The German Spiegel Magazine has a fascinating, informative article up that details the transformative ongoing and future shift of the global power structure in energy generation. The main thesis of the article states that traditional, big fossil energy superpowers will see a massive decline in influence while those countries that lead in clean tech innovation and massively build out their renewable energy and clean tech infrastructure will see huge benefits. They rank the U.S. as the world’s #2 future energy superpower, behind India, and predict a serious decline in power and influence for traditional energy export countries like Saudi Arabia and Russia.
Google translate does a fairly good job of translating the entire article, but I will also provide a more precise translation for the section pertaining to the U.S.:
2. USA: The Energy Revolutionaries
Why the U.S.A.? Aren’t they already an energy superpower?
In regards to energy consumption, this is true. In regards to production, only partially: Despite the fracking boom, the world’s largest economy still imports about a quarter of the oil that it uses. The current trajectory, however, is clear: The United States is seeing a massive expansion of its energy industry take place. They are already self-sufficient when it comes to natural gas. Industry and Consumers profit from low prices.
Now the U.S. is also ratcheting up its exports. Multiple LNG terminals for export are coming online in the next couple of years, which will allow ships to deliver LNG throughout the world. Furthermore, oil exports are now allowed.
Last, but not least, the U.S. is establishing itself as a forerunner in clean energy technology. Solar and wind energy are rapidly expanding, with a large proportion of the elements being produced in-country. Tesla, already a global trailblazer with its electric cars, is now also becoming a global pioneer in battery technology with its Giga-Factory. Apple, Google, and co. are also increasingly interested in electric vehicles, energy production, and software-based energy management systems.
In total, this strengthens America and weakens the classical energy superpowers.
Noticeable here is just how much note has been taken internationally of the pioneering things that Tesla is doing, along with American I.T. companies. Republicans, Big Fossil boosters, and Obama Administration detractors will hate to be reminded of it, but it was the Obama Administration that basically saved Tesla from going bankrupt (and probably Space X, as well) by providing a now-repaid, flexible, half a billion dollar loan to the company. The considerable boost to clean tech and renewable energy provided by the Stimulus, along with the many tools used by the DOE and EPA to stimulate this sector while simultaneously curtailing the use of coal, also played a major role in transforming the U.S. from a laggard in renewables and clean tech into an increasingly muscular global forerunner. Thus, what seemed like a wild and unrealistic dream a mere eight years ago has now turned into a reality that looks to become increasingly solid as we progress into the future.
Thanks Obama!