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The Issues of the Energy Supply and Demand in the Socio-Economic Development and Reorganization of Military Security Structures

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A special issue of Energies (ISSN 1996-1073). This special issue belongs to the section "A: Sustainable Energy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2022) | Viewed by 17604

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Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Jarosław Gryz

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Guest Editor

Department of National Security, War Studies University, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: crisis management; geopolitics, international politics; energy security

Dr. Anna Witkowska

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Guest Editor

Faculty of International and Political Studies, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
Interests: energy transition; economic policy; geoeconomics; sustainable economic and social development

Special Issue Information

Dear colleagues,

The New Green Deal of the European Union generates changes to the energy security landscape that we visualise in 2050. European assumptions are based on shifting the burden of production to renewable energy sources and aim for net zero greenhouse gas emissions in 2050. This is accompanied by continued global population growth. This all generates new challenges in the following areas:

(1) stabilizing the mismatch between supply and demand – in this context, the energy production, distribution and storage become essential for the functioning at the micro and macro level; among the available solutions, hydrogen technologies are gaining popularity as they offer a stable source of energy production with high energy density per mass, as well as a attractive solution for energy storage, but it can also be a clean energy source, which is in line with the goals of the New Green Deal; (2) changes in the socio-economic development of regions – we observe a transformation of regional energy portfolio profiles in connection with the increasing availability of modern innovative technologies to support the development of regional environmental and economic potentials; we note that these processes will result in the formation of a new energy market value chain and a change in the business models; at this point, special attention is paid to the inclusion of new stakeholders, such as local governments and agricultural producers, who are faced with the need to invest in innovative energy source technologies due to the changing conditions; (3) reorganization of military security structures in the energy supply chain – population growth directly connects with an increase in new risks; also, the availability of innovative technologies increases the level and quality of possible threats; under these conditions, uninterrupted chain of energy supplies to military, especially in the battlefield, become more risky and complex than ever before; meeting future energy demand in the armed forces will be a key challenge, not only for military security, which opens the way to civil applications of military technologies; and here again hydrogen offers a promising solutions in stable energy supplies. Assuming such defined directions of changes in energy structures based on the EU’s New Green Deal, we would like to invite the publication of articles on those topics that clearly arise from the energy transition and that are characterized by perceived untapped socio-economic potential.

Prof. Dr. Jarosław Gryz
Dr. Anna Witkowska
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

renewable energy sources
economic efficiency
energy conversion
management
agricultural producers
hydrogen
energy transition
sustainability
nuclear energy
civil and military energy applications
energy security

Published Papers (8 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 2082 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Tests of Acid Batteries for Hybrid Energy Storage and Buffering System—A Technical Approach

by Stanisław Maleczek, Marcin Szczepaniak, Norbert Radek, Stanisław Kowalkowski and Krzysztof A. Bogdanowicz

Energies 2022, 15(10), 3514; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15103514 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1078

Abstract

Many armies around the world showed an increasing interest for the technology of renewable energy sources for military applications. However, to profit fully from solar or wind energy, an energy storage system is needed. In this article, we present an energy storage system based on acid-lead batteries as a component of a modular generation-storage as a model of military “smart camp”. We proposed a technical approach to study four different types of batteries: DEEP CYCLE, AGM, WET and VRLA in laboratory and real conditions typical for military equipment. It was observed that the best performance was observed for AGM battery in terms of the highest cold cracking amperage equal to 1205 A combined with the most compact construction and resistance to varying thermal conditions from −25 °C, 25 °C and 50 °C. Additionally, a 12-month long-term testing in real conditions revealed that AGM and VRLA showed decrease in capacity value maintaining only approx. 80% of initial value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Issues of the Energy Supply and Demand in the Socio-Economic Development and Reorganization of Military Security Structures)

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15 pages, 19277 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Opportunities for the Application of 3D Printing in the Critical Infrastructure System

by Grzegorz Budzik, Krzysztof Tomaszewski and Andrzej Soboń

Energies 2022, 15(5), 1656; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15051656 - 23 Feb 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1922

