The transition to a sustainable energy infrastructure is a critical component of mitigating the effects of climate change and ensuring a healthy environment for future generations. Fossil fuels, while providing a convenient and cost-effective energy source, are finite resources and their combustion leads to air pollution and other environmental issues. Therefore, it is essential to find alternative energy sources that are renewable, accessible, and affordable for all people. This question is important as it seeks to identify how we can create an energy infrastructure that is sustainable and equitable for all people.
It really depends on many factors. For example geo position, energy sources to that perticular country, renewable energy penetration, socio-economic condition of people etc.
Please do some reserach on Homer Pro software. It is used for renewable energy resources. It can find the following Capital cost, Net present Cost, LCOE and GHG emissions. we create different models cotaining Solar, Wind, Hydrogen and many other resources. we can analyize the best model on the basis of parameters mentioned above. Furthermore you can study some research paper for better understanding.
The first priority must be reduction of consumption of energy and other resources.
The default premise that our hyper-consumptive hyper-emissive psychosociopathic eco-cidal cronyCorpiratist infinite-growth dominator cult-ure is in ANY way sustainable is deeply problematic.
Human society is in Overshoot - largely driven there by the sustained reckless irresponsible policies governing the use of high-energy-density fossil fuels - sequestered solar energy over millions and billions of years.
Incrementalist tweaks will never be sufficient.
The most sustainable energy source is NegaWatts - the energy NOT used.
The systematic determined engagement with
DrawDown
DeGrowth
De-Industrializing petrochemical monocrop agriculture -> organic regenerative polycrop permaculture
Doughnut Economics
DeColonization
DeepAdaptation
may mitigate some of the gnarliest aspects of the MadMaxxian Dystopia hovering on the horizon...
The evidence of ecological and social and economic disruption can already be seen in the bleeding edges
Denialism and Incrementalism are not solutions
PV systems plus efficiency with mile stone accomplished are achieved nearly daily. New types of PV cell systems are being introduced to the market as renewable, accessible, and affordable for most people compared to your present Fossil Fuel and the fact that such renewable energy systems can be installed practically on any rooftop. In barren, that would then be transformed into functional areas. In addition, such renewable systems would pay for themselves in the long run as the sun's Energy is free. Make sustainability possible.
For this question, you will get large number of answers as it is a fairly general one. Many people have thought about the possibilities for their countries because the issues are complex. You can read them up in the literature and think a out it for your country. If the questions are specific, you can pose them to get clear answers.
For sustainable technology, switching over to solar panels, PV system, with battery energy storage system, when sunlight is not available in night and during rain. Installation of Solar modules not only on roof of homes, but on Government and private premises also will give an infrastructure which will require some initial installation charges but as it has no revolving part, no need of greasing and oiling required. You can generate your electricity, and sell it to government also. Reduce the electricity consumption by using energy efficient appliances both at home and office
sustainable (able to be continued into the future without limit). Availability to the poorest among us requires that we provide the cheapest source that can be continued into the future. Based on history, coal has filled this role and could continue to the future 14000 years based on the current population growth rate projections and known reserves. China is still on this track. However, the rich nations would require you to use the most technologically advanced solutions (and most expensive). I would note that the poorest humans prioritize survival and will probably not consider GHG a sustainability requirement unless paid to do so. So... it depends on your perspective.
I think that there are many layers of issues to address here.
The first, and probably the most important one, is change management. For any solution to be deemed acceptable, society will have to accept the change in the way of life. Not necessarily in a worst or better way of life, but in a different way of doing things. Some of the things we are used to get, to do will have to be changed or even stopped.
Then the second issue in terms of sustainable energy production that actually produces energy consistently and at all time, is that the source will have to be reliable and predictable which is not the case.
Right now, wind power is neither of that, while it attracts the largest amount of investment, producing structures that have a very short life span with material that are not recyclable. So once more this is a linear type of economy, not a circular one. By the way, right now, these wind turbine blades are getting buried in landfill sites across the USA when they reach the end of their life span!
What is the point of that? Especially when they modify so deeply the landscape.
