The Era of Power Scarcity
Honeywell Process Solutions’ ‘The Era of Power Scarcity’ white paper presents a sobering analysis of the global energy landscape, where electricity demand is accelerating beyond the capacity of existing grids. For the first time in nearly 75 years, energy consumption –driven by industrialisation, electrification, and the exponential growth of data centres – is outpacing supply. By 2050, data centres alone could consume up to 9% of global electricity.
This imbalance is compounded by ageing infrastructure, climate volatility, and the rapid shift to intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind. While renewables are essential for decarbonisation, their variability introduces new risks to grid stability. The result is a fragile energy system increasingly prone to brownouts, blackouts, and costly disruptions.
Energy scarcity is rapidly emerging as a critical threat to economic growth and public safety. Without strategic intervention, the US Department of Energy estimates that outages and downtime could cost American businesses over US$1.5 trillion this decade.
This white paper emphasises that a practical path forward begins at the edge of the grid - with modular microgrids, distributed energy systems, and integrated climate services. These technologies offer immediate resilience, faster returns, and a scalable foundation for decarbonisation. They also enable dynamic responses to environmental conditions, energy pricing, and demand fluctuations.
Ultimately, the paper calls for a reimagining of energy infrastructure – one that balances sustainability with reliability, and innovation with urgency. It is a must-read for leaders navigating the energy transition and seeking to understand the systemic risks and strategic opportunities shaping the future of power.
Download the white paper to learn more.