Science, Technology

and Society
 MODULE 6
Energy Crisis
 There is a looming global energy crisis. With
several factors at hand that can easily disrupt the
supply and demand of energy, it is imperative that
we are ready when this event happens. We are
slowly understanding that the current energy source
can be depleted while the other sources can be
harmful to the environment, hence a renewable
energy resources that is not harmful to the
environment is the best energy alternative that we
have.
 Lesson 1.
Definition of Energy Crisis
 Energy crisis is defined as a shortfall in or
interruption to the provision of energy supplies
according to Collins English Dictionary (2021).
It is a severe shortage of one or more energy -
producing resources, especially petroleum;
(also) a period characterized by such a
shortage, in which the price of energy is high
and power outages may occur (Oxford
Dictionary, 2021).
What is the Global Energy
Crisis?
 The global energy crisis is the world’s demands
on the limited natural resources that re-used to
power industrial society that are diminishing as the
demand rises. This is an issue of limited supply
since naturally occurring energy sources takes time
to replenish and cannot keep up to the continued
increase in demand. This crisis is deemed to get
worst despite efforts to address the problem. The
reason is that there is a limited understanding to the
complex causes and solutions to this crisis.
Energy Crisis in the Philippines
 The Philippines had a wealth of potential energy
sources. In fact, it is the third largest producer of
electricity from geothermal sources behind the
United States and Indonesia. After many years of
placing second in the world ranking, the Philippines
is now at third spot after Indonesia (Lectura, 2019).
The Philippines has vast undeveloped hydroelectric
potential. It has an estimated 1.2 billion tons of coal
resources and other sources like solar, animal
waste, Agri waste, and other non-conventional
sources (Philippines-Energy, 2006).
 It was in the 90s when the Philippines
was confronted with a crisis caused by
insufficient electrical generating capacity.
Power interruptions or “Brownouts” as
Filipinos refers to power outage or
‘blackouts’ were a regular occurrence up to
four hours per day for the Metro manila
and the thirty-three provinces in the Luzon
power grid (Philippines – Energy (2006).
 Lesson 2.
Causes of Energy Crisis
 Energy Crises in history are known to have
started due to political instability in oil
producing countries, wars, market
manipulation, and government interventions
like tax hikes and regulations of the energy
sector. Below are various causes of Energy
crisis as listed in the 2014 article entitled
Causes, Effects and Solutions to the Growing
Problem of Global Energy Crisis
 Overconsumption
Overconsumption of fossil fuels such as
oil, gas, and coal has caused strains on
our natural resources particularly the
depletion of these nonrenewable
resources. Pollution of water and air is also
associated with overconsumption of these
fossil fuels.
 Overpopulation
The continued increase in the world population
means continued increase in demand for fuels. The
more people in the planet, the more energy is
consumed. This energy consumption is important to
maintain the lifestyle of human beings and the
continuous flow of the economy at the expense of
the health of the environment. Overpopulation
means increase of demand to the depleting supply
of energy.
 Poor Infrastructure
Outdated equipment causes energy
shortage that may limit or restrict the
production of energy. This aging
infrastructure should be upgraded for
energy efficiency and to set a high
standard of performance of the
energy-producing companies.
 Unexplored Renewable Energy Options
There are countries whose renewable energy
sources are still unused. These countries mostly
relied on non-renewable energy sources like coal
which adds up to the problem in depleting supply of
these nonrenewable energy sources. If utilized,
these untapped renewable energy sources, can
minimize the dependence on fossil fuels and can
also help in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
 Delay in Commissioning of Power Plants
This delay can be caused by several
factors,one of which is the red tape and other
political considerations. The delay can affect
the expected matching of supply and demand
of energy. If the supply doesn’t match the
demand, it will result in load-shedding and
breakdown.
 Waste of Energy
Most people do not realize the importance of
conserving energy. With a very large global
population, the wasted energy coming from
inefficient use of electricity by not switching off
unused electric fans, lights, or any gadgets,
adds up to the pressure on the depleting
energy supply.
 Poor Distribution System
Frequent tripping and breakdown
are a result of a poor distribution
system. This causes high energy
consumption and a lot of wasted
energy.
 Major Accidents and Natural Calamities
These major accidents like pipeline burst and
natural calamities like the eruption of volcanoes,
floods, earthquakes can also cause interruptions to
energy supplies and damage energy infrastructures.
This will result to a huge gap between supply and
demand for energy which leads to increase of prices
of essential items, and eventually give rise to
inflation.
 Wars and Attacks
Energy supply is greatly affected by wars
and attacks that happens in the Middle East
countries like Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Iran, Kuwait,
UAE, or Qatar. An example is the 1990 Gulf
war when the price of oil reached its peak
causing global shortages and created major
problems for energy consumers.
 Miscellaneous Factors
Other causes like tax hikes, strikes, military
coup, political events, severe hot summers or
cold winters can cause a sudden increase in
demand for energy and can choke supply.
These miscellaneous factors can be any
events that significantly affect the balance of
energy supply and demand.
 Lesson 3.
Possible Solutions to Energy
Crisis
 While we are still finding possible
solutions to the energy crisis, mitigation
efforts should be seriously considered
until we can find the best alternatives to
the existing energy sources. Energy
conservation is highly encouraging to
extend the life span of the depleting
energy sources.
 Move towards Renewable Resources
The solution with the best potential is the shift to
renewable energy sources. This move will lessen
the dependence of the world’s population to the
non-renewable energy sources. While we lessen the
dependence to these non-renewable energy
sources, it is also important that we push for the
overall conservation of these resources, or at least
what is left of it.
 Buy Energy-Efficient Products
Buying energy-efficient products seems a small step in
solving the energy crisis, but in doing so, with the
cooperation of the people, this will have huge impact in
reducing energy consumption. The replacement of
traditional bulbs with CFLs and LEDs will result to fewer
consumption in watts of electricity and the product is
guaranteed to last longer. If majority of people across the
globe use LEDs and CFLs for residential and commercial
purposes, the demand for energy can go down which can
help avert energy crisis.
 Lighting Controls

