Energy supply solutions summary: Difference between revisions
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Things that actually stand a chance to replace all [[fossil fuel]] energy in the ''near'' future: | Things that actually stand a chance to replace all [[fossil fuel]] [[energy]] in the ''near'' future: | ||
* '''[[Solar panels]]:''' Only if they can be made cheaply [[solar/challenge 1|without scarce minerals]] (it's ok if the efficiency is lower). Need to mass produce enough to cover every | * '''[[Solar panels]]:''' Only if they can be made cheaply [[solar/challenge 1|without scarce minerals]] (it's ok if the efficiency is lower). Need to mass-produce enough to cover every rooftop. Need [[energy storage]]: [[sodium-ion batteries]] or similar. For [[homes]]/buildings{{x|connected together via the power grid for some load balancing}}, [[rooftop solar]] would provide enough "general-purpose" electricity, but not always enough for [[heating]]. | ||
* '''[[Wind power]]:''' Mostly to generate [[hydrogen gas]] (which | * '''[[Wind power]]:''' Mostly to generate [[hydrogen gas]] (which would be used as fuel instead of [[natural gas]]). Otherwise too intermittent, too far away for power lines. | ||
* '''[[Nuclear]]:''' Only if it's [[thorium]]. [[nuclear fusion|Fusion]] is a pipe dream{{x|although it's ultimately the best choice in the ''distant'' future}}, [[conventional nuclear power|uranium-235]] is too scarce, and [[uranium-238]] reactors have too many weapons proliferation concerns. | * '''[[Nuclear]]:''' Only if it's [[thorium]]. [[nuclear fusion|Fusion]] is a pipe dream{{x|although it's ultimately the best choice in the ''distant'' future}}, [[conventional nuclear power|uranium-235]] is too scarce, and [[uranium-238]] reactors have too many weapons proliferation concerns. | ||
{{minor|Other renewables ([[geothermal electricity]], [[hydroelectricity]] including [[tidal]], and [[biomass waste]]) are limited to only a small percent of the world's energy.}} | |||
In any case, it becomes a lot easier if we '''[[public transit|drive]] [[walkability|less]]''' (some careers are an exception obviously) and '''[[frugalism|buy less]]''' new stuff. Those factors alone account for 2/3 of the world's [[energy]] consumption. | There would be battery [[electric vehicles]]{{x|mostly sodium-ion, because [[lithium-ion]] battery minerals are too scarce}} and hydrogen-based vehicles{{x|mostly [[hydrogen combustion vehicles|combustion]]-type, because [[fuel cell vehicles|fuel cells]] are too high in platinum-group metals}}. | ||
In any case, it all becomes a lot easier if we '''[[public transit|drive]] [[walkability|less]]''' (some careers are an exception obviously) and '''[[frugalism|buy less]]''' new stuff. Those factors alone account for 2/3 of the world's [[energy]] consumption. | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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* [[Housing]] | * [[Housing]] | ||
* [[Climate change]] | * [[Climate change]] | ||
* [[Energy]] | |||
Latest revision as of 04:12, 16 November 2023
Things that actually stand a chance to replace all fossil fuel energy in the near future:
- Solar panels: Only if they can be made cheaply without scarce minerals (it's ok if the efficiency is lower). Need to mass-produce enough to cover every rooftop. Need energy storage: sodium-ion batteries or similar. For homes/buildings
(...)( connected together via the power grid for some load balancing ) , rooftop solar would provide enough "general-purpose" electricity, but not always enough for heating. - Wind power: Mostly to generate hydrogen gas (which would be used as fuel instead of natural gas). Otherwise too intermittent, too far away for power lines.
- Nuclear: Only if it's thorium. Fusion is a pipe dream
(...)( although it's ultimately the best choice in the distant future ) , uranium-235 is too scarce, and uranium-238 reactors have too many weapons proliferation concerns.
Other renewables (geothermal electricity, hydroelectricity including tidal, and biomass waste) are limited to only a small percent of the world's energy.
There would be battery electric vehicles
In any case, it all becomes a lot easier if we drive less (some careers are an exception obviously) and buy less new stuff. Those factors alone account for 2/3 of the world's energy consumption.