Abstract

The present article presents an analysis of the potential application of 3D printing in the critical infrastructure system. An attempt has been made to develop case studies for selected critical infrastructure areas, particularly with reference to the area of energy supply. The need for 3D printing applications is identified based on expert research in the energy industry. It identifies the application schemes determined by the technical and logistical possibilities associated with 3D printing in its broadest sense. A review of additive technologies with a view to their application in selected phases of critical infrastructure operation, including in crisis situations, is also carried out. Furthermore, a methodology for incorporating 3D printing into the existing critical infrastructure system is proposed. As a result, the following research hypothesis is adopted: the use of 3D printing can be an important part of measures to ensure the full functionality and efficiency of critical infrastructures, particularly in crisis situations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Issues of the Energy Supply and Demand in the Socio-Economic Development and Reorganization of Military Security Structures)

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18 pages, 284 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Perception of the Transition to a Zero-Emission Economy in the Opinion of Polish Students

by Barbara Kaczmarczyk and Ilona Urych

Energies 2022, 15(3), 1102; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15031102 - 02 Feb 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1617

Abstract

Renewable energy sources are an alternative to traditional sources and are based on inexhaustible and environmentally friendly supply. Various controversies have been stirred up by the development of energy production from renewable sources, e.g., due to the high cost of these investments or carbon footprint at the production stage of renewable installations, or later in the disposal process. However, they seem to be gradually offset by the numerous benefits that outweigh the initial costs of their support. Therefore, it is not surprising that European Union (EU) countries are at the forefront of the transition to a low-emission economy. This is evidenced, e.g., by a 22% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in Member States, with gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 58% between 1990 and 2017. Nevertheless, the use of renewable energy sources such as sun, wind, water, etc. is much more expensive than burning fossil fuels. This argument of high investment costs can be decisive in decisions of both public debates and individual households. Therefore, education on renewable energy sources is needed to facilitate the process of transition to a zero-emission economy in the European Union countries. This education should, above all, be addressed to young people, who will be making these decisions in the future. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will largely depend on the knowledge and awareness of young people. The aim of the paper is to diagnose the perception of the transition to a zero-carbon economy in the opinion of Polish schoolchildren. We put a particular emphasis on renewable energy sources as a key element shaping the security of the state in terms of sustainable ecology and friendly social development. We achieved the aim of the study through a research process with use of theoretical and empirical research methods. We analysed the literature on the subject and the current legal acts in the field of renewable energy sources. We also conducted a survey of high school students in Poland. The analysis of the research results allowed us to formulate recommendations on the possibility of shaping state security in the field of sustainable ecology and friendly social development. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Issues of the Energy Supply and Demand in the Socio-Economic Development and Reorganization of Military Security Structures)

16 pages, 2182 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Security in Danger? A Comparative Analysis of Oil and Copper Supply

by Maciej Mróz

Energies 2022, 15(2), 560; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en15020560 - 13 Jan 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2202

Abstract

This study aims to examine energy security in terms of crude oil and copper supply. While oil remains the leading energy commodity globally, copper is crucial for many new technologies, foremost for RES. Therefore, both oil and copper are extremely important for current and future energy security. This article contains a bivariate methodological approach to a comparative analysis of oil and copper supply: determining supply security with an Index of security of supply, and examines price stability with generalized autoregressive conditional heteroscedasticity (GARCH) models. This research provides evidence that there are many differences but also significant similarities between these two completely different commodities in terms of both supply security and price stability. Facing the future for RES, significant demand may cause a threat to energy security on a previously unknown scale. Therefore this instability, both supply- and price-related, appears to be the main threat to future energy security. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Issues of the Energy Supply and Demand in the Socio-Economic Development and Reorganization of Military Security Structures)

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28 pages, 5451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Energy Portfolio of the Eastern Poland Macroregion in the European Union

by Izabela Horzela, Sławomir Gromadzki, Jarosław Gryz, Tomasz Kownacki, Aneta Nowakowska-Krystman, Marzena Piotrowska-Trybull and Radosław Wisniewski

