The Hydrocarbon Highway – Chapter 13

Chapter 13 – Renewable Energy examines the range of non-fossil energy technologies and measures
that can realistically reduce oil and gas demand. It frames these options within the context of global warming,
carbon emissions, energy security and evolving markets — from carbon capture and LNG to solar, wind, biomass and
next-generation technologies such as fuel cells and GTL (Gas-to-Liquids).

Overview

• Contextualises renewable options against rising CO₂ concentrations and climate change projections.
• Explains carbon-capture and storage (CCS) and geological sequestration using depleted reservoirs and saline aquifers.
• Surveys gas technologies: LNG, CNG, LPG, GTL and gas hydrates and their role as transition fuels.
• Explores low-carbon power generation: nuclear, hydro, solar, wind and fuel cells.
• Details bioenergy pathways: ethanol (biogasoline), biodiesel, biogas and biomass co-generation.

Key Topics and Concepts

• Global Warming & Emissions – Historical CO₂ rise since the Industrial Revolution and projected trajectories.
• Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS) – Capture, compression, transport and injection into geological traps.
• Gas Technologies – Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) supply chain, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) transport, LPG and GTL processes.
• Renewables – Solar photovoltaics (on-grid/off-grid), wind (onshore/offshore), hydroelectricity and biomass.
• Nuclear Power – Role in decarbonising electricity and considerations about spent fuel management.
• Biofuels & Biomass – Ethanol, biodiesel, biogas production routes and land-use implications.
• Energy Policy – Kyoto, emissions targets, and tensions between developing and developed economies.

Technology Spotlights

• Carbon Capture – Injection into oil & gas reservoirs (EOR), deep saline aquifers and unmineable coal seams.
• LNG – Liquefaction, shipping and regasification chain; long-term contracts and hemispheric trade flows.
• GTL – Fischer-Tropsch based routes for converting stranded gas to liquid fuels (costly unless at scale).
• Fuel Cells – Hydrogen/electrochemical conversion with high theoretical efficiency but currently high cost.
• Solar – Photovoltaic cells (silicon and thin-film CIS); on-grid solar farms and off-grid systems for remote locations.
• Wind – Offshore vs onshore tradeoffs; storage requirements to manage intermittency.
• Biomass & Biogas – Waste-to-energy and co-generation examples that produce electricity and fertilizer by-products.

Case Studies & Regional Notes

• Growth in LNG supply and major exporters (Qatar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Algeria, Nigeria, Australia, Trinidad & Tobago).
• Brazil’s ethanol program and comparative economics of sugarcane ethanol vs maize ethanol.
• Biomass co-generation use cases for farm waste and municipal organic waste with revenue from electricity and fertiliser.
• Examples of solar and wind deployments in Europe and the role of offshore wind in high-capacity coastal markets.

Figures and Illustrations

• Figure 1 – Growth in CO₂ Emissions (US EIA projections)
• Figure 2 – Heat-trapping greenhouse gases schematic
• Figure 9 – Geologic Storage for CCS (CO₂ capture & injection diagram)
• Figure 10 – Solar panels at Munich Airport (photograph)
• Figure 15 – Offshore wind farm (photograph)

Summary

Chapter 13 concludes that a diverse portfolio of technologies — from improved efficiency and carbon capture to
renewables and advanced gas applications — will be required to materially reduce oil and gas demand. While some
options (like nuclear and large hydro) offer large-scale, low-carbon electricity, others (solar, wind, biomass, fuel
cells) provide modularity and local solutions. Policy frameworks, scale economics, and technology cost reductions
will determine how rapidly these alternatives can displace hydrocarbons in practice.

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