The global consumers of energy within a decade are going to be made aware of the consequences of their energy consumption as regarding global warming, greenhouse gas emission and energy security. These labels will go beyond just a “star” rating system and give comprehensive signals to the global consumer.The global consumer of energy has never had to deal with these issues before, but have been observant over the last decade or so of issues relating to the consequences of energy consumption like global warming and greenhouse gas emissions. Global consumers of energy will soon be able to link the interconnectedness of their energy consumption habits via these new labels, to energy security, global warming and greenhouse gas emissions.
The resultant will be awareness beyond the consequences of pollution as depicted pictorially on the six (6) o’clock TV news, but awareness through further information that explains how such pollution is created by different energy sources. A more educated global consumer of energy will result sooner than later.The global consumer of energy is going to change significantly over the next decade and the dynamics ought be followed and understood. The choices made by future energy consumers may in fact surprise many managers, particularly on magnitude. There are many dynamics at the moment and the world is indeed going through rapid change, but lets start with the consumer of energy, as their choices will create most force within markets as well as political force.
“Green consumerism” may favour one energy source type and not another, as the consumer gets to choose their energy supplier in the near future via further deregulation. “Green consumerism” in a more liberal energy market may bring an end to some types of energy suppliers sooner than later. We often do not factor choice in the energy demand equation for the energy consumer, and this could be a major underestimate within a decade. One could imagine a nuclear power station being completed and the regional populus just receiving the rights to select their energy supplier.Whether the energy manager is expert in hydrogen, nuclear, renewable, or fossil energies, “Green consumerism” presents significant risk. From year 2007 it is expected that the mass release of the micro-fuel cell into electronic products, will indicate exponential growth for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies to year 2012.
With the unexpected empowerment of future global energy consumers, and a significant force developed by “Green consumerism”, some energy suppliers may find their “imperative” gets “Switched off ”. There is little doubt in my mind that Kyoto will be “smiling” by year 2012 and beyond.
Article by Stephen Zorbas
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