The Energy Imperative: Report Update
Abstract
The long-term prosperity of the Nation depends on continued innovation in technologies for electric power generation, transportation, and industry. Given the importance of energy security and the pace of recent technological and policy developments, President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) has highlighted progress in energy policy and advanced energy technologies that could significantly enhance U.S. energy security over the next two decades. Overall, since publication of the 2006 report, PCAST has seen notable improvements in energy supply and demand trends, advanced energy technologies, and Federal policies related to energy security. These improvements warrant PCAST's optimism that the Nation's imported oil demand will continue to decrease in coming years. Continued increases in the Nation's R&D investments will be needed, however, to make clean and efficient energy technologies more cost-competitive. In particular, cellulosic biofuels and energy storage technologies for PHEVs and EVs represent key opportunities to displace a large portion of U.S. petroleum consumption. Also, even with energy-efficiency improvements on the grid, these and other new applications may lead to a much larger increase in electricity demand especially in base load power demand than currently projected. Therefore, policy makers should prepare for and help enable a large increase in nuclear power and renewable power generation over the next two decades.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA492421
Entities
People
- E. F. Kvamme
- John H. Marburger Iii
Organizations
- Executive Office of the President of the United States