SEH Commentary

Gasification technology is being used to generate sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) from trash. SAF is a lower-carbon footprint biofuel that can help reduce the environmental impact of aviation. This Wall Street Journal video explains the opportunity.

Image by John McArthur

The energy crisis has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine, but our energy challenge predates this geopolitical conflict. The war has highlighted the frailty of the energy system and the nature of our fossil fuel dependence on almost everything - electricity, transportation, industry, heating, and food. This is especially being felt in Europe, where prices are high, and there is a scramble to secure energy for the coming winter. Importantly, it spotlights the need to accelerate the development of renewable energy solutions, particularly those with low lifecycle carbon (not reliant on fossil fuels) and those that address needs that cannot be electrified.

Geothermal energy is an incredible resource that is being leveraged by many across the globe for heating, cooling, and electricity generation. It also holds hope for a planet that is so energy-dependent and desperately needs to cut emissions from burning fossil fuels.
This TED Talk explains geothermal energy's potential and how the fossil fuel industry might leverage its technical proficiency to harvest this energy.