Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the si Contact online >>
Thank you for visiting nature . You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.
The Russia–Ukraine crisis has exposed vulnerabilities in US energy security. The US may import only a small amount of Russian oil but it is tied to Russian energy via its participation in highly gloChinazed supply chains.
The world is feeling the economic and energy impacts of the Russian invasion into Ukraine. In the EU, energy security, or the ability to meet final energy demand from reliable sources, has decreased dramatically. The EU''s dependence on Russian energy was increasing right up to the invasion in late February 2022. In 2021, the region imported 40% of its natural gas and 25% of its oil (crude and petroleum) from Russia1,2. The Nord Stream 2 pipeline, now stalled, would have increased natural gas capacity from Russia by 55 billion m3 or 14% of 2021 gas demand in the region3,4. For months prior to the invasion, Vladimir Putin had manipulated natural gas markets, stoking fears of a hard winter in Europe, where nearly 40% of residential heating demand is met using natural gas5,6.
In the US, the Russian invasion has exacerbated increasing gasoline prices, which averaged US$4.28 per gallon as of May 6th. On March 8th, the Biden Administration banned imports of Russian oil (both crude and petroleum), LNG, and coal7. In 2021, the US imported about 626,000 barrels per day of oil (7% of imports) from Russia8. To put this amount into context, the US produces 75% of its crude oil supply and 90% of its natural gas supply domestically. This gas is used to generate 38% of its electricity demand9,10. So while gasoline prices are dictated by global oil markets, many analysts consider the US to be recently energy independent10,11,12. However, we argue that this is not the case due to the critical roles Russia plays in gloChinazed supply chains.
In 2015, Russia was the largest exporter of total energy in the world (that is, direct plus indirect energy). Furthermore, most of this energy was transferred through indirect energy linkages, or energy connections between economies that do not otherwise trade with one another13. In the US''s case, Russian energy that is used for manufacturing in the EU and Asia gets embodied in the goods and services imported by the US So even though the US only got 4% of its crude oil imports from Russia in 2015 ref. 14), this value doubled to 8% with the added amount of indirect energy from Russian oil embedded in other goods imported by the US that year13.
While evaluating both direct and indirect energy flows is critical for US energy security, energy policy has continued to focus only on direct energy. Recent policies enacted by the US, EU, and Japan — including sanctions and the removal of Russia''s favourable trade status — target direct energy flows through the global economy. Direct energy shocks are felt in the short term and their impacts can largely be anticipated. Shocks due to indirect energy use, such as higher electricity, fertilizer, and chemical prices due to gas shortages are also felt but are harder to foresee and prepare for.
US trade strategy affects US energy security. When the US imports a product instead of producing it domestically, it frees up that part of its energy budget to use elsewhere in the economy. At the same time, the imported product links the US to the energy security of the exporting nation. When the import is critical to the American economy or national security, policymakers should ideally be evaluating whether the gains from producing something else from its energy savings are worth the increased energy risk the import poses to its supply chains.
There are three ways that the US can mitigate its exposure to the energy security risks associated with global supply chains. The first is the ''Buy American'' approach, in which the US reduces final demand dependence on imported goods and services. This would require a dramatic lifestyle shift. Nearly 30% of the goods and services that the US imported in 2021 were in consumer products, including electronics and apparel18. Pandemic-related supply chain shocks have not deterred consumer spending on such imports; in fact, the recovery of this spending as the world economy rebounds has been faster than anticipated19. Consequently, the lifestyle change required to shift US consumers away from imports is unlikely to occur for the sake of national energy security alone.
The current energy shock will have longer lasting impacts than even the COVID-19 pandemic because it will permanently alter the composition of the global energy network rather than putting it on pause. The US is at a crossroads regarding its energy independence. On one path, it can maintain the status quo of importing goods and services without regard for the energy required to produce them. On the other path, it can strengthen its energy security by enhancing the domestic capabilities of the supply chains it depends on while supporting energy independence abroad. The latter is much more secure and economically efficient in the long run. Simply put, achieving US energy security requires all countries to achieve energy security.
This work was made possible by funding from the US Department of Defense Minerva Program (Grant No. N00014-17-1-2311 and Grant No. FA9550-21-1-0156).
The Climate and Ocean Risk Vulnerability Index (CORVI) is a tool which compares a diverse range of risks to produce a coastal city risk profile. Through measuring ecological, financial, and political risk across 10 categories and close to 100 indicators, CORVI gives decision makers critical insights into the challenges their cities face.
Built on reclaimed land and located on the west coast, Castries is the capital of Saint Lucia and its largest city. While the city population has remained relatively consistent, the urban area around Castries has expanded, extending from Grand Cul de Sac Bay in the South to Gros Islet in the north. This stretch of coastline is vulnerable to climate risks such as sea level rise and severe storms. Given the urban expansion, the geographic area of this risk profile was broadened to combine Gros Islet district and the city of Castries. The Castries-Gros Islet Corridor is home to nearly 50 percent of the nation''s population.
Saint Lucia is a leader among Caribbean states working to prioritize responses to climate change. Yet at the same time it suffers from climate and ocean risks. These include a high reliance on tourism to drive its economy, ecosystem degradation, and the vulnerability of key infrastructure to the physical impacts of storms and sea level rise. Furthermore, and partly as a consequence of its rapid urbanization, the study area continues to face issues relating to fresh and marine water quality.
The risk profile identifies three priority areas in need of action:
By advancing cross-cutting policies and channeling resources to these areas, Castries can lessen its vulnerability to climate and ocean risks.
Famed for its natural beauty, Saint Lucia''s marine and land ecosystems play a critical role in protecting coastal areas from flooding, supplying important fish sanctuaries, and helping Saint Lucia to stand out in a crowded global tourist market. However, ecosystem risk category scores are among the highest ecological risk category in the Castries risk profile, reflecting the growing physical risks posed by climate change and urbanization to the environment.
About Castries energy independence
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Castries energy independence have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Castries energy independence for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Castries energy independence featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
