Harnessing Renewable Energy: The Inevitable Shift to Sustainability
Written on
Chapter 1: The Path to Renewable Energy
Recent research highlights the potential of existing technologies to tackle climate change effectively. While it may often feel like our environmental transgressions are insurmountable, recent achievements demonstrate the contrary. Not only can current renewable energy technologies replace harmful fossil fuels, but they are already doing so globally, and this transition is increasingly becoming a necessity.
In a groundbreaking analysis, Professor Mark Jacobson from Stanford University revealed that between 2021 and 2022, seven nations—Albania, Bhutan, Nepal, Paraguay, Iceland, Ethiopia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo—produced an impressive 97.7% of their electricity from renewable sources. This achievement surpasses the 2050 net-zero target for renewables and exemplifies the potential of sustainable energy. Additionally, Jacobson noted that 40 countries, including 11 EU nations, Canada, and several in Southern Africa, generated at least 50% of their electricity from renewable sources during the same timeframe. He emphasized the urgency for nations to electrify and use Wind, Water, and Solar (WWS) technologies.
Section 1.1: The Mechanics of Transition
How did these countries achieve such rapid advancements in renewable energy? The answer lies in the economics of renewable sources. The costs of solar and wind energy have plummeted, with solar energy becoming nearly 90% cheaper and wind energy about 70% cheaper compared to a decade ago. This economic shift has made solar energy at least 20% to 50% cheaper than fossil fuels, prompting swift adoption by various nations. Research from the University of Exeter and University College London indicates that renewables have reached an “irreversible tipping point,” making solar power the most economically favorable energy source.
Subsection 1.1.1: Reliance on Diverse Energy Sources
To maintain competitiveness in the global market, countries must rapidly embrace solar and wind technologies. The seven countries mentioned are also utilizing geothermal energy and hydropower in their grids, ensuring energy availability even when solar or wind resources are low. Without these supplemental sources, achieving a 100% renewable energy grid reliant solely on wind and solar would necessitate substantial and expensive energy storage solutions.
Section 1.2: Innovative Solutions for Energy Storage
Interestingly, a new study has proposed that the continental United States could function entirely on wind and solar energy without requiring extensive energy storage solutions. By distributing sufficient solar panels and wind turbines nationwide, at least one location would consistently generate enough energy for the entire country. This model suggests that such a grid would occupy only 0.84% of U.S. land, significantly less than the fossil fuel industry’s current footprint, and could reduce per capita energy costs by 63%.
Chapter 2: Overcoming Barriers to Transition
The first video titled "Saving Ourselves From Ourselves | David Houle | TEDxLakeShoreDrive" discusses the importance of collective action in combating climate change and highlights innovative approaches towards sustainability.
However, implementing this model on a large scale would require major overhauls of the existing energy infrastructure. Another study explored the cost parameters for energy storage needed for a grid based entirely on wind and solar to be economically viable. The findings indicated that a storage cost of $20 per kWh would make this feasible. Fortunately, a startup named Noon has developed a carbon-oxygen battery that costs just $15.10 per kWh, utilizing readily available materials for environmentally friendly energy storage.
The second video, "Am I Too Old to Save the Planet? A Boomer's Guide to Climate Action," provides insights on how individuals across generations can contribute to climate initiatives and promote sustainable practices.
In conclusion, transitioning to 100% renewable energy is not just possible; it is economically beneficial and unavoidable. The question remains: why aren’t more countries moving towards this goal? The answer is complex; infrastructure changes take time, and many governments are heavily invested in fossil fuel systems, leading to resistance against this inevitable shift. However, as renewable technologies continue to prove their worth, fossil fuels will inevitably be phased out.
Thank you for your support in raising awareness about these critical issues. To stay updated or to engage with more content like this, consider following my project Planet Earth & Beyond on social media.
(Originally published on PlanetEarthAndBeyond.co)
Sources: The Independent, Stanford, Will Lockett, Nature, Vox, Cell, Carbon Brief