Modern societies are completely dependent on energy and totally dominated by fossil fuels. However, economic, geostrategic and environmental issues, such as the high price level, supply security reasons, the possible exhaustion and environment damages caused by the exploitation and use of fossil fuels, stand out the urgent need for a new world energy paradigm. This dissertation reflects on the challenges of this new energy paradigm. It inevitably implies a far better management of energy resources, whether by saving or using them more efficiently. Clean energy is also very important and it plays a crucial role if the world wants to stop the huge dependence on fossil fuels. Therefore, this study focuses on how and with what intensity the decarbonization of modern economies is happening, favouring renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels whose combustion is leading to global warming. This study gives particular emphasis to the European economy and, specially, to Portugal. Our country is strongly dependent on fossil fuels. The increase of renewable energy sources in energy production, the increase in energy efficiency and the exploitation of oil and natural gas deposits, which are currently known in Portuguese soil, can help relieving our heavy national energy bill. Finally, there is a brief presentation of European and national energy policy and its legal framework.
Date of Award | 2014 |
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Original language | Portuguese |
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Awarding Institution | - Universidade Católica Portuguesa
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Supervisor | Leiro Gonçalves Ferraz (Supervisor) |
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- Energy efficiency
- Decarbonization of the economy
- Renewable energy
- Climate change
- Energy policy
O novo paradigma energético: atuais desafios
Peres, R. J. (Student). 2014
Student thesis: Master's Thesis