ENERGY TRANSITION AND CHALLENGES FOR THE 21ST CENTURY (original) (raw)

This article deals with the debate on the challenges generated by the Energy Transition. " Energy Transitions " are based on the notion that an energy resource, or a group of energy resources, dominates the market for a period or era, until it is challenged and eventually replaced by other(s) resource(s) (Melosi 2010). Since the 1970s, when the world watched two major oil crises, states and corporations began discussing alternatives that could replace oil as the basis of the global energy mix. In recent years, this process has intensified. The use of clean energy sources (hydro, nuclear, wind, solar, tidal, geothermal, biofu-els) emerge as possible replacements for fossil fuels. However, this is not an easy transition. There are many questions about the ability of these new sources to meet world energy demand, which is growing. In addition, proposals that include increased use of new forms of fossil fuels (shale gas, tar sands, ultra-heavy oil) keep the world dependent on finite fuels and generate huge impacts on the environment. In this sense, the WEC seeks to discuss possible solutions to this energy challenge. Ie, how to perform the transition to a post-oil era without affecting energy supply, maintaining equitable distribution of electricity and without destroying the environment.