Review of how science and technology could contribute to better energy management in the future: futures studies
This report reviews 38 studies on future energy challenges, focusing on trends, drivers, and gaps in energy supply, demand, and environmental impacts. It employs scenario generation and technology roadmapping to inform future strategic energy decisions.
Excerpt from report:
“how science and technology could help meet future energy challenges.”
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Report location: | source |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | UK Government Office for Science |
| Publication date: | January 4, 2007 |
| Authors: | Dr. Alister Wilson; Waverley Management Consultants; Various authors from the 38 studies reviewed |
| Time horizon: | 2056 - 2060 |
| Geographic focus: | UK, India, New Zealand, Canada, Global, Europe, USA, Australia, China, Ireland, Italy |
| Page count: | 36 |
Methods
The research method primarily involved reviewing existing futures studies, which used scenario generation and technology roadmapping to explore energy issues. The studies were selected based on public availability, expert recommendation, and language criteria.
this report is a “lit review” of 38 other futures studies conducted by external organizations so the UK (AIMS) could understand how science and technology could help meet future energy challenges.
- Qualitative methods used
- Environmental scanning used
Key Insights
The report synthesizes findings from 38 futures studies on energy, conducted to guide strategic thinking and identify trends, drivers, and gaps in energy-related issues. It uses scenario generation and technology roadmapping to analyze energy supply, demand, infrastructure, and environmental impacts, with a focus on CO2 emissions and technological innovation. The studies cover a range of geographic scopes, from the UK to global perspectives, and highlight the need for demand management, infrastructure renewal, and investment in innovation.
Drivers mentioned include:
- Population
- Lifestyles and values
- Energy resource scarcity
- accessing difficult to exploit resources
- Geographic location of energy distribution
- Economic growth
- Rising global energy prices
- Fair market value of renewable electricity
- Sustainable business practice
- global warming and CO2 emissions
- Limitations of non-renewable energy sources
- mobility of people, power generation, and buildings
- Energy security
- Intervention
- Energy Strategy
Additional Viewpoints
Categories: 2007 publication year | 2050s time horizon | 2056 time horizon | 2060 time horizon | 2060s time horizon | English publication language | energy | global geographic scope