Energy In Transition: Sustainable Development and the Lifecycle Cost-Benefit of Energy Choices

Energy In Transition: Sustainable Development and the Life Cycle Cost-Benefit of Energy Choices

Denise Mruk Cox

Storm Energy, President

AAPG Distinguished Lecturer 2021-2022

Sustainable development is defined by the United Nations as “meeting the needs of the present without comprising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Sustainability defines a framework of economic, environmental, and social factors that need to be balanced with energy development. It is a system or lifecycle concept and not a stand-alone property. We need to understand present-day energy realities, sustainable energy development and distribution at scale, and the consequences of energy choices on the future.

Pressure to make energy more sustainable is driving financial investments, business models, and technology. Petroleum companies are addressing sustainable development with exploration and development projects and broadening into energy companies with investments in carbon capture, geothermal, and low carbon fuels. Technology and innovation are improving extractive industry practices and alternative energy efficiencies. All energy projects are dependent on access to resources, be they fossil fuels, critical minerals for energy storage, or land use for biomass. Geoscientists play a pivotal role in understanding the resources, risks, and rewards of each.

Sustainable development is more than a framework to address energy in transition. On a personal level it reflects our values. On a community level it affects deep-rooted energy cultures. And on a global level it affirms our commitment to both people and the planet.

About the Speaker: 

Denise Cox is President of Storm Energy, Ltd. where she is responsible for evaluating projects, technology, and partnerships for the company’s energy portfolio.  During her 30-year career she specialized in carbonate reservoir characterization and the application of technology to maximize recovery of reserves.  She is currently focused on technology for sustainable energy development including remediation of orphaned oil and gas wells and Carbon Capture Use and Storage (CCUS).

Denise Cox received her B.S. with Honors from Binghamton University and M.S. from the University of Colorado.  She is an AAPG Certified Petroleum Geologist and licensed geologist in the state of Wyoming.  Ms. Cox is Past-President of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and 2021-22 AAPG Distinguished Lecturer on Sustainable Development. She has held leadership positions in numerous geological and civic organizations where she is best known as a “connector,” for students, young professionals, and women.