Solar power is generated by solar panels now which are much more efficient than they used to be, but then again, they have a short life span, require to dig the ground for the minerals to make them and are not recyclable while they take land space and need sunlight. This being said there is an example of a town in Morocco that managed to produce electricity via solar panels for 24 hours! (https://worldsteel.org/steel-stories/infrastructure/worlds-largest-solar-power-plant-delivers-24-hour-energy/)
Hydroelectric plant using dams are a more certain source of power nut then they require deep modification of landscape, moving thousands of people with a deep negative social-cultural impact, flooding valleys, huge impact on wildlife, this is not sustainable especially when you think about the issues of dwindling water supplies, droughts, climate change, melting snow/ice in mountains which reduces the amount of water in rivers
There are two sources of natural energy that have not been tapped at all and another one that is man made that can qualify as sustainable.
The sea with its waves and tides is the most predictable source of energy as the power and time of tides can be known for years ahead. There is enough power in wave to power the entire world ten times over, yet this is not harvested at all, save for a few experimental projects. There is no real governmental investment, no major energy provider investment. This function by having turbines underwater, in place where the force of the tide is high. These turbines get powered by the water going through them. They are not seen because they are underwater and have a very long-life span.
Wave machines harvest the power of the wave by absorbing the kinetic energy of waves and using it to action a dynamo which creates electricity. This is more complicated due to the potential arrival of storms which are not predictable.
The next certain sustainable source of power is the sun, but here you will have to look into future technologies. The best certain way to harvest sun power is to do it in space via satellites as the sun never go down in space. The energy could be transmitted via a series of satellite orbiting the planet, to the ground in the form of electromagnetic waves. Let’s be honest this technology is many years away.
Or sun oven can be used, this is a very old technology! In this way, the sun rays are concentrated onto the ground, which is made of salt or sand, which get heated up to a very high temperature. That heat is then used to produce steam and then electricity. Very good during day time in countries where the sun shines a lot, such as where there is a desert. This represents a very low impact on the environment and a low investment.
Finally, and I think this is the most promising source of clean energy, the fusion power plant. Contrary to the fission Nuclear plant, fusion power does not produce these very high radioactive residues, and the power it can produce is a lot higher, so it would require very few plants to power a whole country. The technology is not yet ready, but great progress has been made in the last 10 years, especially in December 2022 (https://www.ukri.org/news/uk-contributes-to-a-breakthrough-in-nuclear-fusion-energy/)
Excellent answers. I see the question comes from Ghana. This analysis may provide some context at https://www.iea.org/articles/ghana-energy-outlook .
As you can see, energy is the fuel that drives GDP... industry, jobs and standard of living. Of the hydrocarbons, natural gas is probably the least impactful on greenhouse gas emissions and can provide a transition to more expensive, more sustainable energy technologies. I would focus on solar panels next, as they can provide shade for farmland or cover to canals that reduce evaporation. The price of large scale panel purchases have come down at a logrithmic rate and is probably the most affordable when purchased in bulk. They require batteries if used at night. Local towns should be able to purchase for local industry. In Ghana, it may be tolerable to have reduced output at night, thus saving the cost of the batteries for now. In any case, batteries should be applied at the point of use if possible. This allows first use at higher priority locations.
If government backing can be found, Solar can provide more than the country needs, thus providing an export market for Ghana. Funds are available from the UN through the Multilateral Fund http://www.multilateralfund.org/default.aspx . Ghana is a member of the executive Committee in 2023 together with 6 other countries.
There is high demand for these funds so broad support in the proposal will be needed. This may be combined with world bank project loans. https://projects.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/projects-list?os=0&srt=id&order=desc&qterm=ghana .
Excellent progress has been made in Ghana by BUI https://www.afrik21.africa/en/ghana-bui-power-to-install-8-solar-power-plants-259-mwp-in-the-north-by-2022/#:~:text=The%20Bui%20Power%20Authority%20%28BPA%29%2C%20the%20body%20responsible,Zebilla%20and%20Bolgatanga%20in%20the%20Upper%20East%20Region
Good luck to you and thanks for the question.
Circularity is the key word for the future sustainable energy system.
