The Global Energy Transition’s Hard Choices

Renewable Choices: Global Clean Technology Transition

David Andresen and Phil Layton, February 4, 2022 (Clean Technica)

“Fossil fuels provide about 80% of total primary energy consumed globally, and this figure has not substantially changed over the past 30 years…There are many potential sources of renewable energy, including wind, solar, geothermal, wave, tidal, hydroelectric, biomass and more, each with technologies at different stages of commercial maturity and development…A transition to clean energy is by definition a complex problem, a task that has never been accomplished before…

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Not all renewable energy sources work well everywhere or all the time, with some technologies being practical in just a few locations…while other sources may work well in many parts of the world…All energy sources, including current renewables, have carbon footprints which need to be minimized…[C]urrent and in-development technologies should be considered if they have the potential for…

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…[1] Near-zero GHG emissions…[2] Regionally available around the world…[3] High energy potential and power density to practically meet most demand…[4] Made from earth-abundant nontoxic elements for global scalability…[5] Low-cost, including manufacture and installation for globally scalability…These goal-driven criteria should identify the types of renewable energy that may be prioritized, but it does not mean that the resulting choice will be the best for all people everywhere…[We] need to do a lot better to address climate change and make clean technology and energy a market choice, based on cost-competitiveness and globally deployability, so it can be ramped up quickly…” click here for more

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