How are technological, economic and geopolitical changes shaping the future energy landscape?
Due the technological development of the different energy sources, the economic grows of a group of developing countries, the political instability of certain regions rich in fossil fuels, and the new energy policies adopted by several countries there is a significant change in the world energy landscape.
Undoubtedly, the use of fossil fuels for the generation of electricity is in decline, with the exception of natural gas, and it is expected that this trend will continue without change during the coming decades. Several countries are expected to reduce to zero the use of oil and coal for the generation of electricity in the future, while others are expected to reduce as much as possible the current role that coal is playing in their energy mix in order to reduce up to the minimum the negative impact in the environment. New advances coal technologies, such as integrated gasification combined cycle power plants and carbon capture and storage, will allow the use of coal fired power plants in some countries in the future without an increase in their negative impact in the environment.
The rapid development of hydraulic fracturing technologies to recover natural gas from shale gas formations has significantly increased the estimates of recoverable natural gas resources in the USA, reduce the price of gas and oil. However, public health advocates have raised concerns about the types of chemicals that are injected into the ground as part of the hydraulic fracturing process and the potential for those chemicals to seep into drinking water.
The role of the different renewable energy sources in the energy mix of several countries is increasing, particularly in the use of wind, solar energy and biomass, and this tends is expected to continue during the coming decades, but perhaps a lower rate.
The use of nuclear energy for the generation of electricity, despite to be a controversial energy sources in some countries, will be part of the energy mix for several others in all regions. New types of nuclear power reactors, such as small modular reactors and Generation IV systems will be the core of the expansion of the nuclear power programs in several countries, particularly in China, India, Russia, the Republic of Korea, the UK, France, Finland, among others. It is expected that nuclear energy will provide around 10-20 % of the total electricity to be generated in the future at world level.
Due the technological development of the different energy sources, the economic grows of a group of developing countries, the political instability of certain regions rich in fossil fuels, and the new energy policies adopted by several countries there is a significant change in the world energy landscape.
Undoubtedly, the use of fossil fuels for the generation of electricity is in decline, with the exception of natural gas, and it is expected that this trend will continue without change during the coming decades. Several countries are expected to reduce to zero the use of oil and coal for the generation of electricity in the future, while others are expected to reduce as much as possible the current role that coal is playing in their energy mix in order to reduce up to the minimum the negative impact in the environment. New advances coal technologies, such as integrated gasification combined cycle power plants and carbon capture and storage, will allow the use of coal fired power plants in some countries in the future without an increase in their negative impact in the environment.
The rapid development of hydraulic fracturing technologies to recover natural gas from shale gas formations has significantly increased the estimates of recoverable natural gas resources in the USA, reduce the price of gas and oil. However, public health advocates have raised concerns about the types of chemicals that are injected into the ground as part of the hydraulic fracturing process and the potential for those chemicals to seep into drinking water.
The role of the different renewable energy sources in the energy mix of several countries is increasing, particularly in the use of wind, solar energy and biomass, and this tends is expected to continue during the coming decades, but perhaps a lower rate.
The use of nuclear energy for the generation of electricity, despite to be a controversial energy sources in some countries, will be part of the energy mix for several others in all regions. New types of nuclear power reactors, such as small modular reactors and Generation IV systems will be the core of the expansion of the nuclear power programs in several countries, particularly in China, India, Russia, the Republic of Korea, the UK, France, Finland, among others. It is expected that nuclear energy will provide around 10-20 % of the total electricity to be generated in the future at world level.
Dear @Hussein, this is fine resource from Elsevier!
INSIGHTS ABOUT TOMORROW’S ENERGY SOURCES!
"Today, fossil fuels dominate how electrical power is generated. Their lifespan is limited, however, as they’re on a path to be overtaken by other sources of power, sources that don’t emit harmful greenhouse gases. Government and environmental mandates, combined with commitments such as the one made at the Paris Conference of Parties (COP21) in December 2015, are impacting how and where we source electricity.
Thomson Reuters analysts studied the current electrical-power landscape in our recent Powering the Planet 2045 report, a compilation of strategic business insights related to how electrical power will be produced in order to preserve our planet, shrink the Digital Age’s environmental waste and reduce global warming. The quest to find and further technologies that are viable, scalable and environmentally friendly is real and upon us.
From legal counsel to researchers and standards managers, it’s imperative that knowledge of the shifting energy landscape be understood by all parties across an organization responsible for compliance with regulations, codes and intellectual property (IP) rights..."
http://stateofinnovation.thomsonreuters.com/insights-about-tomorrows-energy-sources?utm_campaign=12784-SOI_Newsletter_2016-30320&utm_medium=email&utm_source=Eloqua&elqTrackId=f741075f6edc4f268af88943012bd8c8&elq=a5523a3e7ae94eb8b3651972f7bbddef&elqaid=30320&elqat=1&elqCampaignId=12784
This is a very relevant question in today's context, when we see that international organizations are conducting summit on energy security, climate change etc. There is technological, economic and geopolitical connect in the world energy scenario. The fossil fuels have so far been the main source of energy, but this source is not ever lasting. Further, fuel importing countries are dependent on fuel exporting countries, who are in a position to manipulate the situation, if they so desire. Also there is serious environmental concern regarding the use of fossil fuels, which increases carbon foot prints, leading to green house effect and climate change, which may ultimately lead to extinction of life on earth. Nuclear source of energy is a cleaner source, but there is again controversy fearing the repeat of Chernobyl and Fukushima. Further, international community is divided over membership of Nuclear Suppliers Group. Only alternative therefore, is the use of renewable sources of energy which is sustainable but requires technological support. Future energy landscape will provide energy security through an international political understanding and technological commitment for use of Nuclear energy source and Renewable energy sources.
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