Comparison of Consumption and Renewable Sources of Energy in European Union Countries—Sectoral Indicators, Economic Conditions and Environmental Impacts

Abstract

The use of energy is a precondition for global economic and civilisational development. However, the growing demand for energy is depleting traditional energy resources and, most importantly, causing environmental pollution, mainly through the emission of greenhouse gases. As energy is necessary for the functioning of all sectors of the economy, such as industry, services, transport as well as households, these sectors are the largest contributors to energy consumption. Renewable energy sources are an alternative to generating energy from conventional fossil fuels. The main objective of this paper was to determine and compare the level, trends and variation in energy consumption by different economic sectors in countries of the European Union in 2010–2019. An analysis of the share of renewable energy consumption in different economic sectors was also carried out, as well as an assessment of the relationship of these indicators with the level of economic development of the countries and environmental impacts in the form of greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption. To explore the topics under discussion, a dozen of indicators have been considered in the article. The source of empirical data collected was the European Statistical Office. The researched period covered the years 2010–2019. The empirical data was statistically analysed. The article considers changes in the values of the studied indicators, differentiation between countries and the results of correlation and regression analysis. As shown by the data from 2010–2019, the countries of the European Union vary significantly in respect of primary and final energy consumption. The highest final energy consumption occurs in the transport sector, followed by slightly lower consumption in the industrial sector and households sector and the lowest but also significant consumption in the commercial and public services sector. Since 2010, total primary and final energy consumption has decreased in the EU (27) countries. Total energy consumption and consumption by individual sectors in modern economies of the EU (27) countries are reflected on the one hand in economic development and on the other—in exacerbation of adverse climate changes. Therefore, all EU Member States, aware of their energy consumption and their own contribution to environmental pollution, should take effective and sustainable corrective action in this area as soon as possible.

Does the Increase in Renewable Energy Influence GDP Growth? An EU-28 Analysis

“…Our results support other opinions [34], as found in the research conducted that all EU Member States need to be aware of their energy consumption and their contribution to environmental pollution and take effective and sustainable corrective action as soon as and as much as possible. We agree that attention should be paid to policy proposals and funding opportunities for achieving national goals in obtaining high shares of renewable energy in their final energy consumption, as some authors emphasize [24].…”

“…Another study [34] determined and compared the level, trends, and variation in the energy consumption in different economic sectors in the EU countries during 2010-2019. An analysis of the share of renewable energy consumption of the economy was performed, as well as an assessment of the relationship of these indicators with the economic level of development of countries and the impact on the environment in the form of greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption.…”

Analysis and Experiment of Wireless Optical Communications in Applications Dedicated to Mobile Devices with Applicability in the Field of Road and Pedestrian Safety

“…The aspect of mobility is fundamental for most activities undertaken by people, and the safety of transport systems and road safety are extremely stringent research topics in the automotive industry, car manufacturers, users and academic communities around the world [3,4]. We have reached a milestone of a century in the history of the automotive field and have taken part in the most important developments in the direction of driver control and analysis, the design of intelligent road infrastructure and other innovative services dedicated to the safety of pedestrians and traffic participants [5][6][7]. Therefore, this growing concern in the field has led to the implementation of new concepts that include state-of-the-art wireless communications that allow both vehicles and infrastructure to form transport networks, reduce the risk of accidents and improve the safety of pedestrians and other road users.…”

The Problem of Non-Typical Objects in the Multidimensional Comparative Analysis of the Level of Renewable Energy Development

“…The essential legal basis for the EU energy policy comprises the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) [6], as well as a number of directives, such as the Directive on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (RED II, 2018) [7], the Energy Efficiency Directive (2018) [8] or the Directive on common rules for the internal market in electricity (2019) [9]. Adopted in 2019, the European Green Deal for the European Union assumes that net zero greenhouse gas emissions will have been achieved by 2050 [10][11][12]. According to the forecast by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the share of renewable energy could account for more than 33% of EU energy generation in 2030 and as much as 94% in 2050 [13,14].…”