Is it possible to have a zero-carbon economy in the world? This is only possible if the government is bold enough to pursue a policy that accelerates the production of clean electricity. Can we limit climate change?
Looking At The Prospects
If we look at the prospects, in the year 2100, the world will enjoy cheap zero-carbon energy. Museums are the only ones that use coal, and the use of gas and oil has drastically reduced. We need a zero-carbon global economy to prevent the potentially catastrophic climate change. Therefore, we need a strategic view and strong policy support.
Electricity will be dominating. At this moment, we only use 20 per cent of electricity as energy. Fossil Fuels are the main energy source for transport, for heating and heavy industry. However, all of above could be powered by electricity which would be way more effective.
How Close Are We to Zero-Emissions Electricity?
Batteries Instead Of Fuel
For example, electric engines are far more effective, like for 90 per cent more than internal-combustion engines. Electric motors are easier to produce, it is cheaper, because you need batteries instead of gas, and you will compensate that within five years. So, electric vehicles are less expensive than gasoline or diesel vehicles. Another example, electric heat pumps can deliver more residential heat than a gas boiler (3 kilowatt-hours for one kilowatt of energy input instead of 0,9 kWh for the same input with a gas boiler).
Molten salt battery
At this moment we cannot rely on batteries only for long-distance flights or intercontinental shipping. We have to wait a few decades because batteries are too heavy to power. It is supposed that ship engines could burn ammonia instead of fuel oil. Ammonia could be a zero-carbon fuel if it is produced from hydrogen. Something to wait for in the future...
Recommended: Solar And Wind Power Makes The Current Sail Cargo Ship
The Role Of Hydrogen
Hydrogen will have a crucial role in the future in the decarbonization process. You can use hydrogen as a fuel or as an essential chemical input. By 2050, we could create a global economy in which electricity supplies 65-70 per cent of final demand for energy and hydrogen, ammonia or synthetic fuel supplies another 12-15 per cent.
By then, fossil fuels and bioenergy would only be about 20 per cent of the total energy use. Could we have a zero-carbon economy?
Recommended: Hydrogen Powered Car That Emits Water No CO2: The Rasa
The Benefits Of Using Electricity
It would have enormous environmental benefits when using electricity. We could reduce wasted heat, pollution, noise produced by burning fossil fuels. To build this kind of economy, we need about 90,000 TWh, compared to the 23,000 TWh right now. But it has to be produced in a zero-carbon way, and this is almost impossible. We could use solar energy; the costs have decreased, and the sun has enough power to cover humans' daily energy needs 8,000 times. Battery costs have dropped by more than 80 per cent since 2010 and are expected to reduce with a further 50% by 2030.
All of this makes it inevitable that we will enough clean and cheap energy. We need to prevent catastrophic climate change. The use of fossil fuels still rises, and global warming is increasing.
Recommended: Fossil Fuel Will Dominate Energy Use Through 2050: Globally
Strong Government Policies
The macroeconomic cost of such an attempt is not at all discouraging: the total additional investment needed to build a decarbonised economy by 2050 is about 1-1.5 per cent of global GDP per year. But the necessary acceleration will not take place without strong government policies.
We can only achieve the goals mentioned above if we acknowledge we need to purify electricity. We need to use hydrogen to have a zero-carbon economy. It is challenging for governments to set some goals to use more renewable energy. The strategies for road transport should focus on the complete removal of internal combustion engines from our roads by 2050 at the latest. This requires a ban on the sale of new internal combustion engines. Moreover, a carbon price is crucial for industrial decarbonisation to take place economically. Lastly, governments should encourage new technologies with first-time application grants, which have quickly helped reduce the cost of photovoltaic solar technology, wind turbines and batteries.
Recommended: Tiny House With Solar Panels Is Off Grid: The Netherlands
Policies like this should help the world to create a zero-carbon economy very quickly. We could limit climate change, but if we do not take the right measures soon enough, it could be too late...
Before you go!
Recommended: Renewable Energy Turns CO2 Into Fuel For Hydrogen Batteries
Did you find this an interesting article or do you have a question or remark? Leave a comment below.
We try to respond the same day.
Like to write your own article about clean energy?
Click on 'Register' or push the button 'Write An Article' on the 'HomePage'