2.2.2. Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) 36
2.2.3. Nuclear 37
2.2.4. Storage and flexibility 38
2.2.5. Hydrogen (H2) 39
2.2.6. Grid 40
2.2.7. Superconductivity 41
2.2.8. Mobility 42
2.2.9. Customer changes 43
2.2.10. New usages 45
2.3. Digital technologies 46
2.3.1. IoT 46
2.3.2. Cloud 48
2.3.3. AI, RPA, and IA 48
3. An intricate techno-digital landscape supporting and provoking disruption 52
3.1. The distributed energy world 54
3.2. Integrative smart grids 56
3.3. Hybrid farms / VPP 58
3.4. “My energy my way” 59
3.5. The electric vehicle / infrastructure ecosystem 59
Conclusion 62
Recommended reading 63
About this report
Growing energy demand, as driven by population growth, “energy for all” initiatives and economic development, has led to an increase in greenhouse gas emissions. As sustainability becomes a orldwide concern, our industry must ask: How can advances in technology, policy change and behavior modification help solve this issue?
The purpose of this paper is to present our perspective on how the energy industry is expected to evolve over the next 20 to 30 years. We choose this timeframe with purpose, as projections for 2040 and 2050 allow ample time for the development of strategic plans while also capturing the necessary sense of urgency around climate change.
In preparing this report, we based our thinking on three widely accepted projections: 1. The world population will increase by 1.7 billion by 2040, mostly in urban areas; 2. Energy demand will increase by more than a quarter by 2040; and 3. The world at large is unlikely to meet the objectives set forth in the 2015 Paris Accord or similar energy agreements.
Advances in energy-related technologies combined with the digital revolution is expected to lead to significant change in how energy markets are operated. In addition, ongoing geo-political evolution, including the United States’s emergence as the leading oil and gas producer, China’s position as the worldwide energy leader, and ongoing volatility in the Middle East, will unquestionably influence the shaping of the future of energy.
While this report focuses on the energy future for select countries and regions, our analysis is intended to be applied more broadly. This study offers a global perspective on how the energy landscape may be influenced by the advent of new technology, shifting consumer behavior and political change.
This study is Capgemini’s latest piece of research conducted on behalf of our clients and partners. Additional efforts include:
• World Energy Markets Observatory (WEMO), an annual report examining the electricity and gas markets in Europe, United States, Canada, Australia, China, India, and Southeast Asia. The document presents a current picture of the energy market and outlines transformation trends.
• Strategies for energy players, client projects that analyze the energy market and define the business strategy for the next three to five years.