A LinkedIn Group Discussion Analysis Promising Emerging Energy Sources July 2012
Nov 28, 2014
A LinkedIn Group Discussion AnalysisPromising Emerging Energy Sources
July 2012
© 2012 Chevron 2
Overview and Methodology
In your opinion, what is the most promising emerging energy source and why? Is it renewables such as wind, solar, hydro, or geothermal? Clean power such as clean coal, carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) or hydrogen power? Unconventional sources such as oil sands or shale gas? Other?
Ongoing discussion can be found at:http://linkd.in/Nck4aG
DISCUSSION:
Tell us what you think.
© 2012 Chevron 3
Overview and Methodology
This is one of the most popular discussions on the Chevron LinkedIn Group Page. To create this report, all of the responses were read and categorized and publically available information from commenter LinkedIn profiles was compiled. The report aims to provide an overall snapshot of group opinion expressed in the discussion as well as insight into the group’s dynamics through commenter demographic analysis.
782198
165total comments
unique commenters
comments articulated a position
Comments were received between February 2011 and January 2012.
© 2012 Chevron 4
Overview and Methodology
*All Linked comments featured in the report have been condensed from original.
For clarification, please note, two of the most popular positions expressed in the discussion have been categorized as follows:
Combination Energy EfficiencyRefers to comments that clearly expressed the belief that no single source is most promising and multiple emerging sources will need to be cultivated for the future.
Greg Michael MBA
Jamie Hannon
Refers to comments in favor of technologies and ingenuities that achieve energy reduction and find these savings to be the most promising emerging energy source.
The energy companies are think tanks of engineers and managers with real programs developing biofuels, geothermal, hydrogen, solar, wind - the entire spectrum of possibilities.
I think the most promising “source” of energy is aggregated efficiency & conservation. We live in a world of declining resources and increasing population - we absolutely need to learn how to use our existing reserves more wisely.
“ “
“* *“
© 2012 Chevron 5
Response Breakdown
“What is the most promising emerging energy source and why?”
Natural Gas
Combination
Wind
Geothermal
Hydrogen
Nuclear
Energy Efficiency
Solar
BioMass
Algae
Water
Electromagnetic
30% 4%
20% 4%
17% 4%
10% 2%
7% 2%
5% 1%
© 2012 Chevron 6
Response Analysis
T. Boone Pickens was referenced during the discussion thread in March, June, and July of 2011. In an interview with Roll Call, published May 17, 2011, Pickens discussed a shift in his plan, originally established in 2008. Largely due to wind power investments not proving financially viable in the short term, Pickens “tabled” the renewable energy section of his plan in favor of clean energy, specifically the development of natural gas. In July of 2011, Pickens continued to buy up U.S. shale acreage and on April 28, 2012 wrote a letter to the editor of USA Today, taking exception to an editorial that urged the export of natural gas.
© 2012 Chevron 7
Response Analysis
Pickens Pillars*
The overall top Chevron Group discussion responses (note that participants were largely from the United States) match closely with the current pillars of the “Pickens Plan.” Comments specifically mentioning Pickens discussed his motives for moving away from wind power and the viability of natural gas.
Chevron Group Responses
Invest in multiple alternative energy technologies.
Use America’s abundant natural gas to replace imported oil as a transportation fuel.
Provide incentives to homeowners and the owners of commercial buildings to upgrade their insulation and increase efficiency.
Develop renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power.
30% Combination
20% Natural Gas
12% Energy Efficiency
10% Solar 7% Wind
*See Appendix A
© 2012 Chevron 8
Response Analysis
Nuclear Energy was a popular topic in the discussion, though it did not receive enough endorsement to make the top 5. Safety was the primary concern – if not a worry of the commenter, it was voiced that a collective negative sentiment, much of which stems from the earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear crisis that began on March 11, 2011 in Japan, would be too strong to overcome.
Nuclear Energy Comments (2011)
JanFeb Mar*
AprMay Jun
JulAug
SeptOct Nov
Dec
Safety Concerns No Safety Concerns Direct Mentions of Fukushima
*All comments in March were made after the 11th
810
12
14
16
64
2
0
Numb
er of
Comm
enter
s
© 2012 Chevron 9
Individual Commenter Demographics
Masters Degree or Higher
Bachelors Degree
Other or Not Reported
Male
Female
65-75
55-65
45-55
35-45
25-35
0
Number of Commenters
Age
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
Education Gender
Approximate Commenter Age
36% 32%
32%
90%
10%
8
35
45
40
26
© 2012 Chevron 10
Group Commenter Demographics
30 500 10 20 40
IL
MO
PA
MA
WA
LA
FL
NY
CA
TX
Commenter FrequencyTop Commenting States
163
8
8
18
1 to 3
4 to 6
7 to 9
10
people commented
people commented
people commented
people commented
times
times
times
times
or more
5
5
5
6
6
8
10
11
21
43
Number of Commenters
© 2012 Chevron 11
Group Commenter Demographics
Top Industries Top Countries
Renewables & Environment Nigeria
Oil and Energy USA
Environmental Services Netherlands
Telecommunications Malaysia
Industrial Automation Indonesia
Airlines/Aviation Canada
Information Technology and Services UK
Financial Services India
103 159
4 2
4 2
9 7
8 6
5 5
4 2
4 2
© 2012 Chevron 12
External Perspectives on Emerging Energies
The following opinion polls serve to compare how the Chevron LinkedIn Group’s responses about emerging energy sources map to broader nationwide perspectives on this topic. This is for illustration purposes only and does not reflect Chevron’s opinion on this topic in any way.
