Foresight Trend
To understand how we can sustainably power society while improving individual comfort, it’s helpful to review the pros and cons of today’s main energy sources.
Fossil Fuels
Fossil fuels are not sustainable and are a major contributor to global warming. Their continued use should be limited to emergency reserves only.
Nuclear Power
Although nuclear energy offers a stable output, it poses long-term pollution risks and potential threats if used as a military target or mismanaged. Fusion energy remains unproven and would likely require large, centralized infrastructure with similar concerns.
Biomass
Using biomass waste for energy is viable, but the available volume is insufficient to meet comfort needs without converting vast areas of land—land that is better preserved for wildlife. As a temporary solution, livestock feed crops could be replaced with high-energy plants like miscanthus, helping to boost wintertime energy supply.
Hydropower
Hydropower is a reliable source and even offers energy storage through mountain reservoirs. However, it’s geographically limited to flowing rivers and mountainous areas and can disrupt wildlife migration patterns.
Geothermal Energy
Geothermal systems carry risks, especially at great depths, including the potential to trigger earthquakes. If not carefully managed, they can also deplete underground heat sources and negatively impact aquifers.
Wave and Tidal Energy
While promising, wave and tidal energy are only viable in specific locations. Their cost, environmental impact, and long-term reliability are still under evaluation.
Wind Energy
Wind power is criticized for its visual impact on landscapes and relatively high costs due to moving parts and limited lifespan. However, it remains a useful supplementary source in certain areas.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
Solar power stands out for its versatility and minimal environmental footprint. Panels can be installed on buildings or vertically within agricultural zones, preserving land use. However, solar energy is intermittent—varying between day and night, and across seasons.
To fully harness the potential of solar power, electricity pricing should be indexed to the amount of sunlight a region receives. This would encourage industries—especially energy-intensive ones like recycling—to operate more during summer months when solar electricity is abundant and cheaper.
Solar power also benefits from interseasonal energy storage. Increased consumption in summer (when generation peaks) can reduce stress on the grid, especially if supported by storage systems that supply energy during less sunny periods.
We are currently conducting a feasibility analysis of using ammonia as a long-term seasonal energy storage solution, and early results appear promising.
A sustainable energy future will likely depend on a combination of solar infrastructure, short-term electricity storage, and long-term energy storage technologies. But for this to work, policy change is essential. Governments and regions must adopt pricing mechanisms that reflect local solar potential, guiding energy use toward both environmental sustainability and greater comfort for all.
The YeahGlobe website povides notes on energy related topics such as carbon credits and ammonia energy storage.