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Nowadays, the European natural gas production has declined having, as a consequence, increased import dependence, which is estimated to reach 85% by 2030. Therefore, the implementation of a European energy policy, towards the viability, competitiveness and security of energy supply, is more than essential. Necessary parameter for the elaboration of such a policy is the diversification of natural gas supply sources and corridors, in order to eliminate growing dependences. Moreover, the recent cases of natural gas supply interruptions to the EU, due to international geopolitical conflicts, further underline the above, indicating the necessity towards an assessment of the potential impact that a natural gas supply disruption would cause to the European natural gas security. To this end and, given the political uprising in the area of North Africa, main objective of this paper is to investigate how a natural gas supply interruption from Algeria, the EU’s third largest supplier, would affect the European natural gas security, in terms of natural gas demand satisfaction. Monte Carlo simulation was applied, producing results on the more affected countries and underlining the importance of supplies diversification, reserves and production, when applicable, towards the enhancement of natural gas security. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The electricity production sector has currently and for the past years been dominated by fossil fuel technologies, mostly coal, oil and natural gas. This has had various environmental consequences, such as increased gaseous emissions, soil and water pollution, global warming, as well as fossil resource depletion. As a result, the need to pursue Sustainable Development (SD), in order to reduce dependency on fossil fuel, to achieve Greenhouse Gas (GHG) mitigation and to reverse the effects of climate change has currently become imperative. SD is considered to be one of the most important factors for countries’ energy policy today and efforts, such as the ones materialized through the Kyoto Protocol mechanisms, are being made to promote sustainable electricity production technologies globally. Nuclear and renewable energy technologies both have the potential of contributing to the increasing global energy demands, while simultaneously lowering GHG emissions and also having a positive economic and social impact. In view of their differences and the ongoing nuclear debate, this paper aims to compare specific promising and emerging nuclear and renewable energy technologies in terms of their contribution to SD and prospects for deployment. The comparison showed that each technology contributes in its own way to SD and that political decisions, individual country energy policies and public opinion will probably determine the future deployment of each energy technology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Within the framework of achieving the European environmental targets towards climate change mitigation, as well as decreasing the fossil fuel dependence and its negative effects on global warming, renewable energy sources (RES) promotion has become a major issue of concern in most European Union (EU) countries. In the above context, most EU countries have endorsed initiatives to foster RES implementation development and inclusion in the energy mix, aiming to endeavor and further impel the benefits deriving from RES and harmonize to the EU Directive or Kyoto Protocol. Nevertheless, only few sporadic efforts have been examining countries and compare the requirements for promoting RES implementation that lack specific RES obligations or a framework set by the Kyoto Protocol or the EU Directive, and particular Balkans countries with great RES potential, such as BiH and Serbia. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the conditions and modalities for RES progress within the economic, political and institutional dimension, in these two neighboring countries located in the vicinity of EU Member States (MS), which appear to have a similar historical, political and economical background and an extensive RES potential. The analysis indicated that RES development in BiH seems to be a slow process, its institutional framework is partly established and further strengthening is required. In Serbia, the institutional framework is efficiently established, are in the process of developing new legislation to facilitate renewable energy development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The European Union (EU) is developing an increasingly close relationship with Moldova, going beyond cooperation, to gradual economic integration and a deepening of political cooperation. This fact indicates that eventually the adoption of EU legislation in the energy sector is a necessity. Therefore, the provision of a clear picture of the country’s renewable energy potential is considered essential, bearing in mind the new EU Renewable Energy Directive, which sets a mandatory target of 20% of renewable energy sources by 2020 for each member state. The aim of this paper is to discuss the perspective of renewable energy in Moldova taking into account the current energy framework and to analyze, whether it is suitable to adopt similar methodologies and policy frameworks applied in other EU countries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Appraising the Renewable Energy Sources (RES) options’ contribution to Sustainable Development (SD) is a complex task, considering the different aspects of SD the imprecision and uncertainty of the related information as well as the qualitative aspects embodied, that cannot be represented by numerical values. The objective of the paper is to show how energy policy objectives towards SD and RES options are related and assessed using linguistic variables. The presented method extends the numerical multicriteria method TOPSIS for processing linguistic information, eliminating in parallel the loss of information caused by the approximation procedures and the ambiguity of the fuzzy ranking method’s selection. Moreover, the application of the method’s computerized software to the RES interventions proposed in the Hellenic National Action Plan for Greenhouse Gases is presented and discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Energy technology transfer can allow countries to move quickly to environmentally sound and sustainable practices. Integration of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) technologies in the energy sector of these countries can play a key role towards sustainability. The level of penetration of RES technologies remains seriously in arrears in Tajikistan, although the country has great RES potential. The aim of the paper is to look deeply into the most appropriate RES technology, which can be gradually introduced in the energy sector of Tajikistan and supported through demonstrations, business workshops, guides for installers with technical details and design proposals. The multi-dimensional methodology adopted included transparent decision support processes, using linguistic variables, taking into consideration the specific conditions prevailing in Tajikistan, as well as policy and technical proposal for the further development of the local market. Based on the results, the emphasis is laid on decentralized heat production, though the promotion of Solar Water Heaters, which seems to be an attractive energy option, with multiple benefits for the country. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Insights into the past Energy Research and Technology Development (ERTD) expenditures allows policy makers to better set priorities for current and future ERTD funding as well as to analyze the exact impact of ERTD investments to the development of energy technologies. However, despite numerous attempts in the past, there is currently no comprehensive, validated database that includes disaggregated data on public and private ERTD expenditures in the EU-27 for different technology groups. One of the main aims of the Scientific Reference System for New Energy Technologies and Energy End Use Efficiency (SRS NET & EEE) FP6 project is to enhance the availability, quality and completeness of data on public and private ERTD expenditures, disaggregated for energy technologies and energy end-use efficiency options in the EU-27. The aim of the paper is to outline the main data gathering procedures and results from the “SRS NET & EEE” project, as well as the related policy implication. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]