© 2012 Chevron 13
External Perspectives on Emerging Energies
In March 2011, a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll* asked adults across the United States:
“In thinking about [America’s] future energy needs, which of these energy sources do you think we should rely on more and which should we rely on less?”
Results:
*See Appendix B
Solar Power
11% 17% 29% 57%88% 83% 70% 42%
More Less
Wind Power
Natural Gas
Nuclear Power
© 2012 Chevron 14
External Perspectives on Emerging Energies
According to a Pew Research Center survey* taken of adults across the United States, a 10% shift was seen in favor of fossil fuels between 2011 and 2012. The Poll asked:
“Right now, which ONE of the following do you think should be the more important priority for addressing America’s energy supply?”
* See Appendix C
Results:
February- March 2011
March 2012
29% 39%63% 52%
Wind, Solar, Hydrogen Oil, Coal, Natural Gas
© 2012 Chevron 15
External Perspectives on Emerging Energies
A Gallup Poll* surveyed adults across the United States in March 2011 and 2012, the year of and year after the tsunami in Japan, asking:
“Generally speaking, do you think nuclear power plants are safe or not safe?”
* See Appendix D
Results:
March 2011
March 2012
36% 40%
6% 4%
58% 57%
Safe Not Safe Unsure
© 2012 Chevron 16
Appendix
© 2012 Chevron 17
Appendix A
http://www.pickensplan.com/theplan As of June 18, 2012
ReutersBoone Pickens says still buying shale acreageMatt Daily, July 12, 2011
The Daily PickensPickens’ letter published in USA TodayThe Pickens Team, June 28, 2012
USA TodayLetters: Seize advantage of cheap natural gasT. Boone Pickens, June 27, 2012
There are several pillars to the Pickens Plan:
• Use America’s abundant natural gas to replace imported oil as a transportation fuel;• Build a 21st century backbone electrical transmission grid;• Develop renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power; and,• Provide incentives to homeowners and the owners of commercial buildings to upgrade their
insulation and increase efficiency.
By investing in alternative energies while utilizing natural gas for transportation and energy generation, America can decrease its dependence on OPEC oil, develop the cutting-edge know-how to make wind and solar technology viable, and keep money at home to pay for the whole thing.
© 2012 Chevron 18
Appendix B
http://www.pollingreport.com/energy.htm
The Washington PostRenewable energy sees record $257 billion investment in 2011, solar drives much spendingAP, Published June 11
“Solar power”3/18-20/11
“Wind power”3/18-20/11
“Natural gas”3/18-20/11
“Coal”3/18-20/11
“Nuclear power”3/18-20/11
“Oil”3/18-20/11
More %
88
83
70
43
42
28
Less %
11
17
29
56
57
71
Unsure %
-
1
1
1
1
1
“In thinking about this country’s future energy needs, which of these energy sources do you think we should rely on more and which should we rely on less? . . .”
CNN/Opinion Research Corporation Poll. March 18-20, 2011. N=1,012 adults nationwide. Margin of error + 3.
© 2012 Chevron 19
Appendix C
http://www.pollingreport.com/energy.htm
3/7 - 11/12
2/22 - 3/1/11
Wind, solar, hydrogen
%
52
63
Oil, coal, natural gas
%
39
29
Give equal priority (vol.)
%
5
6
Unsure %
4
2
“Right now, which ONE of the following do you think should be the more important priority for addressing America’s energy supply? Developing alternative sources, such as wind, solar and hydrogen technology. Expanding exploration and production of oil, coal and natural gas.”
Pew Research Center survey. March 7-11, 2012. N=1,503 adults nationwide. Margin of error + 3.
© 2012 Chevron 20
Appendix D
http://www.pollingreport.com/energy.htm
Huffington Post WorldJapan Fukushima Disaster: Nuclear Reactor Still Has Fatally High Radiation Levels, Little WaterMari Yamaguchi, March 28, 2012
3/25 - 27/11
3/8 - 11/12
Safe %
58
Safe %
57
Not Safe %
39
Not Safe %
40
Unsure %
5
Unsure %
4
“Generally speaking, do you think nuclear power plants in the United States are safe or not safe?” N=527 (Form B), MoE + 5
“Generally speaking, do you think nuclear power plants are safe or not safe?” N=503 (Form B), margin of error ± 5.
Gallup Poll. March 25-27, 2011. N=1,027 adults nationwide. Margin of error + 4.
Gallup Poll. March 8-11, 2012. N=1,024 adults nationwide. Margin of error + 4.