Scholarly record

DEGREE OF USE OF ALTERNATIVE SOURCES FOR ENERGY PRODUCTION FOR THE ECONOMICAL AIMS IN EU COUNTRIES

Magdalena Tutak, Jaroslaw Brodny

Abstract

One of the main factors determining economic and social development of particular countries is availability of cheap energy source. In a case of European countries, this availability has also important influence on the integration process. Amount of produced energy in given country tells about the level of its civilizing development. Also so-called energy independence that most countries are aimed and which guarantees political independence is strictly related to this problem. It can be assumed, that energy is one of the most desirable resources of humanity. The fast-growing world economy generates more and more energy demand. Over the last few decades increasing energy demand has been satisfied mainly by conventional, non-renewable energy sources. However, increasing amount of energy from these sources causes reduction of natural energy resources and increase negative impact of conventional energy on the environment. In order to limit a negative impact of this energy on the natural environment, an implementation of widely understood rationalization of energy economy was started. In recent years, one of the most effective actions in this range is using alternative (renewable) energy sources. We include into them the wind, sun, and mechanical energy of flowing water, biomass and geothermal sources. Also there are advanced researches on the sea tides energy, oceanпїЅs heat, and energy of sea currents and wavy motion. The main advantages of use of these sources are minimal impact on natural environment, limitation of coal, oil and gas consumption and large renewable energy resources. In the paper one focused on the analysis of utilization degree of alternative energy sources for energy production in the European Union. It was assumed that rational economy of energy with its sources and resources and influence on natural environment should be a base for modern development of European society. Based on obtained data analysis of diversification of sources for energy production in the EU Member States was carried out. In order to determine mentioned benefits connected with use of this energy, also its part in different branches of the economy was determined. Analysis was performed using the k-mean method and agglomeration algorithm. The k-mean method belongs to the group of non-hierarchical algorithms, whereas agglomeration algorithm belongs to group of hierarchical methods. Both methods were used for identify groups of European countries with similar application of renewable energy and obtained results were compared. These countries are linked into groups for assumed criteria and similarity degree. Obtained results clearly indicate and group the European countries according to their use of alternative energy sources, also in range of utilization this energy by selected industries. This creates possibilities for objective evaluation of renewable energy utilization and identifies further directions of action in order to increase its participation in the European and global economy.

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