What exactly is the energy trilemma?
I have been meaning to write on the energy trilemma for the longest time, but I just couldn’t get started (remember that thing called writer’s block?). Maybe I also had doubts — or a faded sense of authority — on the subject. But then, in December, I knew that I needed to put pen to paper on this one*, regardless of the approach I choose to take, whether it is brilliantly written, or if you think of me as an #EnergyTrilemmaTitan (thanks to Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General & CEO at the World Energy Council, for this hashtag).
The signs were literally everywhere, from the still small voice to people wondering what it was and quizzing about it, to leaders speaking about it without hitting the nail right on the head, and consistently coming across articles using the term in a confusing way. I couldn’t miss them.
I also felt a sense of responsibility to help as many people as possible, especially those young (wo)men looking up to me, flooding my DMs with questions, and seeking to understand the energy transition better, know what it really was — and perhaps how it came to be widely used as a framing device for energy events, negotiations, and projects (i.e. the origin).
I also felt a sense of responsibility to help as many people as possible… know what it really was…
So, here’s me “heeding the call.”
It was the fall of 2014 in London. I had just commenced my postgraduate study at Imperial College London for a Master’s degree in Sustainable Energy Futures, Mechanical Engineering. At this time, as you’d imagine, I already knew I wanted to address the bane of energy poverty and help nations around the world — and particularly in Africa — develop holistic, robust, sustainable energy strategy(ies). In fact, I referred to this in my Statement of Purpose (SOP), when applying to the College (see snippet below), and you have probably also seen it mentioned on my LinkedIn profile.
But what truly constituted, informed, or shaped a sustainable energy strategy?
This question had been on my mind for months (and years, if I may) prior to the start of the program and for months after I began. And, although I had read extensively (at least in my mind) on the subject, I didn’t seem to have the best answer. I’d go into every lecture, inspired to listen attentively, cause just maybe one of the Professors will satisfy my curiosity with a framework that hits the sweet spot. I searched reports and articles to find something that resonated.
And, although I had read extensively (at least in my mind) on the subject, I didn’t seem to have the best answer.
Eventually, I found the World Energy Council’s definition in a report that was produced in conjunction with Oliver Wyman and titled Policies for the Future: Assessment of Country Energy and Climate Policies (2011). It was the third edition of the Council’s yearly Energy and Climate Policy Assessment, and that’s where the term “energy trilemma” was used for the first time. From 2012, these assessments/reports were published as World Energy Trilemma.
Previously, the three elements were energy security, social equity, and environmental impact mitigation. Today, they are:
1. Energy Equity: This ensures energy (and its productive uses or benefits) is accessible, affordable, and fairly distributed to all, regardless of demographics, geographies, or income levels.
2. Energy Security: This ensures that there is a reliable, resilient, and sufficient supply of energy to meet the demands and preferences of society, industry, country, or continent.
3. Environmental Sustainability: This ensures there are no adverse environmental impacts from the generation, transmission, and consumption of energy.
All three elements are interdependent, and fundamental to our understanding and assessment of sustainable energy systems. Think about that for a second. What comes to mind?
For me, it is the Trinity of GOD. Interestingly, I tend to think of energy concepts in Biblical terms. In this case, I find the Trinity and trilemma have a few similarities, albeit different in context, meaning, and what have you. Like the trilemma, the Trinity has three elements, or distinct Persons, which are interdependent, yet united as one, and fundamental to our understanding of GOD as well as our relationship with HIM. Both are subjects of debates in their respective fields. The Trinity provides a framework, and so does the trilemma. The Trinity has a concept of balance, and so does the trilemma.
However, maintaining the balance of the three dimensions of the trilemma is no walk in the park. It is challenging, complicated, and very often requires tradeoffs. Case in point: renewable energy technologies are touted as an environmentally responsible solutions but tend to require significant upfront investment, which many cannot afford. In addition, switching entirely to solar and wind energy without considering energy dispatchability and security could have far-reaching economic, (geo)political and social implications, including brownouts, blackouts, and deaths.
That’s why many countries are (or seem to be) prioritizing one or two objectives of the trilemma.
In the same vein, sticking with conventional energy sources like oil and gas could improve affordability and security but adversely impact efforts to tackle the climate crisis. That’s why many countries are (or seem to be) prioritizing one or two objectives of the trilemma. Some are considering a mix of energy sources and technologies to deliver on their low-carbon energy & sustainability ambitions.
If the ongoing energy crisis has taught you anything — nay, two things — then the first is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach or “silver bullet” to addressing the challenges of the energy transition. Secondly, if we are to create a sustainable energy strategy or system (that meets the needs of current and future generations), we must carefully manage the balance between these three conflicting goals: equity, security, and environmental sustainability. We must equally recognize that communities, industries, nations, and regions have differing and somewhat specific circumstances and, as such, embrace a diversity of perspectives, practices, pathways, and solutions.
Enough said… or written, but before I go, please note that the World Energy Council has also developed an online tool called the World Energy Trilemma Index. It benchmarks performance in over 120 countries, ranking them on their ability to provide sustainable energy in these three dimensions. You could, quite frankly, use this interactive index to assess the sustainability of your national energy policy or strategy. Feel free to check it out: https://trilemma.worldenergy.org/.
*There are other subjects I have a burden to write on, but I hold off on them for multiple reasons (don’t ask me what they are).
