The Fourth Energy Transition — Barriers and Ways to Overcome

Abstract

The relevance of the study is due to the influence of the fourth energy transition on the amount of income of the Russian budget system, as well as on the amount of income of Russian gas and oil producers, whose activities directly affect the development of a number of regions of Russia. The subject of the study is the process of the fourth energy transition of the EU economies. The objectives of the work are to define the concept of “energy transition”, identify the prerequisites for the fourth energy transition, consider the main barriers that have slowed down the fourth energy transition in the EU, and the formed ways to overcome these barriers. As a result of the study, a compromise definition of the energy transition between the approaches of V. Smil and Zh-B. was formulated. Espresso as an extremely time-stretched process of “creeping” replacement of energy sources. The reasons for the imbalance of the EU energy system as the main barrier to the fourth energy transition are revealed. Emphasis is placed on the role of the principles of sustainable development in the process of excessive acceleration of the fourth energy transition of the EU economies, as well as on the importance of weather factors in determining the fallacy of this decision. The role of Russia in ensuring an accelerated painless transition of European countries to green energy generation sources has been established. The two-stage EU plan for the implementation of the fourth energy transition in the context of sanctions pressure on Russia is described. Conclusions are drawn that against the background of the ongoing fourth energy transition of Russia, it is necessary to increase domestic consumption of hydrocarbons as a result of the development of the national economy, as well as to increase cooperation with the countries of the East.