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ONS: A sustainable energy future possible with new technology
By Lianne Qvale
Realtimenews@ONS
STAVANGER, Norway
Petroleumworld.com 08 25 06International Energy Agency (IEA) executive director Claude Mandil cautioned delegates here at the opening ceremony of the 17th annual Offshore Northern Seas (ONS) oil show that the energy industry can and must change the course of the future.
In a reference scenario developed by the IEA, global energy demand will rise by more than 50% by 2030, if current trends continue, Mandil explained. Fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal, will not only be dominant, but their share of the energy market will increase, and CO2 emissions could rise by 60%. By 2050 greenhouse gas emissions could increase by as much as 137%," he said.
Fewer suppliers, with vulnerable supply routes to markets, will cause increased prices and energy instability.
"This is not sustainable," he stated. "In the IEA we say good energy policy must follow three E's: Environmental protection, Economic growth, and Energy security. The present trends don't fall into any of these three categories." Mandil pointed out that the figures given were just predictions. "We should change our future and we can," he continued. At the two previous G8 summits, heads of governments formally recognised the need and urgency for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
According to Mandil, the two most important factors for reversing current trends are improved energy efficiency, and increased power generation. The urgent actions needed to achieve these goals are increased research into carbonate capture and storage, renewables, nuclear energy, and collaboration between the developed and the developing countries.
Mandil concluded with a plea to the governments of producing countries to "not be frightened by all these words of energy efficiency, of climatic change, and policies for consuming countries. A more sustainable energy future is possible with new technology."
The Offshore Northern Seas Web site: www.ons.no.
Realtimenews@ONS 22 08 06
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