The Petroleum Geoscience journal introduced the ‘Energy Geoscience’ Series in 2019. It aims to create a channel for the anticipated growth in non-petroleum related subject matter. In the introduction, Ringrose 2019 captures the moment, with highlights including:
• 2020 (± 5 years) could be viewed as a turning point for society.
• The impact of our activities necessitates more responsible practices.
• Fossil fuels will gradually make way for electricity as the main energy carrier.
• Hybrid systems, such as gas-based power generation complementing fluctuating renewable energy sources, may secure our future power supply.
• Low carbon or net zero fossil-fuel based energy will also be in focus.
The commentary builds upon Ringrose 2017, which also acknowledges the role gas has to play in both reaching and achieving a low-carbon energy mix. Three main groups of low-carbon energy are identified; renewable energy, natural gas (by virtue of displacing higher CO2 emission fossil fuels) and carbon capture and storage – all of which need to be used together to achieve the necessary reduction in GHG emissions, since no single technology can solve the problem.
Since their publication, awareness of the complex challenges faced have been increasing in wider society. Yet, as recently concluded by BP in its annual energy report, real progress is slow and still insufficient to meet climate goals. In both papers, Ringrose talks about three fundamental and necessary pillars for sustainable change; environmental, social and economic.
• The environmental implications/factors are clear (and no longer disputed as they were only a few years ago).
• Social awareness/factors and a general willingness are now present in at least in parts of Europe and other advanced economies.
• Yet, economic driving factors are not. For the most part, stimuli are still required to increase the rate and diversity of change.