Even more relevant for the consideration of new energy investments in the future is this list compiled by the Battelle Group. The question is who will the future leaders within these categories......
Battelle Experts Forecast the Top Ten Energy Innovations for 2010
COLUMBUS, Ohio, July 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Energy is a hot commodity these days. From yo-yo gas prices to predictions of electricity blackouts and the endless speculation on how deregulation will change the energy market, it's hard to ignore this topic. While we may not be zipping about from planet to planet and living the lifestyle of the Jetsons, we're in for some major changes during the next 10 years.
Oil fields could be supplemented by fuel farms and gas stations will morph into energy stations. We'll pay for electricity in a fashion similar to the way we pay shifting rates for long distance service. Our household habits will likely shift as people realize it's more economical to run the dishwasher after midnight rather than after dinner.
``We're on the cusp of some major, fundamental changes in energy. In fact, it's already starting,'' said Dr. Steve Millett, Thought Leader and manager of Battelle's forecasts.
This is just one of the predictions made by a panel of energy experts from Battelle and the national laboratories that it manages and co-manages for the U.S. Department of Energy (including Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory). The drivers behind the predicted energy innovations include economics, R&D, worldwide environmental regulation, consumer behavior and preferences, national energy policy, and liability and legal issues.
The expert focus group from Battelle, and the aforementioned labs, has identified the Top Ten most economically impactful energy innovations by the year 2010. They include:
1. A shifting energy industry structure: Substantial innovations in the
energy industry and its energy technologies are occurring.
Deregulation of the natural gas and electric utilities will continue,
resulting in more competition and more mergers. Small, independent
utilities will decline and be swept up into the emerging
SuperUtilities. Oil companies will become energy companies, competing
in both the mobile and stationary energy markets. New players, such as
automobile companies, may emerge as formidable influences in the
energy industry. "The convergence of the electric, gas,
telecommunications and water industries likely will result in one-stop
shopping," said Henry Cialone, VP and General Manager of Energy
Products at Battelle.
2. Hybrid Vehicles: With $2 a gallon gas prices still fresh in the minds
of consumers, the idea of hybrid cars doesn't sound so bad. Mileage of
seventy-miles-per-gallon will create a lot of converts. The first
generation of these vehicles is already here in a sporty two-seater
from Honda. Hybrid vehicles use smaller, more efficient internal
combustion engines and use power from electric batteries for an extra
boost during acceleration. "U.S. automakers have produced a next-
generation of hybrid concept cars that will pave the way to 80 mpg,
five-passenger sedans," said Tony Schaffhauser of Oak Ridge National
Laboratory. However, while making progress in the next 10 years, full
transition may require decades.
3. Smart Energy Management Systems: In the way that computers and the
Internet are radically changing our economy today, they'll change
energy systems even more so in the future. Computers, the Internet and
Global Positioning Systems will increase the efficiency of
transportation. They'll reduce congestion and traffic delays and be
used in heating, air conditioning, household appliances and business
equipment. They also will play vital roles in efficiency of energy
production and distribution systems such as pipelines, refineries,
power plants and transmission lines.
4. Distributed Power Generation: Some experts are saying the current
national power grid may not be able to meet skyrocketing demand. Power
grids of this scale are on the way out. Major blackouts due to storms
and overloading of the grid will become a thing of the past. "People
and businesses are demanding more reliable power sources," said Bobi
Garrett, from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden,
Colo. "The economic cost of a power disruption in information-driven
business like finance and e-commerce, is extremely high," she said.
Power may be generated locally for neighborhoods and individual
residences and businesses. This will be done via micro-turbines,
internal combustion engines and fuel cells. There will be an increased
used of natural gas because it's clean, cheap and available.
5. Fuel cells: There has been a lot of progress in fuel cell technology
over the past 10 years, but much more needs to happen over the coming
decade. Fuel cells will become increasingly popular for transportation
and for portable and stationary power generation over the next decade.
"These systems will provide power at competitive rates while
drastically reducing the impact of power generation on the
environment," said Don McConnell, Associate Lab Director for Energy
Science and Technology at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.
Before being accepted by the public, fuel cells must be made smaller
and cheaper.
6. Gas to Liquid Conversion: Scientists predict the development of
chemical engineering processes to transform hydrocarbon compounds from
gases to liquids. This will permit more flexible use and storage of
fuels. One example is the conversion of natural gas to diesel fuel for
transportation. "Gas to liquids technology offers an exciting,
economically attractive opportunity to convert natural gas from remote
locations-which otherwise would be wasted-into easily transported and
inherently clean fuel," said Denny Stephens, Senior Research Scientist
for Battelle's Energy Products.
7. Advanced Batteries: Batteries will continue a 20-year trend of
advancements into the next decade. These next-generation batteries
will be based on lithium polymer technology and have about three times
as much energy capability as those currently on the market. These
developments will play a more crucial role as we make the transition
to hybrid and electric vehicles. Consumers also will see better
batteries for laptop computers and cell phones.
8. Energy Farms: The use of bio-engineered crops for fuels will be
hurried along by the genetic revolution that permits cultivation of
crops to produce fuels such as ethanol. "We will grow gasoline, so to
speak, to lessen our dependence on imported oil," Millett said. "With
advances in DNA engineering, we will be able to grow energy as well as
food crops."
9. Solar Energy: We've heard about this for a long time and it's still
hanging tough. That's because it's considered the ultimate sustainable
energy form. It's also difficult to capture and store large quantities
in a cost-effective manner. But Battelle experts see substantial
improvements over the next decade. "Advancements have been made using
solar energy for the heating and cooling of buildings, and recent
advances in the solar cell efficiency hold the promise of making
widespread terrestrial application a reality," said NREL's Bobi
Garrett. Progress is continually being made in the development of
efficient photovoltaic cells.
10. Methane Hydrate Crystal Mining: Geologists have discovered rich
deposits of frozen natural gas crystals on the ocean bottom. "Tapping
this reserve would be a quantum leap in our ability to provide energy
for the future. Although some new government programs are exploring
recovery methods and associated ramifications, there haven't been any
commercial attempts to retrieve this vast reserve," said Gary Brawley,
Program Manager in Battelle's Equipment Development and Mechanical
Systems Department. It is expected that this energy source will emerge
in the next decade to add to our natural gas production.
Battelle focuses on technology development, technology commercialization and laboratory management. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Battelle has annual revenues of nearly $1 billion and more than 60 locations throughout the world.
For more information contact Media Relations Manager Katy Delaney, (614) 424-5544 or by e-mail at delaneyk@battelle.org
SOURCE: Battelle |
