Moving from principles to action for energy supply that mitigates against climate change requires a long-term perspective. Energy infrastructure takes time to build up; new energy technologies take time to develop. Policy shifts often also need many years to take effect. In most world regions the transformation from fossil to renewable energies will require additional investment and higher supply costs over about twenty years
This chapter describes the range of technologies available now and in the future to satisfy the world’s energy demand. The Energy [R]evolution scenario is focused on the potential for energy savings and renewable sources, primarily in the electricity and heat generating sectors.