EGEE 101
Energy and the Environment

World Electricity

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Every year the demand for electricity grows. Traditionally, the bulk of the demand has come from the OECD countries, which include the developed nations. However, there is rapid growth in the "developing countries." Of particular note is the growth associated with China and India.

 World Electric Power Generation by Region, 1980 - 2030
World Electric Power Generation by Region, 1990 - 2040.
Credit: Energy Information Administration (EIA), Annual Energy Outlook 2014

Given the abundance of coal in many of the developed and developing countries, it seems likely that coal will play an increasingly important role in electricity production. This has implications for carbon dioxide emissions and other pollutants, as much of the new capacity in developing nations have limited pollution controls.

 World Map of coal basins.
Global coal occurrences [9,21,22].
Credit: Photo Source

Yet with all this growth there are still other considerations for those who will still not have access to electricity. Also, recent reports have questioned if we have access to the coal we think we have. The economics of extraction and the legal access is impacted by graveyards, roadways, etc. An analysis of the Powder River Basin coal field reduced the reserve base by 50%. When we look closer, this may be the case with other fields too. So a 250 year supply is likely on the high side. Perhaps 100 years or so is more likely. We will see.

 World Electric Power Generation, 2004 - 2030.
World Electric Power Generation, 2004 - 2030
Credit: 2004: Energy Information Administration (EIA), International Energy Annual 2004 (May-Jul 2006), website www.eia.doe.gov. Projections: EIA, System for the Analysis of Global Energy Markets (2007).

Yet with all this growth there are still other considerations for those who will still not have access to electricity. Currently in the millions, most of the world is expected to have an increase in electrification and a reduction of those without access to electricity. However, sub-Saharan Africa will increase those without access.

 Number of people without electricity in the developing world.
The number of people without electricity in the developing world (millions).
Credit: IEA 2004

You get a striking view of this inequity (and population clustering) when viewing this well known composite image of the Earth viewed from space at night.

 Composite image of the earth viewed from space at night.
Composite image of the Earth viewed from space at night.
Credit: NASA
 Image with the words "That's all Folks!"

This is the end of the course material. Please complete the Lesson 13 quiz.