MCGA is committed to ensuring that everyone has access to clean, reliable, affordable and resilient energy. It is a fundamental human right!
The US energy industry is undergoing change at an unprecedented pace that can facilitate global change. New technologies and business models offer the opportunity to accelerate development of the American energy economy built on US resources and eliminating reliance on foreign supplies. American resources and ingenuity can, once again, lead the world in energy development.
A future US clean energy economy will have to use an ‘all of the above’ approach from production to distribution and use of energy.
PRODUCTION: We are blessed with an abundance of natural gas, renewable resources, and an established nuclear industry. A decade ago we faced a 2090 peak oil cliff that had no easy solution. Our economy was going to be increasingly beholden to middle east crude oil. Today that picture is very different. The US has proven resources in renewable and fossil fuels, and has the creativity to ensure we get the most out of the energy we produce through building and industrial efficiency.
Recent exploration in US shale fields have demonstrated massive quantities of US natural gas. that can be used to displace foreign supplies of crude oil and increase exports.
Increasing domestic use of natural gas for transportation will have a massive impact on the economy and emissions.
DISTRIBUTION: Technology advancements are enabling new techniques for delivering energy to the point of consumption. The traditional model of large-scale generation built a long way from end use has been upended by distributed energy resources, often in your neighborhood, and AI equipped control systems. At the same time large scale renewable power plants are popping up in remote locations. The current grid was not designed for this. The US is responding with a complete redesign of the electric grid and massive investment in infrastructure, and grid intelligence.
STORAGE: Electric energy systems have, until recently, had to be designed for real-time production and use of energy. Long term energy storage has been limited to fossil fuels and nuclear supporting large generators. The emergence of intermittent solar and wind generation has required the rapid development of energy storage, primarily batteries, to cover short term variability in output. Fast acting natural gas engines, aero-derivatives and combustion engines, are also filling the gap with cleaner generation.
USE: Exporting natural gas to developing nations can enhance the quality of life for their citizens with resources that are affordable and cleaner than alternatives, such as coal and heavy oil.
Using energy efficiently has been an Achilles heel as production and use were not aligned. Today’s smart technologies and distributed energy resources are rapidly re-aligning production and use. The US can lead smart city development to leveraging AI to improve quality of life in clean and resilient communities.
McGeown Associates 