Transcript Clean Energy Solutions Milton L. Charlton U.S. Embassy Seoul

Clean Energy Solutions
Milton L. Charlton
Chief for Environment, Science, Technology and
Health Affairs
U.S. Embassy Seoul
Global Energy Challenges
Rapid growth in demand
Air pollution
Energy security
Climate change
Rapid Growth in Demand
50 – 60% increase by 2030
Coal demand is rising fastest
Source: International Energy Agency
Source: International Energy Agency
Air Pollution
Coal, oil and other fossil fuels produce
pollutants and particulates
Energy Security
Few suppliers to international markets
Threats include supply disruptions
and price instability
Climate Change
IPCC report
Human causes of global
warming
especially
from burning
fossil fuels
Climate Change
IPCC forecasts significant social disruption
caused by rising global temperatures
Needed:
Clean Alternatives to Fossil Fuels
Research is showing us
positive paths forward
Clean Energy Solutions:
Transportation Sector
Ethanol
Hydrogen Fuel Cells
Hybrids
Ethanol
New research shows environmental benefits
Cellulosic Ethanol
Feedstocks can be switchgrass, wood waste
Cellulosic Ethanol
Source: Renewable Fuels Association
Hybrids
Plug-in Hybrids
Promise 60 KM per charge – range of most commutes
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric
Vehicles
Produces only water and heat, not GHG
Clean Energy Solutions:
Power Generation
Clean Coal
Carbon Capture and
Sequestration
Nuclear Energy
Renewables
Clean Coal
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle – removes
pollutants and some GHG
Carbon Capture and
Sequestration
Source: Energy Information Administration
Nuclear Energy
Near Zero Emissions
Renewable Energy Cost Trends
Levelized cents/kWh in constant $20001
100
COE cents/kWh
40
Wind
30
60
20
40
10
20
0
1980
COE cents/kWh
10
1990
2000
Geothermal
8
6
4
2
0
1980
1990
PV
80
2000
2010
2020
2010
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
1980
0
1980
2020
1990
Solar thermal
2000
2010
2020
15
Biomass
12
9
6
3
1990
2000
2010
2020
0
1980
Source: NREL Energy Analysis Office (www.nrel.gov/analysis/docs/cost_curves_2002.ppt)
1These graphs are reflections of historical cost trends NOT precise annual historical data.
Updated: October 2002
1990
2000
2010
2020
U.S. Support for
Clean Energy Solutions
More than $12 billion since 2001
“Twenty in Ten”
Cutting U.S. Gasoline Consumption
20% by 2017
U.S. Industry Cooperation
Big automakers promise
50% of products will be flex-fuel-ready
by 2012
FutureGen
Near-Zero-Emissions Coal Plants
International Partnerships
--Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean
Development and Climate
--International Partnership for a Hydrogen
Economy
--Methane to Markets
--Carbon Sequestration Leadership Forum
--Generation IV Nuclear Forum
--International Thermonuclear Experimental
Reactor (ITER)
The Future is Almost Here
Experts believe that
Cellulosic ethanol can be
commercialized within 5 to 10 years
Automakers expect to sell plug-in
hybrids by 2012
A Strong Sense of Mission
 “I
would hope that Congress would move
expeditiously on our plan to reduce
gasoline usage by 20 percent over the
next 10 years. It’s in our national security
interest that we do this, it’s in our
economic security interest, and it will help
us be better stewards of the environment.”

President George W. Bush, March 26, 2007