The world can’t afford to wait for an energy miracle
The cost of shifting to clean energy will skyrocket unless we begin making investments and long-term plans to deploy advanced technologies now.
The findings: New research has found that transitioning to zero carbon electricity will cost 61 percent more by 2050 if we only rely on short-term strategies and existing clean technologies.
Why? Such an approach would lock in a less-than-optimal mix of energy sources, ultimately requiring far more energy-generating capacity and supporting infrastructure.
On the other hand: If "unicorn technologies" that have been demonstrated but not widely commercialized are deployed along with long-term, systems-wide planning, it could reduce total costs 13 percent by midcentury (see: "Praying for an energy miracle"). Getting there will require public-sector investment and support on the level we've not yet seen.
The findings: New research has found that transitioning to zero carbon electricity will cost 61 percent more by 2050 if we only rely on short-term strategies and existing clean technologies.
Why? Such an approach would lock in a less-than-optimal mix of energy sources, ultimately requiring far more energy-generating capacity and supporting infrastructure.
On the other hand: If "unicorn technologies" that have been demonstrated but not widely commercialized are deployed along with long-term, systems-wide planning, it could reduce total costs 13 percent by midcentury (see: "Praying for an energy miracle"). Getting there will require public-sector investment and support on the level we've not yet seen.
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