Moving AHEAD on 
Energy AND Economic Growth


Problems:
(1) Energy Poverty
A quarter of the world's population lacks access to grid electricity. Access to energy is vital for health, education, and economic development.  

(2) Economic Growth versus Sustainability
Experts are calling for a massive global build-out in renewable energy technology.  At the same time  the developing world continues to ramp up production and use of fossil fuels to feed economic growth.  We support both, with the idea that, with the right approach, dramatically reducing the CO2 intensiveness of fossil fuel production and use is both possible and relatively inexpensive. 

AHEAD Energy is a network of scientists, engineers, consultants and entrepreneurs promoting innovation and appropriate technology deployment to find pragmatic solutions to these problems.  We are promoting a "CLEAN FOSSIL" agenda, using low-cost/low-carbon synthetic fuels to back up and support small scale renewable and energy storage systems.

Our solution:  
Low-cost/low-carbon synthetic fuels power distributed electric generation and equipment like tractors and irrigation pumps. This will reduce the excessive use of wood and charcoal which is a major cause of deforestation and desertification in many parts of the world.  It will improve the access to services like lighting, refrigeration, internet and cellular phone, and clean water and cooking as well as improving agricultural productivity and yields. 

These low cost/low carbon fuels will supplement locally produced renewable fuels: (1) bio-fuels (for example bio-methane) and (2) "wind fuels" (for example converting excess wind energy to hydrogen).  Renewable fuels are limited in scaleability.


We anticipate that fossil fuels will remain a large and essential part of the world's energy portfolio for many decades.  The challenge is to develop fossil fuels in a far less carbon intensive way.  For example, stranded or flared natural gas may be converted at the well-head into low-carbon fuels - such as hydrogen (H2).  Then CO2 Capture and Sequestration (CCS) can be used, re-injecting the CO2 into the oil and gas reservoir at little or no incremental cost. H2 can be used locally, or it can be converted into easier to handle liquid fuels like ammonia (NH3), methanol and dimethyl ether.  These liquid fuels can be widely distributed and used, without the large and capital intensive infrastructure that would be needed for rural electrification or local distribution of natural gas.

Our Vision:
A world in which universal access to energy, as well as its wise  stewardship, enables all people to attain a high quality of life on a thriving planet.  

Hybrid system at Machubo

Picture
A hybrid (wind and solar) electricity generating system has been installed at Machubo Primary School in rural Mozambique. The project, that also includes 90 rechargeable lights for students' home use was made possible by a generous donation of equipment from Jetpro Technology. Read more here.

What people are saying...



Hiroshi Miyagawa,
Toyota Central R&D Labs: 

Liquid ammonia is feasible for vehicle fuel in the era of sustainable (hydrogen) society.


Matt Simmons, 
National Petroleum Council:

NH3 is the only realistic energy 
solution that makes sense.


James Grieve,
Chairman, AHEAD Energy:

AHEAD Energy seeks pragmatic, affordable solutions to climate change based on a CLEAN FOSSIL approach.


Dr. Aage Stangeland
The Bellona Foundation:

The strategy for reducing global CO2-emission must be a combination of (1) increased energy efficiency, (2) more renewable energy production, and (3) a wide implementation of CCS.