Energy - The 21st Century Renaissance

If we need evidence that a renaissance is taking place, look at the energy sector.

Since the emergence of personal transport felled by gasoline after the second world war and the installation of electricity in every home, burning carbon based fuels became a normative way on producing energy. We were not concerned about the green house gas effects of carbon emissions in the 1950's or 1980's and only started to become concerned in the early 1990's and seriously since 2000 as evidence mounted that global warming was occurring and that carbon had something to do with it.

As we move towards a zero carbon emissions economy as an ideal, energy is suddenly experiencing a renaissance, both in terms of technology and innovation but also in terms of how it is perceived. CleanTech energy - wind, solar, hydro and thermal - is emerging as a substantial industry, attracting very large amounts of investment. Integrated energy systems - using coal and other forms of energy supply in an integrated way - is an active discussion. Clean coal technologies, carbon capture and storage (sequestration), biofuels and bioenergy are all active conversations and developments.

Energy is truly an area where a renaissance is taking place and where leadership is required to ensure that the renaissance is sustained in a way that helps to continue to provide both affordable and clean energy.

To read more about what is going on in energy, take a look at the Energy Futures Network website by clicking here.