Energy, society and science: The fifty-year scenario

• The nature of society in fifty years depends on today's choices for energy research.
• Limited global resources for energy research require prioritization by impact on society.
• Top priorities are predictable supply, stable climate and an international energy market.

A vibrant, interactive, and rapidly advancing global society needs an adequate, low cost, predictable and diverse supply of energy; a stable climate; and an international market for energy that mediates across countries, regions, and energy carriers. The science discoveries needed to achieve these energy and societal outcomes are analyzed.