We all know what they are. But how often do we use this kind of energy?
Let me wrap up, and then get to the point. A lot, although not enough: it
contributed almost half of the world’s new power generation capacity in 2014.
Low oil prices are helping, allowing countries to move ahead with their
phase-out of fossil fuel subsidies, so to put the energy system on to a more
secure and sustainable path. I’d even say to leave a suicidal path. The final
aim is bringing the share of non-fossil fuels up from 19 percent of the global
mix today to 25% in 2040 (wait a minute: that’s 25 years from now!). China has
more renewable power generation than any other Country, but its total energy
demand in 2040 will be double that of America. India is entering a sustained
period of rapid growth in energy consumption, pledging to have a 40% share of
non-fossil fuel in 2030.
It’s obvious to everybody that electricity will gain more ground in many
sectors, contributing to a quarter of final energy consumption by 2035.
Oil and gas will gradually become more expensive to extract while the
costs of renewables will continue to fall.
Those appear to be the comforting general trends. So, is everything ok?
NOT AT ALL. Fossil fuel subsidies were around 490 US billions in
2014!....What?! And only 112 US billions in renewables! Shouldn’t it be the
opposite? Obviously it should…
And right now I’m not even going to talk about climate change
implications. This data alone let you understand one simple concept: all the
above goals could / should be achieved quicker. Much quicker! Ergo, political
willingness is lacking: AS ALWAYS. Why? You aren’t stupid. Neither am I:
extremely powerful OIL lobbies. But some of you might (just might) be cynical,
needing a practical example.
It’s not all that difficult to understand, if you think about it. Should
you have a very profitable business, would you abandon it? Motor companies
don’t earn on selling vehicles, they earn on spare parts. They won’t be able to
do that with electric cars anymore: bye-bye maintenance and…. gasoline! With
just € 1,2 you can run more than 100 kilometres. It’s all part of a
consolidated business nobody wants to forsake. It’s also the reason why
electric cars are so expensive (based on engine complexity, they should cost
less, not more). And this is merely a single example. Think about all the rest
on your own.
There’s just one “little” detail: can our planet wait for lobby groups’
interests? Can your children wait?! When in 15 years time they’ll ask you why
half of the population has some form of cancer due to pollution, what will you
answer them? I suggest you to prepare your justification. Right now.
I certainly don’t have to remind you the Volkswagen scandal on faked
emissions. There’s a risk coming, though. Some “presumed” environmentalists say
that electricity used for electric cars is still produced using polluting
methods (such as coal). For the time being that’s true, I have to admit, but
the only important question is why don’t we switch to cleaner production alternatives
then?! There are decision to be taken, we just HAVE to. Example: Seville/Spain
is going 100% green, and I’m talking about the whole city (not a small
one) itself, not even its cars. Problem solved: they wanted, they did it! All
the rest are merely fake issues created by fake environmentalists (paid by
who?).
Oh yes: some also argue that coal is very cheap. Well, electricity in
Seville will be even cheaper. Netherlands is full of old windmills but not so
much of the new ones. What a paradox, they didn’t learn from their own history:
the worst mistake mankind can make! Electricity generated from renewable
sources is increasing in the Dutch Country, but not enough with overall demand
for electricity rising as well.
Luckily electric cars are going to be cheaper soon, while extending
their mile / kilometer range. Besides they’ll be more needed to smooth out the
surges in the grid caused by the increased use of wind and solar energy
(storing that clean energy in their batteries). That’s not all, as efforts to
reduce greenhouse-gas production in power plants are moving forward more
rapidly that electric-car production on a global scale, at least, with the
exception of China (a big consumer of coal) which is also paying a heavy price
in terms of pollution.
And this is happening now, as I’m writing. You should consider that the
situation will improve year by year, not quickly enough, but nevertheless it
will. Besides, each year new technologies are tested. The simple salt will be
used for storing heat during the day, to be later used to produce electricity:
a big plause to Morocco!
If someone argues that coal is better just because it’s cheaper, from
now on you know what to answer: I’ll leave it to you.
….Always
humble,
Angiolino
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