Future energy needs and engineering reality

Professor Michael Kelly FRS FREng, Prince Philip Professor of Technology, University of Cambridge, gave the Closing Plenary at the 2nd International Symposium on Energy Challenges and Mechanics, hosted by the North Sea Conference and Journal.

Michael wrote the speech into an article, “Future energy needs and engineering reality”. The paper was published in the Journal of Energy Challenges and Mechanics.
http://www.nscj.co.uk/JECM/JECM1-3.html

The paper link is
http://www.nscj.co.uk/JECM/PDF/1-3-1-Kelly.pdf

This is the first serious attempt to review the progress over the last 20 years towards decarbonizing the world economy by 80% by 2050. Taking general lessons from the introductions of new technologies over the past 200 years, one can see that the targets are not going to be met, and in some cases matters are being made worse.