Energy Security Insights with Ken West

Global energy demand is on the rise. In 2024, it grew by 2.2%, outpacing the average growth rate over the previous decade, according to the International Energy Association.

Whether it’s transitioning from fossil fuels to more efficient energy sources or maintaining energy resilience during extreme weather events – communities, governments and businesses are seeking innovative solutions to address rising global energy demands.

Enter the concept of energy security, which is about creating stable access to more reliable, affordable and efficient energy sources.

Ken West, president and CEO of the Energy and Sustainability Solutions segment of Honeywell, joined Sydney Wyatt, chief commercial officer, Energy and Sustainability Solutions, Honeywell, to discuss some of the critical levers that are advancing energy security.

Keep reading for highlights from the interview:

Digital technologies can help maximize existing infrastructure

To meet the increasing demand for energy, the world needs to secure sufficient energy sources. West spoke about:

• The need to maximize existing infrastructure
• The role of technology in modernizing existing infrastructure such as connected systems for power plants and other industrial facilities

Transition fuels are needed to power the shift to new cleaner sources

Meeting tomorrow’s energy needs requires more than expansion – it demands smarter use of today’s resources. West highlighted:

• The importance of transition fuels like liquefied natural gas (LNG)
• To support the global energy transition, companies are investing in key parts of the LNG process – from pretreatment and liquefaction to advanced control systems – to deliver reliable, scalable energy solutions.

Innovation is key to meeting future energy demands

Beyond transition fuels, investing in renewable technologies like sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and biodiesel is also a priority for meeting future energy needs.

Companies are scaling up efforts globally, with process technologies like Honeywell Ecofining®, which enables the production of SAF that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel.ⁱ

The industry is preparing for a future where SAF could displace up to 9% of global jet fuel demand by 2035.

“When we take a look at the problems our customers face with meeting the future energy demands, there's many, and we're here to help find solutions to those problems,” West said.

Learn more in the full interview above about how Honeywell is helping our customers solve their energy challenges and learn more about the strategies to strengthen global energy security in our latest eBook.

_{ⁱ GHG reductions are based on ICAO CORSIA default lifecycle emissions values for CORSIA-eligible fuels, Table 2 - Used Cooking Oil.}