As we look ahead at energy in 2019, one thing is clear - we have some decisions to make.

Many new year resolutions revolve around improvement, and for good reason. There's lots of room for improvement throughout the energy sector. (And, it would be great if progress was on a gigaton-scale.)

This issue is dedicated to a few topics that could use a little extra attention this year:

• China's Climate Challenge
• The Under-Invested Electricity Grid
• Germany's Energiewende
• The Nuclear Dilemma
• Societal Self-Improvement

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China's Climate Progress

China emits more total emissions than any other country in the world - more than twice the second highest country, the United States.* Complicating the issue, there are serious concerns that China's self-reporting is neither reliable nor valid. Some say China is doing better while other experts are skeptical. Either way, progress on China's climate is certainly a worthy resolution for 2019.

Editors welcome comments on this controversial topic.
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* Note: per capita emissions in the US is twice China.

Grid Modernization:
Invest Where It Matters Most 

Personal energy resolutions are simple and easy: unplug unused electronics (aka, "energy vampires"); don't put the pedal to the metal; seal pesky door-way air leaks.

New year resolutions for the electric utilities are just as obvious: upgrade aging transmission infrastructure to improve reliability, resiliency, and flexibility.

Unfortunately, the resolve to commit is lacking. 

See also: Grid Storage in the 1830s

Carbon Crossroads: 
Germany's Stalled Energy Transition?

Sometimes new year resolutions need to be revisited. In 2010, Germany made the most ambitious energy resolution in the world: Energiewende - a planned transition to a low-carbon, non-nuclear energy supply. Although the country has done a lot to shift to a clean energy economy, there is still much more to do.


See also: Reducing Energy Poverty With Natural Gas

A New Day for Nuclear Advocacy 

No other non-carbon source of energy produces as much electricity as nuclear power. The fission (splitting) of the nuclei of one kilogram of uranium-235 releases an amount of energy equivalent to 190 tons of crude oil. There is no renewable source of energy that compares to the energy density provided by nuclear power.  

At the very least, policymakers should resolve to seriously consider nuclear energy in 2019. 


See also: Will The World Ever Be Ready For ...

Changing Norms,
Changing Behaviors

What would a list of new year resolutions be without a dedication to self-improvement? Perhaps no other resolution could do more for energy than a change in societal behaviors. Clearly, social norms have a powerful influence on behavior. For instance, seat belts are now standard practice and smoking in restaurants has essentially disappeared.

What might lead to big energy resolutions in 2019?

See also: “Conditional Optimism” versus “Complacent Optimism”

News from the Society

The Editors of Energy Today welcome submissions of original articles for publication consideration. Please contact the editorial staff by email with questions or attach the proposed article as a Word document.