invest in technologies that transform energy or store energy.

Issues and Challenges

  • Energy systems play a crucial role in human development and unequal access creates large disparities between different populations or regions
  • Energy Risk denotes the uncertainty and potential impact of inadequate energy systems
  • Energy systems have significant environmental impact. In the context of Sustainability and reducing GHG Emissions this has given rise to the concept of a Net Zero Energy System

References

  1. IPCC Working Group III contribution to the Sixth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change