Staying Optimistic About The Energy Transition
- Stu Rodnick
- Feb 22
- 2 min read
Given the turbulence of the day, it's important to stay optimistic about the long term direction of energy transition.
I consider the value of the energy transition through the climate benefits, an appreciation of technological advancements, and a belief that clean energy is better engineering. Removing unnecessary components and fuels, especially the burning of fossil fuels.
When things seem short term bad, I get optimism from the below.
Regardless of policy, the technologies leading the energy transition keep getting better.
Facing choice of incentives & climate tech advancements, would choose advancements.
Incentives matter less than in past since climate technologies keep gaining efficiencies.
Burning fuels requires spending money each year, a (bad) ongoing business expense.
Renewables are more practical since $ is spent upfront and then generate ongoing value (energy).
Too many inefficiencies from digging for, delivering, refining, burning fuels.
The smartest, biggest investors in the world (including oil producing nations) recognize renewable energy is the future and are betting on it's future.
Energy has been a support leg of regional economies for centuries, and there is now a global race to lead in the current, renewable energy led era.
When it comes to climate technology, it's pretty much China first, then the ROW, which feeds competitive spirts.
Countries across the world are ramping up their renewable energy focus, so they can maintain greater energy independence.
The build-up of electricity generation for data centers, helps to accelerate the buildout of renewable energy projects.
Possible that the data centers end up funding more generation than is needed, and the projects prove useful for other uses, next decade.
There are many efficiency gains in queue for new products that will be deployed this decade, including EVs, solar and storage technologies.
A good number of new technologies are expected to emerge next decade, including the potential of small nuclear reactors (SMRs)
Other technology solutions will come about, some of which aren't even known or mentioned today.
New capacity records will keep getting established for turbines, solar farms, wind farms.
Engineers have figured out how to switch industrial manufacturing processes from fuels to electrifed heat.
More efficient, lighter ozone burning refrigerants are available.
Electrifed heating (heat pump) technologies are advancing at a rapid pace.
Global competition results in not wanting to be left behind, and having to catch-up.