All organic waste should be digested to produce biogas and recycle the nutrients. Biogas can be used for cooking, heating, electricity production etcetera. If it is upgraded it can substitute natural gas in all natural gas applications including as a vehicle fuel (I am driving a biogas car myself since 2008). BioSNG and electro-methane are other renewable options able to substitute natural gas. If you want to know more, I can recommend REAGTEC 2023, 15-16 May in Berlin, https://regatec.org.
Now there are wind turbines where the blades can be recycled
https://electrek.co/2023/02/08/wind-turbine-recycle-blades
Recycling of PV
Recycling PV panels: An industrial plant in Rousset, in the Bouches-du-Rhône region of France recycles 94.7% of the PV panel, the rest is incinerated and the energy recovered.
Hydropower, geothermal heat and power, solar thermal power, biomass fuelled combined heat and power, biofuels, wave and tidal power are examples of possible future energy sources.
I agree with Richard DeVos responses. The status quo of coal / oil and gas domination of world energy will continue despite European madness. There will be no reaction against fossil fuels until and unless there is real evidence of Anthropogenic Climate Change. We have had 30+ years of doom-mongering, but not a scrap of genuine evidence: belief in models seems to be the norm now.
If people has animal like farmer they can produce biogas. Some farmer use in my hometow. Also, German government sport a lot to people for use alternative energy. There is major development in Germany
Mustafa Aydogdu: Biogas digestion systems are fairly common throughout Europe. They are all based on high-levels of subsidy, and would not be economic without these. They are quite feasible, but at high cost and little real benefit apart from virtue-signalling.
To start with, Solar energy, WindPower, Biogas, hydropower generation, use of briquettes among others can be live examples. Burning of fossils is a big contributor to Climate Change. And this is very common to developed countries. The best ways to do and resort to renewable energy sources is to deal with the mindset of the people especially the business communities at global level. Fo example solar, it is very reliable and feasible.
So the "how can we ....question" should first appreciate the suggestions as I mentioned above and then the ways be identified such as;
- Identifying gaps and engaging in research and innovations,
- Strengthening institutions' capacity and funding base,
- Partnerships and networking to come up with global decisions,
- Strengthening policies and laws
etc etc.
Jack Broughton aaah yes... another proselytizing denialist on the
pedal-to-the-metal bandwagon, sullying the air with your oral-methane emissions...
I challenge you to actually credibly debunk anything - with verifiable evidence
https://open.spotify.com/show/2qxBel3uqIDjWHEruamAv2?si=3mm7y9O_RTOtXl-E_VURpA
https://postdoom.com/resources/
Not helpful Kurt. The question is an excellent one and deserves an executable respones. The people of Ghana are a desperately poor and proud people that will work on solutions that build the Ghana standard of living.
If you are to believe the researchers, then all known fossil fuel reserves across the world will get exhausted in another 150 years or so if we continue to use at the present rate. That will again have severe consequences on environment due carbon emission because of excessive use of fossil fuels. This situation coupled with de-forestation will lead us (The whole of mankind) to drastic reduction of carbon space which will lead to breathing trouble similar to what happens to the mountaineers on mountain top due to lack of oxygen concentration. It is expected to happen in another 100 years or so. In short dooms day is nearing because of our (People of this modern world) own greed. If I can quote, then Mahatma Gandhi said, "Mother nature has given enough for our needs but not greed".
Kurt Klingbell: Science fiction and spotify are okay, but are not science. Abuse equally is fine for kids, but is not debate. Do you have any evidence (that is verifiable facts) that prove that humans contribute significantly to global warming or any evidence of real climate change occurring: I'd be interested to see them?
Shaikh Shamser Ali: Gandhi's comments are of course correct and virtuous. A similar comment was made by Sheik Yamani when he was oil minister for Saudi during the 1973 oil crisis, that the world would find alternatives if oil prices went too high. The evaluation of energy-reserves is always interesting. It always seems that the proven reserves are about 3 years; but, this is really because there is no point in exploring beyond 3 years worth of stock. The estimated reserves are never really clear: Peter Odell showed that the quantity of methane below the earth's surface was hundreds of years worth of capacity.
Jack Broughton
You, have apparently already prejudicially pre-emptively excluded all of the evidence you have encountered from all available sources in order to maintain intact and unchallenged your denialist ideology.
