energy of the future essay

• News & Updates

The Future of Sustainable Energy

26 June, 2021

Share this on social media:

Building a sustainable energy future calls for leaps forward in both technology and policy leadership. State governments, major corporations and nations around the world have pledged to address the worsening climate crisis by transitioning to 100% renewable energy over the next few decades. Turning those statements of intention into a reality means undertaking unprecedented efforts and collaboration between disciplines ranging from environmental science to economics.

There are highly promising opportunities for green initiatives that could deliver a better future. However, making a lasting difference will require both new technology and experts who can help governments and organizations transition to more sustainable practices. These leaders will be needed to source renewables efficiently and create environmentally friendly policies, as well as educate consumers and policymakers. To maximize their impact, they must make decisions informed by the most advanced research in clean energy technology, economics, and finance.

Current Trends in Sustainability

The imperative to adopt renewable power solutions on a worldwide scale continues to grow even more urgent as the global average surface temperature hits historic highs and amplifies the danger from extreme weather events . In many regions, the average temperature has already increased by 1.5 degrees , and experts predict that additional warming could drive further heatwaves, droughts, severe hurricanes, wildfires, sea level rises, and even mass extinctions.

In addition, physicians warn that failure to respond to this dire situation could unleash novel diseases : Dr. Rexford Ahima and Dr. Arturo Casadevall of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine contributed to an article in the Journal of Clinical Investigation that explained how climate change could affect the human body’s ability to regulate its own temperature while bringing about infectious microbes that adapt to the warmer conditions.

World leaders have accepted that greenhouse gas emissions are a serious problem that must be addressed. Since the Paris Agreement was first adopted in December 2015, 197 nations have signed on to its framework for combating climate change and preventing the global temperature increase from reaching 2 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels.

Corporate giants made their own commitments to become carbon neutral by funding offsets to reduce greenhouse gases and gradually transitioning into using 100% renewable energy. Google declared its operations carbon neutral in 2017 and has promised that all data centers and campuses will be carbon-free by 2030. Facebook stated that it would eliminate its carbon footprint in 2020 and expand that commitment to all the organization’s suppliers within 10 years. Amazon ordered 100,000 electric delivery vehicles and has promised that its sprawling logistics operations will arrive at net-zero emissions by 2040.

Despite these promising developments, many experts say that nations and businesses are still not changing fast enough. While carbon neutrality pledges are a step in the right direction, they don’t mean that organizations have actually stopped using fossil fuels . And despite the intentions expressed by Paris Agreement signatories, total annual carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high of 33.5 gigatons in 2018, led by China, the U.S., and India.

“The problem is that what we need to achieve is so daunting and taxes our resources so much that we end up with a situation that’s much, much worse than if we had focused our efforts,” Ferraro said.

Recent Breakthroughs in Renewable Power

An environmentally sustainable infrastructure requires innovations in transportation, industry, and utilities. Fortunately, researchers in the private and public sectors are laying the groundwork for an energy transformation that could make the renewable energy of the future more widely accessible and efficient.

Some of the most promising areas that have seen major developments in recent years include:

Driving Electric Vehicles Forward

The technical capabilities of electric cars are taking great strides, and the popularity of these vehicles is also growing among consumers. At Tesla’s September 22, 2020 Battery Day event, Elon Musk announced the company’s plans for new batteries that can be manufactured at a lower cost while offering greater range and increased power output .

The electric car market has seen continuing expansion in Europe even during the COVID-19 pandemic, thanks in large part to generous government subsidies. Market experts once predicted that it would take until 2025 for electric car prices to reach parity with gasoline-powered vehicles. However, growing sales and new battery technology could greatly speed up that timetable .

Cost-Effective Storage For Renewable Power

One of the biggest hurdles in the way of embracing 100% renewable energy has been the need to adjust supply based on demand. Utilities providers need efficient, cost-effective ways of storing solar and wind power so that electricity is available regardless of weather conditions. Most electricity storage currently takes place in pumped-storage hydropower plants, but these facilities require multiple reservoirs at different elevations.

