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Israel uses petroleum, almost all of which is imported, for practically the whole (98%) of its energy needs. Aside from political implications, dependence on foreign sources results in a heavy outlay of foreign currency which has become increasingly burdensome.
In 1979, Israel spent $1,400 million for oil (as compared with $780 million for the previous year) which represents 9% of Israel's foreign currency expenditure. This financial burden, combined with the problem of fuel availability, has given additional impetus to the saving energy by all possible means.
Israel will shortly begin utilizing coal in power stations and in heavy industry to satisfy an increasingly, substantial portion of her energy needs. However, oil will continue to be one of our primary energy sources at least to the year 2000.
Four regional co-generations power stations will become operational in the next few years. These plants are expected to save 67,000 tons of heavy fuel oil from the current consumption of 300,000 tons. The remaining power stations will convert to coal. The first coal-fired power plant with a capacity of 1,400 megawatts will come on line in 1981.
Energy conservation means better and more efficient utilization of our energy resources, while taking into account all economic factors and maintaining the standards of energy-based services. The three main areas of energy conservation are:
- Avoiding waste of energy
- Inculcating energy-saving habits
- Adopting new outlooks and habits which will result in energy savings.
Existing energy techniques, equipment, instrumentation, accessories and systems will be mobilized to further the objective. This includes modifying existing standards of energy conservation equipment and accessories and giving priority to research and development on new equipment, accessories and systems.
Israel has already made a start in diversifying its energy sources. Over one third of the homes in Israel today use solar energy for water heating. These 460,000 solar water heaters save approximately 120,000 tons of oil per year. Also, solar space heating systems have begun to be installed in condominiums in the last two years to replace or supplement diesel and electrical units.
In industry, fuel economy is practised in many ways including utilization of waste heat from different sources including turbines, improving the efficiency of oil-burning installations, altering the drying process in the chemical industry, upgrading insulating and converting to heavy fuel oil.
The enormous resources of the sun can also be tapped. Last year, a solar pond, the first of its kind in the world, went into operation at Ein Boqeq, on the shores of the Dead Sea. This facility produces 150 KW of electricity. A large solar pond covering one square kilometer is nowplanned. It will provide an uninterrupted supply of 5,000 KW (5 megawatts) which would save 1,000 tons of fuel a month. At least two years will be needed to overcome the technical problems involved in constructing and operating a solar pond of this size.
Energy substitutes are not readily available and not always worthwhile. Most are suitable only for producing electricity. Even if development were successful, no more than 50% of our total energy needs would be supplied, and then, only after 10 or 1 5 years.
The financial investment required to develop alternative energy sources is very large. The financial and technical risks are great. It is up to each of us to do all he can, day by day, to conserve and save energy and increase energy efficiency.
