Industrial Decarbonization

Energy policy is sprinting ahead of physics and economics. Energy transition realism argues for sequencing renewables with firm low-carbon power and market design that protects reliability and affordability.

Hard-to-abate sectors drive nearly a third of global emissions. This article explains how decarbonizing heavy industry with hydrogen, CCS, electrification, and smart policy can deliver competitive, low-carbon materials at scale.

Ambition without realism backfires. This article argues for a pragmatic energy transition—sequencing renewables, storage, nuclear, and firm capacity while protecting affordability, reliability, and social equity.

Global decarbonization needs coordination at scale. This article shows how a collaborative energy transition—uniting governments, companies, and regulators—accelerates innovation, reduces costs, and strengthens security.

Hype doesn’t power grids—systems do. This article explains how vaclav smil energy transitions thinking grounds strategy in physics, capital turnover, and social realities, guiding credible policies and investments.

Feeding billions depends on chemistry and energy. This article explains how synthetic nitrogen fertilizers—powered by affordable energy—anchor global food security, and why pragmatic decarbonization must protect supply while new tech scales.

Nuclear is back in the conversation for one reason: reliability. This article explains how small modular reactors deliver 24/7 low-carbon power, complement renewables, and provide a realistic path to deep decarbonization without risking grid stability.

Feeding billions depends on energy. This article explains the food energy nexus—how ammonia and synthetic fertilizers rely on affordable energy—and outlines a pragmatic path that protects yields while decarbonization scales.

Fertilizer links food and energy. Fossil fuels and crop yields are tied through Haber–Bosch ammonia, and fossil fuels and crop yields will remain connected until low-carbon ammonia scales without price shocks.

Energy transition economics explains why some swaps—like electric lighting—scale fast while others (ammonia, steel, aviation) remain costly. Energy transition economics helps separate quick wins from hard-to-abate sectors.

Global oil demand still tops 100 mb/d, and global oil demand endures because oil combines energy density, logistics, and affordability that many alternatives haven’t yet matched at scale.