Recently, there has been a lot of talk about the transition to 100% renewable energy sources. There has also been quite a bit of backlash from people saying that sources such as wind and solar power can’t possibly provide all the energy required.
So is it a valid question to ask whether renewable sources can actually produce all the energy we need? The maximum potential for wind power, solar power or any other single energy source is a matter of controversy. On a global scale, each has definite limits.
But the truth is we don’t need one or two renewable sources to provide all of our energy. It is far more practical and prudent not to put all of our eggs in one or two baskets.
We have a broad portfolio of renewable energy sources with differing attributes and geographic distributions. These include onshore and offshore wind, photovoltaic solar, concentrating solar, biomass, wave and tidal power, geothermal power, hydropower, and several forms of thermal power. We also have significant mechanisms for reducing energy usage through increased efficiency.
Each of these sources is thought to be capable of providing between 10 and 20% of our energy needs. Collectively, they can produce all the energy we need without any one of them dominating our energy portfolio. We don’t need to pick a winner; we need to exploit all the resources we have.
Achieving 100% renewable energy does not require a breakthrough. It only requires the collective will to make it happen. The math works.
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Rebuttal: Faulty or Incomplete Analysis Skews Numbers and Conclusions for Renewable Energy
Photo, taken on October 4, 2011, courtesy of Savannah River Site via Flickr.
Earth Wise is a production of WAMC Northeast Public Radio. Support for Earth Wise comes from the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, NY, with partial support from the Field Day Foundation.