Business context
The energy transition and the drive towards net-zero emissions as per the Paris 2015 agreement has resulted in significant efforts to develop new sustainable energy resources. Since 2022, security of energy supply has become an additional focus area.
In order to change the current energy system towards net zero emissions and energy security, an insight into the present-day status and future opportunities is required. This is the main objective of the course which provides an overview of the global energy system and its' component. It provides an understanding of all energy sources used across the globe and highlights the main levers which have to be applied in the energy transition.
Focus is on Geo-Energy and therefore the subsurface part of the energy system, which is by far the most important sector. Part of this are coal, hydrocarbons (oil, gas, unconventionals), geothermal, hydrogen but also underground storage and GHG sequestration. This is done based on examples and exercises introducing the main workflows of exploration and development of subsurface energy resources. This is done for conventional, unconventional and new energies resources. Thereby it is important to address the required transfer of expertise and data from hydrocarbon developments into new energies. This is considered as one of the critical success factors for the energy transition.
Trends and developments in the global energy system are presented and discussed. In addition, requirements and opportunities for the energy transition are highlighted explaining the pathway towards the future.
Who should attend
This course has been designed for geoscientists and other professionals who plan to work in energy exploration and development as well as underground storage and sequestration projects.
The course is recommended for graduate students, staff from the energy industry as well as employees of the public sector and from regulators as an introduction to the global energy system and its' inherent challenges. It is of particular interest for decision makers who need to set directions and priorities in the energy transition.
Prerequisites"
Basic understanding of geosciences is beneficial. Previous exposure to or involvement in the energy industry can be helpful but is not required.
Course content
This course provides an overview of the global energy system and all its' components including recent developments in all continents. It showcases present-day exploration and development of hydrocarbons as well as future sustainable new energy projects like geothermal. It also discusses the way forward in the energy transition with Geo-Energy and the subsurface playing a vital role.
Next to this, it introduces the global carbon cycle and the basics of climate change with the aim to see where the main levers are in the energy transition. Thereby, it addresses some of the still remaining misconceptions around energy resources and their role in climate change. Aim is to support expediting the journey towards sustainable new energy solutions and net-zero emissions.
The training course has the following goals:
• Provide an introduction to the global energy system
• Present a global overview of current energy production and consumption
• Introduce all main energy resources used globally
• Discuss the role of the global carbon cycle and climate change
• Understand the workflow of hydrocarbon exploration - Play Based Exploration (PBE)
• Provide insights into subsurface reservoir characterization for clastics and carbonates
• Receive an introduction to field development planning (FDP) for energy resources
• Present and discuss a number of landmark hydrocarbon and geothermal projects
• Introduce subsurface and surface development concepts for Geo-Energy
• Highlight the role of uncertainties in the subsurface
• Illustrate the potential and additional benefits of geothermal energy
• Introduce the hydrogen exploration
• Provide an outlook for trends and developments in the global energy market
• Understand the present-day global LNG market and its' role
• Discuss the main challenges and risks in the energy transition
• Address the role of geosciences in the energy transition
Learning, methods and tools
This is an on-site course comprising a mixture of lectures, exercises, case studies, discussions and feedback sessions. The course follows the discover, ask and learn approach. The course can also be provided as online version, if required.
Day by day programme
Part 1 - Overview of the global energy system
Part 2 - Introduction to all currently used energy resources
Part 3 - Exploration and Development of hydrocarbons, geothermal and hydrogen
Part 4 - New developments in the global energy demand
Part 5 - Outlook on opportunities and risks in the energy transition