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8426; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14248426 - 14 Dec 2021

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1922

Abstract

The European Union’s New Green Deal generates changes in the socio-economic development of regions. An element of this change is the transformation of the regional profiles of the energy portfolio towards more pro-ecological ones. The aim of this article is to identify the conditions and reasons for the transformation of the energy portfolio of the Eastern Poland macroregion, and to define the directions of the energy portfolio evolution caused by the need to implement the goals of the European Green Deal by 2030, in order to consequently develop the forecast energy portfolio for the Eastern Poland macroregion. It has been assumed that the energy transformation of the Eastern Poland macroregion will be implemented through gradual transformation of the energy portfolio towards dispersed sources of local and civic energy. The research is based on both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The qualitative research was carried out on the basis of the diagnostic survey method with the use of the proprietary questionnaire as well as with the analysis of the content of strategic documents of the voivodships included in the Eastern Poland macroregion. The basis for the preparation of research questions was the extended PEST method which stands for: political, economic, socio-cultural, technological. Research efforts were focused on developing an energy portfolio for the region using the assumptions of the Boston consulting group matrix (a strategic planning tool). The originality of the conducted research consists in the adaptation of the BCG matrix to the development of the forecast energy portfolio and the preparation of a proposal for the aggregated energy portfolio of the Eastern Poland macroregion. The obtained results indicate that the macroregion’s energy portfolio is diversified, though with the key significance of conventional sources. It is predicted that by 2030, the following sources will change their positions within the portfolio for the Eastern Poland macroregion: solar energy, wind energy and bioenergy. However, it will retain the character of a “youth wallet”. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Issues of the Energy Supply and Demand in the Socio-Economic Development and Reorganization of Military Security Structures)

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33 pages, 1200 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Readiness of the Polish Crisis Management System to Respond to Long-Term, Large-Scale Power Shortages and Failures (Blackouts)

by Dariusz Majchrzak, Krzysztof Michalski and Jacek Reginia-Zacharski

Energies 2021, 14(24), 8286; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14248286 - 09 Dec 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2488

Abstract

Large-scale failures of electric power systems (blackouts) have been the subject of intensive research in most countries for several years. This research aims primarily at seeking solutions to improve the reliability of the operation of power systems and the development of effective strategies to protect critical infrastructure from the effects of energy shortages and power cuts. In contrast, systematic research on crisis management and civil protection under conditions of prolonged blackout has been undertaken in Europe only recently, and these extremely important aspects of energy security have been delayed by the COVID-19 crisis. The ability of the Polish crisis management system to cope with the consequences of long-term, large-scale shortages and interruptions in the supply of electricity, as well as the consequences of possible failures in this field, has not been systematically examined to date. This issue is of growing strategic importance, not only from the point of view of security and defence policy, but also economic cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe. Poland’s infrastructural security must be considered in a broad regional and supra-regional context. A long-term lack of electricity in a large area of Poland would undermine the stability of the entire national security system, destabilising the region and supranational security systems. Apart from objective reasons, intentional attacks on the links of such a chain cannot be ruled out. Poland is the leader of this region, a frontline country in the NATO-Russia conflict, as well as a liaison state that provides the Baltic states—being EU and NATO members—with a land connection to Western Europe. In view of the growing risk of blackout, the importance of the problem and the existence of a cognitive gap in this field, we evaluated the Polish crisis management system in terms of its ability to respond to the effects of a sudden, long-term, large-scale blackout. Methodologically, we adopted a systems approach to security management. In order to estimate the consequences of a blackout, we used analogue forecasting tools and scenario analysis. By analysing previous crisis situations caused by blackouts and local conditions of vulnerability to such events, we formulated basic preparedness requirements that a modern crisis management system should meet in the face of the growing risk of blackouts. A review of strategic documents and crisis planning processes in public administration allowed us to identify deficits and weaknesses in the Polish crisis management system. On this basis we formulated recommendations whose implementation shall improve the ability of the national security system to face such challenges in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Issues of the Energy Supply and Demand in the Socio-Economic Development and Reorganization of Military Security Structures)

