(92d) Future Energy and the Shale Gas Revolution: Implications and Opportunities

“Future Energy” will entail an unprecedented growth in demand, together with increasing stakeholder concerns for the impact of energy use on climate and the environment, and ensuring security of supply.   These factors will drive diversification of energy sources as well as delivery systems and technology, to address both global and regional needs.   Recent developments in shale gas and oil production via hydraulic fracturing together with increased use of bio-based and other renewable energy sources, will drive new opportunities for chemicals in delivering energy system infrastructure, improving energy efficiency, and re-optimizing process routes to minimize cost, as well as carbon and environmental footprints.     In particular, low cost of gas relative to oil on an energy content basis will drive the development of new process technologies for commodity chemicals derived from C1 chemistry.    Low energy costs will drive a new era of “smart manufacturing”.  

 This seminar will examine trends and opportunities in responsible energy and chemicals resulting from the shale gas "revolution", and end with an open discussion of what emerging chemical sciences and engineering innovations are most likely to be impactful in addressing future energy and sustainability needs.