Bulgaria has been using commercial nuclear energy since 1974. 35 per cent of the electricity in the country is generated by two nuclear reactors. The Government plans the construction of a new nuclear plant in order the energy needs of the country to be met. This raises the question if Bulgaria should concentrate on nuclear power as a main source of energy.
The main objective of the current research is to assess the possible benefits of nuclear energy compared to alternative energy sources.
Hagengruber et al. (2005) report that the world electricity demand is forecasted to increase by more than 50% in the next 15 years. The major benefit reported by them is that nuclear energy is carbon-free and can be safely used in order the global energy demand to be met.
A report of the UK Department for Business, Innovation and Skills lists numerous justifications of the investment in new nuclear capacity in the majority of the states of the world. First of all, the level of forecast gas imports and consumption can be reduced. They also point the cost-effectiveness of nuclear power in terms of meeting carbon reduction targets. Another significant benefit from the introduction of new nuclear power generators is limiting the risks of gas dependency.
The nuclear energy plant has been not only a subject to national pride but also has been considered a source of security in the region.
[...] Table No Specific goals and incentives for alternative energy promotion, introduced with the Bulgarian Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources and Bio Fuels Act Specific goals Incentives to promote development and mandatory connection of renewable implementation of technologies for and alternative energy supply production and use of energy producers power to the electrical generated by grid renewable and alternative energy preferential prices for the sale of sources renewable and alternative energy to diversify energy supplies securing preferential treatment for to increase the output of small and producers of RES power in relation medium-size enterprises generating to their income from a unit of energy from renewable and produced alternative energy, in the case of a change in energy sources, and producers of the mechanisms for the stimulation biofuels and other renewable fuels of production of RES electrical to set the grounds for sustainable power local and regional development Investment projects, related to the environment protection building, expansion and modernization of sites used for the production of RES power, as well as their infrastructure, be it of public state or municipal ownership, are subject to the rules set out in the Law on the promotion of investments. [...]
[...] Unlike nuclear energy, alternative energy sources are dependant on geographic and technological factors, and require investments as well. However, the Government has amended the legislation in order to stimulate investing in renewable sources of energy, which attracts the interest of small and middle enterprises in that field. The Bulgarian Renewable and Alternative Energy Sources and Bio Fuels Act, introduced and entered into force in the end of 2008, creates many mechanisms for promoting and encouraging companies, which produce and/or use renewables[12] (see Table No.3). [...]
[...] The purpose of our research is to analyze their applicability in Bulgaria and find the best solution for its future energy supply. The constant energy flow to the earth, supplied by the Sun, derives wind, solar and biomass energy. However, the application of the mentioned energy sources can vary due to different factors (e.g. geographical factors; economic, infrastructural and technical development; labor costs, etc.) (Sorensen, 1979). A vast number of studies examine the potential of solar (Sorensen, 1999; Hofman et al., 2002), wind (Sorensen and 1999; Fellows, 2000) and biomass energy (Berndes et al., 2003). [...]
[...] Dimitrov also declared that Bulgaria was the only EU member who is looking for building a new nuclear plant instead of concentrating on alternative energy sources. Bulgaria has to decide if the country is willing to lose 1 billion euros, which have been already invested in the project, or knock it on the head[6]. Let's review the alternatives. According to Sorensen (1979) there are seven groups of alternative sources of energy: 1. solar radiation 2. heat sources with solar origin 3. [...]
[...] Nuclear Energy Study Group of the American Physical Society Panel on Public Affairs 6. Hofman, Y.; de Jager, Molenbroek, Schilig, Voogt, M. (2002) The potential of solar electricity to reduce CO2 emissions, Utrecht, Ecofys, pp Picon, P. (2009) Bulgaria: Energy In Transition [online], http://www.cafebabel.co.uk/article/29552/bulgaria-energy-transition- european-elections.html [Accessed: 12 May 2010] 8. Reilly,J. and Paltsev, S. (2007) Biomass energy and competition for land. Joint Program on the Science and Policy of Global Change 9. Roeb,M; Sattler, C.; Kluser,R.; Monnerie, N.; De Oliveira, L.; Konstandopolous, A.G.; Zaspalis, V.T.; Nalbadian, L.; Steele, A.; Stobbe, P. [...]
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