Assessing Global Long-Term EROI of Gas: A Net-Energy Perspective on the Energy Transition

Louis Delannoy, Pierre-Yves Longaretti, David. J. Murphy and Emmanuel Prados
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Louis Delannoy: University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Inria, LJK, STEEP, 38000 Grenoble, France
Pierre-Yves Longaretti: University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Inria, LJK, STEEP, 38000 Grenoble, France
David. J. Murphy: Department of Environmental Studies, St. Lawrence University, 205 Memorial Hall, 2 Romoda Dr., Canton, NY 13617, USA
Emmanuel Prados: University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Inria, LJK, STEEP, 38000 Grenoble, France

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-16

Abstract: Natural gas is expected to play an important role in the coming low-carbon energy transition. However, conventional gas resources are gradually being replaced by unconventional ones and a question remains: to what extent is net-energy production impacted by the use of lower-quality energy sources? This aspect of the energy transition was only partially explored in previous discussions. To fill this gap, this paper incorporates standard energy-return-on-investment (EROI) estimates and dynamic functions into the GlobalShift bottom-up model at a global level. We find that the energy necessary to produce gas (including direct and indirect energy and material costs) corresponds to 6.7% of the gross energy produced at present, and is growing at an exponential rate: by 2050, it will reach 23.7%. Our results highlight the necessity of viewing the energy transition through the net-energy prism and call for a greater number of EROI studies.

Keywords: gas; net-energy; EROI; energy transition (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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