Sustainable Energy Transitioner
Ushering in a Climate Responsible Energy Future
BP Statistical Review Reveals a Global Energy System in Critical Condition
Two days, two important reports… Today, BP released its annual review of world energy supply and demand. The economies of the world continued to increase their consumption of primary energy from fossil fuels, though at a rate of 2.4% slower than any year since 2002. Unfortunately, the fastest demand growth for a fuel was 4.5% for the dirtiest energy source, coal (at least it was slower than the previous year’s 5.2% demand growth). Cleaner burning natural gas was consumed 3.1% more than in 2006 [...]
EIA Report shows Peak Oil May Happen Sooner than Previously Thought
For those that haven’t traded-in their SUVs yet, there’s some bad news coming down the pike. Though the higher price of oil has decreased demand in OECD countries, China and other emerging economies continue to increase their consumption. And the most troubling aspect of the current oil story is the deteriorating supply in non-OPEC countries.
Just as previous blogs have reported, producers outside of OPEC have had a plateau in production for the last few years. Even though the oil price is more [...]
New Record High Prices for Fossil Fuels: Time for Sustainable Energy Transition
Today oil climbed the most ever (more than $11) to a record $139.12 per barrel. Just when people began talking bubble in its price the fundamentals of struggling supply and rising non-OECD demand took control again. And it didn’t help that the dollar fell after the US unemployment rate rose a dramatic .5% to 5.5%. Gasoline at the pump will shoot past $4 per gallon this weekend and diesel may approach $5. And the record high oil prices are accompanied by skyrocketing prices for coal and natural [...]
What Can Record Coal Prices Do to US Electricity Prices?
While the price of coal in the US is far below the records hit last week in Europe around $165 per ton, they are hitting records within their markets. On average, US coal prices have doubled since last year at this time. I would like to explore the implications of such cost escalation for utilities especially in determining the average price of electricity domestically.
First, I’d like to go over a few of the fundamentals of our electricity system. The US consumes more electricity than any other [...]
The Efficiency Shift is Under Way
After years of our economy ignoring the increasing price of oil, 2008 has become the year of change. Not only are fuel-inefficient airlines going bankrupt, but surviving ones are reducing their flight schedules and raising fees on basic services like checked bags. Automakers such as Ford and GM that depended on big vehicles to make their profits are cutting back production and lowering their expected profits (Aside: it’s too bad they weren’t listening to those of us calling for them to produce more [...]
About
After undergraduate studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, five years in the nonprofit sector, and completing the Master in Public Affairs program at Princeton's Woodrow Wilson School, I am now launching a career in energy and climate change policy. My focus is on oil scarcity and the necessary transition to an efficient use of renewables to strengthen our economy and lower carbon emissions simultaneously.
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