Check out how our global energy system has evolved (Part 2)

So, hence my interest to find answers and solutions on some of our key and pressing question(s):

What is the right time and right scale of energy transition management given the present world situation?
But let’s first agree on a fundamental principle – and that is: that all people have a fundamental right for energy.

Energy and Energy Infrastructure are vital to the development and stability of a country, an economy and its’ people. It fuels its infrastructure, provide warmth and power to the homes, and allows people, goods and services to move around.The Energy industry is hence a true utility to our lives and our well-being.

Hence, the importance of getting this right. Not only for your own nation, but also in a wider context. Energy craving or energy scarcity in one nation, can lead to trouble elsewhere.

Energy shortage or energy prize hikes can cause economies to falter or stagnate. To create economic crisis in size and dimensions beyond our present beliefs.

To that end, it can be compared with the continued rise and fall of crises in our global financial sector. One nation can affect another nation.

And so on.

The decision of one (large) nation to import oil, gas or coal from overseas can have lasting implications to other, smaller or larger- nations. Or on the market as a whole.

Making decisions on energy, energy policy and energy infrastructure are hence important decisions. Not only because of the impact they have- directly and indirectly- on the economy and countries involved, but also- because many of the energy decisions are made in time- but have a lasting effect over time. Sometimes, impacting our global (energy)system for the next 20-30 years.

It is very difficult for governments and board rooms to see and reflect on their individual actions short or long-term – and in a global market situation where most parties are seeking to gain. To understand the geopolitical and socio-economic consequences of their deeds. Especially, when all of us do have to operate in a market which is pretty dynamic, unpredictable, and uncertain.

On all dimensions.

So, and looking at the above, “three wise moves” for the immediate future (15-30 years) comes to mind:
The Western (OECD-) countries (including the upper-middle class of the emerging and developing nations) could “make room” and reduce their average fossil energy footprint significantly, in order to
Allow and to facilitate the non-OECD countries to grow their benefits and wealth creation from fossil energy.
The general predicted increase in world average energy consumption per capita should ideally be generated by non-fossil fuels such as renewable energy. Overall world fossil fuel production is not to rise further, significantly.

By agreeing and applying simple rules like the above, I believe that we, mankind will, over the coming 100 years, and thanks to our ingenuity, overcome the issue of energy shortage and world equality issues.
Furthermore, and in order to achieve our common energy future , we do have to improve on our local, regional and global energy system realizations.

Energy professionals of today and tomorrow are invited to reach-out towards and learn from each other, in the East and in the West, in the North and in the South, in the cleantech and in the conventional energy industry and in order to realize modern energy architectures and infrastructures beyond our present beliefs and understanding.

Becoming much more smarter in blending the global with the local, in blending energy saving solutions at home, with local renewables connected to a base central backbone – fuelled by conventionals.

I am an optimist. Whenever I see the Energy Executives becoming passionate, sharing and creating in our practice workshops and class rooms – I feel confident that together we can.