ABSTRACT
The 20th century left us a complex and efficient electrical system,
ranging from the plugs in our homes to nuclear power stations, from
the pylons along our country roads to major dams. The system plays
an essential role in our everyday lives and our societies. It can be
described as a network through which transit most of our energy
needs and supply. In the 27-member EU, electricity accounted for
some 17% of final energy in 1990 (Fig. 20.1); by 2007, the share had
risen to 21%. In China, during the same period the electricity share
on the final energy consumption grew from a bit less than 6% to
more than 16%, narrowing the gap with Brazil. In the next decades,
as shown in Fig. 20.2, electricity will continue to represent an ever
larger share of energy consumption, accounting for about 30% in
2030, while enabling a significant reduction in carbon emissions as
energy efficient electricity solutions are substituted to those relying
on fossil fuels and as electricity mixes worldwide continue to be
decarbonised. The growing role of electricity will thus be a key
source of energy eco-efficiency, greenhouse gas emissions reduction
and will warranty the independence in terms of fossil fuels. In
summary, it will play a central role in sustainable development in our
countries and in emerging and developing oneswhere electrification
rates remain very low and where unfortunately human beings are
suffering frommany other lacks.