It is clear you resort to specious spurious ad-groupinem and ad-media-inem tactics to enforce conformity with your personal mis-interpretation / mis-representation of science.
I challenge you to provide a list of what you consider acceptable sources - having summarily and without-cause rejected specific podcast media which provide material available in written form in a more accessible format.
I am curious what specific tripe you would trot out to summarily mass-refute Catton's Overshoot - as one specific example.
I challenge you to provide some what you would regard/accept as "science-grade" papers rigorously refuting AGH.
I know there are published peer-reviewed scientific papers which document and analyze the Global Heating which is tightly correlated with the GHG emissions of desequestered carbon during the Industrial Revolutions.
I suspect that you summarily non-rigorously disregard any publications which wrankle any of your preferences, predilections, and prejudices, but provide this opportunity to refute my presumption
Kurt Klingbell: apart from being rude and self-opinionated, any brains that you might have seem to have been well washed by IPCC and the other governmental-pseudo-science machines. I therefore see no virtue in further discussion with you.
Richard DeVos
"Not helpful" eh ?
It would appear you are an expert at "not helpful"...
The specific question which was asked:
How can we create a sustainable energy infrastructure that does not rely on fossil fuels, and that is accessible to all people?
To which you reacted, in essence:
"Not possible, forget about it"
Please elaborate on how "helpfulness" was your prime motivation - as opposed to facile adherence to a priviledged ideological position.
You wrote:
"sustainable (able to be continued into the future without limit). "
Without Limit, eh ? that is the essence of the problem
"Limits to Growth" elaborated on this decades ago, yet you insist on
summarily ignoring and disregarding the very premise - despite the entire earth having been pushed into Overshoot (Catton) by the reckless petulant unlimited deployment of Fossil Fuels
Availability to the poorest among us requires that we provide the cheapest source that can be continued into the future.
Sounds pretty patronizing paternalistic, patriarchal, colonialist.
Which poor are there "among" _you_ ? Of which "we" are you a part which purports to provide "the cheapest" solution ?
Cheapest in what sense ? - the usual corpiratist exploitationist externalizing profiteering sense ?
The key element of the problem in the Global South is the massive financial, social, ecological depredation and deficits caused by centuries of imerialist colonialist exploitation and extraction - which continues today in the form of corpirate colonialism. The filthy lucre was hauled to the Capitals of the Euro-tyrranies - which were built on the extraction and the centuries of _accumulated_ GHG emissions.
Based on history, coal has filled this role and could continue to the future 14000 years based on the current population growth rate projections and known reserves.
You provide no "helpful" references to substantiate your recommendation of coal as your preferred optimum proposed solution.
You summarily disregard all of the evidence of problems with coal - which has been almost completely phased out in the ColonialistExploiter Nations - but which you deem "good enough" for the ColonialExploitee Nations...
China is still on this track.
Aaaah yes... Blame Cheye-nah - oh and don't forget India - favourite targets of the reactionary denialist class...
I'm not going to deep-dive on the deets on this one...
THe primary factors are per-capita _accumulated_ emissions vs total _incremental_ emissions. Also, thus far emissions tracking has been largely by country of production rather than country of end-use consumption.
So, cronyCorpiratist Amerikkka recklessly over-outsources (critical) supply chain production to China (as willful betrayal of American workers and society upon which they depend)
and now wails and moans about "China taking over production" and about emissions in China to produce stuff consumed in TheWest.
Pretty much an intellectual black-hole of disintegrity and duplicity.
However, the rich nations would require you to use the most technologically advanced solutions (and most expensive).
Citation required - to be "helpful".
I would note that the poorest humans prioritize survival and will probably not consider GHG a sustainability requirement unless paid to do so. So... it depends on your perspective.
More facile gratuitous patronizing and projection.
There is a grain of truth in there ... while "the poorest humans prioritize survival", the wealthiest and less-wealthiest prioritize conspicuous consumption and maintenance of unearned privilege despite the existential predicament - the perpetration of which benefitted them the most - with no genuine consideration of GHG emissions and often a downright disregarding of it.
Well past time to talk of reparations for exploitation of the past.
I don't want to cause your head to explode... just make a mess someone else will have to clean up ;-)
How's that for helpful ?