Pumped thermal electricity storage is an inexpensive solution to get around both the geographic limitations of hydropower and high costs of batteries. This approach, which is currently being tested , uses a pump to convert electricity into heat so it can be stored in a material like gravel, water, or molten salts and kept in an insulated tank. A heat engine converts the heat back into electricity as necessary to meet demand.

Unlocking the Potential of Microgrids

Microgrids are another area of research that could prove invaluable to the future of power. These systems can operate autonomously from a traditional electrical grid, delivering electricity to homes and business even when there’s an outage. By using this approach with power sources like solar, wind, or biomass, microgrids can make renewable energy transmission more efficient.

Researchers in public policy and engineering are exploring how microgrids could serve to bring clean electricity to remote, rural areas . One early effort in the Netherlands found that communities could become 90% energy self-sufficient , and solar-powered microgrids have now also been employed in Indian villages. This technology has enormous potential to change the way we access electricity, but lowering costs is an essential step to bring about wider adoption and encourage residents to use the power for purposes beyond basic lighting and cooling.

Advancing the Future of Sustainable Energy

There’s still monumental work to be done in developing the next generation of renewable energy solutions as well as the policy framework to eliminate greenhouse gases from our atmosphere. An analysis from the International Energy Agency found that the technologies currently on the market can only get the world halfway to the reductions needed for net-zero emissions by 2050.

To make it the rest of the way, researchers and policymakers must still explore possibilities such as:

• Devise and implement large-scale carbon capture systems that store and use carbon dioxide without polluting the atmosphere
• Establish low-carbon electricity as the primary power source for everyday applications like powering vehicles and heat in buildings
• Grow the use of bioenergy harnessed from plants and algae for electricity, heat, transportation, and manufacturing
• Implement zero-emission hydrogen fuel cells as a way to power transportation and utilities

However, even revolutionary technology will not do the job alone. Ambitious goals for renewable energy solutions and long-term cuts in emissions also demand enhanced international cooperation, especially among the biggest polluters. That’s why Jonas Nahm of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies has focused much of his research on China’s sustainable energy efforts. He has also argued that the international community should recognize China’s pivotal role in any long-term plans for fighting climate change.

As both the leading emitter of carbon dioxide and the No. 1 producer of wind and solar energy, China is uniquely positioned to determine the future of sustainability initiatives. According to Nahm, the key to making collaboration with China work is understanding the complexities of the Chinese political and economic dynamics. Because of conflicting interests on the national and local levels, the world’s most populous nation continues to power its industries with coal even while President Xi Jinping advocates for fully embracing green alternatives.

China’s fraught position demonstrates that economics and diplomacy could prove to be just as important as technical ingenuity in creating a better future. International cooperation must guide a wide-ranging economic transformation that involves countries and organizations increasing their capacity for producing and storing renewable energy.

It will take strategic thinking and massive investment to realize a vision of a world where utilities produce 100% renewable power while rows of fully electric cars travel on smart highways. To meet the challenge of our generation, it’s more crucial than ever to develop leaders who understand how to apply the latest research to inform policy and who can take charge of globe-spanning sustainable energy initiatives .

About the MA in Sustainable Energy (online) Program at Johns Hopkins SAIS

Created by Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies faculty with input from industry experts and employers, the Master of Arts in Sustainable Energy (online) program is tailored for the demands of a rapidly evolving sector. As a top global university, Johns Hopkins is uniquely positioned to equip graduates with the skills they need to confront global challenges in the transition to renewable energy.

The MA in Sustainable Energy curriculum is designed to build expertise in finance, economics, and policy. Courses from our faculty of highly experienced researchers and practitioners prepare graduates to excel in professional environments including government agencies, utility companies, energy trade organizations, global energy governance organizations, and more. Students in the Johns Hopkins SAIS benefit from industry connections, an engaged network of more than 230,000 alumni, and high-touch career services.

