Archive:000/Decarbonize the energy supply

How to produce enough energy (for the world) without burning fossil fuels?

Ongoing challenges

The {renewables + energy storage} approach

• Solar & wind power would have to be the main sources, because other renewables are limited to very specific geographic regions.
• Batteries might be enough to smooth out the day/night cycle of solar. But the seasonal fluctuations of wind & solar probably need far more energy storage capacity. See discussion on whether any other energy storage types could be enough.
• Most solar panels today would probably be unsustainable or even impossible to scale up, due to having too many scarce minerals in them. See discussion on alternatives.

More discussions 💬 discussion TODO: People also have other concerns about renewables and energy storage. I need to direct readers to pages that address those concerns.:

• Is there enough land to scale up wind power (without causing significant ecological damage)?

The nuclear approach

Considering the different types of nuclear power, it seems that thorium power is the one with the least problems.

Actions / discussions / next steps:

• Why isn't thorium power a thing yet?
• Would small (shipping-container-sized) thorium reactors be viable?

Vehicles

(electric and/or hydrogen and/or ammonia)

This section has not been filled in yet.