The Impact of Innovation in Geotechnology on Energy and the Environment

A largely open-source approach to energy technology has been a core catalyst of the transformation that has begun to reshape global markets in recent years. Reflecting the unpredictable characteristics of technological innovation, these changes have had an associated impact on theories that had long served as an accepted framework for the energy industry. Similar to the revolution seen on the supply side of natural gas markets over the past decade, somewhat analogous developments are now arising on the demand side of the equation. Natural gas offers significant advantages relative to current energy consumption given its lower global carbon emissions and decrease in local pollution. By shifting policy focus towards a cleaner and abundant global resource, natural gas offers a means of achieving significant incremental capacity that has made a material impact on meeting future energy requirements while also incrementally improving the environment.