Ingenieur Vol. 75 ingenieur July 2018-FA | Page 77
What Others Say About
Future Energy
JACK EWING BOAO
What needs to happen before electric cars take
over Asian Energy and Resources Partnership
The electric car future is still missing some pieces,
such as insufficient recharging stations and
they cost more than diesel or gasoline powered
vehicles.
New sources of lithium have to be found, a raw
material now found primarily in China and Chile,
that could become as important to the automobile
industry as oil is now.
Faster than anyone expected, electric cars
are becoming as economical and practical
as cars with conventional engines. Prices for
lithium-ion batteries are plummeting, while
technical advances are increasing driving ranges
and cutting recharging times. Once the trend
gets going, it can happen very fast, said Guido
Jouret, Chief Digital Officer at ABB, an electronic
company based in Zurich. But, the electric-
car future is still missing some pieces. Some
crucial raw materials are scarce. There are not
enough places to recharge. Battery-powered cars
still cost thousands of dollars more than many
gasoline vehicles.
More charging stations will need to be built,
and they’ll need to charge faster. The average
range of a gasoline-powered car: 475 miles.
Average range of an electric vehicle: 190 miles.
Electric cars cost less to operate – about one
cent per mile compare with 10 cents per mile for a
gasoline powered car.
By Samniang Saenram
The key points of US-China Clean Energy Forum:
a. The era of low price volatility is over, and
the industry must develop new forms of
energy to fight against price volatility and
carbon emissions.
b. Technological innovation, breakthroughs,
and small advancements will drive
the future of the energy industry.
c. Natural gas and solar power are expected
to rise in demand and be more viable as
alternatives in the next decade.
d. A practical framework is urged for global
energy co-operation.
Impact of low oil prices and change of industry
landscape
Although there were different views on how low
oil prices will drop and how long these prices
will remain for, a consensus reached among the
roundtable attendees was that low oil prices have
hampered enthusiasm for nuclear and renewable
energy. One thing to bear in mind is that the era of
low price volatility is over and the ups and downs
in oil prices will be the new norm.
The only way to fight against price volatility is
to develop new sources of energy, which will also
help to reduce carbon emissions. In regard to this
topic, panellists also shared their thoughts on the
prospects of the development of natural gas and
solar power in China.
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