Request Information

To learn more about the MA in Sustainable Energy (online) and download a brochure , fill out the fields below, or call +1 410-648-2495 or toll-free at +1 888-513-5303 to talk with one of our admissions counselors.

Johns Hopkins University has engaged AllCampus to help support your educational journey. AllCampus will contact you shortly in response to your request for information. About AllCampus . Privacy Policy . You may opt out of receiving communications at any time.

* All Fields are Required. Your Privacy is Protected.

Connect with us

• Email: [email protected]
• Local Phone: +1 410-648-2495 (Local)
• Toll-Free Phone: +1 888-513-5303 (Toll-Free)

• Current Issue
• Past Issues
• Get New Issue Alerts
• American Academy of Arts 
and Sciences

on the future of global energy

Daniel G. Nocera, a Fellow of the American Academy since 2005, is W. M. Keck Professor of Energy and Professor of Chemistry at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. His current research focuses on basic mechanisms of energy conversion in biology and chemistry.

Energy is the greatest concern of our future. The rising living standards of a growing world population will increase global energy consumption dramatically over the next half century. The challenge for science, and particularly for the discipline of chemistry, is to meet this energy need in a secure, sustainable, and environmentally responsible way. This essay will frame the magnitude of the problem, show the insufficiency of conventional energy sources to meet these needs, and pose an alternative solution.

By 2002, the global population burned energy at a rate of 13.5 TW. (One TW equals 10 12 watts, or 10 12 joules per second. This unit is convenient because it normalizes energy use per unit of time.) In the next forty-five years, this burn rate will rise with alarming alacrity. To gain a sense of the scope of the problem, we can perform a simple but powerful analysis: we can multiply a country’s TW consumption per person by the projected global population of 9 billion people for the year 2050 (see table 1). For example, if 9 billion people adopt the current standard of living for a U.S. resident (which takes 1.1361 × 10 -8  TW of energy to sustain), the world will need an astronomical 102 TW of energy in 2050.

The next three entries–China, India, and Africa–are cause for concern. These countries–and, in one case, an entire continent–have very low per-capita energy use but possess the largest populations on our planet. Since energy consumption scales directly with a country’s GDP, global energy use will increase drastically as China, India, and Africa modernize. So how much energy will the world need in 2050? It depends. If everyone adopts Equatorial Guinea’s current living standards, we will need 30.4 TW by 2050. Or in the case of Samoa’s, we will need 35.7 TW. Both are well below what we will use if everyone in the world consumes energy at North America’s (84.1 TW) or Western Europe’s (45.4 TW) current rates. Conservative estimates of energy use place our global energy need at 28–35 TW in 2050.

Even with extreme conservation measures (maintaining a 102 TW standard of living with only 28–35 TW of energy available will require conservation measures that are far beyond the human experience), we will still need an additional 15–22 TW of energy over our current global base of 13.5 TW. If this sounds simple to achieve, then consider the total amounts of possible energy from the following sources (all figures come from the World Energy Assessment, http://www.undp.org/seed/eap/activities/wea/; a more comprehensive presentation of these numbers can be found on http://nsl.caltech.edu/energy.html):

• From biomass , 7–10 TW: This is the maximum amount of biomass energy available from the agricultural landmass of the planet, which excludes the area needed to house a population of 9 billion. Obtaining this quantity would require harvesting all crops exclusively for energy.
• From nuclear , 8 TW: Delivering this TW-value with nuclear energy would take the construction of eight thousand new nuclear-power plants. In other words, over the next forty-five years, we would have to construct one new nuclear-power plant every two days.
• From wind , 2.1 TW: We could only gather this amount of energy from wind by saturating all global landmass in class 3 and greater with windmills. (‘Class’ refers to an area’s wind-energy potential: a class-3 area has winds of 5.1 meters per second at 10 meters above the ground, the minimum necessary for sustainable energy generation.)
• From hydroelectric , 0.7–2.0 TW: We could achieve this supply of hydroelectric energy by placing dams in all remaining rivers on the earth.

