01. Definition

What is the energy crisis?

The energy crisis stems from the foreseeable end of the cycle of oil, gas and coal, which, in addition, have been producing a considerable increase in greenhouse gases (GHG).

In recent years, many scientists have raised their voice to warn about climate change, caused notably by the burning of oil and coal in order to produce energy.

02. Causes

Energy crisis causes

Global energy consumption is increasing and we will face a shortage of fossil fuels in the coming decades. Therefore, the availability of reserves is an important source of concern.

Overconsumption: our current consumption model relies almost entirely on the use of non-renewable energy sources such as oil, gas, coal and uranium. At the current rate of consumption, oil will be the first fossil fuel to run out. According to projections, there would be between 40 and 60 years of proven reserves of conventional oil. Natural gas could be exploited for another 70 years. For coal, there would be around two centuries of reserves.
Overpopulation: these data are to be put into perspective because they are based on current consumption, while it is clear that it will increase considerably. Energy demands are and will be amplified by the demographic - the world’s population should reach nearly 10 billion people in 2050 - and economic boom of growing areas. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global energy demand could increase by more than 50% by 2030 in the absence of public policies in this area.
Aging infrastructure: another reason for energy shortage and scarcity is the poor infrastructure of power generating equipment. Most of energy producing companies keep on using outdated equipments that limits energy production. The need to upgrade the infrastructure and set a high standard of performance is critical.
Energy waste: mainly coming from the unnecessary use of energy resources, energy waste describes the wastage of energy sources, in particular fuels and electricity. Consequently, the reduction of waste is a colossal source of energy savings, which requires actions both on an individual and collective level.

03. Impacts

Energy crisis effects

Environmental: the massive use of traditional energy sources leads - among other things - to the increase of greenhouse gas emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2), resulting in global warming and harming the environment and biodiversity. Therefore, the energy crisis is closely linked to the environmental crisis.
Economic and socio-political: energy security is one of the major concerns of the main economic centers of the planet. In fact, energy conditions the possibility of growth, which is essential to the market economy and its development model. The energy crisis could thus have a dramatic impact on the global economy. Besides, when energy markets fail, an energy shortage develops. Energy shortages and resulting economic factors may create socio-political issues.

04. Solutions

Energy crisis solutions

The Solar Impulse Label is granted to innovative solutions to energy crisis that meet high standards of sustainability and profitability. Each solution goes through a strict assessment process performed by independent experts.

Dec 2019

Agrinergie®

Accelerating the ecological transition between agriculture and energy production in territories

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)
Agrifood & Natural Environment

Mar 2023

Demand Response Platform - Mon Chauffage Electrique Connecté

A residential demand response solution which is hardware-agnostic, based on a profit-sharing business model

Buildings & Constructions
Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

Feb 2024

Yakbike

A three wheeled electric cargo bike that reduces CO2 emissions and increases last mile delivery profitability

Mobility

Dec 2024

Use case available

Flexibuster

Small-scale anaerobic digestion plant to convert organic waste on-site into electricity, heat, fertiliser and water.

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

05. Implementations

Energy crisis solutions implementations

Flexibuster by SEaB Energy implemented by Sepur in Thieverval-Grignon (France) in 2019

Hivenet by Hivenet implemented by Inria (French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology) in Le Chesnay Cedex (France) in 2022

VG Holz by Demet'Air implemented by Toulouse Métropole in Toulouse (France) in 2019

Tiko by tiko Energy Solutions AG implemented by Régie Immobilière de la Ville de Paris in Paris (France) in 2021

Tiko by tiko Energy Solutions AG implemented by Mobility in Zürich (Switzerland) in 2022

Routing Engine for Electric Vehicles by Chargetrip implemented by Porsche in Paris (France) in 2024

Inductive charging solution for electric vehicles by Upandcharge implemented by City of Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in Saint Quentin en Yvelines (France) in 2025

BioVALO by IDEAL Environnement implemented by SCEA Du Mont Au Roux in Cléville (France) in 2021

Mangrove Technology Platform by Planet srl. implemented by Municipality of Tinos in Tinos Island (Greece) (Greece) in 2020

Joulia-Inline & Joulia-Twinline by Joulia SA implemented by Freilager in Zurich (Switzerland) in 2022

Joulia-Inline & Joulia-Twinline by Joulia SA implemented by Gangloff Immobilien AG in Bern (Switzerland) in 2022

Joulia-Inline & Joulia-Twinline by Joulia SA implemented by Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern in Lucerne (Switzerland) in 2024

MAN ETES (Electro Thermal Energy Storage) by MAN Energy Solutions Schweiz AG implemented by DIN Forsyning in Esbjerg (Denmark) in 2023

Kheoos Market by kheoos implemented by Michelin in Clermont-Ferrand (France) in 2021

Autonomous Lighting System by LEDCity AG implemented by SBB in Bern (Switzerland) in 2021

ElectricFeel Shared Mobility OS by ElectricFeel implemented by City of Basel (Switzerland) in Basel (Switzerland) in 2018

06. Conclusion

Energy crisis prevention

The good news is that there are ways to reduce the energy crisis:

Energy transition to renewable energy sources: unlike fossil fuels, some energy sources are totally renewable, and do not emit greenhouse gases. These clean and sustainable alternative energy solutions include solar energy, hydropower, wind energy, geothermal energy and biomass energy.
Energy efficiency and conservation: in order to prevent an energy crisis, it is also crucial that we consume less energy by improving and modernising energy infrastructure such as smart grid solutions, and smart cities. It is also important that we replace old devices by energy efficient solutions, such as replacing traditional light bulbs by LEDs.

Connect with us

Any questions

Feel free to get in touch with us
pauline.michiels@solarimpulse.com

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