Renewable energy should not be compromised as this is proven promising. Biofuels are good substitutes to fossil fuel, as this has overcome the challenges with Ozone depletion caused by fossil fuel. An alternate suggestion is the electromobile, where Batteries has to be charged at strategic stations. Hence, synergetic effect of the applications of Biofuel and electromobility are better options.
Joseph T Akintola: Biofuels have a real place and the use of ethanol as a gasoline extender has been in use for many years and can be very economic if based on cane sugar, as in Brazil. Batteries are a different matter: they do not produce any primary energy, just convert it to another form so actually use more electricity than direct usage: the electricity being still mainly from fossil fuels of course. The environmental campaigners are acting against the interest of most of the world's population, who need low-cost power far more than virtuous highly-subsidised power sources.
Jack Broughton: I need to be more explicit. Electromobility uses Solar energy as its energy source. However, the battery is designed with capacitor which can store enough energy for transiting vehicles over several kilometers.
Solar+ H2 green sustainable energy source for infinite time ( till existence of Earth or Sun). Solar energy from agricultural lands along with farming as dual benefits of land.
Akhilesh-Prasad-Singh: You are correct that solar energy's ideal use is for plant growth: that needs an intermittent supply. It is very poor for power generation as it is totally unreliable, even in equatorial regions (where cloud cover can be high). Concentrated solar for water heating could be economical also. However, the development of humanity needs large amounts of reliable, affordable power and renewables and hydrogen are not this! This is why China and India burn more coal every year: it is also the proof that AGW is a myth as doom has been forecast every year since 1988 and nothing has altered significantly, apart from some nicer weather with less deaths from coldness.
If I were in Ghana and forced to make a decision, I would double the number of natural gas wells instead of importing gas and start exporting in order to develop a cash stream to fund the new solar panel fields in the north. Here are the current statistics for Ghana https://www.worldometers.info/gas/ghana-natural-gas/
If you insist, you can break down the gas to H2 but at more cost but it might get funded by the UN. (not sure what you would do with the H2)
Richard DeVos Thank you for your suggestion on creating a sustainable energy infrastructure. However, I think that while it is commendable to seek ways to generate revenue for developing renewable energy sources, doubling the number of natural gas wells may not necessarily align with the goal of transitioning away from fossil fuels.
I think that increasing the production of natural gas may have short-term economic benefits, but it does not address the long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy sources. Furthermore, relying on fossil fuels for revenue can create a dependency that makes it difficult to shift towards renewable energy sources in the future.
In terms of developing renewable energy sources, it is important to consider the potential negative impacts of the project, such as the potential for land-use conflicts and environmental damage. A comprehensive approach that includes stakeholder engagement, environmental assessments, and capacity-building programs may be necessary to ensure that the development of renewable energy sources is sustainable and equitable.
Lastly, it is important to note that the UN has several initiatives to support the transition to renewable energy, such as the Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and the UN Climate Change Conference (COP). Seeking funding from these initiatives can be beneficial in developing sustainable energy infrastructure.
In summary, while generating revenue for developing renewable energy sources is important, it is crucial to consider the long-term effects and potential negative impacts of the proposed solution. A comprehensive and sustainable approach that involves stakeholder engagement, environmental assessments, and capacity-building programs can help ensure that the transition to renewable energy is equitable and sustainable.
Peter Donkor Thank you for your reply. The movement away from fossil fuels is a noble goal, although i'm not sure how you can do that and sustain the Ghana economy. Good luck in your efforts.
The word sustainable in itself is a challenging term. We can say that we need to exclude fossil fuels but it is not easy because for an example, solar panels last for 20-25 yrs but what after that, we have not been able to come up with something to recycle the solar panel. Hydrogen energy can be an option.
Transitioning to an all green, sustainable energy is an ambitious yet a wild dream. Given the current intermittent nature of renewable energies and issues of energy storage, while we still have a global ever-growing energy demand, the transition will not complete any time soon. However, with the right technological innovations ( e.g creating a perfect energy storage system or moving to an all Electric Vehicles system ) these might just be the right steps to secure and stable power systems as well a green sustainable future that will reduce dependency on fossil fuels or even render them obsolete.
