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 Most of energy producing companies keep on using outdated equipments that limits energy production.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.

May 2024

ASSYSTO

A software that reduces the costs and carbon footprint of the home energy renovation projects

Buildings & Constructions

Aug 2020

pvDesign

Cloud-based software for the design and engineering of utility-scale solar photovoltaic plants

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

Nov 2019

PowerBRIC

A smart and modular li-ion battery system that can monitor and optimize itself

Industrial Processes & Consumer Goods

Sep 2023

Fox’Master

The software optimizes self-consumption by synchronizing the company's consumption with their solar production

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

05. Implementations

Energy crisis solutions implementations

RelaySmartOne : the remote controlled relay by DFM-Europe implemented by Media Transport in Paris (France) in 2023

Hydraloop by Hydraloop Systems BV implemented by Upgrade Real Estate in Ghent (Belgium) in 2022

Hydraloop by Hydraloop Systems BV implemented by Wind Groep in Lemmer (Netherlands) in 2023

Hydraloop by Hydraloop Systems BV implemented by Intercontinental Hotel Group: IHG Voco™ in Vilvoorde (Belgium) in 2023

EnerTwin by Micro Turbine Technology (MTT) implemented by City of Dresden (Germany) in Dresden (Germany) in 2019

Qotto - Solar Home System by Qotto implemented by Madelaine Bocco in Cotonou (Benin) in 2023

Smart Pooling by Sunny Shark implemented by Eurométropole de Strasbourg in Strasbourg (France) in 2021

Active magnetic bearing solution by SpinDrive implemented by Runtech by Ingersoll Rand in Adana (Turkey) in 2024

MyHEAT Solar Platform by MyHEAT implemented by City of Edmonton in Edmonton (Canada) in 2019

Sympheny by Urban Sympheny AG implemented by IBC Energie Wasser Chur in Dübendorf (Switzerland) in 2020

Eliq Utility Customer Engagement Platform by Eliq implemented by Schneider Electric in Rueil-Malmaison (France) in 2022

WITT 6D WEC POWER by WITTEnergy implemented by US Department of Energy, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Seattle (United States) in 2023

Gramitherm by Gramitherm Europe SA implemented by City of Charleroi in Couillet (France) in 2021

Renewex Energy Platform by Renewex implemented by Arkolia Énergies in Montpellier (France) in 2022

PV LifeBox Water Pumping & Desalination by Noornation implemented by LBX Ways Kherbawy Faem in Kafr Al-Sheikh (Egypt) in 2023

Shotl On-Demand Transit Platform by Shotl implemented by Vallirana City Council in Vallirana (Spain) 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.

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Any questions

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

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