Its critical role in a decarbonized future.
Tackling the Global Energy Transition
Decarbonizing our energy systems and sources is the critical pathway to achieving net zero, and getting there will require a monumental global effort.
Scientists are about knowing and engineers are about solving. I read that recently, and it’s apropos of the approach we need to take to advance climate action solutions. We need the knowledge of scientists, who have long been telling us climate change will have devastating impacts on communities and society. And we need solutions from engineers, who are developing ways to mitigate and address the damages from these impacts.
As an engineer I’m naturally drawn to figuring out problems, and one large and complex challenge we need to solve is getting every part of our global economy to eliminate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050 and limit global warming. The scope and scale of this challenge is truly monumental – fossil fuel literally drives the global economy, and carbon-based energy is the source of approximately three-quarters of today’s GHG emissions.
Where do we start?
Transitioning to clean, zero carbon energy will have the single, biggest impact, and prioritization is a smart place to start.
The first area to decarbonize is electricity generation, which is leading the global transition with more low-cost renewables coming online every day, such as wind and solar. Hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy technologies are established renewable energy sources also in use today. Additionally, low-carbon hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels are key and require massive advances that are being developed, as well as retrofitting existing gas‐fired capacity to co‐fire with hydrogen or ammonia. Nuclear power also has an important role with small modular reactors moving toward full‐scale demonstration, as well as nuclear fusion, which has a longer time horizon. And we need major investment in energy transmission, distribution and storage to provide secure and reliable power for everyone.
The second area involves the three biggest end-use sectors: transport, buildings and industry. Electrification is the smartest way to reduce emissions from road and rail, and although we’re seeing progress in these sectors, we need to make significant advances to decarbonize aviation and shipping.
The race is on to develop synthetic, hydrogen‐based fuels and biofuels for long-haul flights, and biofuels, hydrogen and ammonia are sustainable options in shipping, with some global shippers committing to using green ammonia as a sustainable fuel source in the near future.
Energy efficiency and electrification are the two main decarbonization drivers in the buildings industry, which require transitioning to zero-carbon energy building codes worldwide and retrofitting (heat pumps, direct electric heaters, appliances, lighting) buildings and homes — a massive shift given the number of buildings and houses in the world today, with a forecasted 75% increase in floor area in the next 30 years*.
Lastly, chemicals, steel and cement — essential to our way of life — account for nearly 60% of industrial energy consumption and around 70% of industry sector emissions. Recycling and circular economy principles are important here, along with hydrogen and carbon capture, utilization and storage applications.
We can do this
Viewed holistically, the global energy transition seems daunting with its unprecedented pace and scale. But it also holds great promise and opportunity. Given the commitment of governments and businesses around the world and the acceleration of investments and innovations, there is great hope. Although scientists and engineers play an important role in helping to secure our planet’s future, it’s going to take all of us.
Creating a Clean, Reliable and Uninterruptible Power Supply
By delivering new underground cable connection, SuedLink will help to better integrate renewable sources, such as wind and solar power, into Germany’s electricity grid, and also link with interconnectors to provide cross-border energy resilience.
We need a concerted effort from everyone on the planet – from national and local governments right down to me and you – to achieve this moonshot goal. So, let’s begin. ■
More Resources
*Net Zero by 2050 - A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector, International Energy Agency, May 20201 (report)
Jacobs Power and Offshore Wind Solutions
Talking with Jacobs Global Market Director, Energy Transition, David Stader (article)
Talking with Jacobs Global Director for Power, Pete Adams (article)
Hydrogen Hurdles: Breaking Down Commercial Barriers to a Decarbonized Future (If/When podcast)
Integrating renewable sources into Germany’s electricity grid (article)
Strategy for Long-Term Energy Storage in the UK (strategy paper)
Toward a Zero Carbon Future (thought leadership paper)
Leveraging Cross-Sector Knowledge to Inform Australia’s Pursuit of a Large-Scale Hydrogen Economy (white paper)
Nuclear Lifecycle (article)
Small Modular Reactors (article)
Nuclear Fusion: The Power of the Future (If/When podcast)
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