Empowering Energy - Trends
Find out more about the trends of this electrifying industry.
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Energy Demand - Growing
World energy demand will continue to grow – by some 30% by 2040 – with most demand coming from emerging economies. More than 25% population growth and economic growth are key factors behind this increasing demand for energy, and economic prosperity expands across a world whose population is expected to reach nearly 9 billion people. [Source: IEA – World Energy Outlook 2011]
Energy Demand - Shifting
A major shift in energy usage through 2040 will be in the transport sector, where improvements in vehicle efficiency will temper demand for fuel for personal transportation. Industrial energy demand will continue to rise over the next 30 years, as tapering demand in China is more than offset by rising industrial activity in India, Africa and other non-OECD countries. [Source: IEA – World Energy Outlook 2011]
Energy Demand - Shifting
Demand for natural gas will overtake coal for the number-two position behind oil, rising by more than 60% through 2040. For both oil and natural gas, an increasing share of global supply will come from unconventional sources, such as shale. [Source: IEA – World Energy Outlook 2011]
Deregulation, Mergers & Acquisitions
Energy businesses are experiencing a change in the competitive landscape across the industry, bringing new opportunities to compete. Deregulation of global energy markets brings multinational companies to the playing field. Larger suppliers competing higher up on the value chain with engineering, procurement and construction companies. [Source: interviews with DHL Energy Sector team]
Diversification of Supply
Change in energy supply mix to gas – and renewables in longer term – as demand for natural gas grows to overtake coal for the No. 2 position behind oil. Oil and gas found in ever-more remote places – from oil sands in Canada to deep beneath the Brazilian ocean – as well as unconventional sources, such as shale, which present greater logistics challenges. [Source: IEA – World Energy Outlook 2011]
Shale Boosts Gas
“Fracking” and advances in horizontal drilling techniques make the global shale gas industry viable, changing the nature of the business and redirecting the focus of the international oil companies. The huge increase in gas production – especially in the US – improves global energy security, but downward price pressure is causing concern for the major producers. [Source: interviews with DHL Energy Sector team]
Renewables on the Rise
With new CO2 regulations driving change, the share of renewable energies is set to rise to 18% by 2035, with wind power and solar accounting for the greatest growth. Solar-generated electricity is on track to compete on price with fossil-based fuels without subsidies by 2020. Sustainable biofuels will be cost competitive with gasoline by 2015, if not well before.
Renewables on the Rise
China – the world’s biggest energy consumer and carbon emitter – is a major growth market in terms of demand for green energy. Its share of renewable energy will rise by 3% until 2020, with the government steering the country towards a lower-carbon future. [Sources: IEA – World Energy Outlook 2011; A Greener Shade of Grey: A Special Report on Renewable Energy in China, Economist Intelligence Unit, May 2012]
Improving Energy Efficiency
Gains in efficiency through energy-saving practices and technologies will temper demand growth and reduce emissions. While global energy demand is expected to be 30% higher by 2035, this increase would be 4 times greater if not for expected gains in energy efficiency. [Sources: Delivering Tomorrow: Towards Sustainable Logistics, Deutsche Post DHL, 2010]
Technical Innovation
McKinsey's* 5 key technology improvements to keep pace with rising global energy demand: Grid-scale storage, Digital power conversion, Compressorless air conditioning and electrochromic windows for more efficient heating and cooling, Clean coal and eco-efficient biofuels and electrofuels. *McKinsey Quarterly (January 2012)
