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“Most people do not want to generate CO2 intentionally, they only want to live their normal lives. CO2 is an undesired outcome.” – Energy 2040
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About the book
Book Chapters
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1. Energy and Society: At a Tipping Point
- The World in Crisis
- It’s All About Energy
- How Did We Get to Where We Are?
- Accelerating Change
- Unique Opportunity Ahead
- References
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2. Historical Perspective on Energy (4000 BCE–2000 CE)
- Early Energy Sources and Uses
- Early Mechanical Energy Conversion (4000 BCE–1700 CE)
- Coal and Mechanization (1700–1880 AD)
- Science, Technology, and Innovation (1700–1880 CE)
- Changing Energy Paradigm (1880–1945 CE)
- Petroleum and Mobility: Point of Use Power
- Electrification: Power at a Distance (1880–1945)
- Science, Technology, and Innovation (1880–1945 CE)
- Post-War Economic Growth (1945–1975 CE)
- Science and Innovation (1945–1975 CE)
- Science and Digitization Change the World (1975–2000 CE)
- Changing Energy Industry Structure (1975–2000 CE)
- Energy at the End of the Twentieth Century (1975–2000 CE)
- References
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3. Energy in the Twenty-First Century: Projections from 2000 Are Totally Wrong!
- The Forward-Looking View in 2000: “All Is Well”
- Energy in 2020: Dramatically Different Now
- Unexpected Growth of Renewables
- Utility Deregulation and Independent Power Producers
- Thermal Generation: Steadily Declining
- Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Energy Storage Accelerating
- More Advances at the Grid Edge
- Grid Is Still Generally Fine: But Is Beginning to Show Stress
- How Could Expert Predictions Be So Wrong – and Does It Matter
- References
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4. Understanding Ongoing Disruptions in Energy
- How Could We Go from “All is Well” to Global Scale Disruption in 20 Years
- Digitalization, Learning Curves, and Energy
- It’s (Not) a Bulk Material World (Anymore)
- Coal Plants Versus Solar Cells: A Look into the Near Future
- Getting Wind to Grid Parity
- The Journey for Photovoltaic (PV) Solar
- Where Did the EV Revolution Come From?
- Rise of Grid Energy Storage
- The Changing Grid Edge
- New Loads and Increased Electrification
- New Generation Resources
- The Grid Is Changed: Forever!
- Other Contributing Factors
- Key Takeaways
- References
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5. The Next 20 Years—Utilities Get Ready for Decarbonization
- Looking to 2040
- Transition: Unfolding, Unprecedented, and Uncertain
- Disruptions and Their Impact on the Power Grid
- Grid Modernization: From Dumb to Smart
- The Utility Role in the Future
- Regulation and Policy Shifts
- Case Studies and Lessons Learned
- Key Takeaways
- References
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6. Getting to a Desired Energy Future: Role of Innovation
- Innovations Driving Change
- Energy Efficiency and Demand Response
- Advances in Renewable Energy
- Energy Storage Technologies
- Smart Grids and Microgrids
- Electric Vehicles and Charging Infrastructure
- Policy and Market Innovations
- Innovation Hubs and Ecosystems
- Challenges and Barriers
- Key Takeaways
- References
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7. Accelerating Commercialization of Energy Innovations
- From Lab to Market
- Funding and Investment Strategies
- Public-Private Partnerships
- Incubators and Accelerators
- Commercialization Challenges
- Scaling Up Innovations
- Policy and Regulatory Considerations
- Case Studies and Success Stories
- Key Takeaways
- References
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8. Aligning Innovation, Economics, and Decarbonization
- The Triple Bottom Line
- Economic Impacts of Energy Transitions
- Cost-Benefit Analysis of Innovations
- Financing Decarbonization Efforts
- Market Mechanisms and Incentives
- Aligning Stakeholder Interests
- Global Perspectives and Comparisons
- Case Studies and Lessons Learned
- Key Takeaways
- References
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9. Beyond 2040: Getting to Energy Utopia
- Envisioning the Future
- Long-Term Energy Scenarios
- Technological Breakthroughs on the Horizon
- Societal and Behavioral Changes
- Policy and Governance in the Future
- Resilience and Adaptation Strategies
- Global Collaboration and Leadership
- Pathways to Energy Utopia
- Key Takeaways
- References
Access to energy is essential for our daily lives, economic growth, environment, and sustainability. However, our use of fossil fuels has contributed to global climate change, which poses a significant threat to society and life on this planet. Yet, it has been challenging to reconcile the perceived conflict between economics and climate change, which has created deep divisions in our society.
ENERGY 2040: Aligning Innovation, Economics, and Decarbonization provides a holistic and comprehensive analysis of the ongoing energy transition and its underlying causes. It presents a viable path to meet the energy, economic, and climate goals by weaving together science, technology, economics, policy, entrepreneurship, and geopolitics. The book presents a captivating narrative that brings together a range of topics, including new and disruptive technologies with steep learning rates, the challenges of the future power grid, the democratization of energy, and reducing the timeline from science to impact at scale. It also explores the complex role of scientific research, disruptive deep tech, entrepreneurship, and policy in accelerating this energy transformation.
This book is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the future of energy. Whether you’re a scientist, energy-industry practitioner, policymaker, investor, student, or concerned citizen, this book offers critical insights into the complex and evolving world of energy, innovation, decarbonization, and climate change.
- • Highlights the disruptive technologies that are accelerating the energy transition;
- • Offers a critical examination of the challenges posed by the power-grid transformation;
- • Shows how aligning economic and climate goals can create a viable path to sustainability.
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