World Energy Transitions James Hayes-Bohanan, Ph.D.
Considerations Kinds of energy Patterns of energy use Sources of energy The future of energy No “magic bullets” for sale here!
Kinds of energy Perpetual Renewable Non-renewable Conservation
Historic energy use in U.S. Cutter and Renwick, 1999.
Major commercial sources of energy Fossil Fuels –Coal –Oil –Natural Gas Nuclear Hydroelectric
Major Coal Reserves
Major Oil Reserves
Gulf Petroleum Exports Energy Policy Considerations in the Aftermath of September 11 Philip K. Verleger, Jr.
Petroleum dependence Analysis from Forbes What is at stake in Saudi Arabia: Ten-dollar gasoline?: Patterns of trade:
Nuclear Cycles Note dfferences between current and “future” pathways.
U.S. Vehicle Fuel Efficiency Energy Policy Considerations in the Aftermath of September 11 Philip K. Verleger, Jr.
U.S. Car/Truck Mix Energy Policy Considerations in the Aftermath of September 11 Philip K. Verleger, Jr.
The future of energy Global National State and regional Institutional Individual
Global scale Resource limitations Climate change Other environmental harm Geopolitics
National scale - imported oil Slow rate of overall economic growth Increase taxes on imported oil Encourage conservation Promote domestic alternatives Region-specific incentives Strategic petroleum reserves Energy Policy Considerations in the Aftermath of September 11 Philip K. Verleger, Jr.
National scale - longer term The previous list simply “buys time” while alternatives are found. According to Verleger, “after 2015, the United States and other major consumers may have to admit that the resource base outside the Middle East is insufficient.” Therefore, the policies focused on “energy independence” are not useful long-term: Post-petroleum policies are needed.
Post-petroleum technologies Wind Solar Tides Fuel Cells
State and regional scale Electricity deregulation –Price –Air-quality –Promoting alternatives Government as consumer Mass-transit and highway decisions
Institutional scale Energy Bear! Information systems ROI: Return on Investment
Individual scale Motivation Consumption choices Geographic choices Technology choices: ROI Reduce, reuse, recycle, repair
Utility facts Under energy deregulation, consumers may have greater control over the energy choices made on their behalf
Further information Environmental Geography web site at Energy education page (choose “Energy” from drop-down menu) Includes this presentation and citations