Renewable energy sources haven’t exactly been a new thing; it’s been a topic for decades, and people are wondering if we could ever sustain the world’s energy needs through these sources alone.
There are also topics of discussion regarding this. As good as it sounds, though — especially considering the advancement of technology revolving around renewable energy sources — we are not yet fully equipped to harness its power on a global scale, yet.
So, what’s stopping us from using clean energy as replacement for fossil fuels?
Factor #1: Reliability
One of the primary obstacles is the intermittent nature of many renewable sources. Solar and wind power, for instance, are dependent on weather conditions. While advancements in energy storage technologies have shown promise, they are still in their infancy and unable to provide the consistent, reliable energy supply required by modern societies.
This intermittency issue necessitates backup power sources, often relying on fossil fuels, which undermines the environmental benefits of renewable energy. They are not fully independent just yet to be able to operate without the need on fossil fuels for us to use them as the main/primary source of energy.
Factor #2: Costs
The infrastructure required to support a renewable energy-based grid is massive and expensive. Building new transmission lines, upgrading existing power grids, and developing smart grid technologies are essential but time-consuming and costly endeavours.
Many countries, particularly developing nations, lack the financial resources and technical expertise to undertake such ambitious projects. There are multiple reasons to this, including limited investment, and (especially) debt burden.
High levels of external debt can restrict government spending on infrastructure and technology, and the risk isn’t worth the reward, considering the constraints some nations will have to face when developing these projects (e.g., geographic challenges that prevent solar panels from being built).
In other words, ambitions won’t matter if money doesn’t come into play.
Factor #3: Availability of Raw Materials
We need to take into accounts the availability of raw materials as well when it comes to relying on these renewable sources as primary source of energy. The manufacturing of renewable energy components, such as solar panels and wind turbines, requires substantial amounts of rare earth minerals and other critical materials.
The supply chain for these materials is often concentrated in a few countries, creating vulnerabilities and geopolitical tensions. Countries with dominant positions in critical mineral extraction and processing, like China and the United States, can wield considerable influence over the global energy market.
Not to mention that the extraction and processing of these materials can have significant environmental impacts too. Rising concerns about the sustainability of the renewable energy industry would most likely happen.
Factor #4: Cost-effectiveness/Efficiency
While renewable energy technologies have become more efficient and affordable in recent years, they still struggle to compete with the established fossil fuel industry in terms of cost-effectiveness.
Although the price of renewable energy has declined, it often requires government subsidies and incentives to be economically viable. This reliance on government support can create instability and uncertainty for investors and developers.
The shift to renewable energy also necessitates a fundamental transformation of our energy systems and consumer behaviour. To transition from a fossil fuel-based economy to a renewable-powered one would require significant changes in transportation, heating, cooling, and industrial processes.
In other words, these changes will take time and require substantial investments in research and development, education, and public awareness campaigns.
In the Future, Can We Truly Rely on Renewable Energy Sources Solely?
We will, eventually. But for now, even though renewable energy holds immense promise, numerous challenges and limitations prevent its widespread adoption. Overcoming these obstacles will require concerted efforts from governments, industries, and individuals.
We shouldn’t worry too much about it, however. There are already investments in research and development, and with improving energy storage technologies and robust infrastructure, we can accelerate the transition to a clean energy future.
Besides, there are already efforts and research going on around nuclear energy; the only clean energy we haven’t truly utilised worldwide that could otherwise replace fossil fuels and address all issues revolving around sustainability altogether. We’re talking reliable energy source, low carbon emissions, and high energy density — all which neither fossil fuels nor other renewable energy sources can match.
However, it is essential to recognise that this transformation will be gradual and require patience, persistence, and a long-term perspective. Hopefully in the next few decades, we will already start using cleaner sources of energy for our younger generation.
Speaking of technology, I did write about the new glass storage technology Microsoft has been working on, which you can check out here. Otherwise, feel free to check out my entire catalogue. I’ll see you again in another time.
