ABSTRACT
Several of the simulation studies quoted in the previous chapters are examples of systemic energy transitions away from fossil and nuclear sources and toward energy supply based entirely on sustainable, renewable sources. They deal with the situations in northern Europe and North America, i.e., the regions where such transitions already have a considerable history of debate and the beginnings of serious actual implementation (e.g., photovoltaic panels in Germany and wind turbines in Denmark). Similar studies have been made for southern Europe and North Africa (Sørensen 2011b). However, the challenge of exploring sustainable futures for the growing economies in Southeast Asia has not been undertaken in depth, and a first approach is attempted here for China (in Section 13.3). Also, the Fukushima accident has revived interest for renewable-energy solutions in Japan, and Section 13.1 adds a contribution to this important case. Both examples are challenging due to the high population densities of the regions in question, and in the Chinese case, there is a unique opportunity to embark on a path leading to stable, longterm solutions without the detour of repeating the past patterns of the Western world behavior based on transitional energy solutions. South Korea is considered in Section 13.2, with an eye on the possible advantages derived from power exchange between Japan and Korea.
