Global environmental issues and electric power in the twenty-first century

Conference · Wed Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1993 · World Resource Review; (United States)

OSTI ID:7161648

Hidy, G M; Spencer, D F ^[1]

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1. Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (United States)

Development of the electric utility industry in the 21st Century will be central to the well-being of mankind. Electricity worldwide is still likely to be produced mainly from fossil fuel combustion for the foreseeable future. On a global scale, this energy sector will contribute to growing carbon dioxide (CO[sub 2]) emissions through most of the next century. A potential for global climate alteration has been identified with accumulation of CO[sub 2] and other greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the Earth's atmosphere. If climate changes, adverse environmental effects are possible, acting on human systems, as well as on managed and natural ecosystems. Projected rates of increase in atmospheric CO[sub 2] levels for the next century have motivated decision makers to consider early strategies for beginning to aggressively manage GHG emissions. The objective of this paper is to review the global issues associated with expected increases in gaseous emissions, particularly carbon dioxide from increased energy use, indicating the nature and significance of the issue. The authors emphasize a methodology integrating information on environmental issues with social and economic factors to develop informed international policies. The paper summarizes the technological choices available worldwide that could minimize the environmental impact of increasing energy use, particularly with respect to enhanced electricity production.

• OSTI ID: 7161648
• Report Number(s): CONF-930415--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: World Resource Review; (United States) Journal Volume: 5:4
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200500* -- Fossil-Fueled Power Plants-- Environmental Aspects-- (1990-)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540120 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON DIOXIDE
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
EMISSION
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
GREENHOUSE GASES
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER PLANTS
THERMAL POWER PLANTS