Energy in Cartadania

Energy in Cartadania refers to energy and electricity production, consumption, import and export in the country. The nation's energy composition draws from a quintet of key pillars: nuclear power, natural gas, liquid fuels, coal, and renewables. In 2030, natural gas made up the largest portion of electricity generation in the country, at around 40%, while nuclear power accounted for 27% and renewables accounted for 30% of energy consumption, the largest sector of which being hydroelectric power.

Cartadania has a unified power grid that is strategically segmented into three distinct interconnections, each tailored to efficiently serve specific geographic regions and utilize the diverse array of energy resources. The Western Interconnection encompasses the former territory of Vachena, except for the inclusion of Miraflores on the grid which was a portion of Cartadania's former Southern Territory division. It serves around 100 million Cartadanians and generates approximately 1,246 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity annually. The Central Interconnection, subdivided into the Lusia and Font wide area synchronous grids, is coterminous with pre-annexation Cartadania, covering a population of 211.6 million and generating a combined total 1,882.7 TWh. In parallel, the Eastern Interconnection, subdivided into the Valerian and Mandera wide area synchronous grids, spans the territory of the six states of Cartadania, the five provinces of Caphiria, and the Kingdom of Lariana that are all located on the island of Urlazio, effectively supplying 1,183.9 TWh of power to 155.4 million residents. Cartadania's insular outlying areas, that is, all territories and the states of Lotoa, Porta Bianca, and Solemia, independently generate their own energy within self-contained microgrids. Its portion of the metropolitan electrical grid in northern Sarpedon had a nameplate capacity of 640 GW and produced 3,771 TWh in 2030. Cartadania itself is the second-largest producer and consumer of electricity in Sarpedon, behind Caphiria.

Cartadania's energy ethos has had strong elements of environmental sensitivity since at least the 1980s, as evidenced by its decreasing reliance on non-renewable sources. Prior to 2033, a very small fraction of its energy reservoir, about 4%, derived from conventional coal and petroleum resources. In early 2033, as the country entered its "fall" season, the last of the coal- and petroleum-fired plants were decommissioned, reinforcing its status as an environmentally conscious energy powerhouse. It has garnered acclaim for its journey towards energy independence, especially in the wake of the post-war period, and although its unprecedented commitment to environmental sustainability has sometime come into question over budgetary concerns and growing pains, the overall impact has shown in air quality and other emissions-related metrics. It's strategic focus on diversifying its energy portfolio and harnessing sources with minimal carbon emissions has propelled it to a position of exemplary leadership in the realm of global energy transitions, exceeding planned goals year over year. The nation's investments in renewable energy infrastructure have led to the creation of new jobs, technological innovation, and a resilient energy sector that is well-equipped to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving global energy landscape, especially with regard to managing the global climate.

Energy production

Natural gas

At the heart of Cartadania's energy grid is natural gas, serving as the foremost energy source that underpins the nation's energy production framework. A testament to the evolution of energy dynamics, natural gas has ascended to an influential status, contributing to almost 40% of the nation's energy output as of 2030. 1975 marked a definitive milestone as natural gas supplanted coal in the realm of energy production, followed by another milestone in 1981 when off-shore natural gas fields were unveiled, triggering a transformational era of natural gas generation. This revelation spurred a significant and rapid shift, wherein electricity generation propelled by natural gas emerged as the vanguard of Cartadania's power generation evolution. This trajectory has been characterized by a notable trajectory of growth, making natural gas-generated electricity the most dynamically expanding facet of the nation's energy matrix since the advent of the 1980s.

The ascendancy of natural gas as a premier source of electricity generation is underscored by a tripartite convergence of strategic drivers. Foremost among these is the concerted impetus on utilities to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. This pressure has fueled the progressive substitution of coal-fired generation with its natural gas counterpart, a transition underscored by the manifestly lower life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions associated with natural gas-generated electricity, as compared to its coal-fueled counterpart. In tandem with this, natural gas power plants have distinguished themselves by their inherent agility in responding to dynamic demand patterns. Their rapid ramping capability renders them ideally suited to complement intermittent energy sources such as wind and solar power, creating an equilibrium within Cartadania's energy ecosystem.

Despite this trajectory of ascendancy, however, there is a discernible shift in the trajectory of natural gas within Cartadania's energy grid. A 17% decline from its peak in 1991, wherein it constituted a robust 56% of the energy mix, speaks to the nuanced interplay of Cartadania's energy policy landscape. Renewed interest in the realms of nuclear energy and renewables has come to the forefront, catalyzing a shift in the nation's energy trajectory.

