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Show 7 would be capable or willing to follow. Improvements in the efficiency of coal conversion are therefore highly desirable under various conditions and scenarios. Hydrocarbons are dominant in most sectors other than power generation. Petroleum which lies at the heart of the energy security problem is practically monopolising the vital transport sector. Low oil and gas prices have meant that companies' outlays for RID in exploration, drilling, production, engineering and off-shore technology have been reduced and public assistance is required in order to maintain the momentum. EU industries have acquired a substantial capability to deliver goods and services for hydrocarbons production in hostile environments, such as off-shore. This potential could find application in production areas such as Eastern European countries and other world regions. It is important to maintain the European leadership in this area The European Union can also most effectively carry out RID which is further removed from market implementation (such as deep crustal studies and field characterisation techniques) which attract less interest from industry but could have far reaching supply implications in the future. C. Introduction of Renewable Energy. Current low energy prices and uncertainties as to their future cost have reduced immediate marketability prospects for new forms of alternative supply, and have caused private un-assisted RTD in this area to virtually dry up. Most of these technologies involved suffer from high internal costs and yet offer considerable advantages in terms of external costs as they are generally less polluting, emit no greenhouse gases and are inherently safer than other non-fossil fuel supplies such as nuclear. Furthermore, they enjoy a high degree of public acceptabili ty. Alternative and renewable energy technologies could thus result in long-term success, both in terms of CO2 emission reduction and energy security through diversification. They are also often highly suitable for implementation in remote and less developed regions of the world. D. The Consolidation of the Nuclear Option. The objective is to ensure the safety of all nuclear activities: production of electricity from fission, use of radioactivity or ionising radiation or natural radioactivity. In spite of the maturity (progress) achieved by the nuclear electricity industry, the accidentofChernobyl has shown that nuclear safety must improve, particularly in the East. It is necessary to consolidate the nuclear option by showing our ability to control it in all the areas of application. This demonstration of a full nuclear safety capability must be made by applying the following priorities: development of a dynamic approach to nuclear safety contributing to the consolidation of a "safety culture" on a world scale; joint use of large European facilities to better understand the nuclear fuel cycle and waste; integration of radiological protection into a global system for the protection of man and the environment; setting up of a network of centres to stimulate international collaboration and to contribute to a better coordination of international or bilateral initiatives.Radioactive pollution originating from accidents or operational errors in the Eastern and Central European countries, in particular Chemobyl, require cooperation with these countries. |
