APEGGA Events: May 28, 2003

APEGGA Events
28
May 2003, Wednesday

DATE: Wednesday, May 28, 2003

TIME: 11:15 a.m. Registration
11:45 a.m. Luncheon
12:15 p.m. Guest Speaker

LOCATION: The Greenwood Inn, 3515 26 Street NE

COST: $25.00 Members / General Public
$12.50 Students

GUEST SPEAKER: Eddy Isaacs, Ph.D., Alberta Energy Research Institute

TOPIC: Beyond Hydrocarbons - An Eye on the Present and a Look at a Hydrogen Future

The global industrial economy relies almost exclusively on cheap fossil fuels - oil, natural gas and coal. Virtually every aspect of modern existence is made from, powered with or affected by fossil fuels. As energy needs of a growing global population increases the challenge of maintaining energy security and sustaining our economies on fossil fuels will rise dramatically. Climate change provides significant additional risks.

Some leading geologists believe that global oil production could peak and begin a steady decline within the next 10 years. Many of the non-OPEC oil-producing countries are past their peak of oil production. The peak for natural gas production on a world scale appears to be further into the future. However, since natural gas is more of a continental commodity, the demand in North America will likely exceed supply within a short time.

One option in the medium term is to turn back to coal and renewable energy while seriously pursuing unconventional sources such as oil sands, oil shale, coal bed methane and gas hydrates. This option should only be considered if we are able to properly manage impacts on global warming and our already beleaguered ecosystem.

In the long-term energy provision beyond hydrocarbons will be key to sustaining robust economies while achieving deep reductions in CO2 emissions.

This presentation will provide highlights of the above analysis and will focus on a transition away from fossil energy, examining advances in fuel cells and the potential for powering by hydrogen and renewable energy sources.

To ensure adequate seating, please pre-register with the Calgary APEGGA office at 262-7714 before Friday, May 23, 2003. The Calgary Branch now accepts Visa, MasterCard, or American Express for tickets sold prior to the day of the event.


For Information on this Calendar, contact: Barbara Jensen	Licensed To: APEGGA