Strategies for the Energy Crisis

After nearly 30 years at Caltech as a professor of theoretical physics and, eventually, provost, Steven Koonin took a leave of absence in 2004 to become BP's chief scientist. After a year of study, he recommended a strategy for the company that has included investments in unconventional sources of oil as well as renewable energies such as solar. The company has also invested $500 million in research on biofuels. Technology Review's energy editor, Kevin Bullis, sat down with Koonin after his talk at this week's EmTech conference to discuss BP's strategy and whether it will be possible to meet the world's energy challenges.