Green Energy

Meta-analysis of the Research Results

herausgegeben von: Iwona Bąk, Katarzyna Cheba

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : Green Energy and Technology

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This book presents novel research that represents a multidimensional approach to green energy. Each chapter addresses its subject from diverse perspectives, including financial, technological, and social. The results shown also consider various approaches to the collection and processing of data on green energy.
The book also reports on analyses of data from official records and databases, as well as the analysis of primary data obtained directly. The book will be of interest to those working in green energy as well as researchers interested in the methods of scientific research.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Green Energy—A Review of the Definitions and the Main Directions of Development

Abstract

The chapter presents a review of the most important definitions concerning green energy, its kinds and sources. It also addresses the main development trends, paying particular attention to the impact on the natural environment and energy, and energy effectiveness. Another vital issue discussed here is the transition from an economy based on traditional sources of energy, towards one based on sustainable sources of energy, the so-called green transformation of an economy. The chapter also addresses matters concerning global energy security. Moreover, attention is drawn to the growing tendency of investing in renewable energy in EU countries.

Iwona Bąk, Katarzyna Cheba

Green Energy in the Political Debate

Abstract

In the twenty-first century, energy resources and production are the basis for efficient operation of the world’s economies. This is why development of the energy sector has become such an important political, economic and social aspect of every country. It guarantees economic development of the country, as well as maintaining or even enhancing the population’s standard of living. This process is accompanied by growing awareness of limited resource availability and the environmental impact of predatory resource management. The use of green energy in the economy is currently one of the major topics of political and social debate, both at the global level and in individual integration formations or countries. The outcome of this debate seems to be an inevitable drift towards climate neutrality. The chapter outlines evolution of policies on the use of energy resources and the major factors influencing the development of green transition policies.

Agnieszka Malkowska, Arkadiusz Malkowski

The Role of Green Energy in the Economic Growth of the World

Abstract

The demand for energy accompanying economic growth is increasing. With natural resources depleting at an accelerating rate and, at the same time, the costs of exploiting them rising, it is clear that the search is on for energy sources that respect the economic aspects of energy production and also focus on environmental protection. The main purpose of using green energy in the economy is to minimise the negative human impact on the environment. After Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in February 2022, the need for resigning from various energy resources (oil, gas, coal) from Russia and provision of the energy security of European countries based on renewable energies and green hydrogen became the factor accelerating the transition in Europe. The progress in transforming the traditional economy towards “the green direction” is evident in highly developed countries; by developing green energies, they become the direct beneficiaries of advantages related to their implementation. The chapter describes the reasons, manners of energy transition of the economy and its conditions. Furthermore, it describes the most important advantages and barriers resulting from the green transformation of the economy.

Irena Łącka

Green Energy and Its Impact on Environmental Protection

Abstract

In contemporary political debate and scientific considerations, the dominant view is that green transformation is a remedy for all the problems of the modern world. The standard of living in the world is increasing, but people's awareness of environmental protection is also increasing. In practice, however, it turns out that the introduction of green energy solutions to the market also poses various problems. The purpose of this discussion is to attempt to assess the environmental impact of green energy. The chapter presents issues related to the impact of green energy on environmental protection, both in terms of benefits and problems resulting from the widespread use of green technologies. The literature research suggests that every way of obtaining energy is not entirely environmentally friendly. However, the researchers agree that the benefits of green energy are much greater than the negative consequences, and the latter occurs mainly in the production, installation and disposal of energy devices. Low emissions of harmful gases to the atmosphere and no release of toxic pollutants into water reservoirs place renewable energy sources on the right side of environmental protection.

Beata Szczecińska

Selected Social Aspects of the Green Transformation

Abstract

The green transformation is a long-lasting process with many direct and indirect impacts and consequences, not only on countries and their economies, but also on households, individuals, and their well-being. These relations are manifested in various areas, which are elaborated at different levels both in theoretical and practical terms. The chapter addresses the social conditions of the green transformation. Attention is focused on the selected determinants of green growth, including social well-being, the socio-economic context considered in the sets of green economy indicators which are developed by the OECD, and the green behavior of households. The desk research analysis based on the available literature, content analysis of the documents, and secondary statistical data processing were used to elaborate the study. Although green transformation is primarily concerned with economic development and the green economy in general, without accepting the requirement of the social aspect, green transformation cannot be considered successful and complete.

Anna Barwińska-Małajowicz, Miroslava Knapková

The Directions of Financing the Green Energy Transformation

Abstract

Financing the green transformation constitutes another vital area for countries around the world. Many governments are allocating ever-increasing funds for financing green technologies and the decarbonisation of their economies. By 2050 the European Union is supposed to become the world’s first bloc of climate-neutral countries. This requires substantial investment on the part of the EU and the domestic public sector, as well as the private sector. The investment plan for the European Green Deal presented last year aims at a significant increase in the activity of EU countries in this area. The chapter presents the most relevant possibilities of financing the green transformation, also providing examples of similar regulations introduced in EU member states.

Anna Spoz, Magdalena Ziolo

Green Energy Transformation Models—Main Areas and Further Directions of Development

Abstract

Increasing the share in the so-called energy mix of pure energy is a part of the EU investment plan regarding the European Green Deal. There is the growing importance of innovations in the field of renewable, clean and green technologies, and the prospect of a green economy raises the requirements of the market in respect of ecological solutions. Experts stress that changes occurring in the energy sector should be based on the 3D model, i.e. decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation. The pace of the green transformation is also important, and is highly diversified depending on the level of the economic development of individual countries. The main purpose of the research presented in this chapter was to identify the main areas comprising a complex model (models) of green transformation in EU countries, and to indicate potential directions of changes in this transformation. In the paper a TOPSIS method was used for this purpose. The analyses suggest that it is practically impossible to construct one or even a few models of green transformation for countries in the EU (and United Kingdom). The results of individual countries were strongly diversified.

Katarzyna Cheba, Iwona Bąk

The Study of Disproportions in the Area of Green Energy in EU Countries

Abstract

The chapter provides a quantitative analysis of the disparity between EU countries in the use of renewable energy. For this purpose, the synthetic measures determined by the TOPIS method and the structures similarity coefficient were used. The statistical data used in the analysis came from the EUROSTAT database and contained information from 2016 to 2020. The conducted analyses confirmed the existence of differences both in the level of use of energy from renewable sources and the structure of its production. The changes in energy balances necessitated by Directive 2009/28/EC of the European Parliament and the Council and the goals stipulated in the Paris Agreement also unfolded differently in the countries studied. They resulted in the majority of members achieving the prescribed limits. The highest share of energy from renewable sources was recorded among northern European and Baltic countries. In contrast, it developed the fastest in Central and Eastern Europe. The lowest level of use of green energy was detected among the Balkan countries and in France.

Maciej Oesterreich, Katarzyna Wawrzyniak

Backmatter

Titel: Green Energy
herausgegeben von: Iwona Bąk
Katarzyna Cheba
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-031-12531-7
Print ISBN: 978-3-031-12530-0
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-12531-7