Nuclear

Simon Ohlson Nuclear Generation Plant on Renaudin Lake, the largest nuclear power plant in Cartadania.

Nuclear energy constitutes a substantial portion of Cartadania's electricity generation, contributing approximately 27% to the overall energy mix, positioning it as the second-largest contributor after natural gas. As of June 2030, Cartadania has a comprehensive nuclear infrastructure encompassing a set of 60 operational reactors, collectively amassing an impressive installed capacity of 136,356 MW. Furthermore, a reactor with a capacity of 2,050 MW is currently under construction, underscoring the nation's commitment to further expanding its nuclear capabilities. Additionally, six reactors have been either deactivated or are undergoing decommissioning processes, reflective of Cartadania's vigilant approach to nuclear safety and modernization. Of particular note is the prevalence of pressurized heavy-water reactors (PHWR) among the operational nuclear assets, attesting to Cartadania's technical expertise and strategic investment in advanced reactor technologies.

Throughout its history, Cartadania's federal authorities have demonstrated a proactive stance in championing nuclear energy, effectively harnessing its benefits while simultaneously managing inherent risks. Despite pockets of anti-nuclear sentiment and the consideration of seismic vulnerabilities, Cartadania has remained steadfast in its pursuit of nuclear energy, leveraging its inherent advantages to enhance energy security and environmental sustainability. Particular to the generation III+ reactors in the country, the Department of Energy and Mineral Resources has opted to scale up production at existing facilities as opposed to continously constructing new power plants.

Other fossil fuels

Fossil fuels have begun to dwindle in importance as part of Cartadania's energy grid. Aside from natural gas, coal and petroleum are the only other facility types found within the country. Coal, historically a significant contributor to Cartadania's electricity generation, has undergone a notable transformation within the nation's evolving energy framework. Presently, coal accounts for approximately 2.7% of the total electricity produced in Cartadania, marking a substantial decline from its earlier prominence. In the year 2000, coal's share of the electricity mix was markedly higher, encompassing nearly 10% of Cartadania's energy generation, primarily sourced from anthracite. The spatial distribution of coal-fired power plants bears significance in Cartadania's strategic planning. While these power facilities predominantly utilize anthracite, a "cleaner" variety of coal, their geographical placement is carefully orchestrated to balance energy demands with the imperatives of environmental sustainability. As such, these power generation centers are not solely confined to the mining areas but are strategically situated across the nation, often in less densely populated regions. Cartadania's coal production extends beyond its utilization, as the nation also stands as a coal producer. Notably, the western and central regions, including Lombardia, Tanoa, and Toscana, serve as key extraction hubs for anthracite coal. The mining and subsequent utilization of this resource represent an intricate interplay between economic considerations and environmental concerns.

In 2028, Cartadania distinguished itself as a strategic part of the global petroleum landscape, assuming the role of one of the largest producers and exporters of petroleum, with a primary focus on catering to the Coscivian markets. Anchored by its position as possessing the world's third-largest oil reserves, Cartadania exerted its influence by meticulously extracting an average daily yield of 1,979,390 cubic meters of crude oil and its equivalents. This output, constituting approximately 17% of the worldwide demand, played a pivotal role in satiating the ever-growing global appetite for petroleum resources. The strategic disposition of Cartadania's petroleum reserves is intertwined with its capacity for extraction and production. The reserves are harnessed to fulfill both domestic and international demands, finding its way to other nations in both its raw and refined forms. The refined petroleum products serve as crucial inputs for a plethora of sectors, encompassing natural gas, diesel, gasoline, and an array of other derivative products, contributing to various facets of industrial and commercial activities.

Within the context of Cartadania's evolving energy matrix, however, the utilization of petroleum-derived fuels has undergone significant evolution. Over the years, the number of petroleum-fired power plants has experienced a marked reduction, representing a shift away from this energy source's prominence since the historical juncture of 1960, when it held more than 50% of the nation's primary energy production to today where it accounts for less than 1%, with power plants being primarily used in reserve.

The observed decline in coal's contribution to Cartadania's electricity grid aligns with broader global trends aimed at reducing carbon emissions and advancing cleaner energy alternatives. This transition underscores Cartadania's proactive stance in embracing cleaner, more sustainable energy sources while concurrently addressing the intricate challenges associated with energy production, consumption, and environmental stewardship.

Interconnections

See also: Power grid