Abstract
The effect of disruptive technologies unrelated to the energy sector, such as additive manufacturing (AM), tends to be overlooked in energy scenarios. The present research assessed the potential effect of AM on the global energy demand in four energy scenarios for 2050 with extended versus limited globalisation and limited versus extensive adoption of AM. These scenarios were developed and applied for two cases, namely the aerospace sector and the construction sector, analysing the effect of AM on each phase in the value chain. In the aerospace sector, energy savings of 5–25% can be made, with the largest effect in the use phase because of weight reduction. In the construction sector, energy savings of 4–21% are achievable, with the largest effects in the feedstock, transport and use phases. Extrapolated to the global energy demand in 2050, a reduction of 26–138EJ/yr, equivalent to 5–27% of global demand is achievable. It is recommended that energy policymakers should consider integrating AM and other disruptive technologies, such as robotics and the Internet of Things, into their long-term energy planning, policies and programmes, including Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement on climate change.
Highlights
IntroductionThe effect of emerging technologies – such as additive manufacturing (AM), big data, robotics, the Internet of Things and autonomous driving – on the future energy consumption is often overlooked
The key question addressed by the present research was: What is the potential effect of additive manufacturing (AM) on the global energy consumption? The aim of this article is to encourage researchers, business leaders and policymakers to reflect on how the implementation of technological breakthroughs might influence global efforts to fight climate change
The objective of this research was to assess the potential effect of additive manufacturing (AM) on the global energy demand by 2050
Summary
The effect of emerging technologies – such as additive manufacturing (AM), big data, robotics, the Internet of Things and autonomous driving – on the future energy consumption is often overlooked. Even long-term energy scenarios and normative visions are usually based on familiar technologies, directly related to the energy industry. This gap may result in energy policymakers stimulating only traditional sectors rather than looking at adjacent areas of innovation that can be extremely effective in reducing energy demand while matching important co-benefits (Nagji and Tuff, 2012). In an effort to close this gap, this article presents a bottom-up assessment of the potential effect of one such disruptive technology, namely AM, on the global energy demand in 2050. AM was chosen because it is disruptive and paradigm changing for manufacturing, logistics, product design, intellectual property, local production and mass customisation
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