renewable energy transition
Newsletter
Credit: MIRO3D/BigStock Photo
Reimagining energy: The rise of free solar power
A solar revolution is underway, with experts predicting that by 2030, solar power could be effectively free during daylight hours in many regions.
In short:
- Solar energy capacity saw an 80% increase in 2023, now providing nearly 6% of global electricity, with expectations to become the dominant source by the 2030s.
- The cost of solar panels has dropped dramatically, making solar the cheapest new electricity source for 95% of the world.
- The future may bring industries that adjust operations based on solar availability, with a growing focus on energy storage and transmission.
Key quote:
“The next tenfold increase will be equivalent to multiplying the world’s entire fleet of nuclear reactors by eight in less than the time it typically takes to build just a single one of them.”
— The Economist
Why this matters:
With fewer fossil fuels being burned, we could see a dramatic drop in pollution-related illnesses, cleaner air, and a significant cut in carbon emissions. The challenge now is to figure out how to harness this potential. Read more: Solving the climate crisis requires more than switching to renewables—everyone needs equal access.
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Newsletter
Photo by American Public Power Association on Unsplash
What if the clean energy transition costs much less than we’ve been told?
Talk about astronomical costs of a sustainable economy is leaving out some of the savings of using fewer fossil fuels, according to a new analysis.
Top Story
Clean energy transition gains speed, despite global tumult
Investment in wind and solar is set to outpace oil and gas drilling for the first time this year, according to one analyst — a milestone in the worldwide transition to clean energy that comes in spite of a spiraling energy crisis and calls to increase fossil fuel production.
Photo by Christophe Dion on Unsplash
The collapse of 'big steel' should be a warning for climate skeptics
Across the world, technology, and capital flows are converging on climate opportunities. These trends will restructure energy, agriculture, transportation, and infrastructure as well as most of the global economy over the next decade. America will not be exempt; the U.S. will either innovate and lead — or buy from other nations that do.
ensia.com
Cobalt is critical to the renewable energy transition. How can we minimize its social and environmental cost?
Demand for cobalt is expected to soar in coming years as electric vehicles take to roads everywhere.
Climate crisis: The Green New Deal is cheap, actually
Decarbonizing will cost trillions of dollars, but it's an investment that will have big return — for the economy and the environment.
Top Story
www.nytimes.com
Oil companies are collapsing, but wind and solar energy keep growing
The renewable-energy business is expected to keep growing, though more slowly, in contrast to fossil fuel companies, which have been hammered by low oil and gas prices.
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