Solutions to the energy crisis

How to achieve sustainable energy?

Over the last two centuries, energy needs have skyrocketed dramatically, especially because of the transportation and industry sectors. However, fossil fuel are polluting and their reserves are limited. We know today that these resources are close to exhaustion and our societies are facing a major challenge: the energy crisis.

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 Most of energy producing companies keep on using outdated equipments that limits energy production.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

DISIRE Horizon 2020
May 2020

DISIRE Horizon 2020

Resource and energy efficient intelligent raw materials architecture

  • Industrial Processes & Consumer Goods
Celium® Cell-based Biotextile
May 2020

Celium® Cell-based Biotextile

Bioassembled leather-like textile grown from agro-industrial fruit waste

  • Industrial Processes & Consumer Goods
  • Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)
BLOKIWOOD
Aug 2022
Use case available

BLOKIWOOD

Patented insulating carrier block technology that allows general craftsmen to offer wooden houses

  • Buildings & Constructions
gO Measurement-System (gOMS)
Oct 2019

gO Measurement-System (gOMS)

A wireless measurement system for in-situ verification in green building retrofit

  • Buildings & Constructions
View more

05. Implementations

Energy crisis solutions implementations

BLOKIWOOD by Dom'innov implemented by Supermix in Eybens (France) in 2021

SMATCH by ENGIE implemented by Equans in Rotterdam (Netherlands) in 2022

Efficiency PACK by Orcan Energy AG implemented by Wittekind Hugo Miebach Söhne KG in Erwitte (Germany) in 2022

Electro Solar Boat by Millikan Boats implemented by Sea Connect in Saint Mandrier (France) in 2025

Low Energy Data Storage System by Swiss Vault implemented by University of Binghamton in Binghamton (United States) in 2023

Low Energy Data Storage System by Swiss Vault implemented by iBridge Cloud Technologies in Sacramento (United States) in 2024

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

RetroKit Energy Upscaling Technology by RetroKit Ltd implemented by Cork City Council in Cork (Ireland) in 2020

EV for fleets by Make my Day implemented by TotalEnergies in Paris (France) in 2025

Hamwells Blue by Hamwells implemented by The Green Village, Woon Friesland, Bouwgroep Dijkstra Draaisma, Bewonersraad Friesland in Delft (Netherlands) in 2021

Hamwells Blue by Hamwells implemented by Megaplex in Rotterdam (Netherlands) in 2023

Eocycle/EO25 Distributed Wind Turbine by Eocycle Technologies Inc implemented by TARIMÖZ in Istanbul (Turkey) in 2024

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

Li-Cycle Technology by LI-CYCLE CORP. implemented by Glencore in Toronto (Canada) in 2024

Active magnetic bearings by SpinDrive implemented by Runtech Systems in Lappeenranta (Finland) in 2024

06. Conclusion

Energy crisis prevention

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

  1. 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.
  2.  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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pauline.michiels@solarimpulse.com