Mr.Jack Broughton , You raised issue on sustainability of solar energy. You may right with conventional solar systems as very near to equator India has average number of clear bright days is 250-300, with a total of 2300-3200 sunshine hours per year. India receives 4-7 kWh/m 2 solar irradiation per day and 1200-2300 kWh/m2 per year. A 500 Wp solar panel may generate 2- 3.5 kWh ( units) per day. For 1 GWh ( 1000000 units) about 500000 - 286000 solar panels may be needed . Similarly for a year 250 sunny days, the total energy generated will be 250 GWh in a year. Considering 65% efficiency of green Hydrogen production and regeneration 162.5 GWh. The location having 100 GWh PRIMARY ENERGY demand could be managed by Electricity and green H2 fuel resulting zero emissions sustainable green energy source for infinite time period.
In conventional system, 0.5 million solar panels may occupy more than 2.8 million sq m land which is very difficult to achieve.
In suggested new systems solar panels are installed on poles leaving sufficient direct sunlight for farming as usual. According to location climate , large solar plant could be installed to produce green H2 to backup round the year electricity as well as fuel to operate all sectors ( moving or stationary).
Scarcity of land for solar park is removed including restrictions of area.
By large solar park, in a day enough green H2 be produced for a year primary energy demand of considered area.
In new system, Solar + H2 energy sustainability has no doubt and ensuring zero emissions to save Climate Change and remove energy crisis in world.
Thanks consider in deep.
you might look at the following references: there is more than enough solar energy at the latitude in Ghana to grow crops in the shade of solar panels. In addition, water canals would benefit from shade provided by solar panels .
- "A review of the impacts of solar photovoltaic arrays on crop production" by Richard R. Barnes and Bruce A. Bugbee (2019), published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. This paper discusses the potential impact of shading from solar panels on crop growth and provides recommendations for designing solar panel systems to minimize shading.
- "Agricultural Solar Electric Investment Analysis" by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (2018). This report discusses the potential impact of solar panel installation on crop growth and provides recommendations for designing solar panel systems in a way that is compatible with agriculture.
- "Solar panels in fields could boost crop yields, study shows" by Damian Carrington (2018), published in The Guardian. This article discusses a study that found that solar panels installed above crops can improve crop yields by reducing temperature and increasing humidity.
More than you want is given here in WIPO publication:
Link : https://patentscope.wipo.int/search/en/detail.jsf?docId=WO2022118100&_cid=P10-L7FU6L-54648-1
For clarification if any convey message.
Richard DeVos and Akhilesh
Patents and articles from the Guardian are not useful evidence.
This article offers shading at > 25% has negative impact. The question would be re. the adequacy of energy production with that 25% to fuel India or any country.
Article Shading effect of photovoltaic panels on horticulture crops ...
Google scholar did not pull up the Barnes Bugbee article. Do you have a link?
Also, what is the environmental impact of the above?
Dear Mr. Phil Geis.
Patent as you may well aware that paper should qualify for No prior art, NOVELTY, incentive and Industrial applicability. International Search Authority ( ISA) has given in written opinion about that.
The design is for 24 hrs light which may be adjusted according to light period of plants needed for better growth.
For knowing patent, you should pay for effort made by someone to provide such system for which worldwide R&D is going on yet no suitable result except this invention.
Though system is local establishment so if interested in developing large green energy plant as per primary energy demand, you may contact for details and help to meet primary energy demand by Solar +H2 green sustainable energy sources in your country for zero emissions to save Climate Change and remove energy crisis.
Dear, You may aware about lab, a vaccine tested need some time for commercial use. Similarly for testing shading effect on plants under different conditions may need many years. If you have analytical power, minimum or maximum impact you may consider except exact data. Final verification is just imposing as Climate Change providing non-sustaintable data . Just evaluate a equinox path of sun for any location and evaluate. Just saying this & that, data given in patent publication verify yourself. Why questioning on others works if not concern to you?
