Energetic Transition. Challenges and Outlooks

Energy is a key driver of economic and social development. Without energy, a city loses its means of communication, signaling, transportation, and heating. The progress made during the 20th century was achieved through the use of an abundant, highly versatile, and relatively inexpensive energy source: oil.

However, an energy transition is necessary. On the one hand, fossil fuel resources—particularly hydrocarbons—are limited, which poses a threat to future supplies, even though this threat has receded somewhat due to the production of unconventional hydrocarbons, particularly those from source rock (the often-discussed “shale gas” is in fact source rock gas. Shale gas is produced through hydraulic fracturing). There is hardly any talk anymore of the threat of peak oil, and experts even recommend leaving a significant portion of fossil fuel reserves in the ground to prevent them from being burned and contributing to climate change.

Furthermore, the environmental impact of fossil fuel consumption is becoming an increasingly serious concern. Indeed, global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions resulting from energy consumption risks having catastrophic effects on the entire planet if nothing is done to prevent it. Its initial effects are becoming increasingly apparent and require an urgent response.