These scenarios are meant to illustrate the scale of the energy problem that confronts our global community. They assume no new advances in science and technology, e.g., the design of new reactor cores or genetically engineered biomass. And in some cases, they are restrictive, e.g., most potential wind energy is over the ocean surface and not land. The point is that, even under the untenable circumstances outlined above, we can barely attain the necessary energy supply for 2050.

The message is clear. The additional energy we need by 2050, over the current 13.5 TW base, is simply not attainable from long-discussed sources–the global appetite for energy is simply too great. We could use more coal, oil, and gas. However, rising energy costs, energy security, and, perhaps most urgently, concerns for the environment, provide the drivers to take energy exploration from the oil fields to the laboratory bench. There, a carbon-neutral, renewable energy source must be discovered.

The principal environmental problem with the continued use of fossil fuels to supply the growing energy demand is the release of CO 2 into the atmosphere. Atmospheric CO 2 concentration during the last century has risen monotonically. Moreover, detailed analysis of the relative abundance of carbon isotopes confirms that this observed CO 2 increase is the result of burning fossil fuels. The current CO 2 concentration of 370 parts per million (ppm) is unparalleled in the last six hundred fifty thousand years, with CO 2 levels ranging from 210–300 ppm until now. Unfortunately, atmospheric CO 2 concentration will likely double, even triple, within the twenty-first century. While we cannot predict the consequences of this increase precisely, there is no question that we are perturbing the planet on an unprecedented scale. The effects of our actions on the earth are unarguably serious, but hopefully not catastrophic. It is thus imperative that the global community moves as quickly as possible to carbon-neutral energy sources.

Of the possible sustainable carbon-neutral energy sources, sunlight is preeminent. More solar energy strikes the Earth’s surface in one hour of each day than the energy used by all human activities in one year. If we could only mimic photosynthesis outside of the leaf–i.e., an artificial photosynthesis–then we could harness the sun’s energy as a fuel. Such a process would combine water and sunlight to produce hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen would then be combined with the oxygen in a fuel cell to give back water and energy. In the overall cycle, sunlight and water are converted to useful energy in the form of the fuels hydrogen and oxygen.

But there’s a catch. Using water and sunlight to make a clean, sustainable fuel to power the planet is a daunting endeavor, as we must uncover large expanses of fundamental molecular science in order to enable light-based energy-conversion schemes.

To emulate photosynthesis, we must be able to capture sunlight and relay it to catalysts that then act on water to rearrange its bonds and make the chemical fuel, hydrogen, and its by-product, oxygen. In designing these hydrogen- and oxygen-producing catalysts, we must take the following into consideration: The overall water-splitting reaction is a multielectron process, involving a total of four electrons. The development of a quantitative, predictive model describing single-electron reactions was a milestone achievement in chemistry in the last half-century. A similar understanding of multielectron reactions, however, has yet to be realized. Moreover, the transfer of four protons must accompany electron transfer–so we need to learn how to manage both electrons and protons. Finally, whereas chemists know how to catalytically rearrange energy-rich (i.e., reactive) bonds, we have yet to develop efficient bond-making/breaking reactions on energy-poor (i.e., stable) substrates such as water.