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12 pages, 593 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mobile Nuclear-Hydrogen Synergy in NATO Operations

by Jarosław Gryz, Krzysztof Król, Anna Witkowska and Mariusz Ruszel

Energies 2021, 14(23), 7955; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14237955 - 28 Nov 2021

Viewed by 2115

Abstract

An uninterrupted chain of energy supplies is the core of every activity, without exception for the operations of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A robust and efficient energy supply is fundamental for the success of missions and a guarantee of soldier safety. However, organizing a battlefield energy supply chain is particularly challenging because the risks and threats are particularly high. Moreover, the energy supply chain is expected to be flexible according to mission needs and able to be moved quickly if necessary. In line with ongoing technological changes, the growing popularity of hydrogen is undeniable and has been noticed by NATO as well. Hydrogen is characterised by a much higher energy density per unit mass than other fuels, which means that hydrogen fuel can increase the range of military vehicles. Consequently, hydrogen could eliminate the need for risky refuelling stops during missions as well as the number of fatalities associated with fuel delivery in combat areas. Our research shows that a promising prospect lies in the mobile technologies based on hydrogen in combination with use of the nuclear microreactors. Nuclear microreactors are small enough to be easily transported to their destinations on heavy trucks. Depending on the design, nuclear microreactors can produce 1–20 MW of thermal energy that could be used directly as heat or converted to electric power or for non-electric applications such as hydrogen fuel production. The aim of the article is to identify a model of nuclear-hydrogen synergy for use in NATO operations. We identify opportunities and threats related to mobile energy generation with nuclear-hydrogen synergy in NATO operations. The research presented in this paper identifies the best method of producing hydrogen using a nuclear microreactor. A popular and environmentally “clean” solution is electrolysis due to the simplicity of the process. However, this is less efficient than chemical processes based on, for example, the sulphur-iodine cycle. The results of the research presented in this paper show which of the methods and which cycle is the most attractive for the production of hydrogen with the use of mini-reactors. The verification criteria include: the efficiency of the process, its complexity and the residues generated as a result of the process (waste)—all taking into account usage for military purposes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Issues of the Energy Supply and Demand in the Socio-Economic Development and Reorganization of Military Security Structures)

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12 pages, 237 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Prospects for the Use of Hydrogen in the Armed Forces

by Andrzej Soboń, Daniel Słyś, Mariusz Ruszel and Alicja Wiącek

Energies 2021, 14(21), 7089; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/en14217089 - 29 Oct 2021

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2843

Abstract

The energy security landscape that we envisage in 2050 will be different from that of today. Meeting the future energy needs of the armed forces will be a key challenge, not least for military security. The World Energy Council’s World Energy Scenarios forecast that the world’s population will rise to 10 billion by 2050, which will also necessitate an increase in the size of the armed forces. In this context, energy extraction, distribution, and storage become essential to stabilizing the imbalance between production and demand. Among the available solutions, Power to Hydrogen (P2H) is one of the most appealing options. However, despite the potential, many obstacles currently hinder the development of the P2H market. This article aims to identify and analyse existing barriers to the introduction of P2H technologies that use hydrogen. The holistic approach used, which was based on a literature survey, identified obstacles and possible strategies for overcoming them. The research conducted presents an original research contribution at the level of hydrogen strategies considered in leading countries around the world. The research findings identified unresolved regulatory issues and sources of uncertainty in the armed forces. There is a lack of knowledge in the armed forces of some countries about the process of producing hydrogen energy and its benefits, which raises concerns about the consistency of its exploitation. Negative attitudes towards hydrogen fuel energy can be a significant barrier to its deployment in the armed forces. Possible approaches and solutions have also been proposed to eliminate obstacles and to support decision makers in defining and implementing a strategy for hydrogen as a clean energy carrier. There are decisive and unresolved obstacles to its deployment, not only in the armed forces. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Issues of the Energy Supply and Demand in the Socio-Economic Development and Reorganization of Military Security Structures)

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