ExxonMobil on Energy in the 21st Century

The Honor Society for International Studies, Sigma Iota Rho hosted Madhav Achary, a research and engineering specialist from ExxonMobil, Wednesday evening.

Despite their role in the oil and gas industry, Achary discussed the company’s main plans and strategies to help support energy efficiency in the 21st century. He mentioned the role technology plays to meet the energy challenge as well as the steps necessary for energy security. He stated some statistics on what has been taking place globally regarding energy: there are 150 tons of coal burned each hour, half a million cars use half a million tons of petroleum each day and the world is using 15 billion BTUs of energy every second. Achary stated a main reason for this extreme energy usage is population increase and with population on the rise, energy demand will follow.

According to Achary, even if the energy use is reported in such high numbers, the key challenges are reducing poverty, improving living standards, supporting economic growth and minimizing the impact on the environment. And just who is it that is responsible for tackling these issues? A country’s national government. This can be done by implementing laws or policies to cap greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and providing alternate forms of energy. Achary says governments should encourage open international trade and free markets while promoting diversity supply.

According to his presentation, the use of wood for energy since the 1920’s has declined rapidly while the use of coal, oil, gas and nuclear energy has gained prominence. Maybe the negative effect the use of these newer forms of energy is being acknowledged, as there has been a rise in the use of renewable energy since the start of the 21st century.

Achary acknowledged ExxonMobil’s influence of greenhouse gas emissions released from cars and stated that they are encouraging automobile companies to improve their vehicles’ engines, transmissions and A/C units to be more energy efficient and while helping to reduce car exhausts. In addition, cars are being manufactured with more lightweight materials.

Achary said ExxonMobil is working to help mitigate emissions to reduce an environmental impact.