Scientists are currently working in each of those areas to advance the science of renewable energy at the molecular level. Some of the latest advances include discovering guidelines for the rational design of multielectron reactions and uncovering proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) as a field of study at a mechanistic level. With the frameworks of multielectron chemistry and PCET in place, catalysts that can produce hydrogen and oxygen have been created. Though these are not yet ready for practical use, this will come in time with molecular reengineering. In any case, the development of these catalysts and the studies of their reactivity are revealing the principles needed to simulate photosynthesis. The creation of solar-produced fuels is only part, albeit a significant one, of developing a reliable solar-based technology. A U.S. Department of Energy report on a Solar Energy Utilization workshop (http://www.sc.doe.gov/bes/reports/files/seu_rpt.pdf) identifies a number of other basic-science needs: new photovoltaics to capture solar energy efficiently and relay it to the catalysts; new materials for safe storage of hydrogen and other fuels; the activation of other small molecules of energy consequence such as CO 2 ; and an understanding of reactions of energy consequence at interfaces and at surfaces. Ultimately, the advancement of solar-energy technology depends on the implementation of basic-science discoveries, which require effective, responsible public-management and economic/social-science policies throughout the entire innovation cycle.

Clearly, the greatest crisis confronting us in the twenty-first century is the rapidly growing demand for energy. Because the chemical bond, and the manipulation of the energy within, lies at the heart of this endeavor, chemistry will likely play the most central role of all the sciences. What chemists do in the coming decades will determine whether or not we will bequeath to our planet the gift of the sun as its source of energy.

The Future of Renewable Energy Technology: 3 Inspiring Essay Examples

The future of renewable energy technology is a topic that garners significant attention in today's world. As the global community grapples with climate change and the depletion of fossil fuels, the shift towards renewable energy sources becomes increasingly critical. This article will guide you through how to write an essay on this pressing subject, providing three inspiring examples to spark your creativity.

• What is Renewable Energy Technology?

Renewable energy technology refers to the harnessing of energy from natural, replenishable sources such as solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal power. Unlike fossil fuels, these energy sources do not deplete over time and have a significantly lower environmental impact. The advancements in this field include innovations in solar panel efficiency, wind turbine design, energy storage systems, and smart grid technologies.

Components of Renewable Energy Technology

• Solar Power : Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity using photovoltaic cells. Innovations include enhanced efficiency, lower costs, and flexible, thin-film solar cells.
• Wind Power : Wind turbines generate electricity by converting kinetic energy from wind. Improvements include larger blades, offshore wind farms, and floating turbines.
• Hydropower : Utilizing flowing water to generate electricity. This includes traditional dams as well as new methods like tidal and wave energy.
• Geothermal Energy : Extracting heat from the Earth's core to generate electricity and provide heating solutions. Advances in drilling and heat pump technology have expanded its applications.
• Energy Storage : Technologies like batteries and supercapacitors store energy from intermittent renewable sources, making it available when needed.
• Smart Grids : Integrating renewable energy sources into existing grids, enhancing efficiency, reliability, and the ability to balance supply and demand.
• Why Write About the Future of Renewable Energy Technology?

Renewable energy is a vital solution to combat climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure long-term energy security. Writing about this subject informs readers about technological advancements and encourages them to consider the benefits and challenges associated with transition to a greener economy.

• Example 1: The Impact of Solar Energy on Future Energy Markets

Introduction

Solar energy has emerged as a front-runner in the renewable energy sector, promising to revolutionize the way we power our world. With advancements in solar panel efficiency and storage technologies, the future of solar energy looks bright. This essay will explore the potential impact of solar energy on future energy markets, discussing both its advantages and the challenges it faces.

Benefits of Solar Energy

One of the most significant benefits of solar energy is its abundance. The sun provides more energy in an hour than the entire world consumes in a year. With advancements in photovoltaic technology, solar panels are becoming more efficient and affordable, making it increasingly accessible for residential and commercial use.

Solar energy also offers environmental benefits, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, solar installations create jobs and stimulate economic growth.

Despite its advantages, solar energy faces several challenges. Intermittency is a significant issue, as solar power is not generated at night or during cloudy periods. Energy storage technologies, such as batteries, are essential to address this problem.

The initial cost of solar installations can be high, although this is decreasing as technology improves. Additionally, there are concerns about the environmental impact of manufacturing and disposing of solar panels.

Overall, solar energy has the potential to transform future energy markets. With continued advancements in technology and supportive policies, it can become a major player in the renewable energy landscape.

