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.