2010 to 2050: Which Energy Policy for France?

According to the International Energy Agency a golden age of gas could blossom by 2025 and last for a few decades. Natural gas is plentiful, is comparatively cheap, the more so if non conventional resources (such as shale gas) are considered, and emits significantly less carbon dioxide than other fossil fuels. Electricity would be the dominant vector for energy transport and distribution. Contributions to such an evolution are: on the demand side, a growing number of technologies which need electric power, and on the supply side, new energy sources such as wind and solar that are mainly aimed at producing electric power. An increased share of renewables is already visible in energy production. Managing intermittency in electricity production is a challenge of paramount importance. Energy policies should be conceived and implemented over long periods of time. Societies are facing upcoming fuel shortages and the threat of climate change.