Research – analysis: prof. Giannis Maniatis
In collaboration with PhD students: I. Voulgari, T. Lazaridis, A. Manolis
Atmospheric methane is more than 84 times more efficient than CO2 in the first 20 years and accounts for 30% of global warming. Methane concentrations are 2.5 times higher than pre-industrial levels. Coal mines in the EU are the largest source of methane emissions in the energy sector with emissions (943,000 tonnes) corresponding to 78 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, more than Austria’s annual emissions.
Emissions during the year
In 2022, more than 1,000 individual methane releases were recorded: 559 from oil and gas fields, 105 from coal mines and 340 from landfills, with a total release of 65 million tons of methane. The Nord Stream gas pipeline explosion (September-October 2022) released 150,000 tons of methane, equal to the amount of daily oil and gas production worldwide (excluding carbon emissions).
China first in coal-fired power plants
More than 50% of China’s electricity is generated by coal-fired power plants, more than the total U.S. electricity generation from all sources. China ranks first in the world in coal-fired power plants (1109 GW), followed by the US (230.9 GW), India (209.8 GW) and far behind Japan, South Africa, Russia, Germany, Indonesia, etc. a.
Demand for oil, coal, gas
At current energy demand rates (data for 2019), global oil and coal production will decline slightly until 2030, while natural gas will increase (9.61% increase). In 2050, coal and oil are expected to show a large drop compared to 2019 (24.88% and 38.18% respectively), while natural gas, on the contrary, will jump to 458 PJ/day, i.e. an increase of 18.96%.
Greece’s position in the production of energy from photovoltaic and wind
In the period 2014–2015, photovoltaic power generation moved Greece to 2nd in Europe with a share of 7.52%, followed by 1st in Italy (8.17%) and 3rd in Luxembourg ( 7.46%). In 2022, our country is in 3rd place (percentage 12.62%), ahead of Hungary (percentage 12.58%). The first places in the European list are occupied by Luxembourg (share of 20.17%) and the Netherlands (percentage of 14.35%). In terms of the percentage of electricity production using wind turbines in the period 2014-2015, our country ranked 8th in Europe (with a share of 8.91%) ahead of Luxembourg and the Netherlands. The same 8th place today is occupied by Greece (with a percentage of 20.71%), ahead of Sweden and the Netherlands.
Source: Kathimerini
Anna White is a journalist at 247 News Reel, where she writes on world news and current events. She is known for her insightful analysis and compelling storytelling. Anna’s articles have been widely read and shared, earning her a reputation as a talented and respected journalist. She delivers in-depth and accurate understanding of the world’s most pressing issues.