1/ Here is a thread collecting a few charts providing a perspective on global #ENERGY and its different aspects - production, consumption, #carbon impact and future direction.
2/ For an appreciation of global energy consumption, this chart - how primary #energy consumption has grown and changed over the last 120 years.
From 29K TWH in 1950, the total energy consumption is currently ~176k TWH – grown ~six times.
3/ Primary Energy goes towards many uses – Electricity generation, heating, industrial usage and transportation.
Although over one-third of global electricity comes from low-carbon sources, primary energy is still derived largely from non-renewable sources
4/ To complete the picture of primary energy, here is an example (a country snapshot: United States) on how that energy flows. The key usage of primary energy being electricity generation, heating, industrial and transportation.
+ a context chart on rejected energy
4/ As to relative distribution - “Largest energy consumers include Iceland, Norway, Canada, the US, and wealthy nations in the Middle East. The average person in these countries consumes as much as 100 times more than the average person in some of the poorest countries.”
5/ What is the carbon impact of all this energy consumption?
“In 1950 the world emitted 6 billion tonnes of CO2. By 1990 this had almost quadrupled, reaching more than 22 billion tonnes. Emissions have continued to grow rapidly; we now emit over 34 billion tonnes each year”
6/ “In 1900, >90% of emissions were produced in Europe or the US; even by 1950, they accounted for > 85% of emissions each year. But in the 2nd half of the 20th century, rest of the world, particularly across Asia, and most notably, China."
7/And yet, a large part of world still lacks access to electricity or clean cooking fuels.
In any energy and climate discussion, energy access, security, sustainability and affordability become key points to consider.
8/ Revisiting Sustainable Development Goal 7 (affordable, modern energy for all) - only 60% of the world has access to clean cooking fuels. The ‘clean fuels’ include biogas, ethanol, LPG, natural gas and electricity.
~3 billion people globally do not have access to clean fuels
9/ All this, to appreciate the nuances to any energy and climate discussion. On one end, there is climate & sustainability, and on the other, access and affordability.
Any developments need to address both ends.
10/ "The future of global energy is dominated by four trends: declining role for hydrocarbons, rapid expansion in renewables, increasing electrification, and growing use of low-carbon hydrogen."
11/ With this background, a look here at IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) 2050 transition plan. (1.5 degrees)
The aim is to achieve the 2050 target by accelerating the deployment of renewables and taking vigorous action to raise energy efficiency.
Six key KPIs
12/ A look at the indicators within these KPIs. (More details are available at irena.org/Digital-Report…)
12/ For a better context on these KPIs, here is a look at the current energy and electricity generation landscape.
13/ Further to it, here is the recent capacity additions, and evolution of renewable cost structure.
14/ And finally, here is a look at where things need to be to meet the IRENA 2030 and 2050 scenarios
15/ Key sources for this thread – @OurWorldInData and #IRENA World Energy Transitions Outlook 2022
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