This innovative solution of controlling the lighting can

also contribute to the reduction of energy consumption.
There are a number of new technologies rightnow that
make lighting controls to help save energy in the long run.
Preset Lighting controls, slide lighting, touch dimmers,
integrated lighting controls are few of the lighting controls
that can help to conserve energy and reduce overall
lighting costs which results to lower energy consumption.
 Easier Grid Access
Opening this option to the public can result to increase
of potential energy sources. If people can be allowed to
plug into the grid and get credit for the power they feed
into it, then additional power options can be added to the
grid for the benefit of everybody as well as the contributor.
The process of getting credit for supplying surplus power
back into the grid should be improved so that more people
will participate. Subsidy on solar panels should be given to
encourage more people to explore renewable options like
solar energy.
 Energy Simulation
This can be used by big industries or
corporation to achieve energy efficiency in their
buildings to reduce business energy
costs.Energy simulation software are now
available and can be used by Engineers,
architects,and designers to design the most
energy-efficient buildings and to reduce the
company’s carbon footprint.
 Perform Energy Audit
Performing energy audit can help you to
reduce your carbon footprint, save energy
and money, and avoid energy crisis. This is
a process that helps you to identify the
areas where your home or office is losing
energy and what steps you can take to
improve energy efficiency.
 Common Stand on Climate Change

This is an issue between the developed and the developing

countries. With the regular occurrence of problems related to
energy crisis,it is best that all countries should adopt a common
stand on climate change. Everybody should focus on reducing
greenhouse gas emissions through an effective cross border
mechanism. It is suggested that both developed and developing
countries should focus on emissions cuts to halve their emissions
from current levels by 2050 to ensure that the Earth will not suffer
major energy crisis and negative effects of climate change will still
be manageable.
QUESTIONS?