A few thoughts on our Energy Future
Author: Jock Gill
As we consider our options for our Energy Future, what sorts of criteria might we use to evaluate the various paths under consideration?
Do we want an Energy future that meets these six simple tests:
1] Design goal: a system that is at least 85% efficient end to end;
2] A robust and resilient network with no single points of failure;
3] Is based on conservation and efficiency first, and then on renewable, carbon neutral fuels that do not contribute to global climate change;
4] Requires full life cycle accounting from construction to decommissioning, and including all waste disposal and handling;
5] Creates and strengthens opportunities for local and regional workforce development and increases the base of sustainable jobs with livable wages within the local community.
6] Imposes no environmental or economic burdens or risks on future generations.
If we agree on these six common sense tests, then we will want do our best to eliminate from our energy future all of the solutions that do not pass through this filter.
2 comments permalink | Jock Gill | Climate Change, Economy, Energy, Politics
This sounds great. Can you name 3 reliable energy sources that can fit your criteria that are currently providing a majority of the power to any modern city on the planet?
The problem with simplistic ideas like the above is that they are nearly impossible to implement.
It’s nice to think about, but generally impossible to actually implement.
I think it is very dangerous to suggest that because lofty goals cannot be achieved immediately in the most difficult situations, we should abandon our goals.
Jock has listed some very good and ambitious goals. Will we ever be able to achieve them? What sort of effort will it take?
Some goals are just simple plain sense. Requires full life cycle accounting from construction to decommissioning, and including all waste disposal and handling;. We should know what as closely as possible, the full costs of any form of energy.
As to a robust and resilient network that is at least 85% efficient end to end, that is a great design goal. We may have a long way to go to get to such a network, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try.