Future Energy Trends

A cloud of uncertainty currently looms over global energy markets as a number of politically charged scenarios continue to gather momentum, such as: the ongoing development and rising prominence of shale oil and gas in the United States; the sudden fall in global oil prices; simmering tensions between Russia and the West, which if left unchecked, could yet wreak considerable havoc upon transnational energy flows across Central and Eastern Europe; the challenge presented by the so-called “Islamic State” to energy interests in Iraq and Syria; and the prospect of Iran reannouncing itself on the global energy stage. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult to determine the future composition of global energy markets, and the impact that current and indeed unforeseen geopolitical developments will have upon national, regional and international energy policy and decision-making. A number of question marks remain with regards to how such developments will affect production rates, pricing and energy security. The ECSSR 20th Annual Energy Conference, “Future Energy Trends: Innovation, Markets and Geopolitics,” held at the Center on November 18–19, 2014, and the resultant papers compiled in this volume, provide a variety of well-informed views that examine the notable paradigm shifts and transformations taking place within the energy sector. Added to this, the contributions offered in this edition collectively serve to highlight the notable repercussions being felt in the Middle East, Asia and elsewhere in the world as a result of the fraught relationship and blurring of the lines between energy policy and geopolitics. It would appear that producers and consumers alike are, to varying degrees depending on their geographical location, subsequently being held to ransom. Also discussed are key technological developments, such as those granting the United States greater room to maneuver on the difficult path towards achieving energy independence; in addition to the impressive strides that the United Arab Emirates continues to make, both in terms of renewable energy and its widely respected, peaceful nuclear energy program.

Global energy needs are expanding substantially as populations grow and economies develop around the world. There is clear evidence that continued use of fossil fuels as the world's dominant energy supply is damaging the environment and causing changes in global climate patterns. People want higher levels of more efficient, cleaner, and less obtrusive energy services. How much of those needs will be met by fossil fuels, how much by alternative fuels, and how much by efficiency increases and expanded energy conservation is a wide open question. Global Energy Perspectives describes the results of a five-year joint study by the International Institute for Applied systems Analysis and the World Energy Council. It presents six long-term energy futures which lay out the alternatives among future fuels, technologies, efficiency gains, conservation patterns, and pollution levels, and pinpoints the key choices that are most likely to characterize the twenty-first century. The primary audience will include researchers, educators, policy makers in private and public sectors and other workers in the energy, technology, economics and environmental areas, but the book will appeal to anyone interested in the future of energy production as a prerequisite for human development.

As discussed in this text, countries with excess energy resources export these to countries that need them. This is an important function of the global energy markets, where energy sources, products and services are traded among countries and companies. While this is the primary activity in energy markets, it is only part of the entire global energy market scheme. The goal of this text is to analyze all sides of the energy markets in their physical, technological, economic, political, regulatory, environmental, financial, and legal aspects.

This outlook highlights climate-safe investment options until 2050, policies for transition and specific regional challenges. It also explores options to eventually cut emissions to zero.

"Over the next few decades, we will see a profound energy transformation as society shifts from fossil fuels to renewable resources like solar, wind, biomass. But what might a one hundred percent renewable future actually look like, and what obstacles will we face in this transition? Authors explore the practical challenges and opportunities presented by the shift to renewable energy."--Page 4 of cover.

The demand for secure, affordable and clean energy is a priority call to humanity. Challenges associated with conventional energy resources, such as depletion of fossil fuels, high costs and associated greenhouse gas emissions, have stimulated interests in renewable energy resources. For instance, there have been clear gaps and rushed thoughts about replacing fossil-fuel driven engines with electric vehicles without long-term plans for energy security and recycling approaches. This book aims to provide a clear vision to scientists, industrialists and policy makers on renewable energy resources, predicted challenges and emerging applications. It can be used to help produce new technologies for sustainable, connected and harvested energy. A clear response to economic growth and clean environment demands is also illustrated.