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America already possesses the technical and industrial know-how to solve the carbon and climate problem. A portfolio of at least 16 technologies now exists to meet the world’s energy needs to limit atmospheric greenhouse gases. Although each technology has been proven on a full industrial scale, no single component can handle the entire job by itself. However, the portfolio as a whole is large enough that each element can be scaled up and used where it is applicable. With the right mix of conservation techniques and clean energy technologies, each region of the U.S. can gain energy independence without adding greenhouse gasses to the atmosphere.
Clean energy sources can promote economic development, increase energy security, stabilize energy prices, and safeguard the climate from greenhouse gases.
Expanding the use of renewable energy is not only good for our energy self-sufficiency and the environment; it also has a significant positive impact on employment. Across a broad range of scenarios, the renewable energy sector generates more jobs than the fossil fuel-based energy sector per unit of energy delivery. (2)
The following 16 technologies can fuel a stronger economy that is independent of other nations, non-polluting, secure, diversified, and stimulating to the economy.
- Improve fuel economy in the transportation sector. Technologies exist today to achieve 60-100 mpg in cars. If the average car even got 30 mpg, it would create a significant difference. (1)
- Reduced reliance on cars. Telecommuting, smart urban design, and investment in a modern, convenient transit system within local communities with high speed rail criss-crossing the country can further reduce the number of miles driven. (1)
- Encourage Energy Efficient Buildings. Energy efficient space heating and cooling, water heating, lighting, and refrigeration in residential and commercial buildings can reduce emissions by 1/4. (1)
- Improved power plant efficiency. In 2000, coal power plants, operating on average at 32% efficiency, produced about 1/4 of all carbon emissions. (1)
- Substituting natural gas for coal. Carbon emissions per unit of electricity are about half as large from natural gas power plants as from coal plants. (1)
- Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology prevents about 90% of the fossil carbon from reaching the atmosphere. (1)
- Storage of carbon captured in hydrogen plants. The hydrogen resulting from precombustion capture of CO2 can be sent offsite to displace the consumption of conventional fuels rather than being consumed onsite to produce electricity. (1)
- Capture CO2 at coal-to-synfuels (synthetic fuel).
- Wind electricity. When optimally placed, wind turbines can generate a significant amount of America’s needed energy at a cost that is on par with coal.
- Solar (Photovoltaic) electricity or solar hot water heaters are quickly becoming more efficient and cost effective and can be incorporated on commercial and residential roofs to take advantage of peak electricity hours.
- Geothermal power can be tapped to generate inexpensive electricity 24 hours a day.
- Wave and tidal power. The energy captured from the constant and somewhat predictable movement of waves and tides is being harnessed to produce electricity for coastal communities.
- Renewable hydrogen. Renewable electricity can produce carbon-free hydrogen for vehicle fuel by the electrolysis of water. (1)
- Biofuels. Fossil-carbon fuels can be replaced by biofuels such as methanol, ethanol and biodiesel, which can be derived from sugar cane, corn, switch grass, soy beans, and vegetable oil. (1)
- Agricultural soils management. When forest or natural grassland is converted to cropland, up to 1/2 of the soil carbon is lost, primarily because annual tilling increases the rate of decomposition by aerating un-decomposed organic matter.
- Hydrogen electricity can be generated from water, biomass, natural gas, or coal gasification. Today, hydrogen is mainly produced from natural gas via steam methane reforming. Coal gasification and nuclear power could produce considerable amounts of hydrogen. However, the nation's coal reserves would diminish quickly; the process of mining for coal is dangerous and damaging; and there is still no safe way to dispose of nuclear waste. That leaves renewable sources such as solar, wind, and geothermal energy as major resources for sustainable hydrogen production. However, improvements in efficiency and costs, though progressing rapidly, need to be fully realized before these technologies can be an effective generator of affordable hydrogen at the scale that is needed. (1)
(1) Stabilization Wedges: Solving the Climate Problem for the Next 50 Years with Current Technologies S. Pacala 1* and R. Socolow2*
(2) UC BERKELEY REPORT OF THE RENEWABLE AND APPROPRIATE ENERGY LABORATORY Putting Renewables to Work: How Many Jobs Can the Clean Energy Industry Generate?
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