17 Oct First contribution to the Energy Transition National Debate – French and English versions in one report

National Academy of Technologies of France (NATF)
2012

Changes in world-wide energy production and utilisation are partly imposed or voluntarily implemented. France has launched a nation-wide debate on energy-policies with the participation of NATF. This document is a first contribution. It examines also the policy paths chosen respectively by the USA and Germany.
Some energy targets can be achieved through demand-control and energy-efficiency, i.e. better building insulation, more efficient household appliances, thermal solar panels, heat pumps, etc. New urban areas need to be energy-lean with little commuting requirements.
Fossil fuels should be kept for transport and chemical industry sectors. Vehicles will increasingly use electricity or biofuels. Industrialists stabilise energy requirements through improvement of production processes. French nuclear power capacity will continue, but move to more flexibility, compensating for the intermittency of wind- and solar power.
The final goal is the reduction of the GHG emissions at the least cost.