Energy security: insights from a ten country comparison

The article explores the extent to which energy security concerns differ between countries from the perspectives of energy users. It relies on a survey distributed to more than 2,100 energy consumers across Brazil, China, Germany, India, Kazakhstan, Japan, Papua New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and United States, facilitated through its translation into seven languages (English, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Arabic, German, and Japanese). The article first discusses the survey methodology and then presents a discussion of the results according to four key components of energy security, namely availability, affordability, energy efficiency and stewardship. In addition to analyzing the survey results by different demographic and country levels, the authors compare the results to country-level data indicators. They find that energy security is a multi-dimensional concept with different priorities for different countries that can often be explained by the country’s inherent circumstances

China's energy security: the perspective of energy users

The article explores the energy security concerns faced by China from the point of view of energy users working in government, university, civil society and business sectors. The authors first derive a set of seven hypotheses related to Chinese energy security drawn from a review of the recent academic literature. We then explain each of these seven hypotheses, relating to (1) security of energy supply, (2) geopolitics, (3) climate change, (4) decentralization, (5) energy efficiency, (6) research and innovation of new energy technologies, and (7) self sufficiency and trade. Lastly, the article tests these hypotheses through a survey distributed in English and Mandarin completed by 312 Chinese participants. The conclusion presents insights for policymakers and energy scholars

Sheikhs on barrels: what Saudi Arabians think about energy security

The concept of energy security as understood by a sample of Saudi Arabian residents representing different demographic and occupational characteristics is explored. Based on a review of the academic literature concerning energy security for Saudi Arabia, a working set of eight testable hypotheses, related to (1) energy trade, (2) centralization and participation in energy decisions, (3) pricing of energy products, (4) research and development in new energy technologies, (5) security of supply and domestic resource depletion, (6) affordability of energy, (7) energy efficiency, and (8) water availability, is created. These hypotheses are then compared with the results of a survey instrument completed by 298 Saudi respondents, before the article concludes with implications for policy‐makers and energy analysts

India's energy security: a sample of business, government, civil society, and university perspectives

This article explores the concept of energy security perceived and understood by a sample of government, business, civil society, and university stakeholders in India. Based on a literature review, the authors hypothesize what energy experts suggest energy security is for India. The article then tests these hypotheses through the use of a survey completed by 172 Indian respondents. The article begins by describing its methodology before summarizing the results of the literature review to distill seven working hypotheses related to energy security in India. These hypotheses relate to (1) security of energy supply, (2) equitable access to energy services, (3) research and development of new energy technologies, (4) energy efficiency and conservation, (5) self-sufficiency and trade in energy fuels, (6) nuclear power, and (7) the energy-water nexus. It then tests these hypotheses with our survey instrument before concluding with implications for energy policy in India and beyond

India's energy security: A sample of business, government, civil society, and university perspectives

This article explores the concept of energy security perceived and understood by a sample of government, business, civil society, and university stakeholders in India. Based on a literature review, the authors hypothesize what energy experts suggest energy security is for India. The article then tests these hypotheses through the use of a survey completed by 172 Indian respondents. The article begins by describing its methodology before summarizing the results of the literature review to distill seven working hypotheses related to energy security in India. These hypotheses relate to (1) security of energy supply, (2) equitable access to energy services, (3) research and development of new energy technologies, (4) energy efficiency and conservation, (5) self-sufficiency and trade in energy fuels, (6) nuclear power, and (7) the energy-water nexus. It then tests these hypotheses with our survey instrument before concluding with implications for energy policy in India and beyond.India Energy security Security of supply

China's energy security: The perspective of energy users

The article explores the energy security concerns faced by China from the point of view of energy users working in government, university, civil society and business sectors. The authors first derive a set of seven hypotheses related to Chinese energy security drawn from a review of the recent academic literature. We then explain each of these seven hypotheses, relating to (1) security of energy supply, (2) geopolitics, (3) climate change, (4) decentralization, (5) energy efficiency, (6) research and innovation of new energy technologies, and (7) self sufficiency and trade. Lastly, the article tests these hypotheses through a survey distributed in English and Mandarin completed by 312 Chinese participants. The conclusion presents insights for policymakers and energy scholars.China Energy security Security of supply

Gers just want to have fun: evaluating the renewable energy and Rural Electricity Access Project (REAP) in Mongolia

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Lighting Laos: the governance implications of the Laos rural electrification program

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The socio-technical barriers to Solar Home Systems (SHS) in Papua New Guinea: 'choosing pigs, prostitutes, and poker chips over panels'

This study explores the socio-technical barriers to Solar Home Systems (SHS) in Papua New Guinea. The authors collected primary data through semi-structured research interviews conducted over the course of February 2010–April 2010. Respondents included government officials, financiers, planners, commercial distributors and companies, teachers and rural villagers in addition to members of civil society, academics, consultants, and trainers. These interviews were supplemented with site visits to Port Moresby, Goroka, and Madang, and field research in the villages of Akameku, Asaroka, Lufa, Kundiawa, Okifa, Simbu, and Talidig. The study draws from these interviews and visits to discuss four types of barriers. Technical barriers relate to substandard equipment and logistical problems. Economic barriers include high rates of poverty, misconceptions about the role of currency, and lack of financing. Political barriers include poor institutional capacity and a government commitment to fossil-fueled grid electrification. Social barriers encompass unrealistic expectations about what SHS can provide along with jealousy, theft, vandalism, and unfamiliarity with solar technology

Gers gone wired: lessons from the renewable energy and Rural Electricity Access Project (REAP) in Mongolia

This article explores the Renewable Energy and Rural Electricity Access Project (REAP) in Mongolia, an internationally sponsored $23 million program that delivered more than 40,000 solar home systems (SHS) and small-scale wind turbine systems (WTS) to nomadic herders. It begins by explaining its methods of data collection, consisting primarily of semi-structured research interviews and site visits. It then briefly describes the history and status of the electricity sector in Mongolia, as well as the current state of rural electrification and energy use among nomads and off-grid herders. Next, it explains the genesis of REAP, exploring its three primary components related to herder electrification, expansion of soum electricity services, and national capacity building. The following sections analyze the benefits derived from REAP as well as its lingering challenges. The final section concludes by noting that grid electrification efforts should continually be complemented with targeted policies and programs aimed at assisting herders, that rural energy programs work best when they ensure the participation of the private sector and also solicit feedback from consumers and end users, and that rural electricity services should be coupled with broader economic development efforts