BIO-INSPIRED ENERGY FUTURE: QUEST FOR EFFICIENT INTELLIGENT MITOCHONDRIA AND NEW LIQUID FUELS

Energy policies based on empirical assumptions without a foundation in granular real-time data may be limited in scope. It may sputter ineffectively in its role as the engine of energy economics. For energy efficiency and conservation, it is increasingly necessary to invest in systems, tools and practices that can facilitate bi- or multi- directional flow of energy to control homeostasis or balance consumption in order to reduce the carbon footprint. The central dogma of an energy oligopoly and uni-directional distribution through the electricity grid is poised for a radical overhaul. An “internet” of electricity capable of executing differential distribution strategies from capacity generated by micro-supplier networks and conventional electricity producers may evolve from the proposed Smart Grid. The future intelligent Grid (inGrid) is imminent although it may be neither adequate nor sufficient to address the root cause. Development of methodologies using technologies based on rigorous scientific standards must be coupled with effective dissemination of tools and adopted by consumers who will allow the acquisition of granular real-time data to enable feedback decision support for resource optimization. Automation driven by intelligent decision systems is key to efficiency. We advocate a partial mimicry of the natural physiology of energy dynamics and call for the emergence of a mechanical mitochondria and convergence of innovation through service science. It may be an amorphous nexus of engineering and management with the needs of society, industry and government. Higher levels of decision support, necessary both for strategists and engineers may be impotent or without global impact if we fail to promote diffusion of a grass-roots approach to seed one or more methodologies necessary to acquire data from a critical mass of users (in each environmental category from each major geography). Intelligent Energy Transparency (iET) should evolve to provide decision makers a secure mobile dashboard for real-time multi-directional equilibrium. The latter calls for an exploration of the root cause. Hence, the quest for new carbon-neutral energy sources including liquid fuels in the post-2050 era.