Global Journal of Engineering Sciences (GJES)

 Iris Publishers

Fossil Fuel Consumption Trend and Global Warming Scenario: Energy Overview

Authored by Swapan K Ghosh

Abstract

Global warming is directly related to the consumption of fossil fuel and corresponding CO2 emission in the atmosphere. We have analyzed available data from various sources for energy consumptions, CO2 emissions, and Earth’s average atmospheric temperature during the period 1970 to 2018. We also analyzed the projected energy consumption data during 2018 to 2050. It is found that human industrial activities between 1970 and 2018 have consumed 385 Gtoe of fossil fuel and emitted1143 Gt of CO2 into the Earth’s atmosphere. As a result, the Earth’s average atmospheric temperature has increased 0.90? between 1970 and 2018. It is found that the projected world total fossil fuel consumption during 2018 to 2050 is 378 Gtoe. We estimate that this 378 Gtoe fossil fuel consumption emits 1122 Gt of CO2 into the Earth’s atmosphere resulting in about another1 °C increase in the Earth’s average atmospheric temperature. We suggest that the global warming is advancing more rapidly, and International communities, scientists and engineers must take appropriate rapid action to save the Earth from devastating consequences.

Keywords:Global warming; Primary energy; Fossil fuel; Carbon dioxide emission; Renewables; Solar energy

Introduction

Harnessing energy is an indicator of the advancement of human civilization. Archeological evidences suggest that early hominids acquired skills of making and controlling fire about 100,000 years ago that enabled them to move out of Africa and to colonize colder environments [1]. Modern human started using coal based fossil fuel energy as far back as 4000BC in China, which was the only available fossil fuel source until 1860s when the consumption of crude oil began [2]. Large scale application of various forms of fossil fuel energy was established during the second half of the 19th century when most of the science based industries, including electric power generation, emerged. These new industrial and technological innovations and consumptions of various forms of fossil fuels would enhance the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the Earth’s atmosphere forever which remained roughly constant below 287 ppm [3] for millions of years. The 20th century world experiences a large diversification of energy consumption including fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal), nuclear energy, hydroelectric and modern renewables.

 

Statistical data given in BP Statistical review of world energy [4] show that mankind has burnt 404 gigatonnes oil equivalent (Gtoe) fossil fuel during the period of 1965 to 2018, and emitted about 1204 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2 into Earth’s atmosphere during this time (Figure 1). With the development of new technologies to harness energy from diverse resources (such as, nuclear, hydropower, wind and solar) share of fossil fuel energy consumption has declined slightly since 1980 as shown in Figure 2. However, the most alarming news is the world’s total annual CO2 emission is estimated to have risen by more than+2% in 2018 and likely to have reached an all-time high [4-6]. This increase in CO2 emission in the recent past is attributed to the increasing use of fossil fuels in some countries for their economic benefit.

Data Analysis and Results

The world total consumption of energy in 2018 from fossil fuel (oil, gas and coal) sources is 84.7%; whereas from all other sources (such as, nuclear, hydropower, solar, wind, others) is 15.3% (Figure 2).

Total fossil fuel consumption is rising every year (Figure 1a) and the chances of finding new reserves are becoming harder. Considering these factors, it is estimated that if the current rate of production continues oil reserves will run out in 50 years, natural gas in 50.9 years and coal in 132 years [4].The world total primary energy consumption in 2018 was 13864.9 Mtoe [4], which is simply equivalent to 161,248 Terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity. If the efficiency (about 38%) of a modern power station is considered, it is possible to generate only about 61,274 TWh of electricity with this total primary energy. However, the world total electricity generation and consumption is increasing every year as it is shown in Figure 3. The world total electricity generation in 2018 from all available sources was 26,614.8 TWh [4]. In which, 802.80 TWh (3.02%) is from oil, 6182.8 TWh (23.23%)is from natural gas, 10,101 TWh (37.95%) is from coal, 2701.4 TWh (10.15%) is from nuclear, 4193.1 TWh (15.75%) is from hydropower, 1270 TWh (4.78%) is from wind, 584.60 TWh (2.20%) is from solar, 625.80 TWh (2.35%) is from geothermal, biomass, etc., and 153.8 TWh (0.58%) is generated from other sources.

Hence, it may be concluded that currently about 6,048 TWh of electricity is generated from renewables (hydro, wind, solar). Therefore, we summarize that as of 2018 roughly 64.2 % of world total electricity is generated from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas and coal), and about 22.7% is generated from renewables (hydro, wind, solar).

From this analysis, we find that human civilization is now capable to harness only less than one percent (0.95%) of total world primary energy consumption directly from solar energy (Figure 2); and only a tiny fraction of about 2.2% of world total electricity is generated from solar energy. This energy scenario clearly suggests that current technology to capture, store and distribute solar energy is very primitive. Scientists and engineers must achieve a major scientific breakthrough in the area of solar technology. There is a little optimistic sign. As of 2018, the annual growth rate of electricity generation from solar is 28.9% [4]. It is clear that before we exhaust the oil and gas reserve as narrow time window of about 50 years is available for scientists and engineers to invent new technology to harness solar energy in an efficient and cost effective method to meet future world energy demand.

Recent projection of U.S. Energy Information Administration [7] suggests that world total energy consumption increases roughly 50% between 2018 and 2050.Thus, world total primary energy consumption, which is 13864.9 Mtoe [4] in 2018 is estimated to be about 20797 Mtoe in 2050. Various forms of primary energy consumptions in 2018 and projected primary energy consumptions in 2050 are shown in Figure 5. Hence, we find that the total fossil fuel energy consumption in 2050 is expected to be about 14172 Mtoe, which was 11744 Mtoe in 2018. Consumption of fossil fuel is mainly responsible for carbon dioxide emission. It is found that although electricity generation from renewables will grow significantly by 2050, the world total fossil fuel consumption will increase roughly 21% between 2018 and 2050. This is a serious environmental concern.

Conclusion

Global warming is directly related to the consumption of fossil fuel and corresponding CO2 emission in the atmosphere. We have analyzed various energy consumption trend and CO2 emission data since 1965. We find that human industrial activities during the last 48 years (from 1970 to 2018) have burnt about 385 (Gtoe) of fossil fuel and emitted 1143 (Gt) of CO2 into the Earth’s atmosphere. During this time the Earth’s average atmospheric temperature has risen about 0.90? We further investigated the projected world energy consumption trend during 2018 to 2050. We find that the projected world total fossil fuel consumption is about 378 (Gtoe) during this time, which may emit 1122 Gt CO2 in the atmosphere resulting in an another 1 °C increase in Earth’s average atmospheric temperature. This ever increasing fossil fuel consumption in a shorter period of time advancing global warming more rapidly and may have irreversible catastrophic consequences.

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