• Example 2: The Role of Wind Energy in Achieving Carbon Neutrality

Wind energy is a rapidly growing sector in the renewable energy industry. As countries around the world strive to achieve carbon neutrality, wind power stands out as a key solution. This essay will examine the role of wind energy in reducing carbon emissions and the technological innovations driving its growth.

Advantages of Wind Energy

Wind energy is a clean and sustainable source of electricity. It does not produce greenhouse gases or air pollutants, making it an attractive option for reducing carbon emissions. Wind farms can be built on land or offshore, providing flexibility in site selection.

Technological advancements have led to the development of larger and more efficient turbines. These innovations increase energy output and reduce costs, making wind power more competitive with traditional energy sources.

Technological Innovations

One of the most significant innovations in wind energy is the development of offshore wind farms. These installations take advantage of stronger and more consistent winds at sea, increasing energy production. Floating wind turbines are another groundbreaking technology, allowing turbines to be placed in deeper waters where fixed foundations are not feasible.

Additionally, advances in materials and engineering have improved turbine durability and efficiency. Smart grid technology also plays a crucial role, enabling better integration of wind power into the electrical grid and enhancing reliability.

Wind energy is essential for achieving carbon neutrality. With continued technological advancements and supportive policies, it can significantly reduce carbon emissions and contribute to a sustainable future.

• Example 3: The Future of Energy Storage in Renewable Energy Systems

Energy storage is a critical component of renewable energy systems. As the world transitions to renewable energy, the ability to store and manage energy effectively becomes increasingly important. This essay will explore the future of energy storage technologies and their impact on the renewable energy sector.

Importance of Energy Storage

Energy storage solutions address the intermittency of renewable energy sources like solar and wind. By storing excess energy when production is high and releasing it when demand increases, energy storage systems ensure a stable and reliable power supply.

Additionally, energy storage enhances grid resilience and flexibility. It allows for better integration of renewable energy into the grid, reducing the need for backup fossil fuel power plants and lowering emissions.

Innovations in Energy Storage

Several innovative technologies are shaping the future of energy storage. Lithium-ion batteries, commonly used in electric vehicles and portable electronics, are becoming more prevalent in renewable energy systems. Their high energy density and declining costs make them an attractive option for grid-scale storage.

Flow batteries are another promising technology, offering long-duration storage with less degradation over time. These batteries use liquid electrolytes and can be scaled up easily, making them suitable for large-scale applications.

Supercapacitors and flywheels are also being explored for their potential to provide rapid response times and high power density. These technologies can complement traditional battery storage, providing a comprehensive solution for energy management.

Energy storage is pivotal to the success of renewable energy systems. With continued research and development, advanced storage technologies will play a crucial role in ensuring a reliable and sustainable energy future.

Writing about the future of renewable energy technology offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative solutions to one of the world's most pressing challenges. Whether focusing on solar, wind, or energy storage, each essay provides valuable insights into how these technologies can shape a sustainable future. Remember to structure your essay with clear sections, provide supporting evidence, and address both the benefits and challenges of renewable energy. By doing so, you can create compelling and informative essays that inspire and educate your readers.

How to Write an Essay on The Future of Renewable Energy Policy: 3 Best Examples

Explore the evolving landscape of renewable energy policies and learn how to write compelling essays on the subject. This guide offers detailed examples and essential tips for crafting insightful analyses on the future of renewable energy policy.

The Significance of Renewable Energy Sources: 3 Best Essay Examples

In a world grappling with the challenges of climate change, dwindling natural resources, and increasing pollution, the role of renewable energy sources has become more vital than ever. If you’re a student or a professional seeking to shed light on the significance of renewable energy sources through an essay, this comprehensive guide is for you.

The Future of Essay Writing AI Tools as Academic Assistants

AI tools streamline academic writing by addressing common challenges like thesis development, logical organization, and grammar, enhancing essay quality and efficiency.