Figure 1.4 Schematic for SPS2000 1.4 General assumptions This section contains a list of assumptions made while writing this report. These assumptions are important when trying to use the results of the study once some circumstance has changed. However, this section does not contain information which is not, maybe implicitly, present in the rest of the report. Some very detailed assumptions are left out here when addressed in the specific chapters. An attempt has been made to group the assumptions according to specific chapters, but in some cases the same assumption may be shared in different sections without being repeated in all of them. Note that assumptions sometimes directly translate into requirements. Chapter 1, Introduction • Humankind has to strive to find a way of living for the complete Earth which is sustainable in the long term. • A newly developed energy source has to be long-lasting and environmentally more safe than alternatives. Chapter 2, Energy Analysis • World population is expected to increase significantly during the 21st century. The UN estimates about 10 -14 billion people living on our planet until 2100. • It is predicted that the energy consumption will somewhat stabilise or even decline in the developed countries, whereas the consumption in the developing countries will linearly increase. • Consequently global energy consumption will increase. • Environmental factors set a limit for energy production from fossil fuels and nuclear energy. • Application of new technologies and conservation policies will improve the efficieny of energy use. Chapters, Markets • The cost of conventional energy resources have a stable, present value; at present, the cost for environmental impact is not yet factored in. • Markets depend on location, level of industrial development and existence of different sources of energy.
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