Energy Supply Structures and the Role of Gaseous Energy Carriers

Abstract

Energy is needed as heat for industrial processes, heating purposes, cooking and producing warm water within the range of below 100 to about 1500 deg.C, as power for stationary and mobile engines, as well as for lighting and communication. By far the largest proportion (70 to 80%) goes to heating supply (Figs. 1.1 and 1.2). For that, fossil fuels — coal, oil and gas — are used. In industrial countries electricity is also used widely for this purpose. For example, one half of German electricity production is utilized for heat generation. In developing countries non-commercial biomass (firewood, plant wastes, manure) is the most important source of low-temperature heat. Stationary motive power, lighting and communication are the domain of electricity. In the transport sector liquid hydrocarbons are used almost exclusively, with the exception of electrified railroads. A relatively small proportion of fossil raw energy material is needed for the manufacture of chemical products.