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 Most of energy producing companies keep on using outdated equipments that limits energy production.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

Sep 2020

DizzitUp, Brighter, Lively homes

All-in-one solar electricity and web access for empowering household & shops in emerging countries

Buildings & Constructions
Industrial Processes & Consumer Goods

Jan 2025

Use case available

Hivenet

Hivenet is a distributed cloud platform that provides sustainable storage and computing solutions by utilizing the unused resources of our community

Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

Apr 2020

LUMI’IN smart solar streetlights

A smartgrid of smart solar streetlights wireless interconnected

Buildings & Constructions

Nov 2020

Reusable paper system

Giving new life to copier paper through laser technology

Industrial Processes & Consumer Goods
Utilities (Water, Energy, Waste)

05. Implementations

Energy crisis solutions implementations

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

QED Naval Limited and Tocardo Turbines by QED Naval Limited implemented by EU Interreg Tiger Project and ORE Catapult in Yarmouth (United Kingdom) in 2023

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

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

EcoBurner Waterless Chafing Dishes by EcoBurner Products Ltd implemented by Fairmont Hotels in Singapore (Singapore) in 2024

Akila Digital twin platform by Akila implemented by Groupe SNCF in Monte-Carlo (Monaco) in 2024

Green box by Near grid Solutions implemented by Wyckaert Bouwonderneming in Ghent (Belgium) in 2023

R' Booster by Air Booster implemented by Api distribution in Bordeaux (France) in 2024

R' Booster by Air Booster implemented by Union des industries et métiers de la métallurgie - UIMM in Bruges (France) in 2024

R' Booster by Air Booster implemented by RATP in Montreuil (France) in 2025

Virtu by Naked Energy Limited implemented by The Oxfordshire Municipality in Oxford (United Kingdom) in 2022

Flatmate by Sanura implemented by de Alliantie in Amsterdam (Netherlands) in 2021

Elemental Water Source by Elemental Water Makers implemented by Save the Children in Hafun (Somalia) in 2023

Attributes Power by Attributes implemented by Air Products in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier (France) in 2018

ChargeGuru EV Charging Solution by ChargeGuru implemented by Hôtel bois d’Imbert in Rocamadour (France) in 2021

Tiamat Sodium-ion cells by Tiamat Energy implemented by Adeo in Lille (France) in 2023

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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