A Portrait of Complexity

New Actors and Contemporary Challenges in the Global Energy System and the Role of Energy Infrastructure Security

Author(s): Jennifer Giroux
Journal Title: Risk, Hazards & Crisis in Public Policy
Volume: 1
Issue: 1
Pages: 33-56
Publisher(s): The Berkeley Electronic Press
Publication Year: 2010

This article analyzes the emergence of new actors and contemporary challenges that have increased the complexity of the global energy system and brought to light the significant role of energy infrastructure security. Working in two parts, the article first provides a general overview of ONG supply-demand trends and the role of energy infrastructure (EI) in production and transport activities. The second part examines new security-risks to EI by exploring similarities and distinctions of natural and human-caused threats to EI. The argues concludes that energy infrastructure security will become a centerpiece in future energy security debate due to the growing dependence on ONG imports from conflict-prone supplier and transit regions as well as the vulnerability of EI to natural disasters brought on by climate change.

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