Tag: Energy transition

Historically, fossil fuels have dominated global energy production, but a major shift is underway towards clean energy sources. Today, fossil fuels still make up the majority of overall primary energy, though clean power is rapidly overtaking fossil fuels in global *electricity* generation.

Over the past century, global dependence on oil has been a central pillar of modern civilization, powering everything from transportation to manufacturing. The question, 'can we survive without oil,' is no longer a fringe idea but a critical consideration for a sustainable future. Moving past this reliance would necessitate a paradigm shift across all sectors, from energy production to everyday consumer products.

According to the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), the sum of all primary energy inputs into a national energy system is called the Total Primary Energy Requirement (TPER). This metric is essential for governments, energy analysts, and policymakers to understand a country's total energy demand and how different sources contribute to it.

In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for approximately 77% of the world's primary energy consumption, solidifying their position as the main source of fuel used for energy despite accelerated growth in renewable alternatives. This reality reflects a global energy system still heavily reliant on non-renewable resources, even amid an intensifying push toward sustainability.

Did you know that extracting and refining a barrel of oil can consume up to one-fifth of its own energy content? The concept that measures this, known as net energy, is a fundamental metric for understanding the true profitability of any energy source, beyond just its financial cost.

In 2024, the United States alone consumed an estimated 19 million barrels of oil per day, representing nearly one-fifth of the global total. This astonishing figure reveals that our dependence on oil goes far beyond just powering cars, impacting countless aspects of modern life, industrial production, and international relations.

According to the Energy Institute's 2024 Statistical Review, fossil fuels accounted for over 81% of global primary energy consumption in 2023. This stark figure illustrates that despite a rise in renewables, the world still heavily relies on traditional sources for its power needs and provides the context for answering where do we mainly get our energy from.

Oil has historically been the dominant energy source, consistently accounting for the highest percentage of global primary energy consumption. Despite growing momentum in renewables, fossil fuels—including oil—continue to meet the majority of the world's energy demands due to their long-established infrastructure and wide range of applications.

Global electricity demand reached a new record high of 29,471 TWh in 2023, increasing 2.2% over the previous year. Understanding what are our energy needs is essential for addressing the climate crisis, ensuring energy security, and charting a course for a sustainable future.

The sun delivers more energy to Earth in one hour than humanity consumes in a year, making solar power an immensely abundant source. However, the definition of a "rich" source of energy depends on the context, considering factors like density, abundance, cost, and impact.