via University of Pennsylvania
This is how Earth could be entirely powered by sustainable energy
Can you imagine a world powered by 100% renewable electricity and fuels?
It may seem fantasy, but a collaborative team of scientists has just shown this dream is theoretically possible – if we can garner global buy-in.
The newly published research, led by Professor James Ward from the University of South Australia and co-authored by a team including Luca Coscieme from Trinity, explains how a renewable future is achievable.
The study, published in the international journal, Energies, explores what changes are needed in our energy mix and technologies, as well as in our consumption patterns, if we are to achieve 100% renewability in a way that supports everyone, and the myriad of life on our planet.
The fully renewable energy-powered future envisioned by the team would require a significant “electrification” of our energy mix and raises important questions about the potential conflict between land demands for renewable fuel production.
Explaining the work in some detail, Luca Coscieme, Research Fellow in Trinity’s School of Natural Sciences, said:
“Firstly, the high fuel needs of today’s high-income countries would have to be reduced as it would require an unsustainably vast amount of land to be covered with biomass plantations if we were to produce enough fuel to satisfy the same levels.
“Additionally, our research shows that we would need to radically ‘electrify’ the energy supply of such countries – including Ireland – with the assumption that these changes could supply 75% of society’s final energy demands. We would also need to adopt technology in which electricity is used to convert atmospheric gases into synthetic fuels.
“We very much hope that the approach designed in this research will inform our vision of sustainable futures and also guide national planning by contextualising energy needs within the broader consumption patterns we see in other countries with energy and forest product consumption profiles that—if adopted worldwide—could theoretically be met by high-tech renewably derived fuels. Countries such as Argentina, Cyprus, Greece, Portugal and Spain are great examples in this regard.
“Even so, the success of this green ideal will be highly dependent on major future technological developments, in the efficiency of electrification and in producing and refining new synthetic fuels. Such a scenario is still likely to require the use of a substantial – albeit hopefully sustainable – fraction of the world’s forest areas.”
The study can be read here.
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Sustainable energy
- Renewable energy boom brightens outlook for solar panel recyclers
The global solar panel recycling market is projected to reach US$ 931 million (EUR 863) by 2029. This is up from US$ 385 million in 2024, ...
- A photocatalyst for sustainable syngas production from greenhouse gases
Researchers have developed a novel photocatalyst, named Rh/InGaN1-xOx, which is a nanoarchitecture consisting of rhodium nanoparticles anchored on oxygen-modified indium gallium nitride nanowires ...
- Green revolution: Girard Melancon’s pathway to sustainable careers
Equity in Focus speaks with Girard Melancon, a visionary in workforce development, about the power of green jobs in the future economy.
- Eskom’s diesel dependency: Analyst urges shift to sustainable energy
Eskom's heavy reliance on diesel for power generation, amounting to R65 billion over five years, raises concerns.
- Sustainable energy initiative for Ann Arbor to be placed on November ballot
Ann Arbor voters will be asked in November if they want to create a local Sustained Energy Utility, or SEU. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has the story.
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Sustainable energy
[google_news title=”” keyword=”sustainable energy” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Synthetic fuels
- Synthetic Biology Market To Reach USD 57.1 Billion By 2032, Report By DataHorizzon Research
The synthetic biology market size was valued at USD 14.2 Billion in 2023 and is expected to reach a market size of USD 57.1 Billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 16.7%.Fort Collins, Colorado, May 07, 2024 ...
- Historic aircraft engine completes major flight using innovative new fuel — here's what it could mean for future air travel
This breakthrough test proves that the fuel works in the real world, not just in a lab. Historic aircraft engine completes major flight using innovative new fuel — here's what it could mean for future ...
- The first e-fuel in history that you can use in your car: U.S. to produce 1 billion liters
America has created the first e-fuel in history that you can use now in your car: we will create 1 billion liters from this ...
- Shining a light on energy sustainability with synthetic methane
By producing synthetic methane using the sun, this team of researchers is working towards closing the carbon loop.Methane, the main ...
- 2024 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup to switch to synthetic fuel
Starting this year, Porsche will supply teams competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series with synthetic fuel, also known as e-fuel. While carbon dioxide is emitted when the fuel is burned, the ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Synthetic fuels
[google_news title=”” keyword=”synthetic fuels” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]