"Overcoming the Oxymoron - Sustainable Energy"

Political and societal pressure towards a sustainable world order ensures that energy, in quantity, has to be sourced from renewables - waste, wind, wave, sun and biomass. Ideas of inter-generational equity (and intra - generational equity - see next scenario) are accepted. Supplies of oil and gas diminish. The nuclear waste disposal problem is not solved, neither is the problem of nuclear terrorism. As a result of political pressure, the trend towards renewables gets a push from governments so that, in the late 21st century the predicted decline in oil and gas production will have been catered for. Oil, gas and nuclear will still be in use, but renewables, including waste, have far larger, mandated share of energy supply.

New technology will be needed for industrial and domestic power, and transportation fuels. The feedstock for many chemical processes will change away from petrochemicals for example to wastes and/or biomass. New chemistry will be developed for cleaner molecules and polymers to replace many minerals and metals. Energy intensive processes will be replaced wherever possible. Design will be for total recycling of all by-products, recyclability of all products and end of life energy extraction for terminally degraded materials. New, lightweight materials will save transportation energy. The trend towards bioprocesses will accelerate based on enzymes and ‘extremozymes’ working more selectively and at more benign conditions, in largely aqueous environments.

Related Submissions : 65 - Fluid Separation

"Energy for the Other 2 Billion"

Chemical Engineers will help solve the global problem of supplying energy for those 2 billion people currently without commercial energy services whilst raising efficiency (both in provision and use), reducing local and regional pollution, addressing, climate change concerns and moving towards a sustainable world. However, more than technology will be needed. Institutional and policy changes will be required, finance is necessary and public attitude & behavior will need to shift. Old uncertainties and paradigms will give way to new markets, challenges, organisations and ways of doing things.

Energy consumption will grow by about 50 percent in 20 years. Although fossil fuel resources may prove sufficient to sustain global economic growth there will be severe environmental, economic and political problems unless pollution control is achieved. Technologies that reduce net carbon emissions and sequester carbon will be developed and deployed where economic on a lifecycle basis. Renewable and nuclear energies will have a role in the necessary decarbonisation of the fuel mix.

The process will pose major challenges for countries with economies in transition. Distributed generators - microturbines, diesels, fuel cells, and renewable technologies can be expected to provide a viable option for areas operating independent of power grid and fuel pipeline systems. Increased efficiency in the use of energy, however, offers the quickest, largest and most cost-effective opportunity to reduce resource consumption and environmental degradation. Cleaner and more versatile energy production processes will characterise future energy systems. Technological breakthroughs will be achieved by entities outside the existing energy sector.

New businesses and alliances will continue to emerge in the upstream production and generation activities as well as in energy distribution. These developments will further improve efficiencies in locating and extracting energy resources. New distribution alliances and information technology will combine with energy efficient technologies to provide customers with a total energy service.

Related Submissions : 8 - World Energy Congress Report

 "What Oil Industry?"

The Oil Industry’s home market stagnates due to regulation and environmental pressures but growth in developing world demand more than compensates. Research on more efficient unit operations leads to improved exploration and exploitation techniques. UK will be the teaching centre for chemical engineers from the developing world. However, political problems in developing world will hold back investment and oil producers will dump, leading to fall in crude price. Only a few western oil companies will remain after extensive mergers. Renewables and hydrogen economy investment will stop due to glut of cheap fossil fuels. Technological development will decline.

Related Submissions : 69 - SONG

"Water, Water Everywhere"

In the developing world demand for both potable and industrial water will increase. Public resistance to use of chemicals in water treatment will increase. Water shortages will result from global warming. Industrial effluent discharge standards will tighten. Water and waste disposal will become more expensive. Public water supply prices will rise sharply. Drinking water standards will continue to tighten as analysis improves.

Technology will be transferred to developing countries. Countries with limited water supplies will need to import goods with a high ratio of water usage during production to weight. These goods will rise in price and their "original water content" will become a focus for improvement.