By MOSE April 11, 2023
As the world strives to become more sustainable, nuclear power is often hailed as the ultimate energy solution. However, innovations in solar and geothermal power have shown that they can provide more than enough energy to meet global demand for the next 100 years.
Despite their immense potential, the widespread adoption of these clean energy sources has been hindered by corporate greed and government corruption. To truly revolutionize our energy systems and secure a sustainable future for all, we must confront these powerful forces and reclaim our collective power.
Solar and geothermal power hold the promise of abundant, clean energy that could provide for the world’s needs many times over. Advanced solar technologies, such as perovskite solar cells, offer efficiency rates exceeding 25%, while Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) could drastically increase geothermal power production. These innovations could transform our energy landscape and mitigate the impacts of climate change.
However, the transition to renewable energy has been slowed by powerful corporate interests and government corruption, perpetuating our reliance on fossil fuels. The fossil fuel industry, driven by profit and short-term gains, has waged a decades-long campaign to suppress the growth of clean energy alternatives. Meanwhile, governments often bow to the influence of these industries, prioritizing economic growth over the well-being of people and the environment.
Breaking the Chains of Greed and Corruption
To free ourselves from the grip of corporate greed and government corruption, we must take bold, revolutionary action. In order for the freedom to be resilient we will need to decentralize the energy system as much as it can reasonably be done. This decentralization not only makes the freedom resilient in the energy system but it can provide an infrastructural resistance to disruption of every sort.
Solar power has come a long way since its inception. The efficiency of photovoltaic (PV) cells has increased dramatically, while the cost of production has dropped significantly. As a result, solar power has become increasingly accessible and affordable.
Advanced PV technologies: Researchers are continually developing new PV materials that have the potential to dramatically increase solar panel efficiency. Perovskite solar cells, for example, can achieve efficiencies above 25%, and experts believe they could soon outperform conventional silicon-based solar cells.
Solar fuels: Researchers are developing innovative ways to convert sunlight into storable fuels. This process, known as artificial photosynthesis, mimics the natural process of photosynthesis in plants. It could revolutionize the energy storage sector by providing a sustainable, carbon-neutral fuel source.
Geothermal power, which harnesses the Earth’s natural heat, is another renewable energy source that has seen significant advancements in recent years. With the right technology and investment, geothermal power could become a significant contributor to the global energy mix.
Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS): Traditional geothermal power plants require naturally occurring reservoirs of hot water or steam. However, EGS technology allows us to create artificial reservoirs by injecting water into deep, hot rock formations. This expands the potential for geothermal power in areas that were previously unsuitable.
Super deep geothermal: Innovations in drilling technology have opened up the possibility of tapping into super deep geothermal resources, located several kilometers below the Earth’s surface. These ultra-high temperature resources could provide abundant, constant, and clean energy.
Co-production with oil and gas wells: By extracting geothermal energy from existing oil and gas wells, we can increase the overall efficiency of energy production while reducing the environmental footprint of fossil fuel extraction.
Space-based solar power: Scientists are exploring the possibility of capturing sunlight in space and transmitting it to Earth. Space-based solar power (SBSP) could collect energy 24/7, with minimal interference from atmospheric conditions. This technology would require large solar arrays in space and a system for transmitting the collected energy to Earth, but it could provide a constant and reliable source of renewable energy.
Solar and geothermal power have the potential to more than account for the world’s energy needs for the next century as we transition off of fossil fuels. With continuous innovation and investment in these renewable energy sources, we can move away from fossil fuels and other environmentally damaging sources of energy, such as nuclear power.
Embracing solar and geothermal power is not only possible but necessary for a sustainable future. By focusing on the development and implementation of these clean energy sources, we can ensure a bright and secure future for generations to come.
The fight for clean, abundant energy is a struggle for economic justice. By challenging the power structures that perpetuate corporate greed and government corruption, we can reclaim our collective power and build a just, sustainable future. Through creativity, invention, solidarity, activism, and education, we can overcome the obstacles that stand in our way and build a world where clean, abundant energy is a fundamental right, not a luxury reserved for the few.
Photo by Zbynek Burival on Unsplash