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Decarbonize the energy supply: Difference between revisions
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(Created page with "How to produce enough {{p2|energy|This includes more than just the status-quo of electricity production. It also includes all the additional electricity that would be needed to replace fossil fuels in vehicles and in industries.}} (for the world) without burning fossil fuels? {{minor|''This page is about the ongoing challenges involved.''}} ==The '''renewables''' approach {{light|(+ energy storage)}}== * Solar & wind power would have to be the main energy s...") |
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[[File:energy-usage-by-source.png|thumb|'''Status quo:''' The vast majority of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels. Don't be <s>fooled</s> misled by countries claiming "most of our electricity is renewable". Electricity is only one piece of the energy pie. Most cars & trucks are not electric. Most industries are not fully electric. When you look at the big picture, it's clear that we still have a long way to go.]]<!-- TALK: is there a way to make sure this image description doesn't become the intro to the page when viewed on mobile? | |||
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How to produce enough {{p2|energy|This includes more than just the status-quo of electricity production. It also includes all the additional electricity that would be needed to replace fossil fuels in vehicles and in industries.}} (for the world) without burning [[fossil fuels]]? | How to produce enough {{p2|energy|This includes more than just the status-quo of electricity production. It also includes all the additional electricity that would be needed to replace fossil fuels in vehicles and in industries.}} (for the world) without burning [[fossil fuels]]? | ||
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* [[Solar]] & [[wind power]] would have to be the main energy sources in ''most'' parts of the world. | * [[Solar]] & [[wind power]] would have to be the main energy sources in ''most'' parts of the world. | ||
** Most people don't live near regions suitable for [[hydropower]] or [[geothermal power]]. {{talk|TODO: link to discussions about what regions they ''are'' suitable}} | ** Most people don't live near regions suitable for [[hydropower]] or [[geothermal power]]. {{talk|TODO: link to discussions about what regions they ''are'' suitable}} | ||
** [[Biofuels]] are a no-go, because they cause global [[hunger]] and [[deforestation]]. [[Biomass waste]] is a fine alternative, but its | ** [[Biofuels]] are a no-go, because they cause global [[hunger]] and [[deforestation]]. [[Biomass waste]] is a fine alternative, but its production rate is [[How much biomass waste is there?|fundamentally small]] compared to the fossil fuels we're trying to replace. | ||
<!-- ALT:** [[Biofuels]] cause global [[hunger]] and [[deforestation]], unless only [[biomass waste]] is used (which is in [[How much biomass waste is there?|very limited supply]]).--> | <!-- ALT:** [[Biofuels]] cause global [[hunger]] and [[deforestation]], unless only [[biomass waste]] is used (which is in [[How much biomass waste is there?|very limited supply]]).--> | ||
<!-- ALT:** Global [[biomass waste]] production is fundamentally small compared to the fossil fuel energy we're trying to replace.--> | <!-- ALT:** Global [[biomass waste]] production is fundamentally small compared to the fossil fuel energy we're trying to replace.--> | ||
* Most solar panels today would probably be '''unsustainable''' or even impossible to scale up, due to having [[solar panel minerals|too many scarce minerals in them]]. | * Most solar panels today would probably be '''unsustainable''' or even impossible to scale up, due to having [[solar panel minerals|too many scarce minerals in them]]. | ||
** | ** <small>[[solar panels made of abundant materials|''See discussion on alternatives to this.'']]</small> | ||
* Batteries [[How much short-term energy storage for solar?|''might'' be scalable enough]] to smooth out the '''day/night''' cycle of solar. {{x|Best bet would be either [[sodium-ion]] or [[iron redox flow batteries]].}} | * Batteries [[How much short-term energy storage for solar?|''might'' be scalable enough]] to smooth out the '''day/night''' cycle of solar. {{x|Best bet would be either [[sodium-ion]] or [[iron redox flow batteries]].}} {{talk|Re-work this section and include links like [[Can rooftop solar alone provide enough heating and cooling?]]}} | ||
** But the '''seasonal''' fluctuations of wind & solar [[How much seasonal energy storage?|probably need ''far more'' energy storage capacity]]. | ** But the '''seasonal''' fluctuations of wind & solar [[How much seasonal energy storage?|probably need ''far more'' energy storage capacity]]. | ||
*** | *** <small>[[What could provide enough seasonal energy storage?|''See discussion on other energy storage types - whether any could provide enough capacity.'']]</small> | ||
<br />More discussions: | <br />More discussions: | ||
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==The '''nuclear''' approach== | ==The '''nuclear''' approach== | ||
Of all the different types of nuclear power, {{b|#6FF|'''thorium power'''}} seems to be the best bet: | |||
{|class='wikitable' | {|class='wikitable' | ||
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|- | |- | ||
|[[Conventional nuclear power]] {{light|(status quo)}} | |[[Conventional nuclear power]] {{light|(status quo)}} | ||
| | |style="background:#F66"|Problem | ||
|Low risk | |Low risk | ||
| | |style="background:#F66"|Problem | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Conventional small nuclear reactors | ||
| | |style="background:#F66"|Problem | ||
| | |style="background:#F66"|High risk | ||
| | |style="background:#F66"|Problem | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |Uranium-238 breeder reactors {{p|Additional benefit: Uranium-238 reactors would make use of existing nuclear waste, which has been left over from decades of conventional nuclear power.}} | ||
|Abundant | |Abundant | ||
| | |style="background:#F66"|High risk | ||
|Almost none | |Almost none | ||
|- | |- | ||
| | |style="background:#6FF"|'''Thorium-232 breeder reactors''' | ||
|Abundant | |style="background:#6FF"|'''Abundant''' | ||
|Low risk | |style="background:#6FF"|'''Low risk''' | ||
|Almost none | |style="background:#6FF"|'''Almost none''' | ||
|- | |- | ||
|[[Fusion]] | |[[Fusion]] {{b|#F66|(not viable yet)}} | ||
|Abundant | |Abundant | ||
|Low risk | |Low risk | ||
|Almost none | |Almost none | ||
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==More discussions== | ==More discussions== | ||
* [[How much electricity would it take?]] | |||
<!-- TALK: People probably have other concerns about renewables, energy storage, etc. I need to direct readers to pages that address those concerns. This section might be a good place to put links. --> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
* [[Phase out disposable plastic]] {{talk|Should add somewhere that besides energy & plastic, there are other uses of fossil fuels. Most of these uses '''do not''' need to be phased out (and they are also a '''relatively small fraction''' of the world's fossil fuel consumption).<br /><br />This talking point is important for debunking memes about "where would we be without oil!" etc.}} | * [[Phase out disposable plastic]] {{talk|Should add somewhere that besides energy & plastic, there are other uses of fossil fuels. Most of these uses '''do not''' need to be phased out (and they are also a '''relatively small fraction''' of the world's fossil fuel consumption).<br /><br />This talking point is important for debunking memes about "where would we be without oil!" etc.}} | ||