Hydrocarbons
Security of energy supply is critical to the world economy. The hydrocarbons (oil, gas, coal) are the most important commodity for international trade and are high on the political and social agenda. Despite ever increasing energy consumption, geologists have always found sufficient new resources for us to enjoy our high standard of living. New exploration methods and a better understanding of the geological processes have resulted in location of deep seated, relatively small or difficult to find new reserves all over of the world.
Photos: Oil platorm on the North Sea, Norway. Photos Statoil, NGU
Geothermal energy
However, energy is a commodity we cannot take for granted. Fossil fuel is becoming a scarce raw material in the European Union. Energy trade is becoming a stock market business. In order to keep energy affordable, new opportunities need to be developed. Geothermal energy is available everywhere and can be developed at any scale, household or industrial.
Geyser - natural occurence of geothermal energy.
Nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is a disputed source of power. However, either we like it or not, Europeans will depend on nuclear energy in the foreseeable future. This energy production requires Uranium-bearing minerals. Hence, Europeans will depend on access to such commodities for a long time to come.
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