Energy may be the single most important factor influencing the shape of society in the 21st century. The cost and availability of energy have a significant impact on our quality of life, the health of national economies between nations, and the stability of our environment. What kind of energy do we want to use in our future? Will there be enough? What will be the consequences of our decisions?
The 21st century energy crisis appeared in 2011, in which an earthquake and tsunami in Japan led to the disruption of the nuclear facility and a global re-examination of the safety of the nuclear industry. Oil and gas prices continued to be volatile and energy demand has been affected by the global economy. Currently it is really accepted that the gas supply is limited, but the aggressive efforts of the last years, we have been able to find gas and oil at a faster rate than we consume them. Therefore, most people would agree that the energy industry, particularly the oil industry, played a major role in supplying the fuels that fueled the engine of industrialization. The evolution of Western society during the last two centuries followed the increase in its energy consumption.
The population of industrialized nations has improved their standard of living, people are living together longer and are healthier. It is logical to assume that people in the rest of the world would like to do the same and consume more energy to improve the quality of life. Industrialization has brought with it the recognition that pollutants harmful to health in the air, water and soil are now the subject of discussion by the world environmental organization. These seemingly contradictory needs present challenges for all countries to seek to improve the livelihoods of their citizens while minimizing damage to the environment.
Natural gas is an ideal fossil fuel for generating electricity. In recent years, the use of natural gas and refinery fuel gas for power generation has been favored over coal and oil because they require less capital investment and are more environmentally friendly. The development of technology that combines gas and steam turbines in power generation increases thermal efficiency.
The so-called cogeneration system, which meets the steam needs of an oil refinery and generates excess electricity for sale, has become a popular practice. Methanol produced from gas has been considered a substitute for gasoline or a mixture of gasoline components to reduce air pollution. In recent years, oxygenates such as gasoline have been produced to reduce air pollution in some developed countries. This is also an intermediate in the process of mobile natural gas to gasoline, which was commercialized in the process cannot be economically justified to produce liquid fuels as long as oils are available.
Energy in the 21st century serves as remote natural gas, as the raw materials for the production of liquid fuels, petrochemicals, and lubricating oils. Raw materials can become economically attractive when this gas is valued.
In conclusion, the energy of the 21st century will help revitalize fuel prices, allowing stability in fuel and natural gas prices.