LAST week’s article took a peek at the last 50 years of wind and solar energy. Let’s see what the next 50 years may look like for these renewable energy sources.
The last 50 years have been an incredible ride in the renewable energy industry with the last 20 years making a major jump in the industry. In the last 10 years, this new and exciting industry has pushed into the renewable energy mainstream where almost everyone can now afford to decrease their energy costs with sustainable energy systems.
But the energy industry will be facing some multifaceted challenges. Some of these challenges arise from geopolitical unrests and economic downturns. Another challenge for the industry is the growth of the world’s population. Our society has become very reliant upon electricity – from cell phones to computers and even some of our smart cars. The challenge is that as the world’s population grows, it is predicted that the supplies of conventional oil are expected to decline in the not-so distant future. How do we keep up with the demand?
New technologies in the wind power industry are being developed. Engineers are creating new blade designs and more efficient turbines. Because the wind blows stronger offshore, designers are looking into large 10-megawatt turbines that are moored to the ocean’s floor. New technology is being designed for a wind power system that will work in low-wind areas. As the manufacturing and demand rise, it is expected that the cost of wind power systems will start to decrease. In the U.S., more wind farms are expected to be built to add to the current power grid. As more wind power is created, it is expected that current power transmission systems will have to be upgraded. One possible challenge the wind power industry can face may have to do with Mother Nature. As more wind farms are created, the safety of wildlife – especially birds and bats – will have to be taken into consideration.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar power could be responsible for over a third of our energy supply by the year 2060. Because the sun shines more than the wind blows in many places, solar power may become the renewable energy leader. Solar energy systems have also become more affordable that most people can afford a personal home system. The future is bright for solar technology. Some of the upcoming technology for solar energy is more efficient solar panels and clear or pliable panels that can be attached anywhere. Another advancement being researched is the ability to store the energy created to be used during the times the sun is not shining. Currently, solar panels require a large amount of land to generate a sufficient amount of energy. Designers are researching on making smaller and more efficient panels.
Other renewable energy technologies, besides wind and solar, are also expected to help reduce the world’s carbon footprint and the dependence on foreign oil. These technologies are wave and hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are expected to take the lead in transportation over the next 50 years, especially in the airline industry.
With all of the renewable energy systems becoming more affordable and more advanced in their technology, grid parity now looks reachable in most areas of the world by 2020. Grid parity, as explained by the Renewable Energy Advisors, is a term that “is meant to describe the point in time, at which a developing technology will produce electricity for the same cost to ratepayers as traditional technologies. That is, when the new technology can produce electricity as inexpensively as the electricity currently available on a utility’s transmission and distribution grid.”
In areas like Guam and the north Pacific, where energy is so expensive, parity can be a reality by 2017.
The last 50 years have been an incredible ride in the renewable energy industry with the last 20 years making a major jump in the industry. In the last 10 years, this new and exciting industry has pushed into the renewable energy mainstream where almost everyone can now afford to decrease their energy costs with sustainable energy systems.
But the energy industry will be facing some multifaceted challenges. Some of these challenges arise from geopolitical unrests and economic downturns. Another challenge for the industry is the growth of the world’s population. Our society has become very reliant upon electricity – from cell phones to computers and even some of our smart cars. The challenge is that as the world’s population grows, it is predicted that the supplies of conventional oil are expected to decline in the not-so distant future. How do we keep up with the demand?
New technologies in the wind power industry are being developed. Engineers are creating new blade designs and more efficient turbines. Because the wind blows stronger offshore, designers are looking into large 10-megawatt turbines that are moored to the ocean’s floor. New technology is being designed for a wind power system that will work in low-wind areas. As the manufacturing and demand rise, it is expected that the cost of wind power systems will start to decrease. In the U.S., more wind farms are expected to be built to add to the current power grid. As more wind power is created, it is expected that current power transmission systems will have to be upgraded. One possible challenge the wind power industry can face may have to do with Mother Nature. As more wind farms are created, the safety of wildlife – especially birds and bats – will have to be taken into consideration.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), solar power could be responsible for over a third of our energy supply by the year 2060. Because the sun shines more than the wind blows in many places, solar power may become the renewable energy leader. Solar energy systems have also become more affordable that most people can afford a personal home system. The future is bright for solar technology. Some of the upcoming technology for solar energy is more efficient solar panels and clear or pliable panels that can be attached anywhere. Another advancement being researched is the ability to store the energy created to be used during the times the sun is not shining. Currently, solar panels require a large amount of land to generate a sufficient amount of energy. Designers are researching on making smaller and more efficient panels.
Other renewable energy technologies, besides wind and solar, are also expected to help reduce the world’s carbon footprint and the dependence on foreign oil. These technologies are wave and hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen fuel cells are expected to take the lead in transportation over the next 50 years, especially in the airline industry.
With all of the renewable energy systems becoming more affordable and more advanced in their technology, grid parity now looks reachable in most areas of the world by 2020. Grid parity, as explained by the Renewable Energy Advisors, is a term that “is meant to describe the point in time, at which a developing technology will produce electricity for the same cost to ratepayers as traditional technologies. That is, when the new technology can produce electricity as inexpensively as the electricity currently available on a utility’s transmission and distribution grid.”
In areas like Guam and the north Pacific, where energy is so expensive, parity can be a reality by 2017.
Tracy Voacolo is the president of Micronesia Renewable Energy. She has more than 20 years of experience in the renewable energy industry. Tracy can be contacted at info[at]micronesiarenewableenergy.com.
For more information about Micronesia Renewable Energy, visit http://micronesiarenewableenergy.com/.