Renew Extra Weekly

Some say that renewable energy technologies do not generate much more energy than is needed for their construction and that their low energy return on energy invested (EROEI or EROI) will slow transition from fossil fuelled to renewable electricity. Indeed, some see the allegedly low EROIs compared with the historically high EROIs of fossil fuels as a major problem- with lower returns on investment, the global energy system will becomes less economically efficient. A new study by  Diesendorf and Wiedmann says that this view is based on outdated data on EROIs, on failing to consider the energy efficiency advantages of transitioning away from fuel combustion and on overestimates of the storage requirements for using variable renewable energy (VRE) sources. As an example of the impact of using dated data, it is pointed out that ‘ Sers and Victor (2018) base their statement that EROIs of VRE technologies are ‘substantially lower than conventional fossil fuels’ on the meta-anal...

Promoting his new book ‘100% Clean, Renewable Energy & Storage for Everything’, Prof. Mark Jacobson from Stanford University says that ‘this book is a culmination of my life’s research so far. How to eliminate up to 7 million air pollution deaths per year, global warming, energy poverty, and energy insecurity’. It certainly is very comprehensive- and radical. It examines the science, engineering, economic, social, and political aspects of transitioning towns, cities, states, countries, businesses, and the world to 100% clean, renewable wind-water-solar (WWS) energy & storage for everything . Such a transition will, it says, address air pollution, global warming, and energy security simultaneously. The book also examines ways to reduce non-energy emissions. All in all, a full assessment of the options and of the way ahead to a sustainable future.    It concludes that a transition among all energy and non-energy sectors worldwide is technically and economically possibl...