2016能源翻译大赛初赛试题

2016能源翻译大赛初赛试题

Passage 1 Translate the following passage into Chinese (60 points)

While humans have continually improved the efficiency with which they convert primary energy into useful goods and services, calculations by physicists and engineers indicate a great potential for further improvement. Figure 1.3 provides a rough indication of energy efficiency improvement by setting energy input in a ratio with economic output (E/GDP), the latter measured in monetary units. But this ratio should really be thought of as energy intensity because it can change for reasons that do not relate to true physical changes in energy efficiency. For example, the monetary value of an output like shoes can change because of quality improvements, which increase GDP. For the E/GDP ratio to fall because of increased energy efficiency, this would be because of actual improvements in energy extraction, energy conversion, energy distribution and energy end-use devices and processes that reduce the difference between primary energy inputs and the energy services we receive.

Promoters of energy efficiency point to the significant efficiency differences that exist between countries. Sweden and Canada, for example, have similar geography, climate, levels of urbanization and standard of living, yet their E/GDP ratios differ significantly. After allowing for differences in their industrial bases (Canada has a relatively larger share of GDP from resource extraction industries which are energy intensive), researchers found that Sweden was significantly more efficient in its use of energy than Canada. Buildings, appliances, industrial equipment and vehicles in Sweden are generally more efficient than their Canadian counterparts.

While some researchers conduct intercountry energy comparisons like this as a way of estimating each country’s potential for energy efficiency improvement, others focus instead on identifying the most energy efficient technologies available today and use these as a benchmark for estimating a country or industry’s potential for energy efficiency improvement. Finally, in a third approach – this one more futuristic – some researchers use advanced engineering design to speculate on the potential improvements in energy efficiency over a longer timeframe which could result from a concerted program of research, development, and commercialization. All the three areas of research suggest that significant improvements in energy efficiency in industrialized countries could substantially reduce the need for energy supply expansion, even while energy services expanded.

It seems difficult to find a downside to energy efficiency. If all of our supply alternatives entail some negative effects, then using less can only improve things. But is it that simple?

Some energy experts argue that policies promoting profitable energy efficiency investments, through greater provision of information or via subsidies, will ultimately lead to higher energy use and greater environmental impacts. Energy efficiency is thus presented as a double-edged sword in that more efficient equipment costs less to operate, which will affect decisions about acquiring and operating such equipment. Rich people in wealthy countries of the world certainly use more energy per capita than their poorer neighbors. Our cars and heating systems may be more efficient than forty years ago. But we also drive more, buy larger houses and acquire new innovations like air conditioners, water coolers, wine coolers, jacuzzis and a myriad of other energy-using devices that did not exist back then.

A full assessment of energy efficiency’s contribution must therefore examine not only the evolving efficiency of our equipment and buildings, but also the energy service wants of people in

industrialized countries and the rising energy service demands of people in developing countries, all of which depends in turn on the full cost of providing energy services. We cannot fully assess energy efficiency’s potential until we know what a cleaner, more benign energy system will cost, and for that we must review our energy supply alternatives.

Passage 2 Translate the following passage into English (40 points)

7月7日，中国地质调查局宣布，在贵州遵义取得页岩气、油气重大突破性成果，估算天然气资源量达千亿立方米。

武陵山复杂构造区经历了多期强烈的构造运动，我国石油工业近50 年来投入了上百亿元油气勘查投入，未获油气突破。2013—2015年，中国地质调查局油气调查中心通过实施“南方页岩气基础地质调查工程”，对南方复杂构造区页岩气及油气成藏条件进行了调查研究，在贵州遵义正安县实施的安页1井获得四个地质层系页岩气、油气重大突破性成果。对其中一个层系进行气量测试，每日稳产超10万立方米，属高产天然气井。首次发现高产海相致密天然气藏，属我国油气新类型。

中国地质调查局有关负责人介绍，此次突破性发现有望形成新的天然气勘查开发基地，带动长江经济带约6万平方千米类似地区油气勘查开发。安页1井位于武陵山连片特困地区，估算控制范围内天然气资源量达千亿立方米，可以满足1000万人口地区居民生活和工农业发展用气需求，有力推动扶贫攻坚。

专家们认为，安页1井油气调查的重大突破是历史性、里程碑式的，对中国南方复杂地质构造区和贵州省油气勘查可谓开天辟地，圆了中国地质工作者和贵州人民60多年的油气梦。