Ghana has a unique advantage in the renewable energy field due to it's proximity to the equator. The excessive sunlight can burn out crops in the northern part of Ghana. However, this can be mitigated to a more crop-friendly sunlight intensity by providing some shade with the solar panels. You get two for one. A good example of this technique is being done in Kenya. You can find more information here https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/feb/22/kenya-to-use-solar-panels-to-boost-crops-by-harvesting-the-sun-twice
We must go to real work rather than attending seminars. Removing fossil fuels is not a matter of overnight. The global economy is connected here, especially in the middle east and other countries that depend on the petroleum economy
A.P.Singh: you suggest mounting solar panels on poles to reduce their land usage. Would a better idea be to float panels on sea surfaces and place them on unoccupied mountains? Otherwise. rooftops built as panels may be attractive. However, this does not resolve the problem of unreliable, intermittent generation or the real cost of solar systems
Peter Donkor
Creating a sustainable energy infrastructure that is independent of fossil fuels and accessible to all people requires a comprehensive and integrated approach. Here are some key strategies to achieve this goal:
By combining these strategies and taking a holistic approach to energy planning, societies can gradually transition towards a sustainable energy infrastructure that benefits both the environment and all people. Collaboration, innovation, and long-term commitment are key to achieving this transformative goal.
@all Creating a sustainable and equitable energy infrastructure requires a combination of strategies and approaches. Here are some key considerations to achieve this goal:
By combining these strategies and fostering collaboration among governments, businesses, communities, and individuals, it is possible to create a sustainable and equitable energy infrastructure that mitigates the effects of climate change and ensures a healthier environment for future generations.
Interesting discussion about Peak Oil, Tight Oil,
and about how most of American domestic production
is being shipped overseas (4million bbl/day)
while some 6million bbl/day of heavy oil is being imported
from abroad because the domestic stuff is almost useless
to the American economy...
The whole ethanol FlexFuel stuff is actually a dilution of
petroleum-crude-oil-derived gasoline with
NGL Natural Gas Liquids which have significantly less energy content.
Cheating IOW
https://www.thegreatsimplification.com/episode/54-arthur-berman?fbclid=IwAR0htJMycbnCB86ErGbQ5GrdTHU66U-l-7GsUlsCDj40qbO-F6qKRBvy-ag
It is done and details published by WIPO. Solar energy capture from any open area anywhere and storage as green Hydrogen fuel. Solar+H2 energy is alternative of fossil fuels either as compressed green Hydrogen fuel at ambient temperature or regeneration of electricity using fuel cells stacks. A complete design of Solar +H2 green sustainable energy source is presented. Solar energy is considered as Renewable energy but existing system has many limitations including scarcity of land. Transportation of green Hydrogen fuel is one of major issue which also resolved with facilitating green Hydrogen production, storage nearby refining stations of any sector( stationary or moving). Most of limitations/ disadvantages of existing setup of green H2 are resolved except manufacturing of electrolyzer, fuel cells and solar panels to meet primary energy demand ( more than 167716 TWh annual). There is need of joint venture of all Governments and agencies working for renewable energy, saving Climate Change, global warming, fossil fuel and zero emissions energy sources at low cost to work for mass production of electrolyzer, fuel cells stacks, solar panels in sufficient quantity worldwide. It is location based system and produced nearby consumers or feeding electricity to Grid ( 24 x 7 hrs electricity back with GH2).
It is unfortunate one sideClimate Change ,global warming, reduction of fossil fuels stocks as emergency and otherside no support on Solar +Green H2 technology already made by me without support and pending for 2 years. Solar energy with Li-ion battery banks could be used for low GHG emissions for transition period of establishment of GH2 system. Implimenting agencies may get details on link given on profile or WIPO publicattion WO/2022/118100.
For clarification if any contact here also
Akhilesh Prasad Singh, thanks for your invaluable contribution.
As noted, your contribution highlights a specific technology and solution for creating a sustainable energy infrastructure that does not rely on fossil fuels and is accessible to all people. It proposes a system that captures solar energy and converts it into green hydrogen fuel, which can be used as an alternative to fossil fuels for electricity generation and other energy needs. Partly, the solution addresses some of the limitations and challenges associated with existing renewable energy systems, such as land scarcity and transportation of green hydrogen fuel.
Respectfully, I think that, while the proposed technology and solution are promising, creating a sustainable energy infrastructure that is accessible to all people requires a comprehensive approach that goes beyond a single technology. It involves addressing various aspects, including policy and regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, infrastructure development, and public awareness and education.
