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

Author

Listed:
  • Louis Delannoy

    (University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Inria, LJK, STEEP, 38000 Grenoble, France
    Petroleum Analysis Centre, Staball Hill, Ballydehob, West Cork, Ireland)

  • Pierre-Yves Longaretti

    (University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, Inria, LJK, STEEP, 38000 Grenoble, France
    University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, INSU, IPAG, CS 40700, 38052 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)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Louis Delannoy & Pierre-Yves Longaretti & David. J. Murphy & Emmanuel Prados, 2021. "Assessing Global Long-Term EROI of Gas: A Net-Energy Perspective on the Energy Transition," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:16:p:5112-:d:617425
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Lamorlette, A., 2023. "A coupled model of global energy production and ERoEI applied to photovoltaic and wind, an estimation of net production," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(PB).
    3. Delannoy, Louis & Longaretti, Pierre-Yves & Murphy, David J. & Prados, Emmanuel, 2021. "Peak oil and the low-carbon energy transition: A net-energy perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 304(C).
    4. Jacques, Pierre & Delannoy, Louis & Andrieu, Baptiste & Yilmaz, Devrim & Jeanmart, Hervé & Godin, Antoine, 2023. "Assessing the economic consequences of an energy transition through a biophysical stock-flow consistent model," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    5. Valenti, Francesca & Selvaggi, Roberta & Pecorino, Biagio & Porto, Simona MC., 2023. "Bioeconomy for sustainable development of biomethane sector: Potential and challenges for agro-industrial by-products," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).

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