ESCP Europe Alumni Magazine - n°147 - Mars/Avril 2013 - 16

FoCus

By Anne JOURDAIN (90), Delegate for the Energy group

The global energy
map
To introduce this special Energy edition, Anne JourDAIn (90), Direction of
information systems, Strategy and gouvernance, Gdf Suez, gives an overview
of last decades and of what is at stake today in the energy world.

Could you describe the
world energy context?
If we consider the past fifty
years, energy world has been
in constant evolution as a
result of the mix of energy
producers policies, economic
development pace of energyconsuming countries, technological innovation and local
public authorities regulation.
In the 60s-80s this was a period of economic growth mainly
based on energy imports.
OECD countries use to develop a crude oil-based industry
mainly coming from Near and
Middle East regions. As independency and security of
energy supply were ever major
topics for every oil-dependent
country, some countries looked for substitution with new
kind of energy such as nuclear.
From instance, France strongly
invested in nuclear program in
order to diversify sourcing and
reinforce its security of supply.
Then in the 90’s and at the beginning of the new
millenium, new economies (BRICS) were emerging putting pressure on energy demand as peak
oil was announced. A debate on climate impact
of fossil-based energy appeared. A new concept
of low-carbon economy was standing out with
renewables.
Energy sector was deeply restructured in Europe
consecutively to the deregulation wished by the
EC. Transport and distribution activities stayed
regulated whereas generation, marketing & sales
and trading activities were liberalized.
In North America, generation capacities and

- ESCP Europe Magazine N° 147 - Mars/Avril 2013

networks got older with problem in quality of supply. Diagnosis was made that outages were not
only convenient but costly. Grids needed a global
revamping aligned with the new context of a new
energy mix including renewables. The business
case for SmartGrid was to avoid costs of outages
and failing infrastructure maintenance or replacement, control and reduce energy use, allow Clean
Energy and create new markets, industries and
jobs.
France, as an exception, was not exactly in the
same case. It had developed a national and interconnected grid of better quality to deliver power
from centralized nuclear plants.
Renewables developed everywhere in the world.
They were seen not only as a clean energy, but
also as a domestic innovative and tech industry
supporting local employment. Then, quite recently,
the paradigm in energy world is changing with the
appearance of shale gas, a new kind of energy,
having a huge impact on energy prices balance
worldwide.
Could you precise why you think shale gas
will have a huge impact?
Energy developments in the United States are
profound and their effect will be felt well beyond
North America, and beyond the energy sector.
The recent rebound in US oil and gas production, driven by upstream technologies that are
unlocking light tight oil and shale gas resources,
is spurring economic activity -with less expensive
gas and electricity prices giving industry a competitive edge- and steadily changing the role of
North America in global energy trade. By around
2020, the United States is projected to become
the largest global oil producer (overtaking Saudi
Arabia until the mid-2020s).
US producers are exploiting shale gas at very
competitive costs, while in Europe, spot exchanges are still small and long-term contracts are

Table des matières de la publication ESCP Europe Alumni Magazine - n°147 - Mars/Avril 2013

Couverture
Zapping
Sommaire
BUSINESS
Personnalités du mois Didier CORDERO (EEMBA 96) : Donner de l’énergie
Focus
- The global energy map
- At the edge of a new age
- Le futur énergétique
- Sustainable cities
- La performance énergétique
- Offshore wind farms
- A change of attitude
- Indian challenges
Itinéraires
- Joaillerie sur mesure
- Tous les chemins mènent à l’énergie
Entretiens Agro-alimentaire
NEWS
Vie du réseau
- Fany PECHIODAT (01 BE), Fondatrice de My Little Paris
- Nominations
- Bon anniversaire !
- Les fauves de la 57
- Carnet
- Passation de relais
- Agenda
À lire
Carrière Énergie managériale : ressource vitale ?
Voyages Chutes Victoria : le premier matin du monde
CAMPUS
École Entering a new era of the energy industry
Fondation Merci pour votre soutien !
Vie étudiante
- cHeer uP ! souffle ses 10 bougies
- Nous voulons l’Europe
- Sur la ligne de départ
- Un avenir où vous allez bien tourner !
- Faire renaître le théâtre

ESCP Europe Alumni Magazine - n°147 - Mars/Avril 2013