Once again, thanks for your invaluable contribution. Well appreciated.
Thanks Mr Peter Donkor, You have correctly pointed out the issues like addressing various aspects, including policy and regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, infrastructure development, and public awareness and education.
Akhilesh Prasad Singh
I am curious whether you have done or are aware of recursive efficiency and Total Cost Analyses of petroleum fuel distribution and its green hydrogen alternative analog ?
In a sense H2 is a short-term storage medium for Solar Energy
analagous to Petroleum being a long-term storage medium for Solar Energy
albeit one with a spectacular energy density under ambient temperature/pressure
What is the end-to-end efficiency of Solar energy -> H2 -> transport -> fuel-cell/combustion -> work performed ?
Quasi Equivalent analyses can be performed for Petroleum/Gas
exploration -> drilling -> production -> transport -> generation/combustion -> work performed
For both there is the associated EROEI factors/costs of the infrastructure...
Kurt Klingbeil, thanks for your contribution.
I think your response raises important points related to the efficiency and total cost analyses of petroleum fuel distribution and its green hydrogen alternative. For instance, you further highlights that hydrogen (H2) can serve as a short-term storage medium for solar energy, similar to how petroleum serves as a long-term storage medium. You also bring attention to the end-to-end efficiency of the energy conversion processes involved in both systems, including solar energy to hydrogen, and petroleum/gas exploration to generation/combustion.
The comparison between these two energy systems involves various factors such as energy return on energy invested (EROEI), infrastructure costs, and work performed. I believe that significantly, such analyses are crucial for understanding the feasibility and sustainability of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like green hydrogen.
Your response contributes valuable insights to the discussion on creating a sustainable energy infrastructure and provides a context for exploring the potential of green hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuels. Largely, I think this response invites further research and consideration of the challenges and opportunities associated with transitioning to renewable energy sources for a more sustainable future.
Thanks once again for your inestimable contribution.
The best energy source is in situ. If a country has lots of rivers, then it should use energy of the river flow as source of sustainable energy. In your case which is Ghana if I am correct, the country has lots of a sunshine. Be a master of the sun. The best source is a direct and energy-efficient one such as solar panels, heat panels, and mirror collectors to drive a steam engine or Stirling engine. You can use the sun directly as a source of energy and it is better to not to centralize it. The best option is to make it distributive to minimize infrastructure construction during the initial development. Centralized sources are easy to destroy. You can use sand as a battery for storing extra energy (google sand battery Finland Australia). Once you develop distributive system then you can develop infrastructure to interconnect these sources so they become as one. That is how trees do. Distributive first then networking the energy sources. The sun is the cleanest and most plentiful source you can get in your country. Literally, the sun is your country's best source of economy. Others like water dams, wind mills and sea waves can be added as top on for your existing energy source. Hydrogen technology is just another version of fossil fuel technology that is based on the same principle that fossil fuel uses. That principle is the culprit of ecology and energy problems we have. That principle is obsolete. Furthermore, I should not expect a ready made solution for your situation. It is reasonable to expect that it is going to take some time for development, adaptation and fine tuning to your geography, local needs and economics. I believe your community will provide the best solution than external contractors. Big bonus for you is that the sun does not pollute like fossil fuel.
People, animals, food and fodder production generate organic waste (manure, rotten and damaged food/fodder, left overs, tops, etcetera.
The best way to treat organic waste is through anaerobic digestion. In this way you produce a high quality fuel (biogas) and an organic fertiliser (the digestate). The biogas can be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the gas grid or used as vehicle fuel. If it is not upgraded it can be used locally for power production, for heating, cooking etcetera. I am driving a biogas powered car since 2008. Fast refuelling and long driving range. Biogas powered cars are cheaper than electric and hydrogen vehicles. At the same time the air quality is improved (especially if diesel is substituted), the eutrophication reduced (especially if manure is digested), the waste management is improved (reduction and stabilisation of the waste), local resilient value chains are created. Biogas is available 24/7 and can be stored both in short and long terms (day/night, summer/winter) since it is miscible with natural gas in any proportion (0-100%). It can be used to provide balancing power for wind and PV.
Biogas is the backbone in a truly circular and sustainable energy system.
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