Energy transition through ages
Energy Transition
The energy aspect in a wider sense of the word means the change of sources of energy.
Old ways of using energy
Previously the energy used by all humans was in the form of wood but also in the form of animals. Both of these resources are still used in current days, only on a much smaller scale compared to other sources.
During the industrial revolution coal found is way as an energy source. Coals was easier to get by and more plentiful than wood previously used. It was used to provide energy to machines that replaced slow manual labour and therefore a start of the industrial evolution.
Later on other fossil fuels were added to the energy sources portfolio: oil and gas. Both of these are more efficient and healthier then coal, but less present on earth. Although these resources are able to supply the earth for at least 150 years changes need to be made. The global warming induced by carbon dioxide made by burning carbohydrates is the main cause for the greenhouse effect which we find ourselves in.
Thankfully renewable energy sources have the possibility to take on the word energy need eventually. A source of energy is considered renewable if it will only be partly depleted when used. Renewable energy sources now make up 11% of the total energy demand in the forms of hydro (7%), and other energy sources (4%) in 2017.
These energy sources are means to decarbonize the energy supply and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Using these still has some obstacles to overcome but is cheaper in the long run and better for the planet in general in terms of preserving biodiversity and preventing mass migration and deaths by extreme weather.
One of these obstacles is the storage of energy. Fossil fuel has a very high energy density compared to other available storage options. This high energy density is especially important in transport but also in renewable energy. The renewable energy has peaks and supercharges the electricity grid. Electricity needs to be used to prevent damage. Some forms to store energy are by means of: gravity, momentum, thermal mass and chemical energy. The latter being the most likely to be used in transport used for transport like for example hydrogen.
The Paris agreement
The Paris agreement aims to decrease global warming well under 2°C under pre industrial levels. This must be done by decarbonisation of the energy used. It was signed by 196 state parties and involves making nationwide plans to reduce carbon emissions. For the Netherlands for example this means prohibiting the sale of fossil fuelled auto motives by 2030 and migrating the public transport to carbon neutral energy.
Possible new sources of energy than can and must be used parallel to achieve to goal of the Paris agreement are: hydropower, wind, solar power, geothermal and marine energy. The carbon footprint of these type of energy sources is much lower than fossil fuels.
sources:
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9984-introduction-energy-and-fuels/
https://www.ecotricity.co.uk/our-green-energy/energy-independence/the-end-of-fossil-fuels
